The Tiruvaciriyam (Tamil: திருவாசிரியம், romanized: Tiruvaciriyam, lit. 'Sacred meter')[1] is a compilation of hymns written by Nammalvar, one of the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. This work, which is a part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, consists of seven hymns[2] referred to as pasurams, dedicated to the praise of the Hindu preserver deity, Vishnu. It is often regarded to contain the essence of the Yajurveda.[3][4]
| Tiruvaciriyam | |
|---|---|
 Painting of Vishnu upon Shesha, Sri Appan Venkatachalapati Temple, Cheranmahadevi. | |
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Author | Nammalvar |
| Language | Tamil |
| Period | 9th–10th century CE |
| Verses | 7 |
Hymns
editThe first hymn of the work describes Vishnu reclining upon his serpent-mount, Shesha, extolled as a deity without equal:[5]
O Lord with lotus-red feet that strode the Earth! Wearing the red clouds as vestments, the radiant Sun as a diadem, the pleasing Moon on your person, and stars spangled all over, with red coral lips, and green-radiance spreading emerald mountains, you lie in the arms of the sea-lord, seeming like one asleep
Wearing a yellow vestment, a crown, and many golden jewels, the red of your eyes and lips glowing, the green of your body overpowering the red, in the middle of the Ocean of Milk, on a serpent with many hoods,
You recline in deep sleep where all the gods led by Siva, Brahma, and Indra stand and offer worship. O Lord without a peer or superior, with a lotus on your navel!— Tiruvaciriyam, Hymn 1
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Richman, Paula (April 2008). Extraordinary Child. Penguin Books India. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-14-306317-9.
- ^ Aiyangar, Sakkottai Krishnaswami (2004). Ancient India: Collected Essays on the Literary and Political History of Southern India. Asian Educational Services. p. 398. ISBN 978-81-206-1850-3.
- ^ Dr. Narinder Sharma. Thiruvaasiriyam.
- ^ Nair, Shantha (2014-01-07). Sri Venkateshwara. Jaico Publishing House. p. 76. ISBN 978-81-8495-445-6.
- ^ Makarand Joshi. The Sacred Book Of Four Thousand 01 Nalayira Divya Prabandham Sri Rama Bharati 2000. p. 702.