Peria Azawar

Period 9th C. AD
Place Sri Villiputhur
Other Names Vishnu Sittar, Patta Naadan, Bhattar Piraan, Sri Villiputthooraar, Sriranganaatha Svasoorar
Month Aani
Star (Natshatram) Swathi (Swaathee)
Hamsam Garuda (Chariot - Veheicle)


Poomalai Kaimkaryam of Periyazhwar

Sri periyazhwar was deeply interested in serving perumal vatapatrasayi in the best manner as possible.Sri Vatapatrasayi perumal is The lord who appears as resting in yoga nidra on a small banyan leaf with the whole universe inside His stomatch to protect it(Universe) from Pralayam.

While doing anusandhanam of Srimad Bhagavatham periyazhwar came across the following incident.

Sri krishna paramatma comes to mathura for slaying king kamsa alongwith balarama.While getting down from his chariot at mathura Sri krishna paramatma saw the malakaran taking flower garlands for the king kamsa immediatly sri krishna paramatma stopped the malakaran and asked him for a flower garland .The malakaran reverentially replied "so many rishis and mahapurushas perform penace to get your divine darsanam and you who are so elusive to them came before a ordinary person like me and gave me your darsanam out of your own will and have asked me a garland.what more grace can i expect" saying this the malakaran picked out his best flower garland and offered it to the lord .The lord was very happy in receiving the garland and then left for kamsa's palace.

This incident left a strong impression on periyazhwar's mind and he concluded that preparing and offering flower garlands to the lord was the best kaimkaryam and thus prepared a small flower garden in front of his house and grew different varities of flowers like Tulasi,Tamarai,shengazhaneer,mallikai mullai etc and looked after the garder with great care.

Daily He used to get up very early and after taking his bath and finishing his anushthanams used to go to the nandavam and then carefully select the flowers and after plucking the best among the lot used to weave a garland and then take it to the vatapatrasayi perumal sannidhi ,the bhattar used to adorn the malai over mooolavar in a very nice fashion after being satisfied vishnuchittar used to offer his prayers and leave the place.

His tiru pallandu is very famous among the Vaishnava devotees. This great alwar's special daughter is none other than Srimati Andal, the author of Tiruppavai.


Vishnuchitta? was called " Periya Azhwar"
Why?

He was not one of the first Azhwars to appear on this earth.
That credit goes to the Mudal Azhwars.

He was not the first one to establish the Paratvam of the Lord.
That credit goes to Thirumazhisai Azhwar.

He did not write extensively. Even the ones he authored is small
compared to those of other Azhwars.
That credit of composing prodigiously goes to Tirumangai Azhwar.

How then did he come to be known as Periya Azhwar?

For this, we need to have a flashback of the incident in the life story of
Vishnuchitta?, which shot him to instant fame.

Villi and Kandan were hunter brothers who lived in the forest adjoining
Puttur in the Pandya kingdom. While on a hunting spree, Villi saw his
brother Kandan being killed by a tiger. He also saw how he came back alive
by the grace of God. Villi became very rich shortly after and built a temple
for Lord Vishnu and formed a village around the temple and named it
Villiputtur. Mukunda Bhattar and his wife Padmavalli were one of the early
settlers there.

Periya Azhwar, an incarnation of Garuda (the divine falcon vehicle of Lord
Vishnu) was born to them as Vishnu chitta (One whose mind is rivetted to
Lord Vishnu). He was born in the year Krodhana, Aani month, Suklapaksha
Ekadasi day (a Sunday) in the constellation of Swati. He bought a small
piece of land, converted it into a flower garden and spent his time in
making flower garlands for the Lord of Vada Perumal koil in his place.

At that time, there was a king called "Vallabhadeva" who was just and
impartial. Once, he asked his Purohit 'Selvanambhi' as to who was the
Supreme deity. Selvanambhi suggested that he call all the learned pundits
of the times in an assembly to debate the issue and arrive at a conclusion.
The king announced a wager in which a wallet containing golden coins
(Porkizhi) was to be tied to the top of a pole. This would bend towards the
person who is able to establish with absolute certainty the correct answer
to this poser. Great pundits from all over the country belonging to several
sects gathered in the hall to thrash out the issue. But, the wallet would
not come down.

The Lord appeared in the dream of Vishnu chitta and asked him to participate
in the debate. Accordingly, he proceeded to the court. The poets assembled
jeered at him saying that he had come there like a blind person who was 'NOT
AFRAID OF THE DARK'. Unmindful of all the ridicule, Vishnu chitta commenced
expounding how Lord Narayana was the Supreme deity. The pole bent to his
side on its own and Vishnu chitta was declared the winner and offered the
prize. He was honored by being taken in a procession mounted on a tall
caparisoned elephant. He was hailed eulogizing his feat in winning the
wallet. He was also called Bhattarpiraan, Srivilliputtur Kone, Puduvai Kone,
and Kizhi Arutthan.

As the procession emerged out, there appeared on the sapphire skies Lord
Vishnu clad in his proverbial pinkish yellow attire(Pitambara) accompanied
by his consort Mahalakshmi and the entire retinue of divine beings to bless
Vishnuchitta. In extreme ecstasy, Vishnu chitta sang his famous "Pallandu"
in 12 stanzas praying for the long life of Bhagavan.

He knew full well that no harm could ever befall the Lord. But, he became
anxious that having exposed himself to the gaze of all in this mundane
world, (some of them may be having an evil eye), Bhagavan should not be
affected thereby. Hence, he hastened to sing the "Tirup pallaandu" hymns.
These are being recited throughout the World in all Vishnu temples even
though the priests have had no exposure to the Tamil language. This forms
the first decad of the first Part of his monumental work, "Periyazhwar
Tirumozhi

1. It is the greatness of his love for the Lord that made him pour out the
Pallandu hymns. Ordinarily, only elders would bless the young ones for a
long life. "Periya' means elder and therefore he was called Periyazhwar. To
the objection that such an attitude was 'unnatural' (Swarupa Viruddham),
Pillai Lokacharya has argued that as it was a 'Mangala Aasaasanam', it was
quite in order and because - IT WAS A STRANGE CASE OF KNOWLEDGE RIPENING INTO AN
IGNORANCE OF SORTS DUE TO LOVE AND AFFECTION.

2. King Janaka laid a challenge through the Siva Dhanus in Sri Sita's
marriage; Kumbar, the Aayar Chief laid a challenge in the form of the 7
bulls in the marriage of Nappinnai; But, Vishnuchitta laid no challenges in
the marriage of his daughter, Andal because of his obvious conviction that
in due time,'THE OWNER WOULD CLAIM WHAT HE OWNED'

3. It is natural to honor anyone who brings relief from suffering. That is
how Rishyasringa was honored when rains came to the parched land of
Angadesa as he set foot there. Vishnuchitta also performed a similar
miracle. When a famine raged in the northern city of Kandam Kadinagar on the
banks of Ganges, he was invited to the city to solve the crisis. As he set
foot there, welcome rains showered and the place was relieved of the famine.
His greatness was honored. Periyazhwar himself is said to refer to this
incident thus "Venkali Naliyaa Vittuchittar"

4. Parasara who wrote Vishnu Purana known as Purana Ratna deals with the
story of Sri Krishna only in the 5th Amsa of his work; Sukhabrahmam who
wrote Srimad Bhaagavatam has dealt with the story of Krishna only in the
10th Skaandam; But, Vishnuchitta fills his entire Tirumozhi with the story of
Lord Krishna vividly portraying every detail of the Lord's childhood
'leelas ' in his own inimitable style.

5.Another esoteric aspect of Periyazhwar that really makes him
'Periya' is the fact that he is the incarnation of Garuda. We know that
Garuda is known as ?Periya Thiruvadi?. Garuda reincarnated himself as
Ajuna's chariot and as such he witnessed the Lord delivering the Baghavad
Gita - especially the Charama Sloka to Arjuna. Thus, apart from Arjuna, he
was the one who was the direct recipient of the Lord's message. Andal
refers to this when she says "Meymei Peru Vaarthai Vittu Chittar
Kettiruppaar".'Vaarthai' is Moolamantram; 'Peru Vaarthai' is the Mantra
Ratna of Dwayam and 'Meymei Peru Vaarthai' is the Charama sloka.

