KOYILNET

The “Nalaiyra Divya Prabhandham”, containing 4,000 poems sung on Lord Vishnu, was composed by twelve Azhwars known as the “Panniru Azhwars”. Each poem is called a “Pasuram”. Since these Azhwars created the Nalaiyra Divya Prabhandham, they are revered as the Great Azhwars, each considered a Hamsam (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Of the twelve, only one Azhwar was a woman, two were kings, and four emerged onto the earth as children rather than being born in the usual way. The first three — Poigai Azhwar, Boothath Azhwar and Pei Azhwar — are called the “Mudhal Azhwars”, as they lived in the same period (7th century) and were born in the same year and month, under consecutive stars (Thiruvonam, Avittam and Sadhayam). The Mudhal Azhwars and Andal are said to have emerged from the Earth rather than being born. Of the twelve Azhwars, four hail from Thondai Naadu, four from Pandiya Naadu, three from Chola Naadu, and one from Malai Naadu. Andal, also known as “Soodikkodutha Sudar Kodi”, is said to be the daughter (foster-raised) of Peri Azhwar and composed the “Thiruppavai”, in which she regards Lord Vishnu as her husband — she is the only woman among the Azhwars.