What is Nalayira Divyaprabandham?
- A.Compositions by the Alvars compiled in the form of an anthology
- B.Hymns composed by Nayanars
- C.Eulogies composed for Chola kings
- D.An exposition of the hymns of Rig Veda in Malayalam
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A, an anthology of the compositions of the Alvars. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham, meaning "four thousand sacred compositions", gathers the Tamil hymns of the twelve Vaishnava saints known as Alvars.
The Alvars were devotees of Vishnu who lived roughly between the 6th and 9th centuries in the Tamil country and sang in praise of him at temples such as Srirangam and Tirupati. Their songs were collected into this anthology by Nathamuni in about the 10th century. Vaishnavas regard it as highly as the Vedas and often call it the Tamil Veda. Among the Alvars were Andal, the only woman among them, and Nammalvar, whose Tiruvaymoli forms a large part of the collection.
B is wrong: the Nayanars were devotees of Shiva, and their hymns are gathered in the Tevaram and the Tirumurai.
C is wrong: the collection is devotional poetry addressed to Vishnu, not praise of Chola rulers.
D is wrong: it is a Tamil work of original hymns, not a Malayalam commentary on the Rig Veda.
Exam tip: Alvars (12, Vishnu) → Nalayira Divyaprabandham, compiled by Nathamuni; Nayanars (63, Shiva) → Tevaram/Tirumurai.
Practice Questions
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