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Pey Alvar

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Pey Alvar(also speltPeyalvar,Peialvar,Pey Azhwar,orPei Azhwar) is one of the twelveAlvarsaints of SouthIndia,who are known for their affiliation toVaishnavatradition ofHinduism.The verses ofAlvarsare compiled asNalayira Divya Prabandhamand the 108 temples revered are classified asDivya Desams.Pey Alvar is considered third in the list of the three principalAlvars,with the other two beingPoigai AlvarandBhoothath Alvar,collectively calledMutalamalvargalwho are known to be born out of divinity. Pey Alvar composed hundred verses that are classified asMunram Tiruvantatiand his composition is set in theantatistyle in which the ending syllable is the starting one for the next verse.

Pey Alvar
Personal
Born4203 BCE (Traditional)[1][2]
Mylapore
ReligionHinduism
Organization
PhilosophyVaishnavaBhakti
Religious career
Literary worksMunram Tiruvantati
HonorsAlvarsaint, regardedavatarofNandaka

As per Hindu legend, Pey Alvar was found in the lily flower in the pond of theAdi Kesava Perumal TempleinMylapore.[3]The site can be found in Arundale Street, Mylapore, Chennai. In Tamil,peyrefers to one who is possessed and since the saint was madly attracted to Hindu god Vishnu, he got the name.

As per legend, the threeAlvarswere once were confined in a small dark enclosure during a rain inThirukovilurand they experienced a fourth individual among them. They found out that it was god Vishnu and Poigai Alvar wished to see his face continuously but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning. With a view to maintain the continuity of light, Poigai instantly composed hundred songs wishing light to emerge. Pey Alvar and Bhoothath Alvar continued composing hundred songs each on Vishnu. The works of these earliest saints contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism. Along with the three SaivaNayanmars,their works influenced the rulingPallavakings of the South Indian region, resulting in changing the religious geography fromBuddhismandJainismto the two sects ofHinduism.

Alvars

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The wordalvarmeans the one who dives deep into the ocean of the countless attributes of god.Alvarsare considered the twelve supreme devotees ofVishnu,who were instrumental in popularisingVaishnavismduring the 5th-8th centuries CE. The religious works of these saints inTamil,songs of love and devotion, are compiled asNalayira Divya Prabandhamcontaining 4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified asDivya desam.[4][5]The saints had different origins and belonged to different castes. As per tradition, the first threeAlvars,Poigai, Bhutha and Pey were born miraculously. Tirumalisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar and Andal were from theBrahmincommunity, Kulasekhara fromKshatriacommunity, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupanalvar frompanarcommunity and Tirumangaiyalvar fromkallarcommunity.Divya Suri Saritraby Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE),Guruparamparaprabavamby Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar,Periya tiru mudi adaivuby Anbillai Kandadiappan,Yatindra Pranava Prabavamby Pillai Lokam Jiyar, commentaries onDivya Prabandam,Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of theAlvarsand their works. According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. Poigai is considered an incarnation ofPanchajanya(Krishna's conch), Bhoothath ofKaumodakee(Vishnu's Mace/Club), Pey ofNandaka(Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai ofSudarshanam(Vishnu's discus), Nammalvar ofVishvaksena(Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi ofVainatheya(Vishnu's snake, Seshanaga), Kulasekhara ofKaustubha(Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi ofVanamaalai(Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaanalvar ofSrivatsa(An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangaiyalvar ofSaranga(Rama's bow). The songs ofPrabandamare regularly sung in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.[5][6]

