Periyalvar

Periyalvar Biography

Periyalvar is one of the twelve azhwar saints of South India, often regarded as the first one among all. Azhwars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu who popularized Vaishnavism. He is also known by the name ‘Periazhwar’ and his birth name is Vishnuchittar. Periyazhwar was the foster father of Andal, the only female azhwars. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and his works are related to philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism. His contributions are Thirupallandu and Periya Azhwar thirumozhi, among the 4000 stanzas in the Nalayira Divya Prabandam. He incarnated on this earth in the 47th year after the beginning of the Kali Era (3102 BC) and his birthplace is Srivilliputhur. In south India, particularly Tamil Nadu many festivals are related to him. Garudasevai festival in Srivilliputhur temple is dedicated to him.

Periyalvar was born into a Brahmin family in Srivilliputhur, near Madurai. His birth name is Vishnuchittar. He rejected the Vedic philosophical debates of his upbringing to focus on Bhakti. He used to make garlands for the deity of the temple. Once the Pandyan king Vallabhadevan had a competition between scholars. He wanted to know the best path towards Moksha and Vishnuchittar won the competition stating that service to Lord Vishnu is the best one. He honored Vishnuchittar by taking him around the streets of Madurai and according to legends, Koodal Azhagar, the presiding deity in the Koodal Azhagar Temple witnessed the event. He immediately composed Thirupallandu, the first twelve verses of Naliyara Divya Prabandam.

Vishnuchittar composed a couplet called "pallandu” to God which is still a popular prayer. He composed a few pasurams in the 4000 Divya Prabhandham called Perialvar Tirumozhi. He was more fascinated with young Krishna. The verses of azhwars are recited during temple festivals of Vishnu temples of south India as well as during daily prayers.

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Updated: March 12, 2014