Nammalvar, Nammalvar poetry, Yoga / Hindu, Yoga / Hindu poetry, Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama) poetry,  poetry,  poetry Nammalvar
India (8th Century) Timeline
Yoga / Hindu : Vaishnava (Krishna/Rama)


Poems by Nammalvar
Books - Links

Nammalvar is considered the foremost of the Alvars, a group of twelve semi-legendary saints dedicated to God in the form of Vishnu in the Tamil-speaking southern regions of India. His name can translate as "our own Alvar," a sign of the deep personal connection Tamil Vaishnavas have always felt for this poet-saint.

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


Recommended Books: Nammalvar

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.
Nammalvar