The Nalayira (4000 in tamil) Divya Prabandham is a collection of 4,000 verses composed before 8th century AD, by the 12 Azhvars (the term azhvar means "the one who is immersed in"). They are so called because they were immersed in their devotion and love to their Lord, Vishnu. It was the scholar-saint Nathamuni who, in the 10th century, retrieved and compiled this divine collection and numerous commentries have been written by various poorvacharyas for this divya prabandham and it is a life time exercise to read and the understand the inner meanings of the bakthi laden pasurams. The Prabandha sings the praise of Narayana (or Vishnu) and his many forms. The Alvars sung these songs at various sacred shrines. These shrines are known as the Divya Desams . About 12 Alwars: The AzhwArs are reported to be incarnations of NithasUris of Sri Vaikuntam, namely, the weapons, the Vanamaali, the GarudA, and all. They lived like human beings and burst out bhakti lad...