| Divya Prabandham | |
|---|---|
 Nammalvar, considered the most prominent of the twelve Alvars whose works are compiled asPrabandam | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Author | Alvars |
| Language | Tamil |
| Period | 9th–10th century CE |
| Verses | 4,000 |
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TheNaalayira Divya Prabandham (Tamil:நாலாயிரத் திவ்வியப் பிரபந்தம்,romanized: Nālāyira Divya Prabandham,lit. 'Four Thousand Divine Hymns') is a collection of 4,000Tamil verses composed by the 12Alvars.[1] It was compiled in its present form byNāthamuni during the 9th–10th centuries. The work, an important liturgical compilation of the TamilAlvars who lived between 5th and 8th Century CE,[2] marks the beginning of the canonisation of 12Vaishnava poet saints, and these hymns are still sung extensively today.
TheDivya Prabandham sings the praises ofNarayana (Vishnu) and his many forms. The Alvars sang these songs at various sacred shrines known as theDivya Desams.[3] TheTamilVaishnavites, also known asUbhaya Vedanti follow both theSanskritVedas as well as the Tamil-languageTiruvaymoli, a work which devotees of Sri Vaishnavism regard as the Tamil Veda.[4] In many temples —Srirangam, for example — the chanting of the Divya Prabandham forms a major part of the daily service. It is also recited in some North Indian Vaishnavite temples, such asBadrinath.[5] The Divya Prabandham is recited along with the Vedas,[6] and it is given equal status to the Vedas in theTenkalai denomination of Sri Vaishnavism, largely due to the efforts ofRamanuja who enshrined the Divya Prabandham on the same pedestal as the Vedas.[7]
Prominent among its 4,000 verses are the 1,102 verses known as theTiruvaymoli ("verses of the sacred mouth"), composed byNammalvar and which forms the third portion of the overallDivya Prabandham. Nammalvar self-identifies as a lovelorngopi pining forKrishna.[4]
The compendium begins with theTirupallantu, a benedictory hymn written byPeriyalvar, wishing long life to Vishnu.[8]
The text is split into 4 sections of roughly 1000pasurams each. They are in order (1)Mudalayiram, (2)Irandam Ayiram, (3)Munram Ayiram, and (4)Iyarppa.[9]
The hymns or songs sung by the Alvars dedicated to Vishnu are specifically designated the term pasuram in Tamil.[10]
The works that make up the Naalayira Divya Prabandham are usually preceded by a taniyan. A taniyan refers to a stray verse,[11] also referred to as a laudatory verse, that offers a brief synopsis of the life of the Alvar poet, a summary of the themes of the hymns, and emphasises themerit gained from the recitation, listening, or reading of the given text. It serves to glorify both the hymns as well as the composer of the hymns.[12] Six taniyans precede the Tiruvaymoli, the most of any text in the compendium.[13]
Following the customary recitation of the hymns of the work, avāḻi tirunamam is chanted. This refers to a hymn that serves to commemorate or exalt the poet-saint who composed a given work. For instance, such a verse may hope for the poet-saint to live long, or for their names to be remembered for a millennium.[14][15]
The collection, once thought to have been lost, was organised in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni.[16]
Nathamuni was born in Veera Naarayanapuram (Veeranam) or present-day Kaattu Mannaar Koil. There is a long time gap betweenTirumangai 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 cantos ofĀravāmude of Nammalvar atKumbakonam. Captivated by thesepasurams (hymns), he wanted to know more about them. One of the verses also mentionedĀyiraththul 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 theAlvar (Kurugoor Satakopan), Nathamuni proceeded toThirukurugoor and asked the people there aboutNammalvar's 1,000 verses.[17]
The people did not know the 1,000 verses that Nathamuni wanted, but they told him about 11pasurams (hymns) ofMadhurakavi Alvar, a disciple of Nammalvar, and theKanninun Cirutampu. They asked him to go to Thiruppulialvar, the ancient tamarind tree Nammalvar preferred to meditate under during his lifetime, and recite these 11pasurams 12,000 times. Nathamuni did as advised, and pleased with his penance, Nammalvar appeared magically and granted him not only his 1,000pasurams, but the entire 4,000-pasuram collection of all the Alvars.[18]
The following table shows the details of the 4,000pasurams (hymns).[19][note 1]
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