Nammalvar India (8th Century) Timeline Yoga / Hindu : Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama) Poems by Nammalvar Books - Links |
Tradition says that the Alvars lived two to four millennia BC, though many modern scholars believe the actual historical figures lived perhaps between the fifth and ninth centuries AD.
In the popular stories, Nammalvar was said to have been born in such deep spiritual communion, that he didn't bother to eat or drink or speak or even open his eyes until he was sixteen years old. Instead, he remained in meditation beneath a tamarind tree near a temple dedicated to Adinatha. He only deigned to open his eyes when his first disciple approached him and asked him a question.
Even after emerging from his utter introversion, Nammalvar is said to have remained beneath the tamarind tree, singing his hymns to God which were gathered into four books.
Poems by Nammalvar
- My dark one
- O Lord, infinite in Thy glory,
- The earth and the far-flung sky
- While I was waiting eagerly for him
Hymns for the Drowning: Poems for Vishnu by Nammalvar | Nammalvar: (Makers of Indian Literature) |
Related Links
Nammalvar's Life
http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/alvars/nammalvar/life.html
An excellent site with biographical notes about Nammalvar, information about the Alvars, and several excerpts from Nammalvar's four books of sacred poetry.