Swamy Desikan’s

Prabhandha Saaram

Annotated Commentary in English By:

Oppiliappan kOil
SrI Varadachari Sathakopan
sadagopan.org
CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Taniyan 1 6

Taniyan 2 7

Paasuram 1: Achaaryavandanam 8

Paasuram 2: PoygaiAzhwaar 10

Paasuram 3: BhuthatthAzhwaar 12

Paasuram 4: PeyAzhwaar 14

sadagopan.org
Paasuram 5: Thirumazhisai Azhwaar 16

Paasuram 6: Nammazhwaar 18

Paasuram 7: Madhurakavi Azhwaar 20

Paasuram 8: Kulasekara Azhwaar 22

Paasuram 9: Periyaazhwaar 24

Paasuram 10: Andaal 26

Paasuram 11: Thondaradippodi Azhwaar 28

Paasuram 12: Thiruppaanazhwaar 30

Paasuram 13: Thirumangai Azhwaar 32

Paasuram 14: Bhashyakaarar 34

Paasuram 15: Division of the 4000 sacred works by Azhwaars 36

Paasuram 16: 38

Paasuram 17 39

Phalasruti 41

1
 sadagopan.org

2
 . ïI>.

. ïImte ramanujay nm>.

. ïImte ingmaNt mhadeizkay nm>.

PRABHANDHA SAARAM
ப்ரபந்தஸாரம்
INTRODUCTION
Swamy Vedanta Desika's Prabhandha Saaram provides the paasuram details; their count and
details of the aazhwaars who composed it. The aazhwaars birth month, thirunakshatram and
birth place are beautifully codified by Swamy Desikan.

In the 15th Paasuram of Prabhandha Saaram, Swamy Desikan adds up the number of
Paasurams by the 12 AzhwArs and Thiruvarangatthu AmudhanAr leading up to 4000
Paasurams. In the 16th Paasuram, Swamy Desikan refers to the 24 Prabhandhams associated

sadagopan.org
with the 12 AzhwArs and Thiruvarangatthu AmudhanAr, the author of Sri RaamAnuja
NooRRandhAthi.

1. Mudhal AzhwArs (Poigai, BhudhathAzhwAr, and PeyAzhwAr) sang 300

⇒ mudhal,

⇒ irandaam and

⇒ moonRaam nooranthaadhi- 100 each

2. Thirumazhisai AzhwAr sang 216

⇒ Thirucchandha viruttham 120;

⇒ Naanmukhan Thiruvandhaathi 96

3. MaaRan (Sri NaamAzhwAr) sang 1296 as the essence of Vedas containing true spiritual
teachings

⇒ Thiruviruttham- 100

⇒ Thiruvaaasiriyam- 7

⇒ Periya ThiruvandhAthi- 87

⇒ Thiruvaaymozhi- 1102

4. MadhurakavigaL who showed the path of devotion to Aacharya sang 11

⇒ Kanninun chiRrutthambu

3
 5. Kulasekhara AzhwAr (king of Vanji land) sang 105

⇒ PerumAL Thirumozhi

6. PeriyAzhwAr (Bhatta nAthan) sang 473 pAsurams which shines as the literature for music.

7. Godhai (Sri Andal) who was an incarnation of Sri BhUmi PiraaTTi Herself) sang 173

⇒ ThiruppAvai-30;

⇒ Naacchiyaar Thirumozhi- 143)

8. ThoNdaradippodi AzhwAr- (Patthar adippodi) sang fifty five

⇒ Thiruppalliyezhicchi- 10;

⇒ Thirumaalai- 45

9. PaaNar (ThiruppANAzhwAr) sang 10

⇒ Amalanaadhipiraan
sadagopan.org

10. Parakalan (Thirumangai AzhwAr) sang 1253 in all praising the glorious Lord of
Thirumalai Sri Srinivasan, the father of the world,

⇒ Periya Thirumozhi- 1084;

⇒ ThirukkuRunthANDakam- 20;

⇒ ThirunedunthANdakam- 30;

⇒ ThiruvezhukkuRRirukkai- 1;

⇒ SiRiya Thirumadal- 40;

⇒ Periya Thirumadal- 78

11. Sri Thiruvarangatthu Amudhanaar- (during Sri Ramanuja's time) sang 108 pAsurams
praising the beautiful Lotus Feet of YathirAjar (Sri Ramanuja) who showed us the path to
mOksham (Salvation)

Add the above: - You get 4000. These four thousand hymns sung and left by these 13 saints
for the welfare of all in all directions of the world are the source of prosperity for the lives of
ours -who are servants of the Lord and His devotees (adiyOngaL VaazhvE).

4
 PAASURAMS

ïIman! ve»qnawayR> kivtaikRk kesrI,

vedaNtacayR vyaRm
e e siÚxÄa< sda ùid.

shrImaan.h ve~NkaTa naathaaryaH kavitaarkika kesarI.

vedaantaachaarya varyo me sannidhattaaM sadaa hR^idi.

சீெரான் ப் ல் தி ேவங்கட ைடயான்

பாெரான்றச் ெசான்ன பழெமாழி ள் - ஓெரான்
தாேன அைமயாேதா தாரணியில் வாழ்வார்க்கு
வாேனறப் ேபாமள ம் வாழ்

sadagopan.org
seeronRu thooppul thiruvENG gadamudaiyaan
paaronRach sonna pazhamozhiyuL OronRu
thaanE amaiyaathO thaaraNiyil vaazhvaarkku
vaanERap pOmaLavum vaazhvu

5
 PRABHANDHASAARAM TANIYANS (1)

siRapputthaniyan: eNseeraasiriyaviruttham
aaraNanNaan kinporuLai yaazvaar_ka LaaynthadaivE
anbudanE yampuviyO ranaivarumee dERavenRu
naaraNanaar thaaLkaLilE naalaayi ranthamizaa
NnaNNiyurai seythavaRRai naadivagai thogaiseythaay
pooraNamaa NYaaniyarsEr pongupugazth thoopulvarum
punithanenRum piLLaiyenRum puviyar_pugaz vEngadavaa
thaaraNiyO ringugakkac saaRRiyanNaR prapanthasaaranN
thanaiyuraitthu vaazumananN thantharuLaa yenRanakkE.

