Poigai Alvar

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Poigai Alvar
Tiruvekkaa near Kanchipuram
ReligionHinduism
PhilosophyVaishnavism
Bhakti
Religious career
Literary worksMutal Tiruvantati
This article contains Indic text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Indic text.

Poigai Alvar Tamil pronunciation

antati
style, in which the ending syllable is the starting one for the next verse.

According to traditional account, the first three Alvars belong to

Tiruvekkaa
. In Tamil, small pond is called poigai, and since he was found in a pond, he got the name Poigai.

As per legend, the three Alvars were once confined in a small dark enclosure during a rain in

Pallava kings of the South Indian region, resulting in changing the religious geography from Buddhism and Jainism to the two sects[clarification needed] of Hinduism
.

Alvars

Main article: Alvar

The word Alvar means the 'immersed', referring to the poet-saints's deep devotion to their supreme deity,

Kshatriya varna, Namm from a cultivator family, Tirupana from the Tamil Panar
community, and Tirumangai from the Kalvar community.

Divya Suri Saritra by Garuda-Vahana Pandita (11th century CE), Guruparamparaprabavam by Pinbaragiya Perumal Jiyar, Periya tiru mudi adaivu by Anbillai Kandadiappan, Yatindra Pranava Prabavam by Pillai Lokacharya, 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 Kaumodaki (Vishnu's mace), Pey of Nandaka (Vishnu's sword), Thirumalisai of Sudarshanam (Vishnu's discus), Namm of Vishvaksena (Vishnu's commander), Madhurakavi of Vainatheya (Vishnu's eagle, Garuda), Kulasekhara of Kaustubha (Vishnu's necklace), Periya of Garuda (Vishnu's eagle), Andal of Bhudevi (Vishnu's wife, Lakshmi, in her aspect as Bhudevi), Thondaradippodi of Vaijayanti/Vanamalai (Vishnu's garland), Thiruppaan of Srivatsa (An auspicious mark on Vishnu's chest) and Thirumangai of Sharanga (Rama's bow). The songs of Prabandam are regularly sung in several the Vishnu temples of South India daily and also during festivals.[4][5]

According to traditional account by

Mahabharata.[9] The Alvars were instrumental in spreading Vaishnavism throughout the region.[10] The verses of the various Alvars were compiled by Nathamuni (824-924 CE), a 10th-century Vaishnava theologian, who called it the "Tamil Veda".[11][12]

Early life

Temple tank in Yathothkari Perumal Temple where Poigai Alvar originated

Poigai was found in a small pond near the Yadhotakaari temple at

Tiruvekkaa.[13] In Tamil, a small pond is called a poigai, and since he was found in a pond, he got the name Poigai. At Kanchipuram there is a temple inside the Deva-sarovara lake. This temple enshrines an idol of Saroyogi in a recumbent posture with eyes closed in meditation. From childhood, Poigai was deeply devoted to Vishnu. He mastered all the Vaishnava speeches, and followed the Vaishnava tradition. He was variously known as Ayonigi, Saro-yogi, Kasara-yogi, Poigai-piraan, Saravora Munindra and Padma-muni.[14][15][16]

Kanchi derives its name from Brahma, who is known as Ka; who worshipped God in this kshetram. In that famed city, in a lotus flower within a lotus pond, under the star Thiruvonam (Sravanam) which is the star of God Himself, Poigai was born. He gave the wonderful Mutal Tiruvantati pasuram, which is like a lamp that drives away the darkness of the mind and elevates the soul.[7][17]

Composition

Shrine of Poigai Alvar in the temple

As per Hindu legend, Vishnu appeared to the Mutal Alvars (first three Alvars) at Thirukkoilur. It was day time, but it darkened and started raining heavily. The wandering Poigai Alvar found out a small hide out, which has a space for one person to lie down. Bhoothath Alvar arrived there looking for a hiding place and Poigai Alvar accommodated him, with both sitting together. In the meanwhile, Pei 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.[citation needed] Poigai Alvar 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.[7][12][4]

Deeming in the world as bowl, the full sea as ghee, the fierce-rayed sun as a luminous wick, I have twined a garland of speech for the feet of Him who wields the red flaming discus so that there may be freedom from the ocean of misery.[18]

The song is also interpreted as the Alvar praying to god to remove the darkness and ask for his unlimited knowledge and power.

