Periyalvar, The Great Azhwar… Periyalvar (originally named Vishnuchittar) is one of the most unique and beloved figures among the 12 Alvars.
While most devotees approach God seeking protection, wealth, or liberation, Vishnuchittar approached God with the protective love of a mother. He was constantly worried about the Lord’s safety and well-being. Because his love was so vast that he placed himself in the position of an “elder” to the Creator of the Universe, he was given the title Periyalvar (The Great Alvar or Elder Alvar).
The Vision on the Elephant
Periyalvar lived in the temple town of Srivilliputhur. He spent his days peacefully making flower garlands for the local deity, Lord Vatapatrasayi.
According to legend, the Pandyan King of Madurai hosted a massive philosophical debate, offering a purse of gold to whoever could definitively explain the Supreme Truth. Directed by the Lord in a dream, the humble garland-maker traveled to the court and, infused with divine knowledge, easily won the debate.
To honor him, the king seated Periyalvar on a royal elephant and paraded him through the streets of Madurai. Pleased with His devotee’s victory, Lord Narayana Himself appeared in the sky seated on Garuda, accompanied by Goddess Lakshmi, to witness the procession.
The Birth of the Thiruppallandu
When Periyalvar looked up and saw the breathtaking, glowing beauty of the Lord, he didn’t ask for a boon or for Moksha (liberation). Instead, he panicked. He thought, “The world is full of evil eyes, and my Lord is so beautiful. What if someone casts an evil eye on Him?”
He immediately grabbed the bells on the elephant’s neck to keep a rhythm and sang the Thiruppallandu (The Song of Blessing). He sang, “May You live for many years, for thousands of years, for millions of years, safely and without harm.”
This act of blessing God is considered the absolute pinnacle of pure devotion (Bhakti). Because of this, the 12 verses of the Thiruppallandu are the absolute most important verses in the Sri Vaishnava sampradaya. Whenever the 4,000 verses of the Divya Prabandham are chanted, the Thiruppallandu must be sung first.
The Father of Andal
Periyalvar is equally famous for being the adoptive father of Andal (Choodi Kudutha Alvar). He found her as a baby under a holy basil (Tulasi) plant in his garden. He raised her by constantly telling her stories of Lord Krishna’s childhood, which completely shaped her intense devotion.
Besides the Thiruppallandu, his major literary contribution is the Periyalvar Thirumozhi (473 verses), where he imagines himself as Mother Yashoda and sings beautiful, intimate lullabies and stories about raising the mischievous baby Krishna.
Thirunakshatram: He is celebrated on Aani Swathi (the Svati star in the Tamil month of Aani), which falls right around this time of year (June/July).