One time Bhattar took his bath (in Kaveri river) and was walking back when a Shaivite came opposite to him. Some of the ashes he was wearing fell on Bhattar. Bhattar returned to the river and took a bath again and went home. But he did not enter. Instead he called his mother Andal and asked her "What is the rectification for this?"

Andal was taken aback and thought for a while about it. Then she said "Accept the holy water from the feet of a bhAgavata to purify yourself".

Bhattar asked "Will a bhAgavata allow me to take his srIpAda thIrththam?"

Andal replied "When something happens that can destroy one's life, should you not even be ready to give your life and try to protect it?"

Bhattar said "If that is the determination in your divine heart, then I will follow it".

At that time, a parama bhAgavata who carried the palanquin of Azhvar Thiruvarangap Perumal Araiyar came that way. Seeing him, Andal said "Here comes the thIrththam (holy water)".

Bhattar then worried "Will I be able to get it".

Andal said "To get milk for one's child, one has to even feed the cow fully and get it. So, you have to get the divine water from him somehow".

Bhattar then seeked that bhAgavata and obtained the divine water from his feet and purified himself.