சிறப் தனியன்: எண்சீராசிாியவி த்தம்

ஆரணநான் கின்ெபா ைள யாழ்வார்க ளாய்ந்தைடேவ
sadagopan.org

அன் டேன யம் விேயா ரைனவ மீ ேடறெவன்

நாரணனார் தாள்களிேல நாலாயி ரந்தமிழால்
நண்ணி ைர ெசய்தவற்ைற நா வைக ெதாைகெசய்தாய்
ரணமா ஞானியர்ேசர் ெபாங்கு கழ்த் ப் ல்வ ம்
னிதெனன் ம் பிள்ைளெயன் ம் வியர் கழ் ேவங்கடவா
தாரணிேயா ாிங்குகக்கச் சாற்றியநற் ப்ரபந்தசாரந்-
தைன ைரத் வா மனந் தந்த ளா ெயன்றனக்ேக.

(MEANING):
The most merciful AzhwArs examined the deep meanings of the four VedAs to create the
4000 Paasurams in Tamil language with the sole purpose of uplifting the jeevans on this
beautiful earth through Saranagathy at Sriman Narayanan's sacred feet. Oh Acharyan who
incarnated at the auspicious agrahAram of ThUppul known for the assembly of mahaans
with ParipoorNa Jn~Anam! You are eulogized by the people of the world as ThUppul
Venkatavan, ThUppul PiLLai. Please bless me with the tranquil mind to recite and reflect on
Your Prabhandha Saaram for my upliftment (ujjeevanam).

6
 PRABHANDHA SAARAM TANIYAN 2:
YENN SEERASIRIYA VIRUTTHAM
aathimaRai yOthimaki zayakkirivar thammaruLaal
anpudanE thooppulnaka ravatharitthE yinguvantha
vaathiyarai venRuvanthu vanpuvimE lethiraasar
vaazvuRunaR Rerisanatthai vaNmaiyuda NnEvaLartthu
neethineRi thavaRaamal nirutthiyidum vEngadavaa
nEsamuda Nnaazvaar_kaL nilaikaLaiyel laamuNarnthu
saathusanam vaazavenRu saaRRiyanNaR prapanthasaaranN
thanaiyuraitthu vaazumananN thantharuLaa yenRanakkE.

ஆதிமைற ேயாதிமகி ழயக்கிாிவர் தம்ம ளால்

அன் டேன ப் ல்நக ரவதாித்ேத யிங்குவந்த

sadagopan.org
வாதியைர ெவன் வந் வன் விேம ெலதிராசர்
வாழ் நற் ெறாிசனத்ைத வண்ைம ட ேனவளர்த்
நீதிெநறி தவறாமல் நி த்தியி ம் ேவங்கடவா
ேநச ட னாழ்வார்கள் நிைலகைளெயல் லா ணர்ந்
சா சனம் வாழெவன் சாற்றியநற் ப்ரபந்தசாரந்-
தைன ைரத் வா மனந் தந்த ளா ெயன்றனக்ேக.

(MEANING):
Oh ThUppul Venkatavaa! You incarnated in ThUppul agrahAram due to the grace of Lord
HayagrIvan, who instructed with joy the ancient VedAs to Brahma dEvan. You won over
disputants and grew RaamAnuja darsanam energetically so that the chEtanams can benefit
from your generosity and stay in the path of the Vedams. Oh Swamy from ThUppul! Please
bless adiyEn with tranquil mind to recite and reflect on your Prabhandha Saaram created for
the upliftment of the Saadhu janams!

7
 PAASURAM 1: AACHAARYAVANTHANAM
sadagopan.org

aazvaar_ka Lavatharittha naaLoor thingaL

adaivuthiru naamanga LavarthaaNY seytha
vaazvaana thirumozika LavaRRut paattin
vagaiyaana thogaiyilakka maRRu mellaam
veezvaaga mEthinimEl viLanga naaLum
viritthuraikkuNG karutthudanE mikkOr thangaL
NeeLpaatham nirantharamunN thozuthu vaaztthum
nEsamuda NnadiyEnRan nengsu thaanE.

ஆழ்வார்க ளவதாித்த நா ர் திங்கள்

அைட தி நாமங்க ளவர்தாஞ் ெசய்த
வாழ்வான தி ெமாழிக ளவற் ட் பாட் ன்
வைகயான ெதாைகயிலக்கம் மற் ெமல்லாம்
ழ்வாக ேமதினிேமல் விளங்க நா ம்
விாித் ைரக்குங் க த் டேன மிக்ேகார் தங்கள்
நீள்பாதம் நிரந்தர ந் ெதா வாழ்த் ம்
ேநச ட ன ேயன்றன் ெநஞ்சு தாேன.

8
(MEANING):
adiyEn, ThUppul Venkatavan created this prabhandham about the AzhwArs and it deals
with their month of incarnations, the constellations under which they were born, the places
(dhivya dEsams) of their birth, their Thirunaamams, the name of their prabhandhams and
the number of paasurams in their prabhandhams. adiyEn (Swamy Desikan) prays at the
sacred feet of poorvAchAryAs for uninterrupted completion of adiyEn's Prabhandham
(Prabhandha Saaram).

sadagopan.org

9
 2: POYGAIYAAZHWAAR:

aruNmiguttha thoruvadivaayk kacci thannil

aippasimaa thatthiruvO Natthu naaLil
sadagopan.org

poruNmiguttha maRaiviLangap puviyO ruyyap

poygaithanil vanthuthittha punithaa munnaaL
iruLathaniR RaNkOva lidaika ziccenRu
iruvaruda NniRkavumaa lidainNe rukkath
thiruviLakkaa menumvaiyanN thakaLi nooRum
sezumporuLaa venakkaruLsey thiruntha neeyE.

அ ள்மிகுத்த ெதா வ வாய்க் கச்சி தன்னில்

ஐப்பசிமா தத்தி ேவாணத் நாளில்
ெபா ள்மிகுந்த மைறவிளங்கப் விேயா ய்யப்
ெபாய்ைகதனில் வந் தித்த னிதா, ன்னாள்
இ ளதனில் தண்ேகாவ ைடகழிச்ெசன்
இ வ டன் நிற்க மா ைடெந க்கத்
தி விளக்காெம ம்ைவயந் தகளி ம்
ெச ம்ெபா ளா ெவனக்க ள்ெசய் தி ந்த நீேய.

