Divya Prabandha

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The Nalayira Divya Prabandha is one of the most sacred texts in Hinduism, especially in South India. It is a collection of 4,000 verses (Naalayira in Tamil means 'four thousand') composed sometime around the 8th and 12th century AD, by the 12 Alwars (also aazhvaars), the Tamil mystic poets, 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 Alwars sung these songs at various sacred shrines, which are known as Divya Desams. There are 108 Divya Desams, two of which are not in this world, and the rest mostly in South India.

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 Nammaazhvaar (Kaaril Maaran Sadagopan) of Thiruk Kurugoor.