Bhoothathalvar

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Bhoothathalvar was one of the twelve Alvars and was a Hindu saint. He belonged to the Vaishnavite (worshiper of Vishnu) faith.

Bhoothathalvar was born in the Pallava country near Mamallapuram in the seventh century CE. Bhoothathalvar's 100 hymns form the second part of the Naalayira Divyap Prabhandham. Bhoothathalvar's hymns start with the words Anbe Tagaliya, Aarvame Neyyaaga ( with love as the lamp and devotion as the oil). He is considered an incarnation of Vishnu's mace, Kaumodaki.

Anbe Thagliyaa Aarvame Neyyaaga
Inburugu Chintai Idu Thiriyaa
Nanpurugi Gnaana Chudar Vilakku Etrinen
Naaranarku Gnaana Thamizh Purindha Naan

"I who wrote this song that bestows wisdom, with love as the lamp, endearing involvement as the lubricant ghee,
and knowledge as the wick of the burning torch, dedicated myself to the service of the Lord"