6. Swami Desika in his Godha Sthuthi reveals the secret!

Thaathasthu thE madhubithah sthuthilesa vasyaath
KarNaamruthaih: sthuthi Sathaih: anavaaptha poorvam /
Tvan mouli gandha subaghaam upahrithya maalaam
lebhe ?Mahthara?padaanuguNam prasaadam //

Meaning
Oh! Godha Devi! Your father composed hundreds of sweet pasurams and
dedicated them to Emperumaan. The Lord who is Stotra priya- one who is
easily moved by praise, did not confer this honorific on your father then.
But, only after you adorned the fragrant flower garland and had them offered
to Him, that He conferred the title of ?Periya Azhwar?!

He sowed the seed of devotion in the heart of his daughter, Andal which
eventually developed into a divine love and culminated in her wedding the
Lord. Thus, he became the father- in- law of Lord Vishnu
- an honor none other Azhwars could claim.

Sri Nathamuni also refers to this when he said:
Svasuram amaravandhyam Ranganaathasya saakshaath/
Dvija kula thilakam thu, VishNu chittham namaami//

Let us now have a bird's eye view of the contents of the various decads
contained in the 473 verses of his Tirumozhi distributed in 4 parts of 10
decads each plus the 5th part containing 3 decads.

1.1 :This contains the famous Tiruppallaandu in which he issues a clarion
call to everyone to join him in wishing 'all the best' to the Lord - everyone
including those who desired Moksham, those who desired Kaivalya, those who
desired mundane benefits and even those who desired nothing.
1.2 : Celebrations on the birth of Lord Krishna
1.3 : The physical beauty of every limb of the baby
1.4 : The lullaby of Yasoda.
1.5 : Kinds of plays of a child like looking at the moon
1.6 : The posture of rocking back and forth (Senkeerai Aadal)
1.7 : Patting the palms (Sappani Kottal)
1.8 : The faltering first steps of the child (Talar Nadai)
1.9 and 1.10 : Pleasures of hugging the child

2.1 : Playing ' Pick-a-boo' hide and seek
2.2 : Inviting the child for breast feeding
2.3 : Ear piercing
2.4 : Giving shower to the child
2.5 : Combing the hairs of the child
2.6 : Diverting the attention of the child
2.7 : Decorating the child's hairs with fresh flowers
2.8 : Taking steps to ward off 'evil eye' that might affect the child
2.9 and 2.10 : Complaints galore of the childhood pranks

3.1 : Yasoda getting unnerved on seeing her boy's superhuman feats
3.2 : Her anxiety after sending him for tending the cows
3.3 : A mother's pride on the activities of her kid.
3.4 : The lad who bewitched the Gopis
3.5 : The Episode of lifting the Govardhana Giri
3.6 : The enticing flute of Krishna
3.7 and 3.8 Azhwar assumes himself as the mother of a Gopi and expresses her
concern for her daughter
3.9 : Azhwar enjoys the exploits of the Lord as Rama and Krishna
3.10 : Tiruvadi handing over Rama's Signet ring to Sri Sita

4.1 : The glory of Bhagavatas
4.2 and 4.3 : On Tirumalirumcholai
4.4 : On Tirukkoshtiyur
4.6 : The need to name children after Narayana
4.7 : On Kandam Kadi Nagar
4.8 and 4.9 : On Tiruvarangam
4.5 and 4.10 Portray vividly the throes of death and how and why one should
remember the Lord while there is still time to do so in order to escape
Samsara

5.1 : He expresses his humility (Naichya Anusantaanam)
5.2 : How the bodily ailments are driven out by the Lord
5.3 : He effectively prevents the Lord from leaving him and concludes by
narrating all the benefits he had secured when the Lord showered His grace .

Now, let us proceed to enjoy the sentiments expressed by the Alwar in a few
hymns :

1. Yasoda calls baby Krishna for an oil bath. He refuses and runs away. She
entreats him saying- "Having besmeared your body with butter and mud, I
will not let you soil your bed tonight. See! For how long I have been
waiting with oil, scented soap-nut powder etc.
O! Lord! Narana! who is beyond anybody's reach. Please do come and have
your bath".
This is the hymn that is recited in all Vishnu temples
throughout the World especially at the time of Tirumanjanam (ceremonial
bath) to the Lord's idol. (2 / 4 / 1 )

veNNeyaLaindhakuNungum viLaiyaadupuzhudhiyumkoNdu
thiNNene_ivviraa_unnaith thEyththukkidakkan^aan_ottEn
eNNeyppuLippazhamkoNdu ingu_eththanaipOdhum_irundhEn
naNNalariyapiraanE! naaraNaa! neeraadavaaraay. (2)

2. Having failed, she tries to trick him into a sense of shame by saying
"I might even like to leave you go with all the dirt on your beautiful body
smeared by you, while playing in the cattle-shed but others 'will not like
it a bit'; Further, and more importantly, if your darling Nappinnai sees you
in this state, she will laugh at you!. Are you so shameless to let this
happen to you? Come,Quickly finish your bath and get ready" - What an
experience! (2/4/9)

"Naan Ethenum Ilaadhaa! NAPPINNAI KANDAAL SIRIKKUM"

3. Referring to the power of Bhagavatas who are always immersed in the
thoughts of the Lord's auspicious qualities and exploits, the Azhwar says
that we are verily their slaves and they have the right and power even to
sell us away. "Kesava! Purushottama! Kilar Jyotiye! Enru Pesuvaar
Adiyaargal ENTHAMMAI VIRKAVUM PERUVAARKALE(4/4/10)

4. The Azhwar advises that if we were to utter the words 'Namo Narayana'
with folded hands raised above our heads, we would reach Paramapadam
through the 'Path of Light' (Archiraadhi Marga). And once we reach there,
we will never come back to this stupid world, even if we want to. Even if
the Nityasuris recommend, guarantee and pledge themselves on our behalf,
the Lord would not let us go. ( 4 / 5 / 4 )

seeyinaalseRindhERiyapuNmEl
seRRalERikkuzhambirundhu engum
eeyinaal_arippuNdumayangi
ellaivaaychchenRusErvadhanmunnam
vaayinaaln^amOn^aaraNaavenRu
maththakaththidaikkaikaLaikkooppi
pOyinaalpinnai_iththisaikku_enRum
piNaikkodukkilumpOkavottaarE.

5. The Azhwar likens the journey of the Prapanna to Paramapadam to his
climbing a ladder through the path of light. He says that once the Prapanna
reaches there, the Lord would remove the ladder leaving him no chance to
return again to this world.(4 /9/2)

karuLudaiyapozhilmarudhum
kadhakkaLiRumpilambanaiyumkadiyamaavum
uruLudaiyasakadaraiyummallaraiyum
udaiyavittu_OsaikEttaan
iruLakaRRum_eRikathirOnmaNdalaththoodu
ERRivaiththu_ENivaangi
aruLkoduththittu_adiyavarai
aatkoLvaanamarumoor_aNiyarangamE.

6. Referring to the practice of naming children indiscriminately, he advises
"If you give names such as Nambi,Pimbi etc which are meaningless, these
names will go into oblivion soon. Name the child after the lotus eyed
Lord's names. They will shine forever. The mother of a child bearing one of
the names of the Lord will never go to hell" (4 / 6 / 3 )

nambin^ambiyenRu naattumaanidappErittaal
nambumpimbumellaam naalun^aaLil_azhungippOm
semperundhaamaraikkaNNan pErittazhaiththakkaal
nambikaaL! naaraNan tham_annain^arakampukaaL.

7. Referring to the Lord's infinite compassion and partiality towards his
Bhaktas, the Azhwar says that even if Mother Goddess, Sri Mahalakshmi were
to complain against a Bhakta, he would ignore it saying 'My Bhakta would do
no wrong; ; Even if he does something with confidence in my compassion,
I would deem it as the right thing only".

thammadiyaar_thiRaththakaththuth
thaamaraiyaaLaakilumsidhakuraikkumEl
ennadiyaar_adhuseyyaar
seydhaarEln^anRuseydhaarenbar_pOlum
mannudaiyavibeedaNaRkaa
madhiLilangaiththisain^Okkimalar_kaNvaiththa
ennudaiyathiruvarangaRkanRiyum
maRRoruvarkku_aaLaavarE? (2)

Note that when with the Purushakara of Piratti, the jiva surrenders to the Lord,
is called " thammadiyaar" (OUR devotee); If at all she should complain AFTER
this, the Lord claims "ennadiyaar" (MY devotee!)

