Avathārikai (Introduction)
In the preceding pāsuram, the Āzhvār meditated upon those lesser deities who, when surrendered to, are incapable of offering protection themselves. Instead, they can only direct the supplicant towards the true and ultimate protector, Śrīman Nārāyaṇa, as was exemplified in the historic incident of Mārkaṇḍēya seeking refuge with Rudra.