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
ReligionHinduism
AuthorNammalvar
LanguageTamil
Period9th–10th century CE
Verses7

Hymns

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The 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

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References

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Topics in Tamil literature
Sangam Literature
Five Great Epics
Silappatikaram Manimekalai
Civaka Cintamani Valayapathi
Kundalakesi
The Five Minor Epics
Neelakesi Culamani
Naga Kumara Kaviyam Udayana Kumara Kaviyam
Yashodhara Kaviyam
Bhakti Literature
Naalayira Divya Prabandham Kamba Ramayanam
Tevaram Tirumurai
Tamil people
Sangam Sangam landscape
Tamil history from Sangam literature Ancient Tamil music
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  1. ^ Richman, Paula (April 2008). Extraordinary Child. Penguin Books India. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-14-306317-9.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Dr. Narinder Sharma. Thiruvaasiriyam.
  4. ^ Nair, Shantha (2014-01-07). Sri Venkateshwara. Jaico Publishing House. p. 76. ISBN 978-81-8495-445-6.
  5. ^ Makarand Joshi. The Sacred Book Of Four Thousand 01 Nalayira Divya Prabandham Sri Rama Bharati 2000. p. 702.
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