The reference is to the episode when after the defeat of Ravana, Sri Rama
ordered Lakshmana to fetch Sri Sita from Ashokavana. She preferred to come
with her disheveled hairs and haggard looks having spent 10 months in the
most horrible surroundings. But, Lakshmana asked to her to come fully
groomed, neat and clean (as advised by Rama himself). When she appeared
thus, Rama spoke harshly to her. She frowned at Lakshmana since he was
responsible for the harsh treatment she received. Sri Rama intervened to
impress that Lakshmana was not at fault (ennadiyaar)

8. The Azhwar tells the Lord that during the last moments, he would not be
able to utter the Lord's names and that the Lord should make a note of his
calling him RIGHT NOW (when his faculties are quite active) and save him at
the last moment, even if he does not remember the Lord at THAT time.(Anthima
Smriti) (4 /10 /1&2)

thuppudaiyaarai_adaivadhellaam
sOrvidaththuththuNaiyaavarenRE
oppilEnaakilumn^innadaindhEn
aanaikkun^ee_aruLseydhamaiyaal
eyppu_ennaivandhun^aliyumpOdhu
angu_Edhumn^aanunnain^inaikkamaattEn
appOdhaikku_ippOdhEsollivaiththEn
arangaththaravaNaippaLLiyaanE! (2)


ellaiyilvaasalkuRukachchenRaal
eRRin^aman_thamar_paRRumpOdhu
nilluminennum_upaayamillai
nEmiyumsangamum_EndhinaanE!
sollalaampOdhE_unn^aamamellaam
sollinEn ennaikkuRikkoNdu_enRum
allalpadaavaNNamkaakkavENdum
arangaththaravaNaippaLLiyaanE!

9. The Azhwar does not consider it as fasting when he foregoes eating on
anyday and does not feel hungry. What is real fasting days for him are those
days when he does not utter the names of the Lord - implying that this
recitation is his only food and life sustaining force - not the food in the
ordinary sense. (5 / 1 / 6)

kaNNaa! naanmukanaippadaiththaanE!
kaaraNaa! kariyaay! adiyEnn^aan
uNNaan^aaLpasiyaavadhonRillai
OvaadhEn^amOn^aaraNaavenRu
eNNaan^aaLum_irukkesuchchaama
vEdhan^aaNmalar_koNdu_unpaadham
naNNaan^aaL avaithaththuRumaakil
anRu_enakku_avaipattinin^aaLE.

10. The Azhwar says that his soul is now the City of God and is well
protected by Him. The Lord had entered his heart and made it his abode. Clad
in his pink robes, the Lord Himself acted as the Acharya and cleared Alwar's
ignorance and blemishes. (5 / 2 / 8)

EdhangaLaayinavellaam iRangaliduviththu ennuLLE
peedhakavaadaippiraanaar piramakuruvaakivandhu
pOdhilkamalavannencham pukundhum_en_senniththidaril
paadhavilachchinaivaiththaar paNdanRupattinamkaappE.

11. The Azhwar addresses the Lord "I was caught in the swirl of Samsara for
a long long time extending to over several Kalpas and I have been postponing
my day of deliverance. Having got released from that and having secured you,
I will never ever allow you to go away leaving me behind" (5 / 3 / 8)

eththanaikaalamum_eththanaiyoozhiyum inRodun^aaLaiyenRE
iththanaikaalamumpOykkiRippattEn ini_unnaippOkalottEn
maiththunanmaar_kaLaivaazhviththu maaRRalarn^ooRRuvaraikkeduththaay!
siththamn^inpaalathaRidhiyanRE thirumaalirunchOlaiyendhaay!

THANIANS ON PERIYALWAR TIRUMOZHI

1. Composed by Sri Nathamunigal

gurumuka manadheethya praaha vEdhaanasEshaan
narapathiparikluptham soolkamaadhaathukaamaha|
svasuramamaravandhyam ranganaathasya saakshaath
dhvijakulathilakam tham vishNuchiththam namaami||

" Vishnu Chitta had no schooling but he was granted knowledge of all the
Vedas by the Lord Himself. With that knowledge, he won the prize instituted
by the King by expounding the truth as to who is THE Paramatma. He was
actually the father in law of Lord Ranganatha and the gem among the
Brahmins. I bow to him"

2. Composed by Pandiya Bhattar

minnaar_thadamathiLsoozh villipuththoorenRu orukaal
sonnaar_kazhaRkamalamsoodinOm - munnaaL
kizhiyaRuththaanenRuraiththOm, keezhmaiyiniRchErum
vazhiyaRuththOm nenchamE! vandhu

" O! My Mind! Because you helped me, I am able to adorn my head with the
lotus feet of Bhagavatas who mentioned about Srivilliputtur even once. In
the days when people raised doubts as to who was THE Paramatma, he cleared
their doubts and won the prize of the wallet. By mentioning this event, we
got rid of the sins that steep us down in hell"

3. Composed by Pandiya Bhattar

paaNdiyan_koNdaadap pattar_piraanvandhaanenRu
eeNdiyasangametuththoodha - vENdiya
vEdhangaLOdhi viraindhukizhiyaRuththaan
paathangaLyaamudaiyapaRRu.

"Our refuge is the feet of Periyazhwar who won the prize of the wallet by
expounding the portions of Veda to prove that Lord Narayana IS THE
Paramatma, as a result of which the Vallabha Pandiya Deva praised him as
Bhattar Piraan and groups and groups of people blew their conches aloud in
his honor"

DIVYA DESAMS CONSECRATED BY PERIYALWAR
1. Tiruvarangam 2. Tiruvellarai 3. Tiruppernagar 4. Tirukkudantai
5. Tirukkannapuram 6,. Tiruchitrakoodam 7. Trumaalirumcholai
8. Tirukkoshtiyur 9. Srivilliputtur 10. Tirukkurunkudi
11. Tiruvenkatam 12. Tiruvayodhya 13. Salagraamam 14. Badarika Ashramam
15.Tiru gangaik Karai Kandam 16. Dwaraka 17. Vadamathurai 18. Tiruvaippaadi 19.
Tirup Paarkadal and 20. Paramapadam.

Thanks to Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Ayyangar
Published in Srirangasri



If we notice; PeriyAzhwAr comes in the 6th chronologically; but still his
Prabandhams are the first to be taken in 4000. WHY?

1. Sri ANDAL is the incarnation of PiraaTTi (BhUmi PiraaTTI). Hence,
PiraaTTi should be given top preference. ThirupPAvai and Nacchiyaar
Thirumozhi to be taken as the first in 4000. But AndAl would not have been happy
to receive that special treatment. She would not be pleased because her AchArya
(as claimed by her in each of her works - as Bhattar Piraan kodhai) PeriyAzhwAr
should be given higher position than hers. That is why first PeriyAzhwAr PAsurams
and then immediately followed by AndAL's works.

2. Who else can have the rarest distinction of being called Father in law of
PerumAL? He needs to be in the TOP and the first position.

4. PeriyAzhwAr's ThiruppallANDu is the meaning of PraNavam enshrined most
beautifully. And the 4000 is the Tamil Vedas; hence, the praNavam
(Thiruppallandu) is the beginning of 4000.

Due to the above the PeriyAzhwAr's works have been taken first in 4000.





life story of ?Vishnuchitta?, which shot him to instant fame.

Villi and Kandan were hunter brothers who lived in the forest adjoining Puttur in the Pandya kingdom. While on a hunting spree, Villi saw his brother Kandan being killed by a tiger. He also saw how he came back alive by the grace of God. Villi became very rich shortly after and built a temple for Lord Vishnu and formed a village around the temple and named it Villiputtur. Mukunda Bhattar and his wife Padmavalli were one of the early settlers there.

Periya Azhwar, an incarnation of Garuda (the divine falcon vehicle of Lord Vishnu) was born to them as Vishnu chitta (One whose mind is rivetted to Lord Vishnu). He was born in the year Krodhana, Aani month, Suklapaksha Ekadasi day (a Sunday) in the constellation of Swati. He bought a small piece of land, converted it into a flower garden and spent his time in making flower garlands for the Lord of Vada Perumal koil in his place.

