Nammazhvar : Questions and Answers

Question : Identify the divyadesam and perumal and tha:yar. Hint: Check out the Sri Sata:ri has Nammazhva:r vigraham in it.
Image source: Not known.



your image

Posted On : 10-06-2023



ANSWER : Na:ngune:ri, Va:nama:malai (Deivana:yakam, Srivaramangai)




Question : The tamaraind tree under which Namma:zhva:r sat throughout his life is considered as an incarnation of ?


Posted On : 09-06-2023



ANSWER : A:dise:sha




Question : Name the parents of Swami Namma:zhva:r?


Posted On : 08-06-2023



ANSWER : Ka:ri (Thiru Ka:riya:r) and Udaiya nangai




Question : Namma:zhva:r's parents pray to the Lord in this Divyadesam for a child. ANd it is believed the Lord here took birth as Namma:zhva:r
(1) Thirukurunkudi
(2) Thiruvanparisa:ram
(3) A:zhva:R Thirunagari
(4) Thiruko:valu:r


Posted On : 07-06-2023



ANSWER : Ans (1)




Question : Unscramble (Nammazhvar is referred to by these terms)

appnaran anaj satrtoakoh
dvema taimzh iased ramnaa
rruyugikaa onk


Posted On : 06-06-2023



ANSWER : Prapanna Jana Kootasthar
Vedam Tamizh seida Maaran
Kurugaiyar Kon




Question : Match the following
(1) Thiruviruththam -- (a) Yajur Ve:da sa:ram
(2) Thiruva:siriyam - (b) Sa:ma Ve:da sa:ram
(3) Periya Thiruvandha:dhi -- (c) Rg Ve:da sa:ram
(4) Thiruva:imozhi -- (d) AtharvaNa Ve:da sa:ram


Posted On : 05-06-2023



ANSWER : Match the following
(1) Thiruviruththam -- (c) Rg Ve:da sa:ram
(2) Thiruva:siriyam - (a) Yajur Ve:da sa:ram
(3) Periya Thiruvandha:dhi -- (d) AtharvaNa Ve:da sa:ram
(4) Thiruva:imozhi -- (b) Sa:ma Ve:da sa:ram




Question : !!! Swami Nammazhvar thiruvadigale Saranam !!!
Jai Sriman NArayana

Identify from which temple is this Nammazhvar?/ (Hint check his mudra)
Image courtesy : pbase.com/svami



your image

Posted On : 02-06-2023



ANSWER : Kanchipuram Varadaraja temple (Perumal Kovil)

https://pbase.com/svami/image/143834328




Question : Swami Namma:zhva:r is referred to as _______ because he sat under the tamarind tree
(1) Satako:pa
(2) Kurukai pira:n
(3) ThirupuLia:zhva:r
(4) Ma:ran


Posted On : 01-06-2023



ANSWER : Ans (3)




Question : What is the birth place (Avatara Sthalam) of Swami Nammazhvar?
(1) Va:nama:malai
(2) A:zhva:r Thirunagari
(3) Thiruko:valu:r
(4) Srirangam


Posted On : 31-05-2023



ANSWER : Ans (2)




Question : Unscramble

mnaaar
oatpaask
apskraanua
aubvrmklaaiahan
kuuurrg amnib


Posted On : 30-05-2023



ANSWER : Maaran
Satakopa
Paraankusa
Vakulabhiraaman
Kurugur Nambi




Question : Who comes before Swami Namma:zhva:r in Guruparampara?
(1) Vishwakse:na
(2) Maha Lakshmi
(3) Lord Na:ra:yana


Posted On : 29-05-2023



ANSWER : Ans (1)




Question : WHose salutation verse is this?

ma:tha: pitha: yuvathayas thanaya: vibhu:thihi
sarvam yad e:va niyame:na madh anvaya:na:m
a:dhyasyanaha kulapathe:r vakuLa:bhira:mam
srimath thadhangri yugaLam praNama:mi mu:rdhnA


Posted On : 28-05-2023



ANSWER : Swami Namma:zhva:r




Question : Who gave the name Nammazhvar to Swami Nammaz:hvar? Today is this Kulapathi's Thirunakshattiram. Swami Nammazhvar thiruvadigale Saranam


Posted On : 12-06-2022



ANSWER : Lord Ranganatha




Question : WHich name of Sathakopa means "Our Saint"


