Periya Nambi of Srirangam, also called Maha Purnar, was one of Alavandar's foremost disciples. After Alavandar left this world, the Sri Vaishnavas of Srirangam asked him to go to Kanchi and bring Ramanuja to lead them.
At the same time Ramanuja had set out for Srirangam. According to tradition the two met halfway, at Madhurantakam, in the temple of Eri Katha Ramar. Ramanuja did not want to wait even a day, so Periya Nambi gave him pancha samskaram there and then, under the magizha tree. Devotees honour that spot to this day.
Periya Nambi then lived with Ramanuja in Kanchi for some months, teaching him what he had received from Alavandar. He is remembered for his teaching and his life, not for books. The tradition also remembers that he performed the last rites for Maraneri Nambi, a great devotee of Alavandar whom others would not honour because of his birth. When he was questioned, Periya Nambi answered that a devotee of the Lord is to be honoured above all, and Ramanuja stood by him.
In his old age, when the Chola king summoned Ramanuja to his court, Periya Nambi went in his place together with Kurathalwan, so that Ramanuja could escape. According to tradition he lost his sight there, and he left this world on the way back, his head resting in the lap of his daughter Athuzhai.