Poykai
Poykai, often referred to as one of the first of the twelve āḻvārs, is a significant figure in the history of Vaishnavism, a tradition dedicated to the worship of the Hindu god Vishnu. According to tradition, he was born from a golden lotus in the temple tank of the Yathoktakari Temple in Kanchipuram, South India. Poykai played a crucial role in countering the influences of Buddhism and Jainism in the region, contributing to the resurgence of Vishnu's prominence as a deity. He is celebrated for composing "centuries" of devotional poetry, known as antāti, characterized by a unique structure where each verse links to the next, creating a continuous "garland" of praise.
His ecstatic songs explore themes such as the nature of God, the soul, and the path to achieving oneness with the divine, emphasizing Vishnu as the ultimate support of the universe. Poykai's teachings assert that Vishnu is the primal cause of existence, responsible for both creation and dissolution. His influence extended beyond his own lifetime, inspiring subsequent āḻvār saints and establishing a lasting legacy within the Vaishnavite tradition that continues to thrive in South India today. Through his works, Poykai remains a pivotal figure in the devotional landscape, reflecting a deep spiritual connection and commitment to the worship of Vishnu.
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Subject Terms
Poykai
Related civilization: South India
Major role/position: Saint
Life
Poykai (POY-ka-hi)was one of the first of the twelve āḻvārs (literally, “those immersed in the experience of god”), or saints, dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu (Viṣṇu). Tradition recounts that Poykai was born from a golden lotus blossom sprouting in the temple tank of the Yathoktakari Temple at Kanchipuram in south India. He was among the early believers to begin countering the influences of Buddhism and Jainism that had flourished in south India for several centuries; as such, Poykai spearheaded a movement that led to the reemergence of Vishnu as an important deity in the region.
Poykai composed “centuries” of linked verse (groups of one hundred) called antāti in which the final verse becomes the beginning of the next verse; such verses created what was regarded as a “garland” of devotional verse for honoring the deity. In his ecstatic songs, he describes the nature of god, the nature of the soul, and the means to reach a oneness with god that is natural to the soul and separation from that which is the cause of all suffering. He declares that Vishnu is the sole support not just of Earth but of the entire universe. Vishnu, he claims, is the primal cause of all, the one who is responsible for the dissolution and creation of the world and the support of all creation. In other words, he regards Vishnu as continuous creative activity.
Influence
Poykai’s artistic devotional songs influenced later āḻvār saints and generations of believers. The cult of Vishnu, or Vaishnavism, continues to be a major religious force in south India.
Bibliography
Varadachari, K. C. Alvars of South India. Bombay, India: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1970.