Book Review from Hindu Newspaper: Sri Vaishnavism and its apostles

[Guest guest]

[THE HINDU]

 

Tuesday, April 21, 1998

SECTION: Entertainment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books

Section Index | Next Story |

 

Sri Vaishnavism and its apostles

 

21-04-1998 :: Pg: 23 :: Col: e

 

THE VOICE OF ALWARS AND ACHARYAS: (Tamil- English) Dr.

M. Varadarajan; Sri Ananth Publications, 14/86,

Padmavathipuram, Tiruchanur Road, Tirupati-517503. Rs.

50.

 

The book under review is a collection of miscellaneous

articles in English and Tamil on Vaishnavism in general

and on Azhvars and Acharyas in particular, highlighting

their contribution to the growth and development of the

Vaishnava philosophy.

 

The great mystic saints, popularly known as Azhvars,

because they were deeply immersed in God and in His

auspicious qualities, have recorded their ecstatic and

soul-stirring outpourings in sublime and beautiful Tamil

verses.

 

These divine compositions, collectively called as the

Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, are fortunately made

available to posterity, solely due to the missionary

zeal and untiring efforts of Nathamunigal, the

celebrated Vaishnava savant belonging to the ninth

century A.D., who retrieved this treasure that was lying

dormant for several centuries after the Azhvars.

 

The credit for arranging and codifying the Divya

Prabandham into four parts also goes to Nathamunigal,

who can be compared, in this context, to Veda Vyasa, who

had codified the four Vedas. Nathamunigal also set the

Azhvars' compositions to music and taught them to his

nephews, the musical tradition being carried down the

centuries.

 

In fact Nathamunigal was the first Acharya, after the

Azhvars, who spread Vaishnava religion and philosophy.

He was followed by a succession of great and dedicated

Acharyas like Alavandar, Ramanuja, Parasara Bhattar,

Vedanta Desika and Manavalamamunigal, all of whom

further developed, enriched and established on a firm

footing the Visishtadvaita system of philosophy.

 

Other Acharyas like Nampillai and Periyavachanpillai

also wrote elaborate commentaries on the Divya

Prabandham bringing out its esoteric meanings, drawing

parallels from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Vishnu

Purana.

 

Apart from singing the praise of other forms of the Lord

like Narasimha, Rama and Krishna, the Azhvars

concentrated more on the Archa form of the Lord (icons)

which one finds in temples; and the holy places so sung

by the Azhvars are called Divyadesas, which are 108 in

number.

 

The author discusses in these articles, in greater

detail, the various aspects mentioned briefly supra. The

bridal mysticism of the Azhvars, which springs from

their intoxicated love of God, is discussed in a couple

of articles. The pre-eminence enjoyed by Andal and her

Tiruppavai, even amongst the Azhvars and their

compositions respectively, is well brought out in

another article.

 

Two articles in English and six in Tamil talk

exclusively about Tirumala-Tirupati, the various rituals

observed there, association of Acharyas with the holy

place and anecdotes connected therewith. The nine- fold

relation between the Jivatma and Paramatma is well

brought out in another article. A couple of articles

describe the scenic beauty and nature in its pristine

glory, as portrayed by the Azhvars.

 

The book, written in a simple and clear style, can be

read with advantage for gaining a basic idea of

Vaishnavism and its apostles. Spelling mistakes in

English and Tamil, which are not infrequent, could have

been avoided.

 

V. N. Gopala Desikan

 

------------------------

Section Index | Next Story |

------------------------

 

Front Page | Lead Stories | National | International |

Regional | Opinion | Business | Sport | Entertainment |

Miscellaneous | Classified | Employment |

 

Home | Site Map | Search | Archives | Advertisers |

What's NEW | About HOL | Feedback |