According to traditional account byManavala Mamunigal,the first threeAlvarsnamely Poigai, Bhoothath and Pey Alvar belong toDvapara Yuga(before 4200 BCE), as per the details, all Alvars lived around 4300 BCE–900 CE. Some modern scholars suggest that they lived during 5th–8th century, although such estimates lack evidence.[7]But it is widely accepted by tradition and historians that the trio are the earliest among the twelveAlvars.[4][5][8][9][10]Along with the three Saivanayanmars,they influenced the rulingPallavakings, creating a Bhakti movement that resulted in changing the religious geography fromBuddhismandJainismto these two sects ofHinduismin the region. TheAlvarswere also instrumental in promoting the Bhagavatha cult and the two epics of India, namely,RamayanaandMahabaratha.[11]TheAlvarswere instrumental in spreadingVaishnavismthroughout the region.[12]The verses of the variousAlvarswere compiled byNathamuni(824-924 CE), a 10th-century Vaishnavite theologian, who called it the "Tamil Veda".[13][14]

Early life

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In Tamil,peyrefers to one who is possessed and since the saint was madly attracted to Hindu god Vishnu, he got the name.[15]As per Hindu legend, Pey Alvar was found in the lily flower in the pond of theAdikesava Perumal temple, Mylapore(historically called Manikaivaram), a suburb inChennai.He is also called Mahadahvaya and Mylapuradapadhi.[16]

Composition

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As per Hindu legend, Vishnu appeared to themutalam Alvars(first threeAlvars) atThirukkoilur.It was day time, but it darkened and started raining heavily. The wandering Poigai found out a small hide out, which has a space for one person to lie down. Boodath arrived there looking for a hiding place and Poigai accommodated him, with both sitting together. In the meanwhile, Pey Alvar also came to the same place as all the three preferred to stand because of lack of space. The darkness became dense and inside the small room, they were not able to see each other. In the meanwhile, they felt a fourth person also forced his way among them. The threeAlvarsrealised from the light of the lightning that the fourth one had a charming face that was sublime and divine. The trio could immediately realize that it wasVishnuwho was huddling among them.[citation needed]Poigai wished to see Vishnu's face continuously but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning. With a view to maintain the continuity of light, he instantly composed hundred songs wishing the earth to be a big pot full of ghee like an ocean where the Sun could be the burning wick.[9][14][17]

I found the glorious, golden form of the Lord[18]

Bhoothath Alvaralso sang 100 songs imagining to light the lamp constantly through ardent love for Him. Pey Alvar sang another 100 songs where he described the enchanting charm of the divine face and the association of Narayana equipped with chakra and sankha, and his divine consort goddess Lakshmi.[9][15]

Pey Alvar composed hundred verses that are classified asMunram Tiruvantati.[19]Pey Alvar's composition was set in theantatistyle. The wordAndhameans end andAdimeans beginning.antatistyle has ending word or the syllable of each verse as the beginning word of the succeeding verse and the last word of the hundredth verse becomes the beginning of the first verse, making the hundred verses a true garland of verses. The works of these earliest saints contributed to the philosophical and theological ideas of Vaishnavism.[15]The verses of the trio speak ofNarayana(another name for Vishnu) as the supreme deity and they refer frequently toTrivikramaandKrishna,theavatarsof Vishnu.[20][21]

Mangalasasanam

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There are 39 of his paasurams in the 4000Divya Prabhandham.He has sung in praise of fourteen temples.[22]