Posted On : 10-06-2022



ANSWER : Namma:zhvar




Question : Para:nkusa means
(1) Victor over false faiths or those who misinterpret sastras and invent their own faiths
(2) One who ise different from the rest
(3) Our saint


Posted On : 09-06-2022



ANSWER : Ans (1)




Question : Swami Nammazhvar is fond of these flowers - ______? Hence He is also named as ________


Posted On : 08-06-2022



ANSWER : Vakula flowers. Vakula:bharana (Magizham in tamizh)




Question : Swami Nammazhvar at his birth conquered the 'satha va:yu" Hence he is known as ___ (Satha is the name of the air outside which hits the aperture on the skull (called “fontanelle”) as a child is born, making it forget its past thereby)


Posted On : 07-06-2022



ANSWER : Sathako:pa




Question : What is the birthplace of Swami Nammazhvar?


Posted On : 06-06-2022



ANSWER : Thiruk Kurugu:r




Question : Who is regarded as "Kulapati" (founder seer of Vaishnava sampradaya, head of all realized souls) in our guruparampara?


Posted On : 05-06-2022



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar . He is known as Kulapati




Question : Identofy the Azhvar. Bonus points on identifying the divyadesam as well



your image

Posted On : 04-06-2022



ANSWER : Swami Namma:zhva:r. (From Azhva:r Thirunagari)




Question : Identify where this Namma:zhvar is present (Which Divyadesam)?
Namma:zhvar thiruvadigale Saranam



your image

Posted On : 25-05-2021



ANSWER : Kanchipuram
Pic courtesy:http://divyaprabandham.koyil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Nammazhwar-kanchi-3.jpg"




Question : Which ones are Narasimhar divyadesams?
(1) Thirukatikai (Sholingur)
(2) Ahobilam
(3) Thirukannamangai
(4) Thirunindravu:r


Posted On : 10-06-2020



ANSWER : Ans (1, 2)
Which ones are Narasimhar divyadesams?
(1) Thirukatikai (Sholingur)
(2) Ahobilam




Question : The name of the divyadesame inside the Ka:makshi amman temple at Kanchipuram

(1) Thiru Chithirakku:ttam
(2) Thiru Nilathingal Thundam
(3) Thiruk kalvanu:r
(4) Thiruvekkah


Posted On : 09-06-2020



ANSWER : Ans (3)
The name of the divyadesame inside the Ka:makshi amman temple at Kanchipuram
(3) Thiruk kalvanu:r




Question : The Name of the divyadesam inside the Ekambareshwarar temple at Kanchipuram
(1) Thiru Chithirakku:ttam
(2) Thiru Nilathingal Thundam
(3) Thiruk kalvanu:r
(4) Thirupputkuzhi


Posted On : 08-06-2020



ANSWER : The Name of the divyadesam inside the Ekambareshwarar temple at Kanchipuram

(2) Thiru Nilathingal Thundam
The Lord is named nilathingal thundatha:n. Nila and thingal mean the moon. thunda:tha:n means the one who cut. The Lord cut the heat that affected Pa:rvathi like a moon that has a cooling effect. Hence He is called so. Its not clear how His temple was established inside the Saivite temple




Question : Match the work vs Essence of Veda
(1) Thiruva:imozhi (a) Yajur Veda
(2) Thiruviruttham (b) Atharva Veda
(3) Thiruva:siriyam (c) Sa:ma Veda
(4) Periya Thiruvantha:th (d) Rig Veda


Posted On : 07-06-2020



ANSWER : Match the work vs Essence of Veda
(1) Thiruva:imozhi (c) Sa:ma Veda
(2) Thiruviruttham (d) Rig Veda
(3) Thiruva:siriyam (a) Yajur Veda
(4) Periya Thiruvantha:thi (b) Atharva Veda




Question : Select the works of Swami Nammazhvar
(1) Thiruva:imozhi
(2) Thiruviruttham
(3) Thiruva:siriyam
(4) Periya Thiruvantha:thi


Posted On : 06-06-2020



ANSWER : All 4. Select the works of Nammazhvar
(1) Thiruva:imozhi
(2) Thiruviruttham
(3) Thiruva:siriyam
(4) Periya Thiruvantha:thi




Question : The Lord from this Divyadesam told Nammazhvar's parents that he will be born to them? Which divyadesam?


