Name Details
Name Meaning
Peyalvar (பேயாழ்வான்) means a devotee who is madly in love with the divine, to the point of appearing 'possessed' or 'mad' by that love. The word 'Pey' (பேய்) in Tamil can refer to a ghost or a demon, but in this devotional context, it signifies an overwhelming, irrational, and all-consuming love for God that transcends normal human behavior. 'Alvar' (ஆழ்வான்) means one who is deeply immersed or engrossed.
Name Significance
The name signifies an intense, ecstatic, and selfless devotion to Lord Vishnu. It represents a state of spiritual intoxication where the devotee's entire being is surrendered to the divine, displaying unconventional but deeply spiritual behavior. This level of devotion is highly revered in Vaishnavism, where the Alvars are considered exemplary models of Bhakti (devotion).
History References
Peyalvar (also spelled Poygai Alvar) is one of the twelve principal Alvars, a group of early Tamil saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. They were instrumental in the revival and popularization of Bhakti movement in South India. Peyalvar is traditionally considered the first of the Alvars chronologically. His hymns, along with those of Poygai Alvar and Boothath Alvar, form the first three texts of the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses. His most famous work is the 'Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi' (முதல் திருவந்தாதி), which is the first of the three 'Andhadhi' collections in the Prabandham.