Divya Prabandha

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Bibliography

The Nalayira Divya Prabandha (or Nalayira(4000) Divya Prabhamdham) is a divine collection of 4,000 verses (Naalayira in Tamil means 'four thousand') composed before 8th century AD,^[1] by the 12 Alvars, and was compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th – 10th centuries. The work is the beginning of the canonization of the twelve Vaishnava poet saints, and these hymns are still sung extensively sung even today. The works were lost before they were collected and organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamunigal.

The Prabandha sings the praise of Sriman Narayana (or Vishnu) and his many forms. The Alvars sung these songs at various sacred shrines. These shrines are known as the Divya Desams.

In South India, especially in Tamil Nadu, the Divya Prabhandha is considered as equal to the Vedas, hence the epithet Dravida Veda. In many temples, Srirangam, for example, the chanting of the Divya Prabhandham forms a major part of the daily service. Prominent among the 4,000 verses are the 1,100+ verses known as the Thiru Vaaymozhi, composed by Nammalvar (Kaaril Maaran Sadagopan) of Thiruk Kurugoor.

Compilation of the lost treasure

These 4000 hymns were lost before they were collected and organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamunigal.

Swami Natha Munigal was born in Veera Naarayanapuram (Veeranam) or present day Kaattu Mannaar Koil. There is a lot of gap in time between Thirumangai aazhwar (the last aazhwar) and Natha Munigal. In this dark period, nobody knew what happened to the 4000.

Legend has it that once Natha Munigal heard some people reciting the decad of 'Aaraavamude' of Swami Nammaazhvaar at Kumbakonam. Natha Munigal was captivated by these paasurams that he wanted to know more about them. One of the verses also mentioned 'aayiraththul ippaththu' (meaning: these 10 out of the 1000). So Natha Munigal wondered where the remaining 990 were? The people who sang this 10 did not know anything about the remaining 990. But the song mentioned the name and place of the aazhwar (kurugoor satakopan). So Natha Munigal proceeded to Thirukurugoor and asked the people there about Swami Nammazhwar's 1000 verses.^[2]

The people did not know the 1000 that Natha Munigal wanted, but they told him about 11 pasurams of our Madhura Kavi aazhwar, who was the sishya of Swami Nammaazhvaar (Kanninun Siruthaambu) and asked him to go to the Thiruppuliaazhwar, the place were Nammaazhvaar lived, and recite this 11 pasurams for 12000 times. Swami Natha Munigal did as advised, and pleased with his penance, Swami Nammaazhvaar granted him not only his 1000 pasurams, but the entire 4000 parsurams of all the aazhwars.^[3]

Details of Pasurams

The following table shows the details of the 4000 pasurams.^[4]

References

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
• A comprehensive translation of Naalayira (4000) Divya Prabhandham
• Hymns of the Azhwars

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