Pey Alvar

Pey Alvar (also spelt Peyalvar, Peialvar, Pey Azhwar, or Pei Azhwar) is one of the twelve alvars saints of South India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. The verses of alvars are compiled as Nalayira Divya Prabandham and the 108 temples revered are classified as Divya desam. Pey Alvar is considered third in the list of the three principal alvars, with the other two being Poigai Alvar and Bhoothath Alvar, collectively called Mutalamalvargal who are known to be born out of divinity. Pey Alvar composed hundred verses that are classified as Moondram Tiruvandadhi and his composition is set in the Andhadhi style in which the ending syllable is the starting one for the next verse.

Pey Alvar
Personal
Born4203 BCE[1][2]
Mylapore
ReligionHinduism
PhilosophyVaishnava Bhakti
Religious career
Literary worksMoondraam Thiruvandaadhi
HonorsAlvar saint, regarded avatar of Nandaka

As per Hindu legend, Pey Alvar was found in the lily flower in the pond of the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Mylapore.[3] In Tamil, pey refers to one who is possessed and since the saint was madly attracted to Hindu god Vishnu, he got the name.

As per legend, the three alvars were once were confined in a small dark enclosure during a rain in Thirukovilur and 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 Saiva nayanmars, their works influenced the ruling Pallava kings of the South Indian region, resulting in changing the religious geography from Buddhism and Jainism to the two sects of Hinduism.

Alvars

The word alvar means the one who dives deep into the ocean of the countless attributes of god. Alvars are considered the twelve supreme devotees of Vishnu, who were instrumental in popularising Vaishnavism during the 5th-8th centuries A.D. The religious works of these saints in Tamil, songs of love and devotion, are compiled as Nalayira Divya Prabandham containing 4000 verses and the 108 temples revered in their songs are classified as Divya desam.[4][5] The saints had different origins and belonged to different castes. As per tradition, the first three alvars, Poigai, Bhutha and Pey were born miraculously. Tirumazhisai was the son of a sage, Thondaradi, Mathurakavi, Periyalvar and Andal were from brahmin community, Kulasekhara from Kshatria community, Nammalvar was from a cultivator family, Tirupanalvar from panar community and Tirumangaiyalvar from kallar community. Divya Suri Saritra by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century AD), Guruparamparaprabavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, Periya tiru mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokam Jiyar, commentaries on Divya Prabandam, Guru Parampara (lineage of Gurus) texts, temple records and inscriptions give a detailed account of the alvars and their works. According to these texts, the saints were considered incarnations of some form of Vishnu. Poigai is considered an incarnation of Panchajanya (Krishna's conch), Bhoothath of Kaumodakee (Vishnu's Mace/Club), Pey of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshanam (Vishnu's discus), Nammalvar of Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of Vainatheya (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of Kaustubha (Vishnu's necklace), Periy of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhoodevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her form as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of Vanamaalai (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaanalvar of Srivatsa (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangaiyalvar of Saranga (Rama's bow). The songs of Prabandam are regularly sung in all the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.[5][6]

According to traditional account by Manavala Mamunigal, the first three alvars namely Poigai, Bhoothath and Pey Alvar belong to Dvapara Yuga (before 4200 BC), as per the details, all Alvars lived around 4200 - 2700 BCE. 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 twelve alvars.[4][5][8][9][10] Along with the three Saiva nayanmars, they influenced the ruling Pallava kings, creating a Bhakti movement that resulted in changing the religious geography from Buddhism and Jainism to these two sects of Hinduism in the region. The alvars were also instrumental in promoting the Bhagavatha cult and the two epics of India, namely, Ramayana and Mahabaratha.[11] The alvars were instrumental in spreading Vaishnavism throughout the region.[12] The verses of the various alvars were compiled by Nathamuni (824-924 AD), a 10th-century Vaishnavite theologian, who called it the "Tamil Veda".[13][14]

