Bhoothath Alvar (Bhoothath Azhwar) was born in the Pallava kingdom, situated near Mamallapuram (now Mahabalipuram), during the 7th century CE. He was one of the prominent Alvar saints who recited hymns at the Thirukadalmallai temple, which is presently known as Sthalasayana Perumal Temple. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu. Bhoothath Alvar has several composed stunning Paasurams (verses) on Lord Sthalasayana Perumal and his companion Nilamangai Thayaar. It comprises as one of the compositions in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. The one hundred verses composed by the poet saint forms the second part of the Divya Prabhandham anthology. The hymns of Bhoothath Alvar commence with the words Anbe Tagaliya, Aarvame Neyyaaga, which means with love as the lamp and devotion as the oil. The Alvar saint is widely regarded as the incarnation of Kaumodaki, the mace of Lord Vishnu. The hymns in the literary work of Irandaam Thiruvandaadhi written by Bhoothath Alvar mention that the poet composed the song as it granted him knowledge and wisdom. In his work, he compared his love for the Lord with lamp and the fuel of devotion as lubricant Ghee or oil. The knowledge which he acquired is compared with the braided strand or cord of a blazing torch. In the one part of the Prabandham, Bhoothath Alvar narrates that he has dedicated himself to the service of Perumal (Lord Vishnu). The Vaishnava poet saint composed 100 paasurams or hymns for Nalayira Divya Prabandham. The verses of Irandaam Thiruvandaadhi start from 2082 paasurams and end at 2181 paasurams. |