At a very young age, one day Bhattar heard Kooratthazhvan recite Thiruvaymozhi. As Azhvan recited the pasuram "uRumO pAviyEnukku" (8-10-3), Bhattar heard the phrase "siRu mA manisar". He immediately asked his father "The words siRu (small) and mA (big) are opposite qualities. So, how could both be used together to refer to a person (manisar)"?

Azhvan replied "O Lad! That's a good question. However, as you have not yet had the thread ceremony, I cannot explain this to you with the help of Vedas. Nevertheless, let me answer you by using an example that you can see. See acharyas such as Siriyacchan and Arulalap Perumal Emberumanar. They have a short physical stature, yet their knowledge is vast. So, it is appropriate to call them siRumAmanisar. Also, great souls such as Mudaliyandan and Embar mix with this world, but similar to the nityasuris are close to the Lord. Therefore, they too can be called siRumAmanisar. Thus, Azhvar had refered to such people as siRumAmanisar".