S.No. Name of the temple Location Photo Number of Pasurams Presiding deity Notes/Beliefs
1 Tirupathi 13°08′35″N79°54′25″E/ 13.143°N 79.907°E/13.143; 79.907
18 Alamelumanga
Venkateswara 		Venkateswara Temple is a landmark Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town ofTirumalaatTirupatiinChittoor districtofAndhra Pradesh,India. The Temple is dedicated to LordSri Venkateswara,an incarnation ofVishnu,who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles ofKali Yuga.Hence the place has also got the name KaliyugaVaikunthamand Lord here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple. Lord Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa.[23]Tirumala Hills are part ofSeshachalam Hillsrange. The hills are 853 metres (2,799 ft) above sea level. The Temple is constructed in Dravidian architecture and is believed to be constructed over a period of time starting from 300 CE. The Garbagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) is called AnandaNilayam. It is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth.[24][25][26]The temple is visited by about 50,000 to 100,000 pilgrims daily (30 to 40 million people annually on average), while on special occasions and festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 500,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world.[27]
2 Thiruparkadal Heavenly
Kurma
 4 Lakshmi
Vishnu 		InHindu cosmology,Thiruparkadal (Ocean of milk) is the fifth from the center of the seven oceans. It surrounds the continent known as Krauncha.[28]According to Hindu mythology, thedevas(gods) andasuras(demons) worked together for a millennium to churn the ocean and releaseAmritathe nectar of immortal life.[29]It is spoken of in theSamudra manthanachapter of thePuranas,a body of ancient Hindu legends. It is also the place whereVishnureclines overShesha Naga,along with his consortLakshmi.
3 Thiruvelukkai Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12°49′20″N79°42′23″E/ 12.822197°N 79.706450°E/12.822197; 79.706450
3 Sri Amritavalli sametha Sri Yoga Narasimha Perumal Azhagiya Singar is believed to have appeared to slay Hiranya, the demon king.Velukkaiis derived fromVel(desire) andirukkai(place of stay), meaning the place where Vishnu desired to stay, which became Velukkai from Velirukkai.[30]
4 Srirangam. Srirangam,Trichy district
Tamil Nadu
10°51′45″N78°41′23″E/ 10.8625°N 78.689722°E/10.8625; 78.689722
2 Ranganayagi
Ranganathar (Periya Perumal) 		Srirangam temple is often listed as the largest functioningHindu templein the world, the still largerAngkor Watbeing the largest existing temple. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (631,000 m2) with a perimeter of 4,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world.[31][32]The annual 21-day festival conducted during the Tamil month ofMargaḻi(December–January) attracts 1 million visitors.[33]
5 Thirukudanthai Kumbakonam,Thanjavur district,
Tamil Nadu
10°57′35″N79°22′30″E/ 10.959649°N 79.374999°E/10.959649; 79.374999
2 Sri Komalavalli sametha Sri Aravamuda Perumal The temple is called Ubaya Pradhana Kshetram as theMoolavar(presiding deity) andutsavar(festive deity) enjoy the same importance. It is believed that the presiding deity askedNathamunito compile the four thousand verses of Nalayira Divya Prabandham at this place.[34]The twin temple chariots weigh 300 t (660,000 lb) each and are next only in size to the ones inThygaraja templeinThiruvarurandAndal TempleinSrivilliputhur.[35]This temple is alongKaveriand is one of thePancharanga Kshetrams.[36]
6 Thiruvinnagar Tirunageswaram,Thanjavur district,
Tamil Nadu
10°57′42″N79°25′55″E/ 10.961570°N 79.432080°E/10.961570; 79.432080
2 Sri Bhumidevi sametha Sri Uppiliappan Perumal It is believed that Vishnu appeared as Uppiliappan to marry sage Hemarishi's daughter who was Lakshmi's avatar. Since the sage quoted that her girl is too young that she doesn't even know how to cook with salt, Vishnu agreed to accept offering without salt.[37]
7 Paramapadam Heavenly
Vishnu, Lord of Vaikuntha
 1 Lakshmi
Vishnu 		Vaikuntha is the celestial abode ofVishnu,[38]who is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the supreme being in its Vaishnavism tradition.[39][40]Vaikuntha is an abode exclusive to him, his consort the goddessLakshmiand other liberated souls that have gainedmoksha.They are blessed with pure bliss and happiness in the company of the supreme being for all eternity.
