Nammaḻvar, aka: Nammāḻvār, Nammalvar, Nammālvār; 2 Definition(s)

Introduction

Nammaḻvar means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Nammālvār (नम्माल्वार्).—The first of the twelve great Ālvārs. The Śaivite devotees of South India are called Nāyanārs and the Vaisṇavite devotees, Ālvārs. The word ālvār means, a devotee of God. The Vaiṣṇava religion says that the twelve ālvārs are the incarnations of Ādiśeṣa and Garuḍa the followers and the embodied deities of the Conch and the discus the weapons of Viṣṇu. It is mentioned in Śrīmad Bhāgavata that divine persons who are followers of Viṣṇu will incarnate on the earth in Kaliyuga and that their native places will be the banks of the holy rivers in Drāviḍa such as Tāmraparṇī, Kṛtamālā (Vaigai), Payasvinī (Pāpanāśinī) and Kāverī. It is stated about these divine persons in Viṣṇumāhātmya that they would take birth in any caste and compose Drāviḍa songs and thereby propagate lofty truths. The collection of Drāviḍa songs thus composed by the ālvārs is called 'Divya Prabandha' (Divine Composition).

There are four thousand songs in four parts in the Divine composition and hence it has the name Nālāyira Prabandham 'Four thousand composition'. The theme of the 1st and 2nd thousands is a secret known as 'Tirumantra' (the divine spell). The third thousand is concerned with the "Caramaśloka" (the verse of death) and in the fourth "Dvayamantra" is dealt with. The Tirumantra (the divine spell) is the collection of of three words Om, namaḥ and Nārāyaṇāya. (See full article at Story of Nammālvār from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

India history and geogprahy

The last of the Āḻvārs, Nammāḻvār, writing in the 9th century, expresses poignantly both the pain and ecstasy of being in love with God, revivifying mythology into revelation.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

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