Early life

In Tamil, pey refers 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 the Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Mylapore (historically called Manikaivaram), a suburb in Chennai. He is also called Mahadahvaya and Mylapuradapadhi.[16]

Composition

As per Hindu legend, Vishnu appeared to the mutalam alvars (first three alvars) at Thirukkoilur. 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 three alvars realised 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 was Vishnu who was huddling among them. 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.[17][9][14]

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

Bhoothath Alvar also 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.[15][9]

Pey Alvar composed hundred verses that are classified as Moondram Tiruvandadhi.[19] Pey Alvar’s composition was set in the Andhadhi style. The word Andha means end and Adi means beginning. Andhadhi style 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 of Narayana (another name for Vishnu) as the supreme deity and they refer frequently to Trivikrama and Krishna, the avatars of Vishnu.[20][21]

Mangalasasanam

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

fe;"

S.No. Name of the temple Location Photo Number of Pasurams Presiding deity Notes/Beliefs
1 Tirupathi 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 of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Hence the place has also got the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntham and 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 of Seshachalam Hills range. 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 AD. 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 		In Hindu 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, the devas (gods) and asuras (demons) worked together for a millennium to churn the ocean and release Amrita the nectar of immortal life.[29] It is spoken of in the Samudra manthana chapter of the Puranas, a body of ancient Hindu legends. It is also the place where Vishnu reclines over Shesha Naga, along with his consort Lakshmi.
3 Thiruvelukkai Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12.822197°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. Velukkai is derived from Vel (desire) and irukkai (place of stay), meaning the place where Vishnu desired to stay, which became Velukkai from Velirukkai.[30]
4 Srirangam. Srirangam, Trichy district
Tamil Nadu
10.8625°N 78.689722°E / 10.8625; 78.689722
2 Ranganayagi
Ranganathar (Periya Perumal) 		Srirangam temple is often listed as the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, the still larger Angkor Wat being 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 of Margazhi (December–January) attracts 1 million visitors.[33]
5 Thirukudanthai Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district,
Tamil Nadu
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 the Moolavar (presiding deity) and utsavar (festive deity) enjoy the same importance.It is believed that the presiding deity asked Nathamuni to 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 in Thygaraja temple in Thiruvarur and Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur.[35] This temple is along Kaveri and is one of the Pancharanga Kshetrams.[36]
6 Thiruvinnagar Tirunageswaram, Thanjavur district,
Tamil Nadu
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 doesnt 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 of Vishnu[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 the him, his consort the goddess Lakshmi and other liberated souls that have gained moksha. 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 Nadu9.988609°N 78.2643428°E / 9.988609; 78.2643428
1 Sri Sundaravalli sametha Sri Kallazhagar Perumal Kallazhagar was worshiped by Yama, 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 sage Durvasa.[42] The temple houses some rare Vijayanagara sculptures.[43]
9 Thirukkoshtiyur Thirukoshtiyur,
Sivaganga district,
Tamil Nadu9.98860°N 78.2643°E / 9.98860; 78.2643
1 Sri Mahalakshmi sametha Sri Uraga Mellanayaan Perumal The temple is known as the place where Ramanuja, 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 as Narasimha avatar to the Devas, the celestial deities.[44]
10 Thirukkachi - Atthigiri Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12.819137°N 79.724646°E / 12.819137; 79.724646
1 Sri Perundevi sametha Sri Devadiraja Perumal One of the greatest Hindu scholars of Vaishnava VisishtAdvaita philosophy, Ramanuja is believed to have resided in this temple.[45] The temple along with Ekambareswarar Temple and Kamakshi Amman Temple in Kanchipuram is popularly known as Mumurtivasam (abode of trio),[46] while Srirangam is referred to as ‘ The Koil’ (meaning: "temple") and Tirupati as the ‘Malai’ (Meaning: "hill").
11 Thiruppadagam Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12.842726°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 the Pallavas of the late 8th century AD, with later contributions from Medieval Cholas and Vijayanagar kings. The temple is associated with a chapter in Mahabharata when Krishna went to the Kauravas as a missive (called Thoota locally) to the Pandavas.[47]
12 Thiruvallikeni Chennai,
Chennai district,
Tamil Nadu13.053920°N 80.276942°E / 13.053920; 80.276942
1 Sri Rukmini sametha Sri Venkatakrishna Perumal The name Parthasarathy, in Tamil, means the 'charioteer of Arjuna', referring to Krishna's role as a charioteer to Arjuna in the epic Mahabaratha. It was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century and considered the oldest structural in Chennai.[48]
13 Thirukkadigai Sholinghur,
Vellore district,
Tamil Nadu13.093698°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 the Periya 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 of Hanuman.[49] Manavala Mamunigal is believed to have performed enunciation of Thirupavai at this place on the request of his disciple Erumbiappa. The town originally was under the control of Shaivites which is substantiated by the temple ruins near Parappan Kulam, in the valley between two hills. This is where original Sholinghur was situated. Unfinished Nandhis and Sthupas are found in numerous places in Sholinghur.[50]
14 Ashtabuyagaram Kanchipuram,
Kanchipuram district,
Tamil Nadu12.822736°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 everyday. 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]