Peyalvar 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, the goddess Lakshmi.[7][19]

Poigai composed hundred verses that are classified as the

Trivikrama and Krishna, the avatars of Vishnu.[21][22]

Worship

There is a shrine dedicated to Poigai in the

Tiruvekkaa in four verses.[24] Alvar Utsavam is a festival celebrated annually during the birth date of the saint based on Tamil calendar in the Yathothkariswami temple at Tiruvekka.[25]

Mangalasasanam

There are 20 of his pasurams in the Naalayira

Divya Prabhandham. He has sung in praise of six temples.[26]

S.No. Name of the temple Location Photo Number of Pasurams Presiding deity Notes/Beliefs
1
Srirangam
.
Trichy district
Tamil Nadu
10°51′45″N 78°41′23″E / 10.8625°N 78.689722°E / 10.8625; 78.689722
1 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.[27][28] The annual 21-day festival conducted during the Tamil month of Margaḻi (December–January) attracts 1 million visitors.[29]
2
Tiruvekkaa.[30]
 12°49′26″N 79°42′43″E / 12.824°N 79.712°E / 12.824; 79.712
4 Komalavalli
Yathothkari Perumal 		Tiruvekkaa or Yathothkari Perumal temple is considered one of three oldest Vishnu temples in Kanchipuram. The temple is believed to have been built by the
Rajadhiraja Chola (1018-54 CE). The temple houses a rare image of Ranganatha recumbent on his left hand unlike other temples where he is recumbent on his right. Poigai Alvar was born at this temple lotus tank.[31]
3 Thirukovilur.[32] 11°58′01″N 79°12′07″E / 11.966944°N 79.201944°E / 11.966944; 79.201944
2 Poongothai
Ulagalantha Perumal temple 		Ulagalantha Perumal Temple is believed to have been built by the
Peyalvar attained salvation. The temple is one of the Panchakanna (Krishnaranya) Kshetrams, the five holy temples associated with Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu.[33]
4 Paramapadam Heavenly
Vishnu, Lord of Vaikuntha
Vishnu, Lord of Vaikuntha
 2 Lakshmi
Vishnu 		Vaikuntha is the celestial abode of Vishnu[34] who is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the supreme being in its Vaishnavism tradition.[35][36] Vaikuntha is an abode exclusive to 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.
5
Tirupathi
 13°08′35″N 79°54′25″E / 13.143°N 79.907°E / 13.143; 79.907
10 Alamelumanga
Venkateswara 		Venkateswara Temple is a landmark Vaishnava 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 there 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.[37] 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 CE. The Garbagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum) is called Ananda Nilayam. It is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received and wealth.[38][39][40] 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.[41]
6
Tirupparkadal
 Heavenly
Kurma
Kurma
 1 Lakshmi
Vishnu 		In
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
.

Notes

  1. ISBN 9788175740907
    .
  2. ISBN 9788120618503
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-93-5018-104-1
    .
  4. ^ a b c d Dalal 2011, pp. 20-21
  5. ISBN 9780810864450
    .
  6. ^ Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami (1920). Early history of Vaishnavism in south India. Oxford University Press. pp. 17–18. poigai azhwar.
  7. ^
    ISBN 9780823931804
    . poygai.
  8. ISBN 9780143067627
    .
  9. ^ B.S. 2011, p. 42
  10. ^ B.S. 2011, p. 47-48
  11. ISBN 9788125014539
    .
  12. ^
    ISBN 9788170223757
    .
  13. ^ Madhavan 2007, pp. 17-20
  14. ^ Dalal 2011, p. 308
  15. ISBN 9788120810983
    .
  16. ^ Bühler, Georg; Kielhorn, Franz; Lüders, Heinrich; Wackernagel, Jacob (1897). Grundriss der indo-arischen Philologie und Altertumskunde: (Encyclopedia of Indo-Aryan research). K.J. Trübner. p. 4. poygai.
  17. ^ "Muthalam Tiruvandadhi" (PDF). archarya.org. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  18. ISBN 9788125018711
    .
  19. ^ a b Chari 1997, pp. 16-17
  20. ^ Dalal 2011, p. 269
  21. ISBN 9788172112103
    .
  22. ISBN 9788120827905
    .
  23. ISBN 81-206-0151-3
    .
  24. ^ Alvar, Poigai (1999). Nalayira Divya Prabandam (PDF). projectmadurai.org. pp. 14–24.
  25. ^ "Alwar utsavam". The Hindu. 20 October 2003. Archived from the original on 3 January 2004. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  26. ^ Pillai, M. S. Purnalingam (1904). A Primer of Tamil Literature. Madras: Ananda Press. pp. 182–83.
  27. ISBN 0-203-67414-6
    .
  28. ISBN 9781598805611
    .
  29. ISBN 1-4027-1028-3
    .
  30. ^ Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 70
  31. ^ Chari, T. V. R. (1982). The Glorious Temples of Kanchi. Big Kancheepuram: Sri Kanchi Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam and Sarada Navaratri Kalai Nigazhchi Trust. pp. 17–24.
  32. ^ Kodayanallur Vanamamalai 2001, p. 52
  33. ISBN 9780852297605
    .
  34. ISBN 9781577319870
    . Vaikuntha (Vishnu's celestial home)
  35. ISBN 978-0-8146-5856-7
    .
  36. ^ Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism (1996), p. 17.
  37. ^ "Tirumala Temple". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  38. ^ "NDTV Report". Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  39. 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 ...
  40. 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
  41. ^ "Ghazal programme at Tirumala temple". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 September 2003. Archived from the original on 3 October 2003.
  42. ISBN 978-0-19-536922-9
    .
  43. ^ "Churning the Ocean of Milk by Michael Buckley".

References

External links

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