Posted On : 05-06-2020



ANSWER : "The Lord from this Divyadesam told Nammazhvar's parents that he will be born to them? Which divyadesam?
Nambi from Thirukurunkudi"




Question : Name the parents of Nammazhvar


Posted On : 03-06-2020



ANSWER : The parents of Nammazhvar - Ka:riyar, Udaya Nangai




Question : _____ is glorified as “ma:ran adi paninthu uynthavan” (மாறன் அடி பணிந்த௠உய்ந்தவன்) meaning one who surrendered to Nammazhvar and flourished


Posted On : 02-06-2020



ANSWER : Swami Ra:ma:nuja is glorified as “ma:ran adi paninthu uynthavan” (மாறன் அடி பணிந்த௠உய்ந்தவன்) meaning one who surrendered to Nammazhvar and flourished




Question : "Which are the names of Nammazhvar in the list below
(1) Ma:ran
(2) Para:nkusa
(3) Kurukaipira:n
(4) Paraka:lan"


Posted On : 01-06-2020



ANSWER : "Ans (1,2,3)
Which are the names of Nammazhvar in the list below
(1) Ma:ran
(2) Para:nkusa
(3) Kurukaipira:n
"




Question : Swami Nammazhvar is known as ______ because he loves the "Magizham flowers" (Vakula flowers) that Polindu Ninra Piraan offers him as prasadam


Posted On : 31-05-2020



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar is known as Vakulabharana because he loves the "Magizham flowers" (Vakula flowers) that Polindu Ninra Piraan offers him as prasadam. (Vakulabira:ma is also another name)




Question : Who gives the name Nammazhvar to Satako:pa?


Posted On : 30-05-2020



ANSWER : The word Nammazhvar is a combination of the two words, ‘nam+azhvar” (“Our Azhvar”).It is the name given to him by Lord Ranganatha according to our tradition.




Question : Which divyadesam is the birthplace of Nammazhvar?


Posted On : 29-05-2020



ANSWER : Which divyadesam is the birthplace of Nammazhvar?
Ans: Thirukurukoor, Azhvar Thirunagari




Question : The vigraham of Nammazhvar present in Azhvar Thirunagari was obtained by whom?


Posted On : 03-07-2019



ANSWER : The vigraham of Swami Nammazhvar in Azhvar Thirunagari was obtained by Madhurakavi Azhvar from the water in the river tha:miraparini based on Swami Nammazhvar's instructions.




Question : The vigraham of Nammazhvar present in Azhvar Thirunagari was obtained by whom?


Posted On : 03-07-2019



ANSWER : The vigraham of Swami Nammazhvar in Azhvar Thirunagari was obtained by Madhurakavi Azhvar from the water in the river tha:miraparini based on Swami Nammazhvar's instructions.




Question : It is believed that Bhavishyadacharya temple at Azhvar Thirunagari has the vigram of Swami Ramanuja obtained by _____ with ________'s help.


Posted On : 02-07-2019



ANSWER : It is believed that Bhavishyadacharya temple in Azhvar Thirunagari has the vigram of Swami Ramanuja obtained by Madhurakavi Azhvar with Swami Nammazhvar's help (its believed that Madhurakavi got it from the waters of the river thamiraparini). Nammazhvar indicated that the vigraham is that of the acharyan who will come in the future and will uplift everyone




Question : Where is the Bhavishyadacharya temple located that hosts the vigraham of Swami emperumanardi

(1) Azhvar Thirunagari
(2) Thiruko:Lu:r
(3) Thirukurunkudi
(4) None of the above


Posted On : 01-07-2019



ANSWER : Where is the Bhavishyatacharyan temple located that hosts the vigraham of Swami emperumanardi

(1) Azhvar Thirunagari




Question : In Azhvar Thirunagari __________ is thelotus feet of Swami Nammazhvar (i.e sata:ri)


Posted On : 30-06-2019



ANSWER : In Azhvar Thirunagari SwamiRamanuja is the lotus feet of Swami Nammazhvar (i.e sata:ri)




Question : The lotus feet (thiruadi) of Swami Nammazhvar (sata:ri) is ______ except in one Divyadesam.


Posted On : 29-06-2019



ANSWER : The lotus feet (thiruadi) of Swami Nammazhvar (sata:ri) is Madhurakavi Azhvar except in one Divyadesam Azhvar Thirunagari



Note : ask about satari itself..



