The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Devotional mystic

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Saturday, Jul 03, 2004

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Miscellaneous - Religion

Devotional mystic

CHENNAI, JULY 3 . Among the Azhwars of the Srivaishnava tradition, whose hymns have been canonised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, Periazhwar occupies a unique position. As the foster father of Andal who married the Lord, Periazhwar became His father-in-law. According to hagiographical accounts he was known as Vishnuchitta and was an adept in the scriptural lore. Inspired by an incident mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana his devotion to Lord Krishna made him perform the devotional service of offering garlands to Vatapatrasayee, the deity of the temple in Srivilliputtur, where he lived, with great involvement.

One day the Pandya king Vallabhadevan, who ruled in Madurai, came across a pilgrim from Kasi during his daily nocturnal round of his town and sought his advice. He counselled the king, "Garner what you want for the rainy season in the remaining eight months; what you need for the night you must strive and get during the day; whatever is necessary for old age must be earned in youth and one should strive for the life eternal in this birth itself." The king pondered over his parting shot and in consultation with his priest announced a largess to the person who could enlighten him on the highest goal to be attained in this birth.

In his discourse on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Periazhwar, Sri K.Narayanan said the Lord directed Vishnuchitta in his dream to go to the king's court, establish His supremacy and claim the announced reward. The entire assembly of scholars including the king was stunned to witness the casket of gold announced as prize fall at Vishnuchitta's feet after his exposition on the Ultimate Reality. The king gave him the title Pattarpiran and when he was taken in procession on an elephant the Lord blessed him with His vision. Beholding His supernatural splendour, out of concern, this mystic offered benediction to Him in verse (Pallandu) lest someone would cast an evil eye on Him. Periazhwar became a pioneer of this form of literary genre in Tamil (Pillai Tamizh) in which the devotee looks upon the Almighty as a child. His hymn in the Prabandham, the Periazhwar Tirumozhi, has 473 verses.

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