He is believed to have appeared in a well as Hamsa in the present Mylapore (Mayurapur) in Chennai in the Tamil month of Aaippasi (Nov-Dec) under the star Sadayam. He is stated to be the incarnation of the sword of Vishnu because he used to cut asunder the fetters of delusion of people. He was named as Ghost as he was lost in God consciousness and therefore used to look like a Ghost.
When he went to Tirumalai, Lord Srinivasa gave him darshan as Shankara Narayana which gave him much delightful surprise.
He sang as follows when set eyes on Mahalakshmi in Tirukovalur.
Tirukanden Ponmeni Kanden…..
He was the guru of Tirumazhisai Azhvar who was also a contemporary and who was a great devotee of Lord Siva. It was Peyazhvar who transformed him into a Vaishnava realising the great prowess of this saint. Peyazhvar did not want to lose such an ardent devotee.