ammaNiyAzhvan walked a long distance to reach Bhattar and fell at his feet and asked him "Please teach adiyEn something in which to take refuge in".

Bhattar taught him the meaning of Azhvar's "nedumArkkadimai" pasurams and told him "Knowing the Lord is only knowing Him in half. It is by knowing His devotees that one knows Him in full".

ammaNiyAzhvan said "Learning many things is no good. I will forget them all. This much is sufficient", and followed Bhattar's advice from that day forward.