At that time, there was a king called "Vallabhadeva" who was just and impartial. Once, he asked his Purohit 'Selvanambhi' as to who was the Supreme deity. Selvanambhi suggested that he call all the learned pundits of the times in an assembly to debate the issue and arrive at a conclusion. The king announced a wager in which a wallet containing golden coins (Porkizhi) was to be tied to the top of a pole. This would bend towards the person who is able to establish with absolute certainty the correct answer to this poser. Great pundits from all over the country belonging to several sects gathered in the hall to thrash out the issue. But, the wallet would not come down.

The Lord appeared in the dream of Vishnu chitta and asked him to participate in the debate. Accordingly, he proceeded to the court. The poets assembled jeered at him saying that he had come there like a blind person who was 'NOT AFRAID OF THE DARK'. Unmindful of all the ridicule, Vishnu chitta commenced expounding how Lord Narayana was the Supreme deity. The pole bent to his side on its own and Vishnu chitta was declared the winner and offered the prize. He was honored by being taken in a procession mounted on a tall caparisoned elephant. He was hailed eulogizing his feat in winning the wallet. He was also called Bhattarpiraan, Srivilliputtur Kone, Puduvai Kone, and Kizhi Arutthan.

As the procession emerged out, there appeared on the sapphire skies Lord Vishnu clad in his proverbial pinkish yellow attire(Pitambara) accompanied by his consort Mahalakshmi and the entire retinue of divine beings to bless Vishnuchitta. In extreme ecstasy, Vishnu chitta sang his famous "Pallandu" in 12 stanzas praying for the long life of Bhagavan.

He knew full well that no harm could ever befall the Lord. But, he became anxious that having exposed himself to the gaze of all in this mundane world, (some of them may be having an evil eye), Bhagavan should not be affected thereby. Hence, he hastened to sing the "Tirup pallaandu" hymns. These are being recited throughout the World in all Vishnu temples even though the priests have had no exposure to the Tamil language. This forms the first decad of the first Part of his monumental work, "Periyazhwar Tirumozhi

1. It is the greatness of his love for the Lord that made him pour out the Pallandu hymns. Ordinarily, only elders would bless the young ones for a long life. "Periya' means elder and therefore he was called Periyazhwar. To the objection that such an attitude was 'unnatural' (Swarupa Viruddham), Pillai Lokacharya has argued that as it was a 'Mangala Aasaasanam', it was quite in order and because - IT WAS A STRANGE CASE OF KNOWLEDGE RIPENING INTO AN IGNORANCE OF SORTS DUE TO LOVE AND AFFECTION.

2. King Janaka laid a challenge through the Siva Dhanus in Sri Sita's marriage; Kumbar, the Aayar Chief laid a challenge in the form of the 7 bulls in the marriage of Nappinnai; But, Vishnuchitta laid no challenges in the marriage of his daughter, Andal because of his obvious conviction that in due time,'THE OWNER WOULD CLAIM WHAT HE OWNED'

3. It is natural to honor anyone who brings relief from suffering. That is how Rishyasringa was honored when rains came to the parched land of Angadesa as he set foot there. Vishnuchitta also performed a similar miracle. When a famine raged in the northern city of Kandam Kadinagar on the banks of Ganges, he was invited to the city to solve the crisis. As he set foot there, welcome rains showered and the place was relieved of the famine. His greatness was honored. Periyazhwar himself is said to refer to this incident thus "Venkali Naliyaa Vittuchittar"

4. Parasara who wrote Vishnu Purana known as Purana Ratna deals with the story of Sri Krishna only in the 5th Amsa of his work; Sukhabrahmam who wrote Srimad Bhaagavatam has dealt with the story of Krishna only in the 10th Skaandam; But, Vishnuchitta fills his entire Tirumozhi with the story of Lord Krishna vividly portraying every detail of the Lord's childhood
'leelas ' in his own inimitable style.

5.Another esoteric aspect of Periyazhwar that really makes him
'Periya' is the fact that he is the incarnation of Garuda. We know that Garuda is known as ?Periya Thiruvadi?. Garuda reincarnated himself as Ajuna's chariot and as such he witnessed the Lord delivering the Baghavad Gita - especially the Charama Sloka to Arjuna. Thus, apart from Arjuna, he was the one who was the direct recipient of the Lord's message. Andal refers to this when she says "Meymei Peru Vaarthai Vittu Chittar Kettiruppaar".'Vaarthai' is Moolamantram; 'Peru Vaarthai' is the Mantra Ratna of Dwayam and 'Meymei Peru Vaarthai' is the Charama sloka.

6. Swami Desika in his ?Godha Sthuthi? reveals the secret! Thaathasthu thE madhubithah sthuthilesa vasyaath
KarNaamruthaih: sthuthi Sathaih: anavaaptha poorvam /
Tvan mouli gandha subaghaam upahrithya maalaam
lebhe ?Mahthara?padaanuguNam prasaadam //
Meaning
? Oh! Godha Devi! Your father composed hundreds of sweet pasurams and dedicated them to Emperumaan. The Lord who is ?Stotra priya?- one who is easily moved by praise, did not confer this honorific on your father then. But, only after you adorned the fragrant flower garland and had them offered to Him, that He conferred the title of ?Periya Azhwar?!

He sowed the seed of devotion in the heart of his daughter, Andal which eventually developed into a divine love and culminated in her wedding the Lord. Thus, he became the father- in- law of Lord Vishnu - an honor none other Azhwars could claim.


Sri Nathamuni also refers to this when he said:
?Svasuram amaravandhyam Ranganaathasya saakshaath/
Dvija kula thilakam thu, VishNu chittham namaami//

Let us now have a bird's eye view of the contents of the various decads contained in the 473 verses of his Tirumozhi distributed in 4 parts of 10 decads each plus the 5th part containing 3 decads.

1.1:This contains the famous Tiruppallaandu in which he issues a clarion call to everyone to join him in wishing 'all the best' to the Lord - everyone including those who desired Moksham, those who desired Kaivalya, those who desired mundane benefits and even those who desired nothing.
1.2: Celebrations on the birth of Lord Krishna
1.3: The physical beauty of every limb of the baby
1.4: The lullaby of Yasoda.
1.5: Kinds of plays of a child like looking at the moon
1.6: The posture of rocking back and forth (Senkeerai Aadal)
1.7: Patting the palms (Sappani Kottal)
1.8: The faltering first steps of the child (Talar Nadai)
1.9 and 1.10 : Pleasures of hugging the child

2.1: Playing ' Pick-a-boo' hide and seek
2.2: Inviting the child for breast feeding
2.3: Ear piercing
2.4: Giving shower to the child
2.5: Combing the hairs of the child
2.6: Diverting the attention of the child
2.7: Decorating the child's hairs with fresh flowers
2.8: Taking steps to ward off 'evil eye' that might affect the child 2.9 and 2.10 : Complaints galore of the childhood pranks

3.1: Yasoda getting unnerved on seeing her boy's superhuman feats
3.2: Her anxiety after sending him for tending the cows
3.3: A mother's pride on the activities of her kid.
3.4: The lad who bewitched the Gopis
3.5: The Episode of lifting the Govardhana Giri
3.6: The enticing flute of Krishna
3.7 and 3.8 Azhwar assumes himself as the mother of a Gopi and expresses her concern for her daughter
3.9: Azhwar enjoys the exploits of the Lord as Rama and Krishna
3.10: Tiruvadi handing over Rama's Signet ring to Sri Sita

4.1: The glory of Bhagavatas
4.2 and 4.3 : On Tirumalirumcholai
4.4: On Tirukkoshtiyur
4.6: The need to name children after Narayana
4.7: On Kandam Kadi Nagar
4.8 and 4.9 : On Tiruvarangam
4.5 and 4.10 Portray vividly the throes of death and how and why one should remember the Lord while there is still time to do so in order to escape Samsara

5.1: He expresses his humility (Naichya Anusantaanam)
5.2: How the bodily ailments are driven out by the Lord
5.3: He effectively prevents the Lord from leaving him and concludes by narrating all the benefits he had secured when the Lord showered His grace .

