Thiruvaymozhi Pillai was born Thirumalai Azhwar. A gifted and learned man, he served as an official at the Pandya court in Madurai. As a child he had received Pillai Lokacharya's blessing, but the work of the court had drawn him away from the sampradaya.
Before he passed, Pillai Lokacharya asked his disciple Kurakulottama Dasar to bring Thirumalai Azhwar back. According to tradition, Kurakulottama Dasar walked behind his palanquin through the streets, reciting Thiruviruttam. Hearing it, Thirumalai Azhwar was moved, stopped the palanquin, and asked to be taught. He learned the rahasyas from Kurakulottama Dasar, and in time left the court altogether.
He went to Alwar Thirunagari, Swami Nammalwar's birthplace, which had fallen into neglect in those troubled years. He cleared the overgrown land, restored the worship of the temple and, according to tradition, brought Swami Nammalwar's archa back to His home. He gave himself so fully to Thiruvaymozhi that he came to be called Thiruvaymozhi Pillai. There he also built a sannidhi for Sri Ramanuja.
Thiruvaymozhi Pillai is remembered for this restoration and for his teaching, not for books. His greatest disciple was Azhagiya Manavalar, who learned Thiruvaymozhi and the Eedu from him and became Manavala Mamunigal.