Tamil Name

The name Poygaiyalwar is composed of two parts: "Poygai" (பொய்கை) which means pond or tank, and "Alwar" (ஆழ்வார்) which refers to a devotee of Lord Vishnu, specifically one of the twelve principal devotees in Vaishnavism. Therefore, the literal meaning is "Alwar of the pond."

Poygaiyalwar is one of the twelve Alwars, who are highly revered saints in the Sri Vaishnava tradition. They are credited with composing the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses praising Lord Vishnu. The name suggests a connection to a sacred body of water, often associated with divine manifestations or spiritual enlightenment in Hindu traditions. It signifies a deep spiritual devotion and connection to the divine, originating from or experienced near a pond.

Poygaiyalwar is one of the earliest among the Alwars. He is the author of the first of the 4,000 verses, the Mudhal Ayiram (First Thousand), specifically the first 100 verses of the Thiruvaymozhi. He is traditionally believed to have been born in the town of Thiruvekka, near Kanchipuram, on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Aadi. His life and devotional hymns are central to the history and theology of Sri Vaishnavism.