Now, let us proceed to enjoy the sentiments expressed by the Alwar in a few hymns:

1. Yasoda calls baby Krishna for an oil bath. He refuses and runs away. She entreats him saying- "Having besmeared your body with butter and mud, I will not let you soil your bed tonight. See! For how long I have been waiting with oil, scented soap-nut powder etc.
O! Lord! Narana! who is beyond anybody's reach. Please do come and have your bath".
This is the hymn that is recited in all Vishnu temples throughout the World especially at the time of Tirumanjanam (ceremonial bath) to the Lord's idol. (2 / 4 / 1 )


veNNeyaLaindhakuNungum viLaiyaadupuzhudhiyumkoNdu
thiNNene_ivviraa_unnaith thEyththukkidakkan^aan_ottEn
eNNeyppuLippazhamkoNdu ingu_eththanaipOdhum_irundhEn
naNNalariyapiraanE! naaraNaa! neeraadavaaraay. (2)

2. Having failed, she tries to trick him into a sense of shame by saying "I might even like to leave you go with all the dirt on your beautiful body smeared by you, while playing in the cattle-shed but others 'will not like it a bit'; Further, and more importantly, if your darling Nappinnai sees you in this state, she will laugh at you!. Are you so shameless to let this happen to you? Come,Quickly finish your bath and get ready" - What an experience! (2/4/9)

"Naan Ethenum Ilaadhaa! NAPPINNAI KANDAAL SIRIKKUM"

3. Referring to the power of Bhagavatas who are always immersed in the thoughts of the Lord's auspicious qualities and exploits, the Azhwar says that we are verily their slaves and they have the right and power even to sell us away. "Kesava! Purushottama! Kilar Jyotiye! Enru Pesuvaar Adiyaargal ENTHAMMAI VIRKAVUM PERUVAARKALE(4/4/10)

4. The Azhwar advises that if we were to utter the words 'Namo Narayana' with folded hands raised above our heads, we would reach Paramapadam through the 'Path of Light' (Archiraadhi Marga). And once we reach there, we will never come back to this stupid world, even if we want to. Even if the Nityasuris recommend, guarantee and pledge themselves on our behalf, the Lord would not let us go. ( 4 / 5 / 4 )


seeyinaalseRindhERiyapuNmEl
seRRalERikkuzhambirundhu engum
eeyinaal_arippuNdumayangi
ellaivaaychchenRusErvadhanmunnam
vaayinaaln^amOn^aaraNaavenRu
maththakaththidaikkaikaLaikkooppi
pOyinaalpinnai_iththisaikku_enRum
piNaikkodukkilumpOkavottaarE.

5. The Azhwar likens the journey of the Prapanna to Paramapadam to his climbing a ladder through the path of light. He says that once the Prapanna reaches there, the Lord would remove the ladder leaving him no chance to return again to this world.(4 /9/2)


karuLudaiyapozhilmarudhum
kadhakkaLiRumpilambanaiyumkadiyamaavum
uruLudaiyasakadaraiyummallaraiyum
udaiyavittu_OsaikEttaan
iruLakaRRum_eRikathirOnmaNdalaththoodu
ERRivaiththu_ENivaangi
aruLkoduththittu_adiyavarai
aatkoLvaanamarumoor_aNiyarangamE.

6. Referring to the practice of naming children indiscriminately, he advises "If you give names such as Nambi,Pimbi etc which are meaningless, these names will go into oblivion soon. Name the child after the lotus eyed Lord's names. They will shine forever. The mother of a child bearing one of the names of the Lord will never go to hell" (4 / 6 / 3 )


nambin^ambiyenRu naattumaanidappErittaal
nambumpimbumellaam naalun^aaLil_azhungippOm
semperundhaamaraikkaNNan pErittazhaiththakkaal
nambikaaL! naaraNan tham_annain^arakampukaaL.

7. Referring to the Lord's infinite compassion and partiality towards his Bhaktas, the Azhwar says that even if Mother Goddess, Sri Mahalakshmi were to complain against a Bhakta, he would ignore it saying 'My Bhakta would do no wrong; ; Even if he does something with confidence in my compassion, I would deem it as the right thing only".


thammadiyaar_thiRaththakaththuth
thaamaraiyaaLaakilumsidhakuraikkumEl
ennadiyaar_adhuseyyaar
seydhaarEln^anRuseydhaarenbar_pOlum
mannudaiyavibeedaNaRkaa
madhiLilangaiththisain^Okkimalar_kaNvaiththa
ennudaiyathiruvarangaRkanRiyum
maRRoruvarkku_aaLaavarE? (2)

Note that when with the Purushakara of Piratti, the jiva surrenders to the Lord, is called " thammadiyaar" (OUR devotee); If at all she should complain AFTER this, the Lord claims "ennadiyaar" (MY devotee!)

The reference is to the episode when after the defeat of Ravana, Sri Rama ordered Lakshmana to fetch Sri Sita from Ashokavana. She preferred to come with her disheveled hairs and haggard looks having spent 10 months in the most horrible surroundings. But, Lakshmana asked to her to come fully groomed, neat and clean (as advised by Rama himself). When she appeared thus, Rama spoke harshly to her. She frowned at Lakshmana since he was responsible for the harsh treatment she received. Sri Rama intervened to impress that Lakshmana was not at fault (ennadiyaar)

8. The Azhwar tells the Lord that during the last moments, he would not be able to utter the Lord's names and that the Lord should make a note of his calling him RIGHT NOW (when his faculties are quite active) and save him at the last moment, even if he does not remember the Lord at THAT time.(Anthima Smriti) (4 /10 /1&2)


thuppudaiyaarai_adaivadhellaam
sOrvidaththuththuNaiyaavarenRE
oppilEnaakilumn^innadaindhEn
aanaikkun^ee_aruLseydhamaiyaal
eyppu_ennaivandhun^aliyumpOdhu
angu_Edhumn^aanunnain^inaikkamaattEn
appOdhaikku_ippOdhEsollivaiththEn
arangaththaravaNaippaLLiyaanE! (2)


ellaiyilvaasalkuRukachchenRaal
eRRin^aman_thamar_paRRumpOdhu
nilluminennum_upaayamillai
nEmiyumsangamum_EndhinaanE!
sollalaampOdhE_unn^aamamellaam
sollinEn ennaikkuRikkoNdu_enRum
allalpadaavaNNamkaakkavENdum
arangaththaravaNaippaLLiyaanE!

9. The Azhwar does not consider it as fasting when he foregoes eating on anyday and does not feel hungry. What is real fasting days for him are those days when he does not utter the names of the Lord - implying that this recitation is his only food and life sustaining force - not the food in the ordinary sense. (5 / 1 / 6)


kaNNaa! naanmukanaippadaiththaanE!
kaaraNaa! kariyaay! adiyEnn^aan
uNNaan^aaLpasiyaavadhonRillai
OvaadhEn^amOn^aaraNaavenRu
eNNaan^aaLum_irukkesuchchaama
vEdhan^aaNmalar_koNdu_unpaadham
naNNaan^aaL avaithaththuRumaakil
anRu_enakku_avaipattinin^aaLE.

10. The Azhwar says that his soul is now the City of God and is well protected by Him. The Lord had entered his heart and made it his abode. Clad in his pink robes, the Lord Himself acted as the Acharya and cleared Alwar's ignorance and blemishes. (5 / 2 / 8)


EdhangaLaayinavellaam iRangaliduviththu ennuLLE
peedhakavaadaippiraanaar piramakuruvaakivandhu
pOdhilkamalavannencham pukundhum_en_senniththidaril
paadhavilachchinaivaiththaar paNdanRupattinamkaappE.

11. The Azhwar addresses the Lord "I was caught in the swirl of Samsara for a long long time extending to over several Kalpas and I have been postponing my day of deliverance. Having got released from that and having secured you, I will never ever allow you to go away leaving me behind" (5 / 3 / 8)


eththanaikaalamum_eththanaiyoozhiyum inRodun^aaLaiyenRE
iththanaikaalamumpOykkiRippattEn ini_unnaippOkalottEn
maiththunanmaar_kaLaivaazhviththu maaRRalarn^ooRRuvaraikkeduththaay!
siththamn^inpaalathaRidhiyanRE thirumaalirunchOlaiyendhaay!