Question : _______ (person) is considered as the lotus feet of Perumal. The conical object, representing the feet of the Lord, placed on our head at temple is referred to as _____


Posted On : 28-06-2019



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar is considered as the lotus feet of Perumal. In temples the conical object placed on our head is referred to as Sri Sathko:pa or sata:ri and represents lotus feet of the Lord none other than Swami Nammazhvar




Question : Thirukurugoor /Thirunagari started being referred to as ________ after Nammazhvar


Posted On : 26-06-2019



ANSWER : Thirukurigoor/Thirunagari started being referred to as Azhvar Thirunagari after Swami Nammazhvar




Question : Swami Nammazhvar is known _____ mesning as Ankusha (hook, elephant goad) for perumal himself


Posted On : 25-06-2019



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar is known Para:nkusha mesning as Ankusha (hook, elephant goad) for perumal himself.
Ankusa means the goad (the stick with a sharp hook at the end) that is used to control an elephant. An Ankusa, therefore, is a weapon used to achieve some control over a powerful thing. Parankusa is Para + Ankusa. He is the Ankusa that defeats those who misinterpret the Sastras and invent their own philosophies. He does this through his upadesa, i.e. his teachings in his works.



Note : Parankusha means the one who is the controller for Para. One interpretation is whatever is there in column D. Some elders beautifully say that Nammazhvar even controls perumAL Himself to grace his devotees - hence, Parankusa



Question : Match the following (Essence of ___ Veda. Vs. Prabhandam)
(1) Rug (a) Thiruvasiriyam
(2) Yajur (b) Thiruvaimozhi
(3) Atharva. (c) Thiruvirutham
(4) Sa:ma. (d) Periya Thiruvantha:thi


Posted On : 24-06-2019



ANSWER : Match the following (Essence of ___ Veda. Vs. Prabhandam)
(1) Rug (c) Thiruvirutham
(2) Yajur (a) Thiruvasiriyam
(3) Atharva. (d) Periya Thiruvantha:thi
(4) Sa:ma. (b) Thiruvaimozhi




Question : When Nithyasu:ris and Sri Vaishnavas residing in Swetha Dweepa came to witness the glory of Swami Nammazhvar he sang the pa:suram
(1) Poliga Poliga Poliga
(2) Ozhivil kalamellam
(3) Mayarvara madinalam
(4) None of the above


Posted On : 23-06-2019



ANSWER : When Nithyasu:ris and Sri Vaishnavas residing in Swetha Dweepa came to witness the glory of Swami Nammazhvar he sang the pa:suram
(1) Poliga Poliga Poliga (Thiruvaimozhi 5.2.1)
In this verse, Azhwar seeing the abundance of SrIvaishNavas, performs mangaLASAsanam (well wishes) to them.




Question : Which of the following statements are true
(1) ParamapadaNathan along with His consort comes on Garuda and provides darshan to Swami Nammazhvar
(2) Many Divyadesam perumal provided darshan to Swami Nammazhvar at the tamarind tree
(3) All Nithya suris come over to see SwamiNammazhvar at his place
(4) All of the above


Posted On : 22-06-2019



ANSWER : Which of the following statements are true (Ans 4)
(1) ParamapadaNathan along with His consort comes on Garuda and provides darshan to Swami Nammazhvar
(2) Many Divyadesam perumal provide darshan to Swami Nammazhvar at the tamarind tree
(3) All Nithya suris come over to see SwamiNammazhvar at his place
(4) All of the above




Question : _____ asks "If a small one is born in the womb of a dead thing, what will it eat and where it will be?" ____ with a divine voice replies "It will eat that and stay there.


Posted On : 21-06-2019



ANSWER : Madhurakavi Azhvar asks ""If a small one is born in the womb of a dead thing, what will it eat and where it will be?"" Swami Nammazhvar under the tamarind tree with a divine voice replies ""It will eat that and stay there.""
Check notes for information



Note : Our achaaryas have provided us with the inner meaning of this quote (otherwise we would not be able to comprehend this) . The dead thing is Prakriti or material nature that has no life. The subtle entity that is born in its womb is the individual soul (jeevaatma ). A living being is conceived in matter and is born there. The living being eats matter and lives in it. When a soul enters a body , the soul forgets its true nature and enjoys and suffers everything through the body. It eats and lives on whatever the body earns as sins and virtues. But when the individual soul realizes that it is the servant of Sriman Narayana and surrenders, its freed from the cycles of birth and death. Pleasantly surprised at the cryptic but quintessential answer Madhurakavi requested Satakopa to take him as his student



Question : Swami Nammazhvar is known as _____ because he conquered the wind called Satha– one who became angry with “Satha”. Satha is the name of the air outside which hits the aperture on the skull (called “fontanelle”) as a child is born, making it forget its past thereby.