10
(MEANING):
Poygai AzhwAr incarnated on a divine, golden lotus as ayOnijar on an Iypaasi SravaNa
nakshathra dinam at a pond near YathOkthakAri PerumAL sannidhi close to Kaanchipuram.
He was named Poygai AzhwAr because he was born in a Poygai (pond). Through his
prabhandham, the meanings of the Vedams became clear in this world and the upliftment of
people from samsAric sufferings happened. At one time, Poygai AzhwAr was at
ThirukkOvalUr and stayed at the dehaLi (the space linking the outside with the inside of the
house) of MrugaNDu muni. Soon BhUtham and PEy AzhwArs joined Poygai at this dEhaLi
and they shared that narrow space. The Lord of ThirukkOvalUr (Aayan) desired (1) the
physical contact with the three AzhwAr's sareerams (bodies) and (2) the birth of their
prabhandhams. To accomplish these twin goals, Lord Aayan arrived at the crowded dEhaLi
and squeezed the AzhwArs. With the connection (Sambhandham) with the Lord's body, the
Jn~Anam of the three AzhwArs grew intensely, which enabled them to enjoy the splendour
and vaibhavam of their Lord. Each one of them composed one hundred paasurams. Poygai
started first with the Paasuram “VayyamE TahaLiyaa”, which served as the guiding lamp for
the world. Swamy Desikan sought the blessings of Poygai AzhwAr in this Paasuram for the
hundred Mudhal ThiruvandhAthi Paasurams to be established well in his mind.

sadagopan.org

11
 3: BHUTHATTHAZHWAR
sadagopan.org

kadanmallai kaavalanE bootha vEnthE

kaasinimE laippasiyi lavitta naaLvanthu
thidarkadiyunN thaNkOva lidaika ziccenRu
iNaiyillaa moovarumaa yisainthE niRka
naduviliva roruvarumen RaRiyaa vaNNam
naLLiruLil maalnerukka nanthaa NYaanac
sudarviLakkER RiyanbE thakaLi yaana
thodainooRu menakkaruLsey thulanga neeyE.

கடன்மல்ைலக் காவலேன த ேவந்ேத

காசினிேமைலப்பசியிலவிட்ட நாள்வந்
இடர்க ந் தண்ேகாவ ைடகழிச்ெசன்
இைணயில்லா வ மாயிைசந்ேத நிற்க
ந வி வெரா வ ெமன்றறியாவண்ணம்
நள்ளி ளில்மால்ெந க்கநந்தாஞானச்-
சுடர்விளக்ேகற்றிய, அன்ேப தகளியான
ெதாைட ெமனக்க ளெசய் லங்க நீேய

12
(MEANING):
BhuthatthAzhwAr was born in Iyppasi avittam at Thirukkadanmallai in the middle of a
Kurukkatthi flower as an ayOnijar (not born in the womb of a woman). He blessed us with
100 Paasurams housed in the second ThiruvandhAthi, which begins with the “anbE
tahaLiyaa”. Swamy Desikan prays to BhUthatthAzhwAr to bless him with the knowledge
about his hundred paasurams.

sadagopan.org

13
 4: PEYAZHWAAR:
sadagopan.org

maamayilaip pathiyathaniR Rulaamaa thatthil

varuNYsathayath thavatharitthuk kOva looriRl
thoomuniva riruvarudan thulanga ninRu
thunniyapE riruLNeengac sOthi thOnRac
sEmamuda Nnedumaalaik kaaNap pukkuth
thirukkaNdE Nnenavuraittha thEvE unRan
paamaruvu thamizmaalai nooRu paattum
pazavadiyE NnukkaruLsey parama neeyE.

மாமயிைலப்பதியதனில் லாமாதத்தில்
வ ஞ்சதயத்தவாித் க்ேகாவ ாில்
னிவாி வ டன் லங்கநின்
ன்னியேபாி ள்நீங்கச்ேசாதிேதான்றச்
ேசம டென மாைலக்காணப் க்குத்
தி க்கண்ேட ெனன ைரத்தேதேவ, உன்றன்-
பாம தமிழ்மாைல பாட் ம்
பழவ ேய க்க ள்ெசய்பரமநீேய

14
(MEANING):
pEyAzhwAr was born at Thirumayilai (near ThiruvallikkENi dhivya desam) on an Iypaasi
Sathayam inside a well in the temple of AadhikEsava PerumAL on a red lily flower as an
ayOnijar. Swamy Desikan prays to pEyAzhwAr for blessings of Jn~Anam about his 100
Paasurams starting with “ThirukkaNDEn”, which pays tribute to Mahaa Lakshmi first
before eulogizing Her Lord.

sadagopan.org

15
 5: THIRUMAZHISAI AZHWAR:
sadagopan.org

thaimagatthil varumazisaip paranE maRRaic

samayangaL palatherinthu maayO Nnallaal
theyvammaR Rillaiyena vuraittha vEthac
sezumporuLNaan muganthoNNooR RaaRu paattum
meymmiguttha thiruccantha virutthap paadal
viLangiyanNooR Rirupathunthap paamal meyyE
vaiyakatthu maRavaama luraitthu vaazum
vagaiyadiyE NnukkaruLsey magiznthu neeyE.
ைதம்மகத்தில் வ மழிைசப் பரேன மற்ைறச்-
சமயங்கள் பலெதாிந் , மாேயானல்லால்
ெதய்வம்மற்றில்ைலெயன ைரத்த ேவதச்-
ெச ம்ெபா ள்நான் கன்ெதாண் ற்றா பாட் ம்
ெமய்ம்மிகுத்த தி ச்சந்தவி த்தப்பாடல்
விளங்கிய ற் றி ப ந்தப்பாமல்ெமய்ேய
ைவயகத் மறவாம ைரத் வா ம்
வைகய ேய க்க ள்ெசய்மகிழ்ந் நீேய

