Divine occurrences

The first three Azhvars, namely, Poigai Azhvar, Bhootatazhvar, and Peyazhvar were ayonijas. That means they were not born of women. Their births were divine occurrences, V.S. Karunakarachariar said in a discourse. Poigai Azhvar was born in Kancheepuram in the Tamil month of Aippasi (mid-October to mid-November) in the star Shravana. Bhootatazhvar was born in the same month in the town of Mamallapuram in the star Avittam. Peyazhvar was born in Mylapore in Aippasi in the star Sadayam. The three of them had their avataras in different places, but they were united by one common goal — the constant worship of Lord Narayana.

The name Bhoota for a human being may seem strange, but in the case of the Azhvar, it was meaningful. Bhoota means existing. Sage Narada spoke of a breathing corpse. How can a body bereft of life breathe? Why did Narada say something so contradictory? A person who never thinks of God may be technically alive, but must, in fact, be considered dead. In a world where most people fall in this category, Bhootatazhvar was always thinking about the Lord. So he deserved to be called the “existing” one. He didn’t merely breathe, but was devoted to the Lord.

All three Azhvars travelled to different temples of Vishnu and never had a permanent address. Wherever they went, they slept in whatever place was available. Free from desire, free from possessions, free even of a permanent residence, their lives consisted only of worship and devotion. Their verses are the earliest of the verses collectively known as Nalayira Divya Prabandham. One night, they met in a small room, and had darshan of Lord Narayana. The three were obviously there by divine design, for their words, when they saw the Lord, mark the beginning of the Divya Prabandham.