Posted On : 19-06-2019



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar is known as Sathako:pa because he conquered the wind called Satha– one who became angry with “Satha”. Satha is the name of the air outside which hits the aperture on the skull (called “fontanelle”) as a child is born, making it forget its past thereby.
It is said that Svami Nammal\zhvar angrily commanded that wind to stop touching him at the time of his birth. In other words he was fully aware of whom he was prior to this incarnation.




Question : The name Ma:ran means
1. One who is different from the rest
2. Chest of a humanbeing
3. The who can disappear
4.Noneof the above


Posted On : 18-06-2019



ANSWER : The name Ma:ran means
1. One who is different from the rest
Since the baby born as Nammazhvar was different from how in general other babies are, they named him Ma:ran




Question : It is believed that _________ took the form of the tamarind tree to protect Swami Nammazhvar from rain, sun, wind etc


Posted On : 17-06-2019



ANSWER : It is believed that Anantazhvan (Adiesesha) took the form of the tamarind tree to protect Swami Nammazhvar from rain, sun, wind etc




Question : Who are the parents of Swami Nammazhvar?


Posted On : 16-06-2019



ANSWER : Ka:riya:r and Udayanangai are parents of Nammazhvar.




Question : When someone says Azhvar , it implies which of the Azhvars?


Posted On : 15-06-2019



ANSWER : When someone says Azhvar it implies Swami Nammazhvar.




Question : In the month of Vaikasi (or Vaishaka), the star of Visaka falls on June 15th of this year- This is the birth month and star of
(1) Swami Pillai Lokacharya
(2) Swami Nammazhvar
(3) Thiruva:imozhipillai
(4) All of the above


Posted On : 14-06-2019



ANSWER : Vaikasi(Vaishaka) Visaka is the birth month and star of
(2) Swami Nammazhvar
(3) Thiruva:imozhipillai
Today is the birth day of both these great acharyas in our guruparampara. Let us bowdown to their lotus feet and receive blessings for serving our acharya and perumal and fellow devotees.




Question : Match the following : (names of Nammazhvar and Meaning)
Maaran the weapon Ankusha (hook, elephant goad) for perumal himself, to destroy the unbelievers
Sathakopa The king of of the place Kurugai
Paraankusan the one who wears the garland of Magizha flowers
Kurugaiyar kone the one who is different from the rest, changed being
Vagulabharanan One who conquered the wind called Satha


Posted On : 01-06-2018



ANSWER : Maaran Changed being
Sathakopa One who conquered his breath
Paraankusan Ankusha (hook, elephant goad) for perumal himself
Kurugaiyar kone The king of of the place Kurugai
Vagulabharanan the one who wears the garland of Magizha flowers



Note : Jewel of the day
Jai Sriman Narayana

The word Nammalvar is a combination of the two words, ‘nam+azhvar” (“Our Azhvar”).It is the name given to him by Lord Ranganatha according to our tradition. Nammazhvar is known by several names:

Maran – one who was different from the rest, because of his total absorption in meditation on Lord;

Parankusa: Ankusa means the goad (the stick with a sharp hook at the end) that is used to control an elephant. An Ankusa, therefore, is a weapon used to achieve some control over a powerful thing. Parankusa is Para + Ankusa. He is the Ankusa that defeats those who misinterpret the Sastras and invent their own philosophies. He does this through his upadesa, i.e. his teachings in his works.

Satakopa - one who conquered the wind called Satha– one who became angry with “Satha”. Satha is the name of the air outside which hits the aperture on the skull (called “fontanelle”) as a child is born, making it forget its past thereby. It is said that Svami Nammal\zhvar angrily commanded that wind to stop touching him at the time of his birth. In other words he was fully aware of whom he was prior to this incarnation.

He is also known as Vakulabharana since he wears the garland of the Vakula flowers (magizhampu in Tamil). Since he was the son of Kaariyar, he is also known as Kaarimaaran.