Notes
  1. L. Annapoorna (2000). Music and temples, a ritualistic approach. p. 23. ISBN 9788175740907.
  2. Sakkottai Krishnaswami Aiyangar (1911). Ancient India: Collected Essays on the Literary and Political History of Southern India. p. 403-404. ISBN 9788120618503.
  3. Ayyar, P. V. Jagadisa (1991). South Indian shrines: illustrated. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 539. ISBN 81-206-0151-3.
  4. Rao, P.V.L. Narasimha (2008). Kanchipuram – Land of Legends, Saints & Temples. New Delhi: Readworthy Publications (P) Ltd. p. 27. ISBN 978-93-5018-104-1.
  5. Dalal 2011, pp. 20-21
  6. Ramaswamy, Vijaya (2007). Historical Dictionary of the Tamils. Scarecrow Press. p. 211. ISBN 9780810864450.
  7. "Philosophy and Theistic Mysticism of the Ālvārs", by S. M. Srinivasa Chari, p. 11
  8. Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami (1920). Early history of Vaishnavism in south India. Oxford University Press. pp. 17-18. poigai azhwar.
  9. Lochtefeld, James (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z. The Rosen Publishing Group. p. 515. ISBN 9780823931804. poygai.
  10. Krishna (2009). Book Of Vishnu. Penguin Books India. p. 136. ISBN 9780143067627.
  11. B.S. 2011, p. 42
  12. B.S. 2011, p. 47-48
  13. Mukherjee (1999). A Dictionary of Indian Literatures: Beginnings-1850 Volume 1 of A Dictionary of Indian Literature, A Dictionary of Indian Literature. Orient Blackswan. p. 15. ISBN 9788125014539.
  14. Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World: Ak-Aq. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 352–354. ISBN 9788170223757.
  15. Chari 1997, pp. 16-17
  16. Dalal 2011, p. 302
  17. Dalal 2011, p. 308
  18. N., Rajagopalan. "Moondram Thiruvandhadi translation" (PDF). azhwar.org. p. 4.
  19. Dalal 2011, p. 269
  20. Panda, Harihar (2007). Prof. H. C. Raychaudhuri: As a Historian. Northern Book Centre. p. 86. ISBN 9788172112103.
  21. D.C., Sircar (1971). Studies In The Religious Life Of Ancient And Medieval India. Motilal Banarsidass Publisher. p. 56. ISBN 9788120827905.
  22. Pillai, M. S. Purnalingam (1904). A Primer of Tamil Literature. Madras: Ananda Press. pp. 182–83.
  23. "Tirumala Temple". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  24. "NDTV Report". Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  25. Sivaratnam, C (1964). An Outline of the Cultural History and Principles of Hinduism (1 ed.). Colombo: Stangard Printers. OCLC 12240260. Koneswaram temple. Tiru-Kona-malai, sacred mountain of Kona or Koneser, Iswara or Siva. The date of building the original temple is given as 1580 BCE according to a Tamil poem by Kavi Raja Virothayan translated into English in 1831 by Simon Cassie Chitty ...
  26. Ramachandran, Nirmala (2004). The Hindu legacy to Sri Lanka. Pannapitiya: Stamford Lake (Pvt.) Ltd. 2004. ISBN 9789558733974. OCLC 230674424. Portuguese writer De Queyroz compares Konesvaram to the famous Hindu temples in Rameswaram, Kanchipuram, Tirupatti-Tirumalai, Jagannath and Vaijayanthi and concludes that while these latter temples were well visited by the Hindus, the former had surpassed all the latter temples by the early 1600s
