All About Azhwars - II

MUDHALAZHWARS

(Compiled by Vijayakumar)

We call Poigai Azhwar, Boodhathazhwar, and  Peyazhwar as Mudhalazhwars.

Poigai Azhwar, an incarnation of Paanchajanyam (divine conch) was born in Thiruveka (in Kancheepuram) in a small pond called poigai, which was full of fresh and beautiful lotus flowers. He was born in the month if Aipasi in Thiruvonam (Sravanam) star. Since, he was born in a Poigai, he was called as Poigai Azhwar. He composed 100 pasurams known as “Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi”.

Boodhathazhwar, an incarnation of divine mace of Lord Sriman Narayana was born in Kadal Mallai Sthalam (now known as Mahabalipuram) in a flower at a garden in the month of Aipasi and Avittam star. Right from the childhood days, he was thinking only Sriman Narayana and spent his entire life by praising perumal. He composed 100 pasurams came to be known as “Irandam Thiruvandhadhi”.

Peyazhwar, an incarnation of sword of Mahavishnu was born in Thiru Mylai, now known as Mylapore. He was born in a small well in Sri Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple in Red Alli (Lily) flower in the month of Aipasi in Sadhayam star. He composed 100 pasurams which is called “Moonram Thiruvandhadhi”.

Mudhalazhwars have not met each other though they were living in the same period. However, they were singing the glories of Sriman Narayana and moving from one place to another for worshipping the Lord. They do not think anything other than Sriman Narayana. It was the wish of Sriman Narayana that they should meet each other so that they could sing more songs and discuss if they were together. So the Lord brought them to Thirukkovilur separately, but at the same time. Mudhalazhwars visited the temple at Thirukkovilur and had great darshan of Trivikrama Perumal.

At that time it was raining heavily. So, Poigai Azhwar took a shelter and was lying down. Boodhathazhwar also came to the same place and knocked at the door. As a true Bhaktha (devotee of Sriman Narayana) Poigai Azhwar immediately requested him to come inside and said that “there is place for one man to lie down and two to sit”. They started discussing about Lord’s leela and His great qualities.

Then came Peyazhwar also to the same place and knocked at the door. Both the Azhwars instantly requested him to come inside and said “one can lie down, two can sit and three can stand”. Such were the great qualities of these Azhwars. This illustrates that we should not see who asks for help and should help even if we are put into any inconvenience.

These Azhwars were very happy to see each other and exchanged their experiences of the various places (Divya Desams) they visited. As they were standing and discussing, suddenly the place got cramped and they were getting squeezed.

They were puzzled and confused over the sudden atmosphere. However, Lord Sriman Narayana appeared before and blessed them. On seeing this Mudhalazhwars started singing song in praise of Lord and each of the Azhwar sang pasurams separately which came to be known as Mudhal, Irandam and Moonram Thiruvandhadhi. Lord who wants this only, was very much satisfied and blessed them.

Sri Nammazhwar, the greatest Azhwar of all times, had said about Mudhalazhwars as “Inkavi padum parama kavigal” meaning “greatest poets who sang the sweetest songs”. Such is the greatness of Mudhalazhwars.