Chapter#14: Nammazhwar

Nammazhwar was one of the Azhwars who was a staunch devotee of Vishnu. As a child he responded to no external stimuli. His parents were worried and prayed to all gods for their son. Sadly, there was no change. His parents left him at the feet of the statue of Vishnu. Then the child then got up and sat in lotus position and began to meditate. It appears he was in this state for as long as sixteen years when a Tamil poet and scholar in North India named Madurakavi(also an Azhwar) saw a bright light shining to the south and followed it until he reached Nammazhwar tree's.

He was stunned on seeing this sight. He asked him a riddle: "If the small is born in a dead's body, what will it eat and where will it stay?" meaning, if the subtle soul is embodied in the gross body, what are its actions and thoughts? Nammazhwar broke his lifelong silence and responded, "It will eat and it will rest there itself!" meaning that if the soul identifies with the body, it will be with the body but if it merges with the divine, it will stay in Vaikuntam and serve God. Madhurakavi was himself in a state of high spiritual evolution as he had made him speak at last. Madhurakavi accepted Nammazhwar has his guru. Azhwar means a person who is immersed with God. As per the meaning, they both served Lord Vishnu and spread Vishnu's fame in earth.

Month: Vaikasi
Nakshatram: Visakam
Sign: Vishwasenan

Chapter#13: Boothath Azhwar

Bhoothathazhwar was one of the twelve Azhwars. Bhoothath Azhwar appeared in a flower called kurukkaththi in a garden at Kadalmallai port of Pallava Rajyam in Mahabalipuram in the seventh century. Bhoothathalvar's 100 hymns form the second part of the Naalayira Divyap Prabhandham.

"Anbe Thagliyaa Aarvame NeyyaagaInburugu Chintai Idu ThiriyaaNanpurugi Gnaana Chudar Vilakku EtrinenNaaranarku Gnaana Thamizh Purindha Naan".

Here, it is the love as the lamp and involvement as the oil and Azhwar says "I dedicate myself to the service of the lord, by singing this song that blesses wisdom, with love as the lamp, endearing involvement as the oil (Ghee), and knowledge as the wick of the torch".


Month: Aiypassee
Nakshatram: Avittam
Sign: Kaudomuki, mace of Vishnu.

Chapter#12: Thirumezhisai Azhwar

The legend of this saint devotee say that he was the incarnation of Vishnu's disc, Sudarshana. There are only 216 of his paasurams in the 4000 Divya Prabhandham.
A munivar by the name Bargava muni didn't have a child. He prayed to Perumal and did a Yaagam. As a result of the Yaagam, his wife gave birth to a baby, which is said to be an Hamsam of Sudharsana Chakkaram of Sriman Narayanan.

The baby was found in an incomplete manner (i.e.) it did not have hands, legs etc. On seeing the baby, both of his parents, Bargava muni and his wife were worried and felt bad for the baby and left it under a tree. After they left, Perumal along with Lakshmi Devi came and blessed the baby. As a result, the baby got hands and legs. After this, Perumal and Lakshmi Devi disappeared from that place.

A person by the name of Thiruvaalan was coming along that side and heard the baby crying. He was also childless, so he thought that God has gifted him. He took the baby and went to his house. On seeing the child, Thiruvaalan’s wife tried to feed the baby with milk. But the baby didn't drink it and it didn't even sleep. But the baby's health didn't seem to be losing. This miracle news spread all over the place. An old man came to see this child. When he saw the child, he noted the shine on his face and thought that Perumal blessed the child. Since, the Emperumaan blessed the child, it was named as "Thirumazhisai piraan".

He gave a cup of cow's pure milk to the child. The child accepted it and drank the milk. On seeing this, both Tiruvaalan and his wife were happy and asked the old man to come daily to feed the milk. Likewise, the old man came daily and gave milk to the child and told the couple that the remaining milk should be taken by his wife, so that she might give birth to a child. As days she gave birth to a male child and they named him as "Kani kannan". Kani Kannan was taught vedic philosophies and spiritual books. He became the close friend of Thirumazhisai piraan and kani kannan started to treat Thirumazhisai piraan as his Guru. He learnt lots of spiritual knowledge from his Guru and followed him.

Once Thirumazhisaipiraan went to the avathara sthalam of Poigai Alwar. He wanted to stay there for sometime and started to meditate. At that time, an old lady was working for Thirumazhisai piran. On seeing the help rendered by her, granted her a boom. She asked him that she is feeling bad about her old age and as a result she asked him to change her into a youth. Thirumezhisaipiraan changed her to a beautiful young woman.

The king passing by the side of the young lady, found her and was stunned to see her beauty. After going to his palace, he sent his soldiers and sent a message that he wanted to marry her. She accepted his wish and they both got married and led life happily. The days passed on and the king became old, but his wife seems to be young and beautiful. He asked her about the secret of her beauty. She told about her story and how she became young and beautiful.

On hearing the secret, the king sent some of soldiers to Thirumizhisai azhwars place to ask his disciple, Kani Kannan to come to his palace. Kani Kannan went to the palace and met the king. The king said that his Guru Thirumazhisai Azhwar should sing a poem on praising him. But Kani Kannan told that his guru is said to be blessed by the Emperumaan and his mouth will praise only the God, but not the king. The king asked if atleast he could praise him through his poem. But Kani Kannan refused to do so and said that he is not an ordinary person who praises for the need of ornaments and food.

The king was angry on hearing the words from Kani Kannan and ordered him to leave his kingdom as he has failed to obey the king. Kani Kannan went straight to meet Thirumazhisai Azhwar and explained all that had happened to him in the palace. As ordered by the king, Kani Kannan started to leave kingdom. Hearing this, Thirumazhisai Azhwar stopped Kani Kannan and said that he is also coming along with him, since they were together since childhood. It is believed that Perumal and Adhi Seshan also left the temple along with Kani Kannan and Thirumezhisaipiraan. The empire became dull and lost its charm.

The king realized his fault. The king felt for his mistake and asked Kani Kannan to return back to his kindom. As requested by the king, they returned to the kingdom. The kingdom also regained it's charm.

Month: Thai
Nakshatram: Magam
Sign: Chakra

-Details were collected from various Internet websites.