Periyāzhvār — The Saint Who Saw God as a Child and Loved Him Like a Mother

🌼 Periyāzhvār is one of the most beloved figures among the Āzhvārs because his devotion feels intimate, tender, and deeply human. While many saints approached God with awe or longing, Periyāzhvār approached Him with a parent’s overflowing affection. He did not simply praise the Lord — he protected Him, advised Him, comforted Him, and cared for Him as though the all-powerful Creator were a small child in his arms. His heart chose love over philosophy, emotion over grandeur, and Krishna accepted that love with joy. The turning point in Periyāzhvār’s life came at Srivilliputhur, when he won a great debate by declaring that God is the supreme protector of all beings. As he was honored before the temple, Vishnu appeared in the sky riding Garuda. Overwhelmed, Periyāzhvār did not bow — he lifted his hands to shield God from harm, singing the famous “Pallandu, Pallandu” blessing: “May You live for many, many years, O Lord! May You be protected from all harm!” It is stunning: a devotee blessing the One who protects the entire universe. But in pure love, such reversals are natural. His Periyāzhvār Tirumozhi overflows with verses describing Krishna’s childhood. In one beautiful line, he sings: “Did You eat mud again, my little one?” In another, he pleads: “Do not run so fast, you might fall and hurt Your soft feet.” These verses show not a distant God, but a living, breathing child playing in the courtyard of the heart. Periyāzhvār teaches us that devotion can be playful, emotional, and filled with everyday affection. You do not need complex rituals to reach God — sometimes you just need the innocence to call Him “my child” and the courage to love Him without fear. His hymns remind us that divine love is not always grand; often, it is gentle, protective, and as natural as a parent holding a child close. Periyāzhvār’s message endures: When love becomes pure, God becomes near. When love becomes simple, God becomes personal.