KANNADA
Hymns of the Azhwars
DIVYAPRABHANDANUSANDANA — A Panaromic View of Divya Prabhanda, Its source, Chanting and Concluding Procedure: Kannada translation and edited by G. N. Ramaprasad; Brahmi Prakashana, Shreeiketana, No. 251, 10th Cross, Saraswathinagar, Bangalore-560040. Rs. 120.
IN THIS book the author gives an insight into the Divya Prabhanda, a collection of over 4000 verses in Tamil by the 12 Azhwars who have glorified 108 holy places which are considered sacred by Srivaishnavas. Of them, Thiruparkadal and Vaikuntha are not in this world.
Though a certain method and order is being uniformly followed in the recitation of the verses, it is not clear as to how the tradition of recitiation was started and by whom. The author has gained material from the Divya Prabhandanusandhana Deepikai, presumably written by the third Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Jeer (1394-1406) a disciple of Vedanta Desika.
The book gives the names of the 12 Azhwars, brief life sketch, succinct theme of their verses and interesting episodes, names of the 108 places, their location in different States, the main deities therein, rituals and verses to be recited during important festivals like Krishna Jayanti, Ramanavami and Narasimhajayanti and quotes from Ramanuja. The book is a valuable addition to the Srivaishnava lore.
K. SUNDAR RAJAN
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