Mudhal Alwars
Poigaialwar, Boodatalwar and Peyaiaalwar are collectively called as Mudhal Alwars or the first Alwars. They lived during the same period.
Poigaialwar
Tradition tells us that the first of them, Poigaialwar, was born at Kanchipuram, under the star Sravanam (thiruvonam) in October – November (Aippasi). The period is reported to be the 7th C AD. The Aippasi month is the month of Deepavali. The saint who lit the earliest lamps on Vaishnavism was born during the month when the festival of lamps is celebrated!
The city of Kanchipuram has two sections – Vishnu Kanchi is full of Sri Vishnu temples and Shiva Kanchi has many Sri Shiva temples. Yadhothakaari temple is located in Vishnu Kanchi. Near to the temple is a poigai (meaning a small pond in Tamil). Tradition tells us that Poigaialwar was born in this poigai and hence his name. It is, generally regarded, that the saint was born under the amsha of Panchajanya – the conch that Lord Vishnu bears.
Boodatalwar
The saint was born at Mahabalipuram, near Chennai. In early times this Kshetram was known as Kadal Mallai Kshetram. The saint was born under the star Dhanishta (Avittam) and in October – November (Aippasi).
The period once again was the 7th C AD. Mahabalipuram is named after the great Rakshasa King Maha Bali who ruled this region and eventually surrendered his head to Lord Narayana born in the form of Vamana. It is, generally believed; that the saint was born under the amsha of Kaumodakee – the mace that Lord Vishnu bears.
Peyaiaalwar
The saint was born at Thiru Myilai (it is now called Mylapore), in the city of Chennai. The saint was born under the star of Shatabhishak (Sadayam) and in October – November (Aippasi). The period once again was the 7th C AD. Sri Aadhi Kesava Perumal temple is one of the famous temples found in Mylapore. It has a small pond with beautiful water lilies. Peyaiaalwar was born in one of the Alli flowers in the pond.
He is believed to be born under the amsha of Nandaka, the sword that Lord Vishnu sports. Among the seers born in the south of India the Alwars are highly venerated. Inevitably, several miracles are associated with their lives. As told by Lord Vishnu “I, to whom devotees are dear, am like a slave without any freedom. My heart is in the grip of such devotees”. Whatever the devotee desires or even commands will be attended to!! No wonder that incidents that we commonly consider impossible will occur.
One stormy night the three saints arrived, one after another, to take shelter at a wayside house in the small village of Tirukkovalur. The owner of the house let them in, saying that there is enough room in the dehali – if they do not mind standing. They started exchanging the religious experiences gathered by each of them. Soon they experienced that the dehali was getting more and more cramped.
One of the saints lit a lamp with his yogic powers. They could not see any cause for the feeling. They then inferred that the object cramping them may, perhaps, not be visible to human eyes. They decided that a light that could dispel their ignorance or Ajnana may be needed. That was done. They could then see Lord Vishnu. Spontaneously they started elaborating the glory of the Lord who revealed Himself to them. By their Tamil verses they restated the truths of the Upanishads. The Divya Prabandam was born.
Tirukkovalur, the place where the incident took place and the Divya Prabandam first came into being is held in great veneration even out of the 108 Divya Deshas. The great Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desika composed a Shloka titled Dehaleesa Stuti.
