Ancient poets (kavi) are broadly classified into four kinds: Aasu kavi – the impromptu poet, who could create meaningful verses on the spot; Vistaara kavi – the poet who conveys his message in a very elaborate way in the form of long poems; Chitra kavi – the poet who is adept at using his expansive vocabulary to convey the message in an impressive style; and finally, Madhura kavi – the poet capable of conveying the content in the sweetest way possible. Incidentally, Tirumangai Azhwar was one who fit into all these categoreis and hence known as Chastushkavi.
Typically, the bhakti literature of Azhwars are oriented towards singing the glory of Lord and His deeds. One distinct exception to this convention is Madhurakavi Azhwar, who placed the Guru above God. The available hagiography traces Madhurakavi azhwar’s birth place as Thirukkolur, about 30 km from the present day Tirunelveli.
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Legend has it that when Madurakavi undertook a pilgrimage to North India, he witnessed an unusual light emanating from the South for several days. He travelled towards that direction fol lowing the light only to be eventually led to Alwar Thirunagari, where he saw a young boy, with an unusual aura, meditating under a tamarind tree. After a brief conversation with him, Madhurakavi realised that the boy was none other than Nammazhwar and requested him to accept himself (Madhurakavi) as disciple. When the former Nammazhwar obliged and Madhurakavi stayed with him and started compiling the works of Nammazhwar such as Tiruviruttam, Tiruvasiriyam, Periya Tiruvandaadi and Tiruvoimozhi, in praise of Lord Narayana. Madhurakavi Azhwar was so imbued with staunch devotion for Nammazhwar that he recited 11 songs in his praise which came to be called as ‘Kanninun sirutthambu.’
The uniqueness of this Azhwar becomes evident in his disciplined worship of his Guru ahead of God. He proclaims “Thevu mattru ariyen,” which means that he does not acknowledge anyone else as God.
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Fillip to Prabhandam
These 11 songs are so full of substance of ‘Acharya Bhakti’ that the repeated recitation of these 11 songs by Nadamuni of ninth century, led to the resurgence of the Divya Prabandham comprehensively from a definite extinction. After Nammazhwar’s salvation, Madhurakavi Azhwar consecrated his idol in Alwar Thirunagari. Other poets of that time, about 300 in number, objected to prominent sobriquets being used for Nammazhwar. Madhurakavi picked one palm leaf containing a stanza of ‘Kannan Kazhalinai’ (Thiruvoimozhi). This was place on top of Sangappalagai, which discarded their works and retained Nammazhwar’s. Madhurakavi Azhwar dedicated his time to the propagation of bhakti, especially guru bhakti and this guided the acharyas of later times such as Yamunacharya, Ramanuja and Ananthazhwan.
This year, Madhurakavi Azhwar’s birth anniversary falls today, April 19