Periyalwar

Periyalwar was born in a place called Srivilliputhur. Mukunda bhattar and Paduma Valli, who were from the Veyar family, were his parents. Periyalwar took birth when it was Aani month and Ekadesi Thithi, Sunday; the birth star was Swathi.

From his childhood, his parents used to tell Periyalwar the stories of Sri Kannapiran. As a result, Periyalwar got devotional feelings toward Lord Vishnu. Both of his parents were great devotees of Vishnu; they ensured that Periyalwar receives the knowledge of Vedams. With time, Periyalwar got more involved in worshipping Vishnu, and he developed a great liking toward the Lord. He started dedicating his life to Vishnu; every day, he offered garlands and flowers to the Lord.

It is said that when it was the time of Periyalwar, Pandiya Kingdom was there to rule. The King who ruled during that time was Vallabha devan. He was considered a great warrior as he conquered many kingdoms in the North and Chozha kingdom.

Once, the King in simple clothes went out to find what the people of the kingdom think. While he was passing through a house, he saw an older man who had a strange glow on his face. The King went near the man and asked him what should be done in this lifetime to get happiness in the next.

On these words of King, the man answered:

"Maariyin kaalam thThiruyppaan matru illa kaalaththu eettum
Kooriya Irulil theriyppaan kozhum sudar pagalil eettum
Seeriya illamai thannin Moopukku Sirappaal eettum
Aariyalbhu adhanaal immai thanniley marumaikku eettum".

It means that the necessary things for the future should be done in the present. Just like you arrange all-important things for the night in the daytime, just like you save for the monsoon in the summer, just like you save for the older age in the younger age itself, the happiness for the next life should be arranged in this lifetime itself.

The King also asked about the person himself, on which he told his name “Andhanar.” The person further said that he comes from the North after having a bath in the sacred river Ganga. He said that he is traveling toward Sethu River from here.

After listening to the story of the man, the King bowed down. The King asked the man about the way to get Moksha, on which the person said that by hearing Vedanta parathuvam, he could attain Moksha. On hearing this, the King made an announcement, and he announced that whoever will recite Vedanta parathuvam will be rewarded with one lac gold coin.

The King tied the bag full of coins to a pillar which will fall down if God gets convinced by the answer. Many tried to recite Vedanta parathuvam, but no one knew it completely and hence failed. Vishnuchitta or Periyalwar was gardening the Tulasi plant when Lord Vishnu informed him about the event going on.

Periyalwar remains unbothered and declined the request of Lord Vishnu. The Lord again convinced him, but Periyalwar said that how he can win the competition when he has no education and knowledge of Vedas. Lord Vishnu then took his conch and placed it on his head and mouth. Immediately, Periyalwar got fluent in Vedas and all education.

He headed to the competition; however, he was nervous also. Periyalwar knew that Lord Vishnu would come to his help; Periyalwar then explains the important points that the King needed. Since all the things explained about Lord Vishnu were correct, the bag filled with coins fell at the feet of Periyalwar.

There was no end to the happiness for the King; he gave Periyalwar an elephant to sit on and carried him for a procession around the streets of Madurai. Lord Vishnu further blessed Periyalwar, and being extremely humble, Periyalwar started to cry because he knew it is the Lord who gave him the knowledge. Immediately, Thirupallandu came to his mind, and he wrote it on the elephant.

Periyalwar or Vishnuchitta donated all the money that he won by the grace of Lord Vishnu. He kept nothing to himself, and he again started living his life for Lord Vishnu. The Lord was moved by such the humble nature of Periyalwar that after having all the education, Periyalwar chose the Lord and nothing else. Vishnu then decided that for such devotion, he can do nothing but give himself to Periyalwar.

The next moment, Vishnu saw Bhoodevi, and she understood the scenario. When Periyalwar was watering the Tulasi plant, he saw a baby crying. He then lifted her up and felt immense happiness just by looking at her. He enquired to everyone about it, and no one claimed the baby. So, Periyalwar kept the baby to herself, and he decided to take care of her.

Some of his great works are Thiru Pallandu and Periya Azhwar thirumozhi.