avathārikai (Introduction)
In the preceding pāśuram, the revered Āzhvār had earnestly beseeched Emperumān, declaring, “adiyēn vīḍupeṛṛup piṛappaṛukkum vazhiyai aruLich cheyyavēṇum” (Your Grace must mercifully reveal to me the sacred path to attain the ultimate liberation of paramapadham and thus sever the afflictive bonds of my recurring births). In response,