The term “Alvars” refers to a group of twelve ancient Tamil poet-saints in South India who were devoted to the worship of Lord Vishnu. The Alvars lived between the 5th and 9th centuries CE and played a significant role in the development and spread of the Bhakti movement, particularly the Vaishnavism tradition.
Each Alvar composed devotional hymns, known as “pasurams,” expressing their intense love and devotion to Lord Vishnu and his incarnations. These hymns are compiled in the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, a collection of 4,000 verses, which is considered a holy scripture in the Tamil Vaishnavite tradition.
Alwars are those who are merged in Lord Vishnu’s devotion and those who also immerse us in Lord’s devotion. If we could remember and contemplate on the life stories of these Alwars, Lord Vishnu will become extremely pleased, because He is so fond of His pure devotees.
The twelve Alvars are:
- Poigai Alvar (Same text for next two Alvars also)
- Bhoothath Alvar
- Pey Alvar
- Thirumalisai Alvar
- Kulasekhara Alvar
- Periyalvar
- Andal
- Thondaradippodi Alvar
- Thiruppaan Alvar
- Thirumangai Alvar
- Nammalvar (Same text for next Alvar also)
- Madhurakavi Alvar
Reason for Their Birth
Let’s see who these Alwars are and why did they take birth. We all know that Dwapara yuga lasted for 864,000 years. The influence of Kali started during the last few years of Dwapara yuga itself, even before the actual commencement of Kaliyuga. We know the story of Duryodhana who took birth with the influence of Kali. At that time Lord Vishnu called 12 of His weapons and powers. When they inquired the reason for calling them, the Lord said, “Kaliyuga is about to start and it’s going to be filled with vices. I need your help.” The weapons immediately replied, “Oh Lord! We shall go to Earth and kill all those who deviate from dharma. You please stay here only. We shall establish Dharma and come back. “
Then Lord smilingly replied, “Dear sons, it’s not possible to kill like that in Kaliyuga. Not even one person would remain if you start chopping off people who have vices in Kaliyuga.”
Isn’t it? If you give it a little thought you would understand. In Dwapara yuga only Duryodhana had Ahankara (false ego). So he was killed. Drutarashtra had Moha (attachment). Someone like Keechaka had Kama (lust). Sakuni had cheating nature. It was just needed to kill few people as they had something like one bad quality per person. But if you see in kaliyuga, tell me who has no bad qualities? Do you (or) I not have any bad qualities? Everyone of us have bad qualities. We are not like Kanchi Paramacharya or Ramana maharshi. So, who among us would remain if weapons come and start killing?
Then they (weapons) got puzzled and asked the Lord, “Lord! You please tell us our duty then?”
Lord replied, “Your Amshas should take birth on earth in the form of Alwars and preach devotion.”
“Also, give amazing Dravida literature to the people, upon reading which both internal and external enemies (like Arishadvargas etc..) should be killed.”
Commanding this, Lord sent them to the Earth. They are 12 in total (as shown in the picture).
They incarnated on Earth and gave amazing Keerthans. Also, few of them showed their lives as examples to kill each of the Arishadvargas present in us (both internal and external enemies).
The 4000 keerthnas composed by them is called “Nalayira Divya Prabandham”. Another amazing thing they did was: There are 108 Divya Tirupatis, out of which 106 are visible to us and two more are present in another plane non-visible to us. These Alwars have sanctified these 108 holy places and reactivated them.
We shall read about the history of those 12 Alvars.