Question : Which of the following is/are not a work of Swami Nammazhvar
Tiruviruttam
Tiruvaasiriyam
Tiruvaaimozhi
Periya Thirumozhi
Periya Thiruvandaadi
Siriya Thirumadal
Tirunedunthandagam


Posted On : 31-05-2018



ANSWER : There are 4 works of Swami Nammazhvar. They are
Tiruviruttam
Tiruvaasiriyam
Tiruvaaimozhi
Periya Thiruvandaadi




Question : Swami Nammazhvar is not called by this name
1. Maaran
2. Sathakopa
3. Parakaalan
4. Paraankusan
5. Kurugaiyar kone
6. VagulaBaranan


Posted On : 30-05-2018



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar is not known by the name Parakaalan. This name belongs to thirumangai Azhvaar




Question : The essence of Thiruvaaimozhi conveys Artha Panchakam. What does this mean?


Posted On : 29-05-2018



ANSWER : The essence of Thiruvaimozhi is to convey Artha panchakam. Artha Panchakam means the five things (or nature) that we need to understand in order to realise God, namely :
Paramatma svarUpa – Nature of God
Jeevatma svarUpa – Nature of Soul
UpAya-svarUpa – Nature of Means to reach Him
VirOdhi-svarUpa – Nature of obstacles
Prabhya SvarUpa - Nature of Goal 




Question : _____ is the magnum opus composition of Swami Nammazhvar .
1. Thiruvaaimozhi
2. Thirumaalai
3. Periya Thirumozhi


Posted On : 28-05-2018



ANSWER : Thiruvaaimozhi. Words from the mouth of Sriman Narayana hismelf.. it consists of 1102 four lined verses or passurams."Thiruvaaimozhi is the magnum opus of Nammalwar—the treasure of Vaishnavism. it consists of 1102 four lined verses or passurams.There are 100 decads (a decad is also called "thiruvaimozhi" as per tradition). Out of this 100 there is one decad that has 13 poems which is - panniru thirunamam - the 12 names of the Lord. The remaining 99 decads have 11 poems each , adding up to 1089 + 13 = 1102.




Question : Who recovered the Nalayira Divya prabhandam after it was lost in the later centuries and who did he pray to for the same


Posted On : 27-05-2018



ANSWER : Swami Nathamunigal medidated upon Swami Nammazhvar reciting Madhurakavis Kanninum Siruthambu for 12000 times. After which Swami Nammazhvar gave him the divine insight to the divine verses.




Question : Identify who and from where in the images shared. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NtZofCgEYZKpCnSpTuxa2-MHuWNw0mV8


Posted On : 26-05-2018



ANSWER : Image 1 - Swami Nammazhvar in AzhvarThirunagari (birthplace)
Image 2 - Swami Nammazhvar in Kanchipuram. Please refer to the notes in Jewel of the bay section on the Gnana mudra of Swami pointing towards his heart in Image 2. Its Swami Nammazhvar's Tirunakshattiram tomorrow. Let us all pray to him on that auspicious day and have his blessings for us to completely surrender to Lord Sriman Narayana



Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Note the Gnana mudra pointing towards Swami Nammazhvars heart in Image 2. In the last line of the first paasuram of Thiruvaaimozhi (thuyar aru sudar adi thozhuthezhu en manane) , Azhvar instructs his heart to worship the feet of the Lord to remove the sorrows. The Lord referred to in this paasuram is Lord Varadaraja of Kanchi. It is said that when the Vigraham was made, with the ""Gnana mudra"" in usual position, the hands turned towards his heart, no matter how many times it was repeated only to glorify the first pasuram of Thiruvaaimozhi.



Question : What did Madhurakavi Azhvar compose for his acharya Swami Nammazhvar


Posted On : 25-05-2018



ANSWER : Madhurakavi Azhvar composed 'Kanninun Sirutthaambu' in praise of his Acharya Swami Nammazhvar highlighting the glory of the saint. It consists of 11 verses and is included as part of bivya Prabhandam (the 4000 divine verses). This set of verses is the most outstanding instance of what is called "Acharya Nistha" (Faith in one's spiritual teacher).