  27. "Ghazal programme at Tirumala temple". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 September 2003.
  28. Hudson, D. Dennis (2008). The body of God: an emperor's palace for Krishna in eighth-century Kanchipuram. Oxford University Press US. pp. 164–168. ISBN 978-0-19-536922-9.
  29. "Churning the Ocean of Milk by Michael Buckley".
  30. C., Chandramouli (2003). Temples of Tamil Nadu Kancheepuram District. Directorate of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu.
  31. Mittal, Sushil; Thursby, G.R. (2005). The Hindu World. New York: Routelge. p. 456. ISBN 0-203-67414-6.
  32. Vater, Tom (2010). Moon Spotlight Angkor Wat. USA: Perseus Books Group. p. 40. ISBN 9781598805611.
  33. Jones, Victoria (2004). Wonders of the World Dot-to-Dot. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. p. 4. ISBN 1-4027-1028-3.
  34. R., Dr. Vijayalakshmy (2001). An introduction to religion and Philosophy - Tévarám and Tivviyappirapantam (1st ed.). Chennai: International Institute of Tamil Studies. pp. 473–4.
  35. "Immortalised in stone". The Hindu. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  36. "Pancharanga Kshetrams". Indiantemples.com. Retrieved 20 June 2007.
  37. V., Meena (1974). Temples in South India (1st ed.). Kanniyakumari: Harikumar Arts. p. 29.
  38. Maehle, Gregor (2012). Ashtanga Yoga The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice. New World Library. p. 207. ISBN 9781577319870. Vaikuntha (Vishnu's celestial home)
  39. Orlando O. Espín; James B. Nickoloff (2007). An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies. Liturgical Press. p. 539. ISBN 978-0-8146-5856-7.
  40. Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism (1996), p. 17.
  41. Dalal, Roshan (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 18. ISBN 9780143414216.
  42. "Kallazhagar temple". Dinamalar. 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
  43. S., Gopalakrishnan (December 1996). "The Raṅga-maṇḍapa of the Tāṭikkompu Temple A Study of an Iconographic Programme of the Vijayanagara Tradition". East and West. 46 (3/4): 415–431. JSTOR 29757285.
  44. K. V., Soundara Rajan (1967). "The Typology of the Anantaśayī Icon". Artibus Asiae. 29 (1): 80. JSTOR 3250291.
  45. "The Templenet Encyclopedia - Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram".
  46. Rao 2008, p. 154
  47. Soundara Rajan, Kodayanallur Vanamamalai (2001). Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 38. ISBN 81-7022-857-3.
  48. Sullivan, Sullivan (1997). Historical Dictionary of Hinduism. England: Scarecro Press INC. p. 126. ISBN 81-250-2800-5.
  49. Ayyar, P.V. Jagadisa (1993). South Indian Shrines Illustrated. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. p. 539. ISBN 81-206-0151-3.
  50. Srinivasan, T.A. (8 December 2000). "Twin temples that draw devotees". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  51. Diwakar, Macherla (2011). Temples of South India (1st ed.). Chennai: Techno Book House. p. 145. ISBN 978-93-83440-34-4.

References
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