16
(MEANING):
Thirumazhisai AzhwAr was born at Thirumazhisai (MaheesAra KshEthram) on Thai Maka
nakshathram. He established the fact that Sriman NaarAyaNan is the supreme divinity that
should be worshipped. This is the essence of Vedams. Thirumazhisai AzhwAr studied all the
darsanams and pointed their blemishes in Naanmukan ThiruvandhAthi containing 96
Paasurams. In his other Prabhandham of “Thirucchanda Viruttham”, containing 120
Paasurams, AzhwAr established the truism that all the chEtanams and achEtanams exist as
the body of the Lord. Swamy Desikan prays in this Prabhandha Saara Paasuram to
Thirumazhisai AzhwAr to bless him with the Jn~Anam about the 216 paasurams of the
AzhwAr for his upliftment.

sadagopan.org

17
 6: SWAMY NAMMAAZVAAR:
sadagopan.org

munnuraittha thiruviruttham nooRu paattum

muRaiyinvaru maasiriya mEzu paattum
manniyanNaR porutperiya thiruvanN thaathi
maRavaatha padiyeNpath thEzu paattum
pinnuraittha thOrthiruvaay moziyep pOthum
pizaiyaRavaa yiratthorunNooR Rirandu paattum
inNnNilatthil vaikaasi visaakanN thannil
eziRkurugai varumaaRaa virangu neeyE.

ன் ைரத்ததி வி த்தம் பாட் ம்

ைறயின்வ மாசிாியேம பாட் ம்
மன்னியநற்ெபா ட்ெபாியதி வந்தாதி
மறவாதப ெயண்பத்ேத பாட் ம்
பின் ைரத்தேதார்தி வாய்ெமாழி எப்ேபா ம்-
பிைழயறவாயிரத்ெதா ற் றிரண் பாட் ம்
இந்நிலத்தில்ைவகாசிவிசாகந்தன்னில்
எழிற்கு ைகவ மாறாவிரங்குநீேய

18
(EXTENDED MEANING):
Swamy Nammaazhwaar from infant days was totally uninterested in the material world and
its activities and was engaged in Yogic trance reflecting on the limitless auspicious attributes
of Sriman NaarAyaNan as he sat inside the hollow of a tamarind tree inside the temple of the
Lord of ThirukkuruhUr. All the dhivya dEsa Emperumans presented themselves before the
AzhwAr and received their mangaLAsAsanams. Those bhagavath anubhavams blossomed
into Thiruviruttham (100 Paasurams), Thiruvaasiriyam (7 Paasurams), Periya
ThiruvandhAthi (87 Paasurams) and ThiruvAimozhi (1102 Paasurams). In this Prabhandha
Paasuram, Swamy Desikan prays for the blessings of Jn~Anam about the four
aruLiccheyalkaLs of Swamy NammAzhwAr consisting of 1296 paasurams.

The first among the four Prabhandhams of Swamy NammAzhwAr is Thiruviruttham. In this
Prabhandham, AzhwAr enjoyed the Lord with His Jn~Ana chakshus (eye) and appealed to
the Lord to banish the unbearable sufferings of SamsAram. AzhwAr asked for the banning of
the first enemy of SamsAric sufferings, Prakruthi sambhandham in this Prabhandham of
Thiruviruttham. Therefore Swamy Desikan chose the word, “Munnuraittha” for this
Prabhandham in his appeal to the Lord. Mudal mudalAha sollapatta (Spoken for the first
time) is the meaning of “Munnuraittha”.

sadagopan.org
The second aruLiccheyal of AzhwAr is ThiruvAsiriyam. Sriman NaarAyaNan conceded to
AzhwAr's request housed in Thiruviruttham and blessed the Azhwar to enjoy His
svaroopam, ThirumEni, GuNam and VibhUthi (Iswaryam) right here. AzhwAr describes the
MuRai (Kramam) in which he enjoyed these infinite attributes of the Lord. Swamy Desikan
used the kramam for enjoying the Lord at Sri Vaikuntam. Swamy Desikan refers to this
kramam with the choice words of “muRayin varum”.

The third Prabhandham of the Azhwar is named “Periya ThiruvandhAthi”. Here, AzhwAr
expresses his ever increasing thirst for enjoying the Lord's auspicious attributes . He points
out that this type of unquenchable thirst for Bhagavath anubhavam is the key state for
SamsAris to be in to overcome the samsAric taapams. In view of this, Swamy Desikan refers
to the message of Periya ThiruvandhAthi as “manniya naRR poruL”.

The fourth Prabhandham of Swamy NammAzhwAr is revered as ThirvAimozhi. Here,

AzhwAr describes how his prayers for removal of Prakruthi Sambhandham were answered by
the Lord resulting in Moksha siddhi. Since this Prabhandham deals with the state that is
beyond all anubhavams (the final beautitude), Swamy Desikan connects this Prabhandham
with the words: “Pinnuraittha”.

19
 7: MATHURAKAVI AAZVAAR:
sadagopan.org

thERiyamaa NYaanamudan thirukkO Looril

sitthiraiyil sitthirainNaaL vanthu thOnRi
aaRiyanal lanbudanE kurukoor nambikku
anavaratha mantharanga vadimai seythu
maaRanaiyal laalenRu maRanthum thEvu
maRRaRiyE Nnenumathura kaviyE neemun
kooRiyakaN NinNuNsiRutthaam bathaniR paattuk
kulavupathi nonRumenak kuthavu neeyE.

ேதறியமாஞான டன் திக்ேகா ாில்

சித்திைரயில்சித்திைரநாள்வந் ேதான்றி
ஆறியநல்லன் டேனகு கூர்நம்பிக்கு
அனவரதமந்தரங்கவ ைமெசய்
மாறைனயல்லாெலன் மறந் ம் ேத -

20
 மற்றறிேயென ம ரகவிேய, நீ ன்-
கூறியகண்ணி ண்சி த்தாம்பதனிற்பாட் க்
குல பதிெனான் ெமனக்குத நீேய.