Question : Which Azhvar considered Swami Nammazhvar as his Achaarya


Posted On : 24-05-2018



ANSWER : Madhurakavi Azhvar considered Swami Nammazhvar as his Acharya. He wrote Kanninum Siruthammbu which is in praise of his acharya Swami Nammazhvar and devotion to him. This is also considered part of the Divya Prabhandam



Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Madhurakavi Azhvar who was on a pilgrimage trip in North India observed a divine shining light emanating from a far off place. He started following the light and it led him to Thiru Kurugoor . He was directed to the temple of Lord Adinatha . There he saw a divine aura emanating from the young boy under the tamarind tree. He approached the divine boy who was meditating deeply. To draw the boys attention he threw a stone into the lotus pond nearby. The boy opened his eyes and Madhurakavi could see the divinity in his eyes. He asked the boy in tamil ""If a small one is born in the womb of a dead thing, what will it eat and where it will be?"" A divine voice was heard with a smile ""It will eat that and stay there."" Our achaaryas have provided us with the inner meaning of this quote (otherwise we would not be able to comprehend this) . The dead thing is Prakriti or material nature that has no life. The subtle entity that is born in its womb is the individual sould (jeevaatma ). A living being is conceived in matter and is born there. The living being eats matter and lives in it. When a soul enters a body , the soul forgets its true nature and enjoys and suffers everything through the body. It eats and lives on whatever the body earns as sins and virtues. But when the individual soul realizes that it is the servant of Sriman Narayana and surrenders, its freed from the cycles of birth and death. Pleasantly surprised at the cryptic but quintessential answer Madhurakavi requested him to be his Guru.



Question : Swami Nammazhvar did not open his mouth to eat or speak until he was how many years old?


Posted On : 23-05-2018



ANSWER : 16 years, After which an azhvar came and interacted with him and requested him to be his Acharya. That is our next question




Question : Nammazhvar sat under which tree without getting up
1. Tamarind tree
2. Ashoka tree
3. Neem Tree


Posted On : 22-05-2018



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar sat under the Tamarind tree. Swami Nammazhvar once he was born did not move, eat or cry. After 12 days when his parents took him to the temple (Lord Adinatha of Azhvar tirunagari) he them opened his eyes and beheld God. He took up residence under a tamarind tree in the temple and was there in the meditative state for the rest of his life of upto 35 years.



Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

The tamarind tree (Puli Maram in Tamil) is present in the temple of Lord Adinatha at Azhvar Thirunagari to this day. The leaves of this tree do not close even at night and hence it is also called “Urangaa Puli Maram”(“The unsleeping Tamarind”). It has seven branches. It is in the hollow of this tree that Swami Nammazhvar sat in meditation, according to hagiology. It is believed that the tree is an incarnation of Adi Sesha, the Divine Couch of Lord Vishnu.



Question : What is the birth star and month of Swami Nammazhvar


Posted On : 21-05-2018



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar's Birth Month : Vaikasi (Vaishaka)/Vrushaba Birth Star : Vishakam It falls on May 28th of this year Please refer to notes for additional information.



Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Vaishnava tradition places Nammaahvar as the fifth among the Azhvars in order of birth but gives him the foremost place in sanctity and hails him as ""Kulapati"". (Head of family of realized souls) It considers all the other Azhvars as limbs and Nammazhvar as the body and has raised him to a place of worship as one who intercedes with God for saving the souls of men. Nammazhwar was born in a clan called ""Vellalar tribe"". Traditional accounts estimate his birth to be on the 43rd day of kali yuga in the month of Vrushabha/ Vaishaka (May-June), in the year of Pramadhi, in Thiru kurugoor (aka Azhvaar Thirunagari, on the banks of Thamraparani in Thoothukudi district). He was born to Kariyar and Udayanangayar. The chronological order in which the Azhvars appeared, as accepted by the Ramanuja school of Vaishnavam, is still a matter of controversy and historical research. Tradition places them roughly between 4200 and 2700 B. C. Historical, linguistic and literary research however, assigns to them a period from the fifth or the sixth to the ninth century A.D (Nammazhvar’s birth is estimated to be between 6th and 8th century AD in modern research)



Question : Which Azhvar comes in the lineage of our Acharyas?


Posted On : 20-05-2018



ANSWER : Swami Nammazhvar (Our Azhvar) or Swami Sathako:pa:. Swami Sathakopa is held in the highest esteem as an Achaarya (Azhvar) in Sri Vaishnavism. His experiences are of the highest spiritual order. He is recognized as the kulapati (founder seer) of Sri Vaishnava theology. He is endearingly referred to as Nammazhvar or Our Saint.




Question : This a:zhwa:r loved Lord Krishna so much that he fell unconscious for 6 months on imagining that young Krishna was tied to a stone by his mother with a rope. Who ?


Posted On : 09-05-2018



ANSWER : Namma:zhva:r