Once when Bhattar was explaing the Thiruvaymozhi pasuram "ANallan peNNallan allA aliyumallan" (2-5-10), a scholar interjected asking "If the Lord is neither a man, nor a woman, nor a napumsaka, then does that not mean that He is devoid of qualities?"

Bhattar replied "Do you not know grammar? Does the pasuram say 'ANalla peNNalla allA aliyum alla'? Only then can you say that He is devoid of qualities. Since it uses the word "allan" every time, it means that He is not a male or female or napumsaka of this world. It clearly shows that He is different from everything and that He is purushOttama".