ALVARS

The 'Alvars' () () were twelve Vaishnava saints, who, during the early medieval period of Tamil history (between the seventh and the tenth centuries CE), helped revive devotional Hinduism (bhakti) through their hymns of worship to Vishnu and his avatars. They included a woman (Andal). The collection of their hymns are known as Divya Prabhandham
The Bhakti literature that sprang from these Alvars has contributed to the establishment and sustenance of a culture that broke away from the ritual-oriented Vedic religion and rooted itself in devotion as the only path for salvation. In addition they helped to make the Tamil religious life independent of a knowledge of Sanskrit.
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Contents

Etymology

Legacy

Alvars; their place, month and star of birth

See also

References

External links

Etymology

Alvars or 'Azhwars' literally means 'people who are immersed'. They are so called because they were immersed in their devotion and love to their Lord, Vishnu.
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Legacy

The twelve Alvars were all inspired and ardent devotees who transmitted their divine infatuation to millions. They have left behind an imperishable legacy of devotional Tamil poetry - naalaayira Divya Prabhandham (considered to be the essence of the Vedas, in Tamil, and all in praise of Lord Vishnu). These have been rarely equalled either in quantity or in quality ever after.
The one held in greatest esteem among the Alvars is Nammalvar. He lived during the seventh century CE. His contribution to the four thousand prabandhams is as many as 1352. His hymns are considered by the Vaishnavites to contain the essence of the Vedas. His works - ''Thiru Aasiriyam'', ''Thiru Virudham'', ''Periya Thiruvandhadhi'' correspond to the Yajur, Rig and Atharva Vedas respectively. His other work ''Periya Thirumozhi'' (Divine words) is the one of the key works of Vaishnavism.
Periyalvar delighted in worshipping Vishnu as mother, nurse, devotee and lady love. Andal, who grew up in Periyalvar's home, is attributed the ''Tiruppaavai'', a most beautiful collection of 30 verses giving expression to the purest love of God.
Thirumangai Alvar has done mangalasasanam (sung in praise) of maximum number of Divya Desams.



'' For a detailed list of number of paasurams of all Alvars on each Divyadesam: Mangalasasanam by Divyadesam''

Alvars; their place, month and star of birth

The following tables shows the place, century and star of birth of each Alvar.
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Sl no	Alwar Saint	Period and Place	Other names	Month	Nakshatra	Sign
1	Poigai Alvar	7th C. AD, Kanchipuram	Saro-yogi, Kaasaara-yogi,Poigai-piraan, Padma-muni, Kavinyarporeyeru	Aiypassee	Thiruvonam (Sravana)	Panchajanya (Conch)
2	Bhoothathalvar	7th C. AD, Mylapore		Aiypassee	Avittam (Dhanishta)	Kaumodakee (Mace/Club)
3	Peyalvar		Kairava-muni, Maha-daahva-yaar	Aiypassee	Sadayam (Satabhishak)	Nandaka (Sword)
4	Thirumalisai Alvar	7th C. AD, Thirumazhisai	Bhakthi-saarar, Bhaargavar, Magisaaraapuriswarar, Mazhisai-piraan	Thai	Magam (Magha)	Sudarshanam (Discus)
5	Nammalvar	9th C. AD, Azhwar Thirunagari (Kurugur)	Sadagopan, Sadaari, Paraankusun, Maaran, Vakulaaa Baranan, Kurugaiyar-kone	Vaigaasi	Vishaakam (Vishaaka)	Vishvaksena (Commander)
6	Madhurakavi Alvar	9th C. AD, Thirukollur	Inkaviyaar, Azhwaarukku Adiyaan	Chitthirai	Chitthirai (Chithra)	Vainatheya (Garuda)
7	Kulashekhara Azhwar	8th C. AD, thirvanjikkolam	Kolli-kaavalan, Koodal-naayakan,Koyikone, Villavar-kone, Cheyralar-kone	Maasee	Punar Poosam (Punarvasu)	Kaustubha (Gem Necklace)
8	Periyalvar	9th C. AD, Sri Villiputhur	Vishnu-chitthar, Patta-naadan, Battar-piraan, Sri-Villiputthooraar, Sriranganaatha-Svasoorar	Aani	Swathi (Swaathee)	Garuda (Chariot)
9	Andal	9th C. AD, Sri Villiputhur	Choodikoduttha Naacheyaar, Godai,Godai-piraatti	Aadi	Pooram (Poorva Phalguni)	Bhoodevi
10	Thondaradippodi Alvar	8th C. AD, Thirumandangudi	Vibranaaraayanar, Thirumandangudiyaar,Bhakthangirirenu, Palliunartthiya-piraan	Maargazhi	Kettai (Jyeshta)	Vanamaalai (Garland)
11	Thiruppaan Alvar	8th C. AD, Uraiyur	Paanar, Muni-vaahanar,Yogi-vaahanar, Kaveeswarar	Kaarthigai	Rogini (Rohinee)	Srivatsa
12	Thirumangai Alvar	8th C. AD, thirukurayalur	Kaliyan, Aalinaadan, NaaluKaviPerumaal,Arulmaari, Parakaalan, Mangaiyarkone	Kaarthigai	KrithikaI (Kritthikaa)	Saranga (Bow)

See also

★ South India's 75 Apostles of Bhakti

★ Bhakti movements

References

1. ''About Alvars''
2. ''Meaning of Alvar''
3. ''Birth place and stars of Alvars''

External links

★ The Twelve Alvars

★ Alvars and Srivaishnavism

★ The Alvar Saints (ramanuja.org)

★ The Alvar Saints of Tamilnadu by Jyotsna Kamat