(MEANING):
Sri Madhura Kavi was born at ThirukkOLUr, the dhivya dEsam near ThirukkuruhUr, the
birth place of Swamy NammAzhwAr. when Chithra nakshathram was in ascendance in a
Chittirai month, Madhura Kavi was born in a Brahmin family. At this time, BhagavAn
KaNNan was still in His vibhava avathAram on this earth at DhvArakai. Madhura Kavi was
determined that he should approach the Lord only through an AchAryan and therefore did
not pay attention to the GeethAchAryan directly. Madhura Kavi was waiting to meet that
SadAchAryan. After Swamy NammAzhwAr incarnated, Madhura Kavi chose him as his
sadAchAryan and performed SaraNAgathy at Swamy NammAzhwAr's feet and engaged in
celebration of those scared feet and the dhivya Sookthis of his AchAryan as tArAka -pOshaka
bhOgyam. Madhura Kavi performed uninterrupted Kaimkaryam to Swamy NammAzhwAr

sadagopan.org
and demonstrated AchArya Bhakthi is superior to Bhagavath Bhakthi. He composed a Sri
Sookthi with the name of “KaNNinuNN SiRutthAmpu” to instruct us on the superior
tatthvam of AchArya Bhakthi. Madhura Kavi stressed in his Prabhandham that those who do
not have the AchArya Sambhandham will not gain Moksham even if they might have superior
Bhagavath Bhakthi. Madhura Kavi is the first one to reveal this important doctrine. Swamy
Desikan prays for the anugraham of Madhura Kavi to be blessed with the Jn~Anam about the
11 Paasurams of his Dhivya Prabhandham to follow that path to Moksham.

21
 8: KULASEKARAAZVAAR:
sadagopan.org

ponpuraiyum vERkulasE karanE maasip

punarpoosath thezilvaNYsik kaLatthuth thOnRi
anbudanE namperumaaL sempoR kOyil
anaitthulakin peruvaazvu madiyaar thangaL
inpamigu perunguzuvuNG kaaNa maNmEl
iruLiriya venReduttha visaiyiR sonna
nanporuLsEr thirumozinNooR Rainthu paattum
nanRaaka venakkaruL sey nalki neeyE.

ெபான் ைர ம்ேவற்குலேசகரேன மாசிப்-

னர் சத்ெதழில்வஞ்சிக்களத் த்ேதான்றி
அன் டேன நம்ெப மாள்ெசம்ெபாற்ேகாயில்
அைனத் லகின்ெப வாழ் ம், அ யார் தங்கள்-
இன்பமிகுெப ங்கு ங்காண மண்ேமல்-

22
 இ ளிாியெவன்ெற த்தவிைசயிற்ெசான்ன
நன்ெபா ள்ேசர் தி ெமாழி ற்ைறந் பாட் ம்
நன்றாகெவனக்க ள்ெசய் நல்கி நீேய

(MEANING):
KulasEkharar was born at ThiruvanjikkuLam in ChEra Naadu during Maasi Punarvasu. He
was a king and while he ruled his land, he demonstrated (1) deep attachment to Raama,
KrishNa Vibhava avathArams of the Lord (2) Great bhakthi for the archaa mUrthys at
Srirangam and Thirumala and (3) unalloyed respect for BhaagavathAs. He blessed us with a
Prabhandham named “PerumAL Thirumozhi” containing 105 Paasurams. Swamy Desikan
prays to KulasEkharar here to bless him with the power to comprehend the deep tatthvams of
(1) reverence for BhAgavathAs of the Lord and (2) Bhagavath bhakthi.

sadagopan.org

23
 9: PERIYAAZHWAAR:
sadagopan.org

pEraNintha villiputthoo raani thannil

peruNYsOthi thaniRROnRum perumaanEmun
seeraNintha paaNdiyanRan nenju thannil
thiiyakkaRamaal paratthuvatthai thiRamaac seppi
vaaraNamEn mathuraivalam varavE vaanin
maalkaruda vagananaayth thOnRa vaaztthu
mEraNipal laaNdumuthaR paattu naanooR
Rezupatthon RiraNdumenak kuthavu neeyE.

24
 ேபரணிந்த வில் த் ரானிதன்னில்
ெப ஞ்ேசாதிதனில்ேதான் ம் ெப மாேன, ன்
சீரணிந்த பாண் யன்றன்ெநஞ்சுதன்னில்
தியக்கறமால்பரத் வத்ைதத்திறமாச்ெசப்பி
வாரணேமல்ம ைரவலம்வரேவ வானில்-
மால்க டவாகனனாய்த்ேதான்றவாழ்த் ம்
ஏரணிபல்லாண் தற்பாட் நா ற்-
ெற பத்ெதான்றிரண் ெமனக்குத நீேய.

(MEANING):
PeriyAzhwar was born during Aani SvAthi at SrivilliputthUr. The king of PaaNdya dEsam

sadagopan.org
had tied up a purse of gold for the winner in the debate to establish who among Gods is the
Supreme Being (Para DEvathai). The king convened an assembly of scholars to debate.
PeriyAzhwAr attended this vidwath sathas at he behest of his AchAryan and established
without any doubt that Sriman NaarAyaNan is that Supreme deity and Tatthvam. The bag
containing gold (prize money) was tied way high up on the top of a pole for all to see. When
PeriyAzhwAr finished his debate, the pole bent to bring the bag of gold in front of him to
demonstrate AzhwAr's victory. The king's doubt was removed and he became joyous. He
placed AzhwAr on the back of the royal elephant and took the AzhwAr on a procession along
the streets of his kingdom. EmperumAn with PirAtti on Garudan positioned themselves
over the procession route to enjoy the honor given to PeriyAzhwAr. The soubhAgyam of the
darsanam of the Lord with His Piraatti by the AazhwAr led to the outpouring of the moving
Paasurams of PallANDu. PeriyAzhwAr contributed 473 Paasurams in his Prabhandham
known as PeriyAzhwAr Thirumozhi. Swamy Desikan seeks the blessings of PeriyAzhwAr to
gain the Jn~Anam about all these 473 Paasurams.

25
 10: GODHAA PIRAATTI:
sadagopan.org

vEyarpugaz villiputthoo raadip pooram

mEnmElu migaviLanga vittu sitthan
thooyathiru magaLaayvanN tharanga Nnaarkkuth
thuzaaymaalai mudisoodik koduttha maathE
nEyamudan Riruppavaip paattaa Rainthum
neeyuraittha thaiyoruthiNG katpaa maalai
aayapugaz nooRudanaaR patthu moonRum
anbudanE yadiyEnuk karuLsey neeyE.

