Periaazhwar Story

Periyaazhwar's real name is Vishnuchithar. Vishnuchithar lived in Srivilliputhur near Madurai.
Vishnuchithar makes garlands daily for Lord Vadapatrasai. One day Lord Vadapatrasai came in Vishnuchithar's dreams and told him to go to Madurai raajaa (king) and tell him that Lord Sriman Narayanaa is the best. Lord Vadapatrasai told Vishnuchithar since the king did not know who is the best. The king puts a kizhi (a magical bag of money) on top of a tree. When Vishnuchithar explains the king that Sriman Narayana is the best, the kizhi falls in Vishnuchithar's hands. The king gives him lot of prizes and drives him in his elephant. When Vishnuchithar reaches Srivilliputhur Lord Vishnu, with Thaayaar, chakaram and changu comes in the sky sitting on garudan. Vishnuchithar saw the beautiful Perumal and then he says long live perumal for million more years by singing பல்லாண்டு. Because of his deep love to Perumaal
he got the name Periyaazhwar.
In Upadesa Rathinamaalai (which i am learning now), Sri Manavaala Maamunigal says
"பொங்கும் பரிவாலே வில்லிபுத்தூர் பட்டர்பிரான் பெற்றான் பெரியாழ்வார் என்னும் பெயர்."

The Mudhal Azhwars

Poigai Azhwar, Boothath Azhwar and Pei Azhwar are called Mudhal Azhwars. One day, in kanchipuram in a lotus Poigai Azhwar appeared. The very nekst day,boothath azhwar appeared in a flower in Mahabalipuram, and the next day pei azhwar appeared in Adi Kesava Perumal temple in Mylapore. One day when they were big, there was a storm, then Poigai Azhwar found a small cave and went inside and said "ஓருவர் படுக்கலாம் " that means "one person can lie down" and lied down. After some time Boothath Azhwar came and knocked the door. Poigai Azhwar opened the door and said "இருவர் இருக்கலாம் " that means "two persons can sit" and they sat. After a while Pei Azhwar came and knocked the door. Poigai Azhwar opened the door and said "மூவர் நிற்கலாம் " that means "three people can stand" so all three stood. Then Sriman Narayana himself came and squeezed them. Then Poigai Azhwar lighted the world as a lamp, oceans as oil and sun as the light (வையம் தகளியாக ...) and sang 100 pasurams. that lamp wasn't enough so Boothath Azhwar said "அன்பே தகளியாக ஆர்வமே நெய்யாக இன்புருகு சிந்தனையே திரியா " that means love is the lamp and mind is oil and thoughts as thiri and sang another 100 pasurams. Then it was enough for Pei Azhwar to see the Perumal. Then Pei Azhwar said "திருக்கண்டேன் பொன்மேனிக் கண்டேன் திகழும் அருக்கண் அணிநிறமும் கண்டேன் செருக்கிளரும் பொன்னாழிக்கண்டேன் புரிசங்கம் கைக்கண்டேன் என் ஆழி வண்ணன்பால் இன்று". That means "Today, I am blessed to see Thayar in the Vakshasthalam(chest) of Perumal, the blue color of Perumal with Chakaram and Changu" and sang 100 pasurams.
All 3 azhwars were happy to see the Perumal.

குரு பரம்பரை

பெருமாள்

தாயார்

விஷ்வக்சேனர்

நம்மாழ்வார்

நாதமுனிகள்

உய்யக்கொண்டார்

மணக்கால் நம்பிகள்

ஆளவந்தார்

பெரிய நம்பிகள்

ராமானுஜர்