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Hymns for salvation

CHENNAI: The Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, a collection of the sacred hymns of the Azhwars, contains the essence of the esoteric truths of the Vedas. It is believed that the Lord chose to reveal His presence to them, and blessed them with divine insight to sing His glory. This text is hence held as an authority for spiritual knowledge, and is central to the Vaishnavite tradition.

Any lineage or tradition is enriched with the contributions of great people and their far-reaching influence extends before and after their time, said Sri M. A. Venkatakrishnan in a lecture. King Janaka spoke highly of Sita as she had done the entire clan of Janaka proud. Among the hallowed line of preceptors, Ramanuja's role is unique to the tradition of Acharyas. In a similar fashion, Nammazhwar's contribution to the spiritual tradition assumes tremendous significance because it was through him that mankind gained access to the hitherto lost collection of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam.

Legend and history refer to the ninth century Yogi, scholar, preceptor and devotee Nathamuni, who happened to hear the recitation of a set of ten verses by a group of devotees. Sharp enough not to miss the indication that these verses were a part of a thousand hymns of Kurugur Sadagopan (name of Nammazhwar) while also attracted to their quality where the charm and beauty matched the philosophic depth, Nathamuni was determined to search for the rest of the hymns.

When told that reciting Madhurakavi Azhwar's hymn Kanninum Siruthambu in praise of Nammazhwar 12,000 times could bring a mystic vision of Nammazhwar, Nathamuni undertook this astounding feat with all sincerity.

The Azhwar revealed his presence and blessed Nathamuni with the divine insight to grasp all his four Prabhandhams and all the hymns of the other Azhwars as well that had been lost.

These hymns contain scriptural truths expressed in simple Tamil that even common folk can easily understand. The unique combination of Jnana and Bhakti in them is capable of dispelling spiritual doubts.

Ramanuja's commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, the Brahmasutras and the Upanishads have relied on the Azhwars hymns to a large extent.

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