THANIANS ON PERIYALWAR TIRUMOZHI

1. Composed by Sri Nathamunigal


gurumuka manadheethya praaha vEdhaanasEshaan
narapathiparikluptham soolkamaadhaathukaamaha|
svasuramamaravandhyam ranganaathasya saakshaath
dhvijakulathilakam tham vishNuchiththam namaami||

" Vishnu Chitta had no schooling but he was granted knowledge of all the Vedas by the Lord Himself. With that knowledge, he won the prize instituted by the King by expounding the truth as to who is THE Paramatma. He was actually the father in law of Lord Ranganatha and the gem among the Brahmins. I bow to him"

2. Composed by Pandiya Bhattar


minnaar_thadamathiLsoozh villipuththoorenRu orukaal
sonnaar_kazhaRkamalamsoodinOm - munnaaL
kizhiyaRuththaanenRuraiththOm, keezhmaiyiniRchErum
vazhiyaRuththOm nenchamE! vandhu

" O! My Mind! Because you helped me, I am able to adorn my head with the lotus feet of Bhagavatas who mentioned about Srivilliputtur even once. In the days when people raised doubts as to who was THE Paramatma, he cleared their doubts and won the prize of the wallet. By mentioning this event, we got rid of the sins that steep us down in hell"

3. Composed by Pandiya Bhattar


paaNdiyan_koNdaadap pattar_piraanvandhaanenRu
eeNdiyasangametuththoodha - vENdiya
vEdhangaLOdhi viraindhukizhiyaRuththaan
paathangaLyaamudaiyapaRRu.

"Our refuge is the feet of Periyazhwar who won the prize of the wallet by expounding the portions of Veda to prove that Lord Narayana IS THE Paramatma, as a result of which the Vallabha Pandiya Deva praised him as Bhattar Piraan and groups and groups of people blew their conches aloud in his honor"

DIVYA DESAMS CONSECRATED BY PERIYALWAR
1. Tiruvarangam 2. Tiruvellarai 3. Tiruppernagar 4. Tirukkudantai 5. Tirukkannapuram 6,. Tiruchitrakoodam 7. Trumaalirumcholai
8. Tirukkoshtiyur 9. Srivilliputtur 10. Tirukkurunkudi
11. Tiruvenkatam 12. Tiruvayodhya 13. Salagraamam 14. Badarika Ashramam 15.Tiru gangaik Karai Kandam 16. Dwaraka 17. Vadamathurai 18. Tiruvaippaadi 19. Tirup Paarkadal and 20. Paramapadam.

Note: It is said that the commentaries of Periyavachan Pillai on
Periyazhwar Tirumozhi (except for the last 40 odd hymns) were eaten away by white ants and it was Manavaala Maamunigal who restored them embellishing them with his own commentaries.





MAAL UGANDHA AASIRIYAR- Life of PeriyAzhwAr and AndaaL
(V. Madhavakkannan, Singapore)

Before getting into periyAzhwAr charithram, let us have a glance at
the Great Villiputthoor charithram, where periyAzhwAr hailed from.
In "Then PAndya" kingdom, there is a small town called putthoor,
where great sholars pundits were residing. Nearby there is a forest
where there were hunters living in it. The chief of these hunters
had two sons named villi and kaNdan.
One day these two guys villi and kaNdan went inside the forest for
hunting as usual. They spotted a tiger and it escaped the arrows
from their bows. KaNdan started chasing vigorously and went deep
inside the forest. After som time, the tiget hid behind a tree and
pounced on kaNdan and killed him. Villi waited for kaNdan for along
time and started seraching for him with a worried look on his face
about his dearest brother. When he spotted the dead body of kaNdan,
his heart almost stooped with grief and cried heavily and fell
unconscious on his darling brother's body.

During his unconsciousness, he had a scene in front of his eyes;
Sriman NarAyaNan with His consort VishNu pathni MahAlakshmi appeared
and uttered opening His "pavaLachchevvAi" thus:"O villi, Do not
lament and cry. Do not worry. We will get back your brother's life.
And you both go to find out the Big Banyan tree in the midst of this
forest where my moorthy has been lying for quite a long time. You
both will also find a cave nearby the tree where there is lots and
lots of Golden jewels and coins and treaure available. You can take
them as much as you wish. using that wealth, you both need to
deforest that place and build a temple and surrounding town." Then
the Lord disappeared.

When villi came back to consciousness, he did not know whether what
he saw (in his unconscious state) was true at all and was confused.
But suddenly kaNdan got up alive as if he just woke up from sleep
(without any wound even). Villi explained the whole thing to his
darling brother and both of them hugged each other for having been
blessed by the Lord and having been chosen by the Lord to establish
the temple for Sriya: pathih. (I wish we too had been just hunters
like villi and kaNdan, rather than studying all sorts of degrees and
leading a life which in now way helps us reach towards the Lord.)

Then they did exactly as was told and with great enthusiasm built
the temple with the co operation of all his people (who were
pleasantly surprised at the Lord' mercy on their kulam). The place
became an excellent sthalam and the temple looked majestic with
VadabhathrasAyee as the moorthy. The place even today is being
referred as Villiputthoor (named after the brother Villi).

Great scholars, BhaktAs, pundits migrated from putthoor to this holy
place and started residing in this place. One of them was Mukunda
Bhattar and he was a VaishNava GnAni and his wife was Padmavalli, a
GuNavathi and a perfect match for Mukunda Bhattar. Both of them were
parama bhaktAs of VadabhatrasAyee. On an auspicious day they were
blessed with a male child and they named the child as VishNu
chittar; means the one who thinks of VishNu always in his mind. The
kid lived upto his name fully and always was contemplating on ways
and means to achieve the Lord's DayA. He did not wish to spend and
waste his time on education (vEdAs and SasthrAs) and concentrated
only on praising the Lord. (PoiginRa Gnanamum pollA ozhkkamum... ).
He knew that when Lord KrishNa appeared he had a liking for wearing
Garlands made from variety of flowers. He chose that kainkaryam to
pluck flowers in the early morning and make an excellent garland out
of it to adorn the idol of Sri VadabhatrasAyee. He even sold some of
his property and bought a small place near his home (and the temple)
and converted that into a beautiful Nandavanam (a Garden). He grew
all kinds of creepers and plants for various flowers and the Holy
Thulasi. The place also housed a small beautiful pond where there
was a clear crystal like water as pure as VishNuchittar' s heart and
mind. His time was wholly spent on cultivating this garden only and
beatify them in order to get more and more and flowers for the Lord.
(What a superb life! What a great Bhakti!) The flowers bloomed;
Tulasi plant became bigger and bigger; The entire Garden looked
divinely beautiful and had an exquisite sugandham (smell) due to
jasmine, rose, lotus, pArijAtham, alli, Thulasi, etc., etc.. Every
morning, before the Sun rises VishNu chitthar took bath completed
his NityakarmAnushtAnan gal, went to his garden and plucked all kinds
of flowers to prepare garlands and garlands of various types for the
Lord, while he sang songs in praise of the Lord. He used to take
them to the temple and enjoy the scene of Lord wearing all his
garlands. He got an immense satisfaction and great amount of
blissful happiness in that. He was also blessed with a spouse Vrajai
who also had similar taste for performing service to the Lord.
(Never complain about your wife (or husband); If she had been
better, she would have got a better husband!)

During those times (9 th century CE), there was a king by
name "VallabhadEvan" ruling that area (Then madurai). He was a good
king and was ruling excellently; He was a great VishNu BhaktA and
wished to know the meaning of vEdAs and the glory of the Supreme
truth. He enquired his chief minister on his desire and as to how to
go about pursuing his interests. The minister said " Let us bring
vEdic scholars and ask them your questins and seek clarifications
from them; Whoever furnishes good, satisfactory reply and clarifies
you can be greatly rewarded, O mighty king.". The king agreed and
the announcement was made throughout the kingdom and it was alos
told that there will be a bag containing Golden coins hanging at the
top and with the power and truth of the vEdic statement/principle ,
it shall fall automatically. There were many scholars, pundits,
vEdic viRpannargaL, arguments, discussions, seminars, pArAyaNams,
etc, etc,; But the bag still was hanging! The true vEdic underlying
principle/statement was known to anybody; The king was terrible
disppointed. The Lord now plays! Sriman NarayaNan, Sri Vadabhatra
sAyee appeared in VishNuchitthA' s dream and said" O BhaktA, I am
impressed with your poomAlai kainkaryam. Tomorrow you go the palace
and speak vEdic principles and get the reward". VishNuchitthar said"
I am not at all well versed in vEdAs; I did not even study them; I
wasted(!) my time without learning all these vEdAs; I have doing
only a simple Garland preparation for you, Lord. I can not tell any
vEdic truths, since I do NOT know.". The Lord smiled; O
VishnuchittA, You are only an instrument. We will speak through you.
Not to worry; Just proceed. (ennE BhagawAn's vAtsalyam to bring His
BhaktA to the limelight!)

