 In Tamil, "pey" refers to one who is possessed and since the saint was madly attracted to Hindu god Vishnu, he got the name.As per legend, the three "azhwars" were once were confined in a small dark enclosure during a rain in Thirukovilur and they experienced a fourth individual among them.They found out that it was god Vishnu and Poigai Azhwar wished to see his face continuously but could view only from the simmering light of the lightning.