ேவயர் கழ்வில் த் ரா ப் ரம்

ேமன்ேம ம்மிகவிளங்க, விட் சித்தன்-
யதி மகளாய்வந் அரங்கனார்க்குத்-
ழாய்மாைல சூ க்ெகா த்தமாேத
ேநய டன்தி ப்பாைவப்பாட்டாைறந் ம்

26
 நீ ைரத்தைதெயா திங்கட்பாமாைல
ஆய கழ் டன்நாற்பத் ன் ம்
அன் டேனய ேய க்க ள்ெசய் நீேய.

(MEANING):
Andal incarnated under a TuLasi bush in the nandavanam of PeriyAzhwAr on a Poora
Nakshathram day of Aadi Maasam. PeriyAzhwAr discovered Her there as he went about
developing an irrigation channel for the TuLasi bush. PeriyAzhwAr raised GodhA as his
foster daughter just as King Janaka raised SitA PirAtti earlier. Azhwaar nourished Godhai
with the milk of Jn~Anam. GodhA developed intense love for Sri RanganAtha and chose the
Lord as Her future husband. During Her maiden days, She adorned the flower garland
created by Her father and checked to see whether Her beauty will please the Lord. The Lord
at the temple in Srivilliputthur (Vada Pathra Sayee) welcomed the garlands worn by GodhA
and was joyous about adorning them. Later Sri Ranganatha of Srirangam arranged for
Godhai to come to His temple and there Godhai became one with Him.

sadagopan.org

27
 11: THONDARADIPPODI AAZHWAAR:
sadagopan.org

mannumathiL tirumaNdaNG gudithaan vaaza

maar_kazimaa thakkEttai naaLil vanthu
thunnupukazth thoNdaradip podiyE neemun
thuuzaaymaalaip paNiyadimai seythu naaLum
thennaranga maNavaaLaR kanpu mikkuc
seppiyanNaR Rirumaalai naaRpath thainthum
panniyanNaR RiruppaLLi yezucci patthum
pazavadiyE NnukkaruLsey parinthu neeyE.

மன் மதிள்தி மண்டங்கு தான்வாழ

மார்கழிமாதக்ேகட்ைடநாளில்வந்
ன் கழ்த்ெதாண்டர ப்ெபா ேய நீ ன்-
ழாய்மாைலப் பணிய ைமெசய் நா ம்
ெதன்னரங்கமணவாளற்கன் மிக்குச்
ெசப்பியநற்றி மாைலநாற்பத்ைதந் ம்
பன்னியநற்றி ப்பள்ளிெய ச்சிபத் ம்
பழவ ேய க்க ள்ெசய்பாிந் நீேய

28
(MEANING):
Thondaradipodi was born during a Maarghazhi Kettai at ThirumaNdangudi in ChOLa
dEsam. He was by nature filled with Satthva guNam and migrated to Srirangam to construct
a flower garden for the Lord and to engage in flower (garland) kaimkaryam for Lord
RanganAthan. The anubhavam from that Kaimkaryam led ThoNDaradipodi AzhwAr to
dedicate his prabhandham of ThirumAlai (45 Paasurams) nad ThirupaLLiyezucchi (10
Paasurams) at the sacred feet of the Lord. Swamy Desikan prays to the AzhwAr to bless him
with the Jn~Anam about these 55 Paasurams.

sadagopan.org

29
 12: THIRUPPAANAAAZHWAAR:
sadagopan.org

ulakaRiya malipugazkkaarth thigaimaa thatthil

urOkiNinNaa LuRanthaivaLam pathiyiR ROnRith
thalamaLantha thennarangar paalu lOka
saaranga maamunithOLthanilE vanthu
palamaRaiyin poruLaaRpaaN perumaa LEnNee
paathaathi kEsamathaayp paadith thantha
solavamala Nnaathipiraan patthu paattum
sOraama lenakkaruLsey thulanga neeyE.

உலகறியம ழ்க்கார்த்திைகமாதத்தில்
உேராகிணிநா றந்ைதவளம்பதியில்ேதான்றித்
தலமளந்தெதன்னரங்கர்பால் உேலாக-
சாரங்கமா னிேதாள்தனிேலவந்

30
 பலமைறயின்ெபா ளாற்பாண்ெப மாேள நீ-
பாதாதிேகசமதாய்ப்பா த்தந்த
ெசாலவமலனாதிபிரான்பத் ப்பாட் ம்
ேசாராமெலனக்க ள்ெசய் லங்க நீேய

(MEANING):
ThiruppANAzhwAr was born at UrayUr in ChOla dEsam during a Kaarthikai RohiNi in a
field of red rice paddy. He grew up in the PaaNar (Wandering Ministrel) kulam. Due to the
grace of the Lord, ThiruppANar had developed intense desire to sing about the kalyANa
guNams of the Lord. Feeling sensitive that he was born in a lower caste, he hesitated to
enter the temple of Sri RanganAthan and stayed on the bank of Cauveri with his string
instrument (Yaazh) and was immersed in Bhagavath GuNAnubhavam. One day the temple
priest, who came to collect water from Cauvery for the Thirumanjanam of the Lord asked
ThiruppANar to move away from the place of collection of the abhshEkam water for the Lord

sadagopan.org
because of PaaNar's lower caste. ThiruppANar was totally lost in singing about the Lord's
divine attributes did not hear the command of the temple priest ; latter got annoyed and
threw a little pebble in the water near PaaNar to wake him up from his trance-like state. That
pebble lost direction and hit PaaNar on his forehead. PaaNar woke up, regretted his mistake
and moved away. As the Temple priest entered the Sannidhi of Lord Ranganatha, he saw
blood flowing from the forehead of RanganAtha at the very same place where PaaNar was
wounded. The Temple priest was saddened over his apachAram to the dear devotee of the
Lord. That night, Lord Ranganatha appeared in the dream of his priest and ordered him to
bring PaaNar, His dear bhakthan, on the shoulder of the priest to His sanctum. The priest
arrived at the place, where PaaNar was singing about the Lord and persuaded the reluctant
PaaNar to ride on his shoulder to the Lord's sannidhi. PaaNar had closed his eyes all the way
during his journey from the bank of Cauvery to the Lord's garbha graham. Once he alighted
from the shoulders (Muni Vaahanam), ThiruppANar broke out into a rapturous eulogy of the
Lord's beauty from foot to head through his Prabhandham of AmalanAdhi PirAn and
declared in the final paasuram that his eyes will not see anything else now that they have seen
Sri RanganAthan. After singing that final Paasuram, ThiruppANar merged with the Archaa
Murthy of Sri RanganAthan. Swamy Desikan prays here to ThiruppANar to bless him with
the dhivya Jn~Anam about the AmalanAdhipirAn Prabhandham.

