By Periyalwar whose name was not even Periyalwar to start with was born in a brahim’s house. His name was actually Vishnu chitta meaning a person who always thinks of lord Vishnu. He did not study the vedas or holy text. He found out that lord Vishnu loved flowers.
He grew a garden full of flowers and he used to patiently make garlands and put them on his lord. Once the lord appeared in his dream and said, Vishnu chitta the king is holding a competition you have to describe me. Vishnu chitta said prabhu I am none but a garland maker.
I did not study the Vedas or the Holy Scriptures how can I speak about you? Oh Vishnu chitta won’t you listen to me? Like this the lord convinced him to go to the debate the next morning. Vishnu chitta thought this was only a dream but this turned out to be real.
The king’s royal scholar went to the place where Vishnu chitta was and said I bought grand arrangements with me like the pallaki. So Vishnu chitta went on the pallaki. As the king was getting bored out due to the long discussions and was not even a single bit impressed. Then the king heard the sounds of the conches and drums. Vishnu chitta was on his way. Vishnu chitta bowed low to the king and started.
He talked as if God was sitting on his tongue. As he spoke a divine and radiant light circled him. After he finished all by itself the prize which was a bag of gold coins fell into his lap. Then Vishnu chitta went away with the bag of gold coins. Vishnu chitta was carried on an elephant with royal honor.
Then lord Vishnu along with Maha Lakshmi and Bhumi Mata on Garud. What would you do if this happened to you? Ask the lord for boons? Ask the lord to keep you healthy or something? Yes this would be your answer but do you think this is what Vishnu chitta did?
If you said yes then you will be wrong. Then if it is not this what did Vishnu chitta do? Well the minute Vishnu chitta saw the lord he filled with motherly affection. He said why you needed to take the trouble to come here. He composed many songs like this which were all in a form of blessing. The lord blessed Vishnu chitta and left.
From then on Vishnu chitta’s name was not Vishnu chitta anymore. Vishnu chitta had become an Alwar due to what happened right then. Peri means Older in this sine Vishnu chitta blesses the lord like an elder and thus earns the name of Periyalwar.
After this Periyalwar made lots of songs on sree Krishna putting himself in the place of mother Yashoda! He also made songs on sree Rama.
This proves that people having mystic powers are not the only ones that can become alwars even the people that have pure devotion in god can become alwars.
Jai Sri Krishna
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