Naalayira Divya Prabhandham

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The Nalayira Divya Prabandham (Tamil: நாலாயிரத் திவ்வியப் பிரபந்தம், translit. nālāyira divya prabandham) is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses (Naalayiram in Tamil means 'four thousand') composed[1] by the 12 Alvars, and was compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th – 10th centuries. The work, an important liturgical compilation of the Tamil Alvars, marks the beginning of the canonization of 12 Vaishnava poet saints, and these hymns are still sung extensively today. The works were lost before they were collected and organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni.

The Divya Prabandham sings the praise of Narayana (or Vishnu) and his many forms. The Alvars sang these songs at various sacred shrines known as the Divya Desams.[2] The Tamil Vaishnavites are also known as Ubhaya Vedanti (those that follow both Vedas, i.e., the Sanskrit Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda, as well as the Tamil-language Tiruvaymoli, a work which many South Indian devotees regard as the Tamil Veda).[3] In many temples — Srirangam, for example — the chanting of the Divya Prabhandham forms a major part of the daily service.

Prominent among its 4,000 verses are the over 1,100 verses known as the Tiruvaymoli or Thiruvaaymozhi ("words of the sacred mouth"), composed by Nammalvar (Kaari Maaran, Sadagopan of Alwarthirunagari Temple) and which forms the third portion of the overall Divya Prabandham. Nammalvar self-identifies as a lovelorn gopi pining for Krishna.[3]

Compilation[edit]

The collection, once thought to have been lost, was organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni.[4]

Nathamuni was born in Veera Naarayanapuram (Veeranam) or present-day Kaattu Mannaar Koil. There is a long time gap between Thirumangai Alvar (the last alvar) and Nathamuni. In this dark period, nobody knew what happened to the 4,000 verses of the text.

Legend has it that once Nathamuni heard some people reciting the decad of Aaraavamude of Nammaazhvaar at Kumbakonam. Captivated by these pasurams (hymns), he wanted to know more about them. One of the verses also mentioned Aayiraththul Ippaththu (Tamil: these 10 out of the 1000). When Nathamuni enquired about the remaining 990, the people who sang the 10 did not know anything about the other verses. But as the song mentioned the name and place of the azhwar (Kurugoor Satakopan), Nathamuni proceeded to Thirukurugoor and asked the people there about Nammazhwar's 1,000 verses.[5]

The people did not know the 1,000 verses that Nathamuni wanted, but they told him about 11 pasurams (hymns) of Madhurakavi Alvar, a disciple of Nammazhwar Kanninun Siruthaambu. They asked him to go to Thiruppuliaazhwar, the place where Nammazhwar lived, and recite these 11 pasurams 12,000 times. Nathamuni did as advised, and pleased with his penance, Nammazhwar granted him not only his 1,000 pasurams, but the entire 4,000-pasuram collection of all the Alvars.[6]

Details of Pasurams[edit]

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The following table shows the details of the 4,000 pasurams (hymns).[7]

Sl no Name of the prabandham Starting from Ending with Number of pasurams Sung by
1 Periazhvar Thirumozhi 1 473 473 Periyalvar
2 Thiruppavai 474 503 30 Aandaal
3 Nachiar Tirumozhi 504 646 143 Aandaal
4 Perumal Thirumozhi 647 751 105 Kulasekara alvar
5 Thiruchchanda Viruththam 752 871 120 Thirumalisai alvar
6 Thirumalai 872 916 45 Thondaradippodi alvar
7 Thiruppalliyezhuchchi 917 926 10 Thondaradippodi alvar
8 Amalanadhi piran 927 936 10 Thiruppaan alvar
9 Kanni Nun Siruththambu 937 947 11 Madhurakavi Alvar
10 Peria Thirumozhi 948 2031 1084 Thirumangai alvar
11 Kurun Thandagam 2032 2051 20 Thirumangai alvar
12 Nedum Thandagam 2052 2081 30 Thirumangai alvar
13 Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi 2082 2181 100 Poigai Alvar
14 Irandam Thiruvandhadhi 2182 2281 100 Bhoothathalvar
15 Moonram Thiruvandhadhi 2282 2381 100 Peyalvar
16 Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi 2382 2477 96 Thirumalisai alvar
17 Thiruviruththam 2478 2577 100 Nammalvar
18 Thiruvasiriyam 2578 2584 7 Nammalvar
19 Peria Thiruvandhadhi 2585 2671 87 Nammalvar
20 Thiruvezhukkurrirukkai 2672 2672 1 Thirumangai alvar
21 Siriya Thirumadal 2673 2712 40 Thirumangai alvar
22 Peria Thirumadal 2713 2790 78 Thirumangai alvar
23 Thiruvay Mozhi 2791 3892 1102 Nammalvar
24 Ramanuja Nootrandhadi 3893 4000 108 Thiruvarangathu Amudhanaar
Total number of pasurams 4000 4000 -

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Divya Prabandham – An introduction". Srivaishnavam.com. Retrieved 2007-06-20. External link in |work= (help)
  2. ^ Rajarajan, R.K.K. (2013). "Historical sequence of the Vaiṣṇava Divyadeśas. Sacred venues of Viṣṇism". Acta Orientalia, Societates Orientales Danica Fennica Norvegia Svecia. 74: 37–90.
  3. ^ a b Carman, John (1989). The Tamil Veda: Pillan's Interpretation of the Tiruvaymoli. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 4.
  4. ^ Bruce M. Sullivan. Historical Dictionary of Hinduism. Scarecrow Press. p. 217.
  5. ^ "thoo nilA mutRam". Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  6. ^ "Tribute to Sriman Naatha Muni". Retrieved 2007-06-20.
  7. ^ "Table showing details of 4000 pasurams". srivaishnavam.com. Retrieved 2007-06-20. External link in |work= (help)

External links[edit]

Nalayiram Text in different formats and languages

Nalayiram with Meaning or Vyakyanam (detailed commentary)

Nalayiram Pasurangal – Audio

Sites Relevant to Nalayiram Divya Prabandham

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