31
 13: THIRUMANGAI AAZVAAR:
sadagopan.org

aRivutharum periyathiru mozithap paamal

aayiratthO deNpatthu naalu paattum
kuRiyathoru thaaNdagamNaa lainthaa RainthuNG
kulaanNedunthaaN dakamezukooR Rirukkai yonRum
siRiyamadaR paattumuppath thetti raNdum
seerperiya madaRaNniRpaat tezupath thettum
iRaiyavanE kaartthigaiyiR kaartthi kainaaL
eziRkuraiyal varukaliyaa virangu neeyE.

அறி த ம்ெபாியதி ெமாழிதப்பாமல்

ஆயிரத்ேதாெடண்பத் நா பாட் ம்
குறியெதா தாண்டகம்நாைலந் ஆைறந் ங்-
குலாெந ந்தாண் டகெம கூற்றி க்ைகெயான் ம்
சிறியமடற்பாட் ப்பத்ெதட் ரண் ம்
சீர்ெபாியமடல்தனிற்பாட்ெட பத்ெதட் ம்
இைறயவேன கார்த்திைகயிற்கார்த்திைகநாள்
எழிற்குைரயல்வ க யாவிரங்கு நீேய

32
(MEANING):
Thirumangai AzhwAr was born at ThirukkurayalUr during Kaarthikai , when the Kritthika
nakshathram was in ascendance. He received AshtAkshara ManthrOpadEsam directly from
the Lord and blessed us with 1253 Paasurams housed in the following six Prabhandhams:
Periya Thirumozhi (1084), ThirukkurunthANDakam (20), ThirunedumthANDakam (30
Paasurams), ThiruvezhukURRirukkai (1), SiRiya Thirumadal(40 Paasurams) and Periya
Thirumadal (78 Paasurams). Swamy Desikan prayed to Thirumangai AzhwAr to bless him
with the Jn~Anam about his six AruLiccheyalkaLs.

sadagopan.org

33
 14: SRIBAASHYAKAARAR: THIRUVARANGATTHAMUTHANAAR
sadagopan.org

thEsamelaa mukanthidavE perumpoo thooril

sitthiraiyi laathirainNaaL vanthu thOnRik
kaasinimEl vaathiyarai venRa rangar
gathiyaaka vaazntharuLu methiraa saamun
poosurarkOn thiruvarangath thamutha Nnaarun
ponnadimE lanthaathi yaakap pORRip
pEsiyanNaR kalitthuRainNooR Rettup paattum
pizaiyaRavE yenakkaruLsey pENi neeyE.

34
 ேதசெமலா கந்திடேவ ெப ம் ாில்
சித்திைரயிலாதிைரநாள் வந் ேதான்றிக்
காசினிேமல் வாதியைரெவன் அரங்கர்
கதியாகவாழ்ந்த ெமதிராசா, ன்-
சுரர்ேகான்தி வரங்கத்த தனார் உன்-
ெபான்ன ேமலந்தாதியாகப்ேபாற்றிப்
ேபசியநற்க த் ைற ற்ெறட் ப்பாட் ம்
பிைழயரேவெயனக்க ள்ெசய்ேபணி நீேய

(MEANING):
In SriperumbhUthUr of ThoNDai Naadu, during a Chitthirai month, when ThiruvAdhirai
nakshathram was in ascendance, Sri BhAshyakArar was born to save the people of the world.

sadagopan.org
KurEsar was the dear sishya of Acharya Ramanuja. ThiruvarangatthamudhanAr became the
sishya of KurEsar and composed the Prabhandham of Sri RaamAnuja NooRRandhAthi (108
Paasurams)along the lines commanded by Sri BhAshyakArar. It is in the metre of KattaLai
KalitthuRai and follows the andhAthi format. Sri BhAshyakArar suggesteed that AmudanAr
to keep the links to AzhwAr in mind, while composing the NooRRandhAthi. Sri
BhAshyakArar approved the recitation of this Prabhandham by all and taught first
Thirukkuruhai PirAn PiLLAn the 4000 sacred collect including this Prabhandham. Therefore,
Swamy Desikan prays directly to Sri BhAshyakArar instead of to the author of this
NooRRandhAthi (AmudanAr) to bless him with the Jn~Anam about this NooRRandhAthi.

35
 15. DIVISION OF THE 4000 SACRED WORKS BY AZHWAARS
sadagopan.org

eNNinmutha laazvaar_kaL moonRu nooRum

ezinmazisaip piraanirunNooR Rorupath thaaRum
uNmaimiku maaRanmaRai yaayi ratthOdu
uRRairu nooRRutthoN NooRu maaRum
vaNmaiyudai mathurakavi patthu monRum
vaNYsiyarkO NnooRRainthum patta naathan
paNNiyalnaa nooRRezu patthu moonRum
paarkkOthai nooRRezu patthu moonRE.

