Madhurakavi Alwar

There was a family who was spending their lives praising and worshipping Lord Vishnu. In that family, in Chittirai month and on Sukla Chaturdasi Friday, Madhurakavi Alwar was born. The alwar was born under Chittirai Natshatram. Madhurakavi was born before Nammalwar, and he was referred to as the rays of the sun, which come out right before the sun rises.

The alwar was a knower of all Vedic books and was a staunch devotee of Sriman Narayanan. He was also a composer of poems and several Bhakti songs. His poems or verses were so mesmerizing that they possessed the power to tie the crowd together and get merged in the devotion of Vishnu.

Since childhood, Madhura was different from others, and he didn't want to spend his life like ordinary humans. He wanted to give his life to Lord, and he did it every single day. The alwar dedicated his life in the path of a spiritual journey, and he attained the Moksha and reached the abode of Lord Vishnu.

Madhurakavi's Spiritual Journey Toward North India

He traveled toward North India near places like Ayodhya, Madura, Kaasi, Dwaraka, and more. While reaching North India and all these places of Vishnu and his prominent avatar Krishna, he worshipped at all the places and Lord Vishnu with all his heart and soul. He admired the beauty there and was mesmerized by every scenery of God. He visited the temples of Sri Rama, Sita, Laxman, and Hanuman.

While worshipping the Lord there, one day, he heard about the fame of Nammalwar, who was an alwar in deep stage meditating without eating or drinking anything, even without uttering a word.

It is believed that one day after finishing his worship, Madhura encountered a bright beam coming from the sky. It first looked like some village had caught fire, or some big forest was set to burn. Madhura thought about taking action immediately, and to clear his mind, he started his journey toward that bright beam.

The bright beam was coming from Southern India, and Madhura had started his journey toward the direction. While he was traveling toward it, he also found some bright stars traveling toward the South, so he also followed the stars as his guide.

The stars led Madhura to Thirunagari and then disappeared. There he again heard about the child or the alwar who didn't open his eyes for almost 16 years and meditating under a tamarind tree. Madhura was curious to see such a person and also wanted to test his qualities. So he headed to his direction, and luckily, the light beam was also coming from the same direction.

After reaching there, Madhura lifted a big stone and threw it on the ground. This act of Madhura made Nammalwar open his eyes. When Namma opened his eyes, he smiled at Madhura; however, Madhura was still confused about the child's ability to speak.

Thus, to test it, he questioned:

"Senthin Vayitril Siriyadhu Pirandhal Eatthai Thindru Engae Kidakkum?".

This means what is that thing which is born in a dead, how does it lead the life, what does it eat, and where does it reside?

On this, Nammalwar replied:

"Atthai Thindru Angae Kidakkum."

Meaning the thing is the Jeevathma or the Prana that resides in the body. Namma also explained to Madhura how these souls are tied to doing karma and doing good and bad to people around them. He explained how karma keeps a person tied and keeps him from attaining the Moksha.

When Madhurakavi heard such a philosophical explanation from 16 years old, he couldn't stop himself from raising his hands over his head and falling at the feet of Nammalwar. This was the time when Madhura accepted Nammalwar, a spiritual Guru, and he became his first student to learn all the Veda and spiritual things. Madhura, in the company of Nammalwar, realized the precious bond between Sriman Narayanan and an ordinary human.

Madhura then also composed songs to admire Nammalwar, such as:

"Kanni Nunn Siruthambhu" and sung 11 paasurams following it.

Madhurakavi also constructed a statue of Nammalwar and placed it in the temple. He worshipped this statue daily as his Guru and led his life by praising him, composing songs about him, and singing the greatness of Sriman Narayanan also.