8 Thirumaliruncholai Alagar Koyil,
Madurai district,
Tamil Nadu9°59′19″N78°15′52″E/ 9.988609°N 78.2643428°E/9.988609; 78.2643428
1 Sri Sundaravalli sametha Sri Kallazhagar Perumal Kallazhagar was worshiped byYama,the Hindu god of death. He requested Vishnu to stay in the place and built a temple with the help of Vishwakarma, the divine architect.[41]Kallazhagar is believed to have appeared to redeem sage Suthapava off his curse from sageDurvasa.[42]The temple houses some rareVijayanagarasculptures.[43]
9 Thirukkoshtiyur Thirukoshtiyur,
Sivaganga district,
Tamil Nadu9°59′19″N78°15′51″E/ 9.98860°N 78.2643°E/9.98860; 78.2643
1 Sri Mahalakshmi sametha Sri Uraga Mellanayaan Perumal The temple is known as the place whereRamanuja,the expounder of Vaishnavadatta philosophy, preached the holy syllable "Ohm Namo Narayana" to all people irrespective of their caste. Sowmyanarayana Perumal is believed to have appeared asNarasimhaavatar to theDevas,the celestial deities.[44]
10 Thirukkachi - Atthigiri Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12°49′09″N79°43′29″E/ 12.819137°N 79.724646°E/12.819137; 79.724646
1 Sri Perundevi sametha Sri Devadiraja Perumal One of the greatest Hindu scholars of VaishnavaVisishtAdvaitaphilosophy,Ramanujais believed to have resided in this temple.[45]The temple along withEkambareswarar TempleandKamakshi Amman Templein Kanchipuram is popularly known asMumurtivasam(abode of trio),[46]while Srirangam is referred to as ‘ The Koil’ (meaning: "temple" ) andTirupatias the ‘Malai’ (Meaning: "hill" ).
11 Thiruppadagam Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12°50′34″N79°41′49″E/ 12.842726°N 79.696941°E/12.842726; 79.696941
1 Sri Rukmani sametha Sri Pandavadootha Perumal The temple is considered one of three oldest temples in Kanchipuram and is believed to have been built by thePallavasof the late 8th century CE, with later contributions fromMedieval CholasandVijayanagar kings.The temple is associated with a chapter inMahabharatawhenKrishnawent to theKauravasas a missive (calledThootalocally) to thePandavas.[47]
12 Thiruvallikeni Chennai,
Chennai district,
Tamil Nadu13°03′14″N80°16′37″E/ 13.053920°N 80.276942°E/13.053920; 80.276942
1 Sri Rukmini sametha Sri Venkatakrishna Perumal The nameParthasarathy,inTamil,means the 'charioteer ofArjuna', referring to Krishna's role as a charioteer to Arjuna in the epicMahabaratha.It was originally built by thePallavasin the 8th century and considered the oldest structure inChennai.[48]
13 Thirukkadigai Sholinghur,
Vellore district,
Tamil Nadu13°05′37″N79°25′29″E/ 13.093698°N 79.424626°E/13.093698; 79.424626
1 Sri Amritavalli sametha Sri Yoga Narasimha Perumal The temple has twin hills, with the one of Yoga Narasimha called thePeriya malai(big hill) 750 ft (230 m) tall and occupying an area of 1.25 acres (5,100 m2). The top of the hill is approached through a flight of 1,305 steps. The temple is seen as one of the famous temples of Narasimha and a powerful image ofHanuman.[49]Manavala Mamunigalis believed to have performed enunciation ofThirupavaiat this place on the request of his disciple Erumbiappa. The town originally was under the control ofShaiviteswhich is substantiated by the temple ruins near Parappan Kulam, in the valley between two hills. This is where original Sholinghur was situated. UnfinishedNandhisand Sthupas are found in numerous places in Sholinghur.[50]
14 Ashtabuyagaram Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12°49′22″N79°42′39″E/ 12.822736°N 79.710806°E/12.822736; 79.710806
1 Sri Padmasani sametha Sri Ashtabhuja Perumal The elephant Gajendra, used to worship Vishnu with the lotus fetched from the temple tank every day. Once while picking up lotus, a crocodile caught the leg of Gajendra, who started calling the name of Vishnu for help. Vishnu sent his discus to punish the crocodile and relieve the elephant. The presiding deity is addressed by various names like Adikesava Perumal, Gajendra Varadhan and Chakradhar.[51]

References

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Sources

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