எண்ணின் தலாழ்வார்கள் ன் ம்
எழில்மழிைசப்பிரானி ற்ெறா பத்தா ம்
உண்ைமமிகுமாறன்மைறயாயிரத்ேதா
உற்றஇ ற் த்ெதாண் மா ம்
வண்ைம ைடம ரகவிபத் ெமான் ம்
வஞ்சியர்ேகான் ற்ைறந் ம், பட்ட நாதன்
பண்ணியல்நா ற்ேற பத் ன் ம்
பார்க்ேகாைத ற்ேற பத் ன்ேற....(15)

36
(MEANING):
Swamy Desikan records precisely for posterity the authentic division of the 4000 sacred
collect: ThoNDaradippodi (55 Paasurams); PaaNar (10); Thirumangai (1253); the mukthi
granting paasurams of Amudanaar on Sri BhAshyakArar's sacred feet (108); Mudhal AzhwAr
(300 in total with 100 each for Poygai, BhUtham and pEy); the luminous Thirumazhisai (216);
The Paasurams of Swamy NammAzhwAr, which are the essence of Vedams (1296 housed in
his 4 Prabhandhams); the generous Madhura Kavi known for his AchArya Bhakthi (10); King
KulasEkhara (105); PeriyAzhwAr (473) and Andal, who is an amsam of BhUmi DEvi (173). All
of these add up to 4000 Paasurams that are the saadhanam for our upliftment (ujjeeva
saadhanam for us).

sadagopan.org

37
 PAASURAM 16:
pattharadip podipaada laimbath thainthum
paaNar_pugal patthudanE parakaa lansol
atthanuyar vEngadamaaR kaayi ratthOdu
aanairu nooRROraim patthu moonRum
mutthitharu methiraasar ponna dikkE
mozinthavamu thar_paadal NnooRu mettum
etthisaiyum vaazavivar paadi vaittha
ivainNaalaa yiramumadi yOngaL vaazvE.

பத்தர ப்ெபா பாடைலம்பத்ைதந் ம்

பாணர் கல்பத் டேனபரகாலன்ெசால்
அத்த யர்ேவங்கடமாற்காயிரத்ேதா
sadagopan.org

ஆனஇ ற்ேறாைரம்பத் ன் ம்
த்தித ெமதிராசர்ெபான்ன க்ேக
ெமாழிந்தவ தர்பாடல் ெமட் ம்
எத்திைச ம்வாழவிவர்பா ைவத்த
இைவநாலாயிர ம ேயாங்கள்வாழ்ேவ

Divyaprabhandham

38
 PAASURAM 17:

vaiyakameN poygaiboo thampE yaazvaar

mazisaiyarkOn magizmaaRan mathura kavikaL
poyyilpukazk kOziyarkOn vittu sitthan
poongOthai thoNdaradip podipaa Naazvaar
aiyanarut kaliyanethi raasar thammOdu
aaRiruva rOroruvar ravar_thaaNY seytha
thuyyathami zirupatthu naaNnkiR paattin
thogainNaalaa yiramumadi yOngaL vaazvE.

ைவயகெமண்ெபாய்ைக தம்ேபயாழ்வார்
மழிைசயர்ேகான்மகிழ்மாறன்ம ரகவிகள்
ெபாய்யில் கழ்க்ேகாழியர்ேகான்விட் சித்தன்

sadagopan.org
ங்ேகாைதெதாண்டர ப்ெபா பாணாழ்வார்
ஐயன ட்க யெனதிராசர்தம்ேமா
ஆறி வேராெரா வரவர்தாஞ்ெசய்த
ய்யதமிழி பத் நான்கிற்பாட் ன்
ெதாைகநாலாயிர ம ேயாங்கள்வாழ்ேவ.

(MEANING 16-17):
In the previous paasuram, Swamy Desikan pointed out that the sacred collect of 4000
Paasurams of the 12 AzhwArs and Arangatthu AmudhanAr are the saadhanam for our
ujjevanam (adiyOngaL Vaazzhvu). In this Paasuram, Sawmy Desikan lists (1) the names of
the 13 creators of the 24 Prabhandhams that are the nithya dAsAs of the Lord, (2) these 4000
sacred collect and (3) their 13 authors. Swamy Desikan points out that the above three are the
means for Moksham.

39
sadagopan.org

“Swamy Desikan”

40
 18: PHALASRUTI
anthamilaa aaraNanNaa laaki ninRa
athaNnkarutthai yaazvaar_ka Laaynthe dutthuc
senthamizaa laruLseytha vagaitho gaiyum
sinthaama lulakangaL vaaza venRu
santhamigu thamizmaRaiyOn thUppulthOnRum
vEthaantha gurumozintha prapantha saaram
sinthaiyinaa lanuthinamuNY sinthip pOrkkuc
sEmamathaanN thirumaaRRan karuNai yaalE.

அந்தமிலாஆரணநாலாகிநின்ற
அதன்க த்ைதயாழ்வார்களாய்ந்ெத த் ச்
ெசந்தமிழால ள்ெசய்தவைகெதாைக ம்

sadagopan.org
சிந்தாம லகங்கள்வாழெவன்
சந்தமிகுதமிழ்மைறேயான் ப் ல்ேதான் ம்
ேவதாந்தகு ெமாழிந்தப்ரபந்தசாரம்
சிந்ைதயினால தினஞ்சிந்திப்ேபார்க்குச்
ேசமமதாந்தி மால்தன்க ைணயாேல

(MEANING):
The VedAs are limitless. They have been classified as Rg, Yajur, Saama and AtarvaNa vedAs.
The AzhwArs distilled the essence of these VedAs and their Upanishads to create the 4000
sacred collect for our upliftment. adiyEn VedAntha Desikan of ThUppul listed precisely the
the number of Paasurams of each of the 12 AzhwArs and AmudhanAr to make sure that there
are no mistakes in the counts of these Paasurams or Prabhandhams. Swamy Desikan states
here that those who learn and recite these Paasurams with devotion would enjoy Parama
KshEmam through the grace of EmperumAn. Here Swamy Desikan describes himself as
“Tamizh MaRayOn” as abhivAdhanam due to his great fondness for the AzhwAr
AruLiccheyalhaLs and names them Tamizh vEdams (Tamizh maRaikaL).

41
 kivtaikRk is<hay kLya[ gu[zailne,

ïImte ve»qezay vedaNt gurve nm>.

kavitaarkika siMhaaya kalyaaNa guNa shaaline.
shrImate ve~NkaTeshaaya vedaanta gurave namaH.
sadagopan.org

“Swamy Nammaazhwar ThiruvadigaLE Saranam”

Daasan, Oppiliappan Koil V. Sadagopan

42