Naalayira Divya Prabhandham


The Nalayira Divya Prabandham is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses composed by the 12 Alvars, and was compiled in its present form by Nathamuni during the 9th – 10th centuries. The work, an important liturgical compilation of the Tamil Alvars, marks the beginning of the canonization of 12 Vaishnava poet saints, and these hymns are still sung extensively today. The works were lost before they were collected and organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni.
The Divya Prabandham sings the praise of Narayana and his many forms. The Alvars sang these songs at various sacred shrines known as the Divya Desams. The Tamil Vaishnavites are also known as Ubhaya Vedanti. In many temples — Srirangam, for example — the chanting of the Divya Prabhandham forms a major part of the daily service.
Prominent among its 4,000 verses are the over 1,100 verses known as the Tiruvaymoli or Thiruvaaymozhi, composed by Nammalvar and which forms the third portion of the overall Divya Prabandham. Nammalvar self-identifies as a lovelorn gopi pining for Krishna.

Compilation

The collection, once thought to have been lost, was organized in the form of an anthology by Nathamuni.
Nathamuni was born in Veera Naarayanapuram or present-day Kaattu Mannaar Koil. There is a long time gap between Thirumangai 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 decad of Aaraavamude of Nammaazhvaar at Kumbakonam. Captivated by these pasurams, he wanted to know more about them. One of the verses also mentioned Aayiraththul Ippaththu. 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 the azhwar, Nathamuni proceeded to Thirukurugoor and asked the people there about Nammazhwar's 1,000 verses.
The people did not know the 1,000 verses that Nathamuni wanted, but they told him about 11 pasurams of Madhurakavi Alvar, a disciple of Nammazhwar Kanninun Siruthaambu. They asked him to go to Thiruppuliaazhwar, the place where Nammazhwar lived, and recite these 11 pasurams 12,000 times. Nathamuni did as advised, and pleased with his penance, Nammazhwar granted him not only his 1,000 pasurams, but the entire 4,000-pasuram collection of all the Alvars.

Details of Pasurams

The following table shows the details of the 4,000 pasurams.
Sl noName of the prabandhamStarting fromEnding withNumber of pasuramsSung by
1Periazhvar Thirumozhi1473473Periyalvar
2Thiruppavai47450330Aandaal
3Nachiar Tirumozhi504646143Aandaal
4Perumal Thirumozhi647751105Kulasekara alvar
5Thiruchchanda Viruththam752871120Thirumalisai alvar
6Thirumalai87291645Thondaradippodi alvar
7Thiruppalliyezhuchchi91792610Thondaradippodi alvar
8Amalanadhi piran92793610Thiruppaan alvar
9Kanni Nun Siruththambu93794711Madhurakavi Alvar
10Peria Thirumozhi94820311084Thirumangai alvar
11Kurun Thandagam2032205120Thirumangai alvar
12Nedum Thandagam2052208130Thirumangai alvar
13Mudhal Thiruvandhadhi20822181100Poigai Alvar
14Irandam Thiruvandhadhi21822281100Bhoothathalvar
15Moonram Thiruvandhadhi22822381100Peyalvar
16Naanmugan Thiruvandhadhi2382247796Thirumalisai alvar
17Thiruviruththam24782577100Nammalvar
18Thiruvasiriyam257825847Nammalvar
19Peria Thiruvandhadhi2585267187Nammalvar
20Thiruvezhukkurrirukkai267226721Thirumangai alvar
21Siriya Thirumadal2673271240Thirumangai alvar
22Peria Thirumadal2713279078Thirumangai alvar
23Thiruvay Mozhi279138921102Nammalvar
24Ramanuja Nootrandhadi38934000108Thiruvarangathu Amudhanaar
Total number of pasurams40004000--