The Lord appeared in the Chief minister's dream too and asked him to
arrange to bring VishNuchittar the next day in the palanquin with
full honours(GREAT! ). The Next day VishNuchittar prayed the Lord and
boarded the pallakku (palanquin) and came to the palace with full
honours. The scholars laughed at his greed for they knew his limited
(or no) knowledge on vEdAs. They made sarcastic statements at him
loudly. But once our VishNuchittar started his explanation (after a
small prayer) the murmurs stopped; The sarcasm disappeared; People
sharpened their ears.

The king, the ministers the people and the scholars, everybody could
follow the simple statements which were full of deep meanings and
were coming as if the waves were coming out of the great ocean; The
entire meaning of his statement was clearly understood by one and
all and when VishNuchitthar made a concluding statement that Sri
MahAvishNu, the Sriya: pathih, is the only paramporuL who is
protecting and blessing the whole Universe and all beings and is the
only underlying principle of all four vEdAs, the bag FELL by itself!
and fell into the hands of VishNuchitthar. The king got up
immediately with full of tears in his eyes and prostrated at the
feet of VishNuchitthar. He appreciated "I am now clear. You have
clarified all my doubts. Sriman NarAyaNanE paramporuL. I have NEVER
heard such deep meanings in such simple explanation" . All scholars
lowered their heads in utter shame and removed their pride and
celebrated VishNuchittahr' s victory. The king gave away further more
lots of prizes and addressed him "BhattarpirAn" . VishNuchitthar
said "O king, I am dumb. I never spoke. It is HE who spoke here
thorugh me. He is the flutist. I am only a bamboo stick. I am only a
plant. He is the one who bloomed the flower. I am only a puppet. He
is the karthA and a puppetter. Please do not say anything to me.
Please do not prostrate at my feet. Let us all prostrate at HIS
FEET. Come." and he said this deeply moved, hands shaking and
shivering due to the Lord's mercy on his lowly self.

The king made VishNuchitthar sit on the Royal Elephant and arranged
for a great procession in the streets of his kingdom. Everywhere
people thronged to see the blessed soul and everywhere people were
shouting "BhattarpirAn vAzhga! BhattarpirAn vAzhga!". VishNuchitthar
was all the time crying with Anandha kaNNeer and was having his
palms glued together with his mind fully thinking of him and His
mercy. When all these festivities were going on, Do you think our
Lord will lie down in PARKADAL. No! He has also wished to see this
great scene and enjoy His BhakthA being admired and appreciated. He
along with MahAlakshmi appeared on GarudA in the sky and the whole
lot of crowd, the king the ministers, the jealous scholars everybody
SAW HIM AND HIS CONSORT ON GARUDA! (What a blessed place and blessed
people. Were we not even insects in that place during that time?).
Seeing the Lord VishNuchitthar was ecstatic and using the bells
which the elephant was wearing he made THALAMS and sang "pallaaNdu,
pallaaNdu PallAyiratthAndu PalakOdi NoorAyiram" (Long live for many
years, Long live for many years for Hundreds of thousands of years!)
He is giving AsirvAdhams to the Lord! for living eternally and for
ever!. That is why he is called PERIYA AZHWAR - The eldest AzhwAr
because he greeted the Lord himself! pongum parivu- says Sri
Manavala MaamunigaL.

After being conferred "Bhattar pirAn", periyAzhwAr continued on his
mAlai kainkaryam, while he enjoyed singing pAsurams on kannan. He
sang as if he became His mother, yasOdhA. He bathed him, fed Him,
dressed Him; played with him; and enjoyed and imagined all thollai
inbam which yasOdhA had undergone. The Child's azhaghu, mischiefs,
leelAs, were all sung by periyAzhwAr. All his pAsurams are to be
read, re-read and enjoyed. All were bhakti laden pAsurams and taste
like Grape fruit soaked in Honey.

One such day (on Adi pooram day) when he was plucking flowers and
thulasi leaves in his beautiful nandhavanam, he heard a faint cry of
a baby, which appeared as an incarnation of BhoomAdEvi. He was
pleasantly surprised to find a little bundle of joy with beautiful
pretty limbs and a divine golden face with great amount of tEjas, he
immediately picked up the female child with both the arms lovingly
and showered her with lots of kisses. His wife vrajai was extremely
thrilled to hug the God-given child in their nandhavanam and melted
with vAtsalyam for the kid. When they hugged the child they felt as
if it is Lord BalakrishNan himself whom they were holding; They were
getting tremendous amount of joy by bringing up this blessed pretty
girl, whom they named "kOdhai".

Kodhai with their love, affection, and bhakti laden pAsurams and
Bhagavadh kankaryam grew up with a GREAT amount of Bhakti for kannan
(not surprisingly, since, kannan was also brought up by periyAzhwAr
in the same house through his pAsurams). KOdhai grew up with "koLLai
azhaghu", and with lots of intellect and GnAnam on bhagavadh
vishayangaL. She also developed a great amount of affinity to kannan
while she helped her father in his kainkaryam. She also used to
pluck flowers and prepare garlands along with her father. Her talks
and thoughts were always on kannan. With the garlands, she used to
accompany her father to VadapathrasAyee temple to have His darshan.

Years rolled by and kOdhai grew up like a beautiful mullai creeper
(kodi); Along with that, her bhakti for kannan too exponentially
grew up and she longed to see him and be blessed by him. Her love
fir the Lord was so much that she even wished to marry him. She took
a vow to marry him only and could not think of getting married to
any other person. She even dreamt of him coming to her like a male
elephant adorned with pattu and peethAmbharam for the Great marriage
with kOdhai. She spent her time always with such dreams of SenkaN
thirumAl holding her hands and "agni valam". PeriyAzhwAr seeing all
this got worried as to how he could make his darling daughter
accomplish her wish( when it is not just impossible for anyone to
marry the Lord).

Once, periyAzhwAr as usual prepared garlands of flowers and thuLasis
and kept them in a safe, clean place and came out. KOdhai, seeing
such beautiful garlands, thought for a while, "If I am going to
marry only him, why should I not wear these garlands before He
does?" and she did wear them. ( What an apachAram for an ordinary
person! But our kuzhandhai is sAkshAt BhoomAdEvi and is there any
thing wrong in wearing His garlands?) She saw herself wearing the
garlands one by one and admired her beauty by looking at the mirror.
When she heard some footsteps, she immediately removed them and
placed them as usual. When periyAzhwAr adorned the Lord with those
garlands, that day the Lord looked exquisitely beautiful and there
was even a smile on his lips. The garlands were spreading an
excellent sughandham throughout the temple and every one was talking
about the speciality of garlands that day. PeriyAzhwAr did not know
why on that day it was so different and special when there was
nothing extraordinary he did on that day. It was same flowers; same
thuLasi and same way of preparations. Why then all this good smell
and beauty? He did not know. (We know.).

This continued everyday. Kodhai wore them secretly and saw herself;
Lord enjoyed wearing them with great amount of happiness and
satisfaction with good smell. No one knew why. One day on a krishna
jayanthi day, periyAzhwAr saw kOdhai wearing the garland and he got
terribly angry and depressed; felt very much sad and hurt and with
lots of sorrow and "vEdhanai" asked her" kOdhaiyE, my child, why did
you do such a mahA pApam? Is it not meant for the Lord, Sriman
nArAyaNan? How can you impurify by your wearing them, my child?".
Kodhai replied with regret and justification" appA, When there is
Sriman NarayaNan is in my heart I wished to see him wearing them;
Will the Lord get angry by a bhakthA wearing it?".

