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