Story Of Poigai Alwar

The Alwars, considered as devotees of Vishnu, were Tamil poet-saints. The collection of songs written by all 12 Alwars is known as 'Nalayira Divya Prabandham'. These songs are still sung in all Vishnu temples, even though they were written nearly 3000 years ago. It is said that the Alwars wrote the Rig Veda as 100 poems called Thiruviruttam, the Yajurveda as Thiruvarshiyam, and the Sama Veda as Thiruvaimozhi in 1000 poems. In total, the 12 Alwars wrote 4000 poems, hence the collection is called Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

Now, on the occasion of the Diwali festival, I am going to tell you the story of each Alwar.

The first and foremost Alwar is Poigai Alwar, otherwise known as Saro Yogi. He belonged to 4203 BCE and was born in Kanchipuram. He composed 100 verses known as Thiruvantati.

Antadi is a unique kind of Tamil poetic form. 'Anth' means last, and 'Aadi' means beginning. So, the poem is written in a manner that the last or ending word of the verse becomes the first of the next verse, connecting the verses like a garland. The Mutal Thiruvanthadi is composed by Poigai Alvar.

According to Sri Vaishnavism legend, there is a story behind how Poigai Alwar started to compose Thiruvanthadi. Once, Alwar traveled to Thirukoilur. On the way, he met Pey Alwar and Bhutadh Alwar, but they didn't know each other. Suddenly, there was a rainstorm. Poigai Alwar found some accommodation at a mandapam, where there was only a single bed. The other two Alwars, Pey and Bhutadh, arrived there to share the mandapam. So, all three had to stand throughout the night. But at dawn, they felt the fourth entity in their midst. This unique experience made them compose Thiruvanthadi, and the fourth entity is none other than Perumal.

Poigai Alwar started his first hymn as follows:

"With the earth as the lamp; The sweeping oceans as melted butter; And the sun with fiery rays as flame; I have woven a garland of words, For the feet of the Lord. Who bears the red flaming wheel, So I can cross the ocean of grief."

Poigai Alwar described Vamana Avatar and Varaha Avatar in his verses.