She was welled with tears with the feeling of guilt and
periyAzhwAr' s heart melted seeing his darling child crying. He
lightly hugged her and consoled her saying "Not that, kOdhai, This
is meant for the God our Lord, Will it not become impure by our
wearing it, kaNmaNi.. Okay. Do not worry.. Do not do this again.
Today I will make another garland. Let it become waste. Don't cry."
He made another set of garland and adorned the Lord and that day
there was no smell; no beauty and no brightness on His face; nor
there was any smile on His lips, too. The bhattars (archakAs) were
also confused.
PEriyAzhwAr felt sad that he became angry with his sweet child that
day for the first time and the Lord also did not look well with the
second set of garlands. He had a restless sleep and just before
dawn, Govindhan appeared in his dream. He opened His red beautiful
coral lips and said" My dearest vishNuchittarE! PeriyAzhwArE! ,
BhattarpirAn! , For singing paamaalai(pAsurams) and wearing my
poomaalai(garlands) only, kOdhai appeared as your daughter and that
is what I love to wear, too. She has ruled over me with her
paamaalai and poomaalai and hence, shall be called "AnndAL"
hereafter. Do not try to stop her from wearing the garlands. She
should continue wearing them." PeriyAzhwAr woke up and realised
kOdhai's perumai and greatness. He became excited greatly thrilled
to know that she is the one who ruled the Lord and called her "
ANdALE!". He explained everything to her and AndAL's face became red
with "vedkam"(shyness) and blushed. She became widely known
as "Soodikkoduttha sudar kodi".

AndAL wrote TiruppAvai (30 verses) as a nOnbu to perform prapatti to
the Lord and seek refuge at His Lotus feet. There were great seers
who came later appreciated the depths of this philosophical
composition of AndAL. When periyAzhwAr brought marriage discussion
to kOdhai, she mentioned only Govindhan's name as Her groom.
PeriyAzhwAr knew well of her intentions, since he himself was the
culprit for his bringing her up only with kannan's thinking at all
times. He also knew that Sri AranganAthan was her heartthrob who
stole her heart. He was rightfully worried as to how it is possible
to get her married to the Almighty. His worry and burden increased
day by day as much as Sri AndAL's love for the Lord increased.

The Lord appeared in periyAzhwAr' s dream and asked him to come to
Sri Rangam the next day. He also appeared in the king Pandyan
vallabhan's dream and asked him to arrange to bring AndAL and
periyAzhwAr to Sri Rangam with full honours. Next day the King along
with his parivArangal, Srirangam kOil archakAs, the chief officers,
ministers, all people of Sri villiputthoor, thronged at
periyAzhwAr' s house. Palanquin, kudai(umbrella) , kavari, temple
elephant and Royal elephant were all brought to bring the blessed
great father and the daughter. The ladies beautified the already
beautiful lloking AndAL with pattu, ponnagai, maNI, etc.,.
PeriyAzhwAr and vrajai brought kOdhai slowly lovingly and
affectionately to the palanquin. Sri AndAL boarded and sat down in
the palanquin, symbolifying "peNmayin ilakkaNam". Throughout the way
there were arches of flowers and decorations and festive looks.
People thronged to see the blessed Beauty of Villiputthoor. (How
nice it would have been, sister and brothers.- How great our Sri
AndAL would have looked in such an attire with the pretty face
getting prettier with "nANam".) They reached Sri Rangam and the
temple. They were guided straight to the Sanctum sanctorum, the
sannidhi of Thiruvarangan. Our kOdhai stepped into the inner court,
looked at him and His face and immediately merged and united with
the Lord as a JOTHI (a light).

PeriyAzhwAr and Vrajai were saddened with terrible grief and were
crying heavily for having missed their darling daughter to the Lord.
Even though periyAzhwAr knew all bhakti and vEdha poruL, etc., etc.,
he could not control his tears for the separation from his dearest
kOdhai.

"Oru magaLai udaiyEn; ulagam niRaindha pugazhAl |
ThirumagaL pOl vaLartthEn senkaNmAl dhAn koNdupOnAn ||"

(meaning: Only one daughter I had; The one who became very famous
(with her love for Lord); I brought her up like mahAlakshmi; (Now I
have lost her;) That Red lotus eyed Lord has snatched her from me)
(Poor periyAzhwAr. We can really feel his feelings and sadness.
Those who have sisters and daughters will know the feelings; More so
when the daughter will not even come home for thalai DeepAvaLi or
delivery, etc., She has gone for ever!)

PeriyAzhwAr and vrajai felt old suddenly for having lost the child.
With the help of the king, he consecrated an AndAL deity in Sri
Villiputthoor and till last day he was doing his usual kanikaryam of
Maalai to Sri VadabhathrasAyee but with a heavy heart thinking of
kOdhai always.
pAthagangaL theerkkum paramanadi kAttum*/
vEdham anaitthukkum vitthAgum *- kOdhai thamizh/
ayyaindhum ainshum aRiyAdha mAnidarai/
vaiyam sumappathum vambhu./

(The one which removes all our sins and shows the feet of The Lord;
Equal to all vEdAs and even the essence of all vEdAs; they are the
THIRTY verses of ThiruppAvai sung by kOdhai; and if one doe not know
that, he (or she) is a BURDEN to the earth.- Oh my dearest sisters
and brothers, Please make it a point to recite these excellent 30
verses every morning and be blessed by Sri ANdAL, who is none other
than Bhoomi pirAtti and can only save us from our samsaaric
afflictions. )
PeriyAzhwAr thiruvadigaLE saraNam
AndAL thiruvadigaLE saraNam
dAsan



Sri Anbil Ramaswamy Swami adds in his inimitable
style:

Vishnuchitta was called " Periya Alwar" - the great
Alwar for very many reasons:

1. It is the greatness of his love for the Lord that
made him pour out the Pallandu hymns.

2. Ordinarily. only elders would bless the young ones
for a long life."Periya' means elder and therefore he
was called Periyalwar. To the objection that such an
attitude was 'unnatural' ( Swarupa Viruddham), Pillai
Lokacharya has argued that as it was a 'Mangala
Aasaasanam', it was quite in order and because IT WAS
A STRANGE CASE OF KNOWLEDGE RIPENING INTO AN IGNORANCE
OF SORTS DUE TO AN EXTRAORDINARY LOVE AND AFFECTION.

3. King Janaka laid a challenge through the Siva
Dhanus in Sri Sita's marriage; Kumbar, the Aayar Chief
laid a challenge in the form of the 7 bulls in the
marriage of Nappinnai; But, Vishnuchitta laid no
challenges in the marriage of his daughter, Andal
because of his obvious conviction that in due time,
'THE OWNER WOULD CLAIM WHAT HE OWNED.'

4. It is natural to honor anyone who brings relief
from suffering. That is how Rishyasringa was honoured
when rains came to the parched land of Angadesa as he
set foot there. Vishnuchitta also performed a similar
miracle. When a famine raged in the northern city of
Kandam Kadinagar on the banks of Ganges, he was
invited to the city to solve the crisis. As he set
foot there, welcome rains showered and the place was
relieved of the famine. His greatness was honored.
Periyalwar himself is said to refer to this incident
thus "Venkali Naliyaa Vittuchittar"

5. Parasara who wrote Vishnu Purana known as Purana
Ratna deals with the story of Sri Krishna only in the
5th Amsa of his work; Sukhabrahmam who wrote Srimad
Bhaagavatam has dealt with the story of Krishna only
in the 10 th Skaandam; But, Vishnuchitta fills his
entire Tirumozhi with the story of Lord Krishna
vividly portraying every detail of the Lord's
childhood ' leelas ' in his own inimitable style.

6.Another esoteric aspect concerning Periyalwar that
really makes him ' Periya' is the fact that he is the
incarnation of Garuda. Garuda reincarnated himself as
Ajuna's chariot and as such he witnessed the Lord
delivering the Baghavad Gita - especially the Charama
Sloka to Arjuna. Thus, apart from Arjuna, he was the
one who was the direct recipient of the Lord's
message. Andal refers to this when she says "Meymei
Peru Vaarthai Vittu Chittar Kettiruppaar" .' Vaarthai'
is Moolamantram; ' Peru Vaarthai is the Mantra Ratna of
Dwayam and ' Meymei Peru Vaarthai ' is the Charama
sloka.

7. He was great also in a different way. He became the
father- in- law of Lord Vishnu when his daughter,
Andal married the Lord. - - an honor none else
could claim.