An Introduction to the Āzhwārs

An important, and often forgotten, chapter in the history of the Tamizh language is the story of the twelve Āzhwārs, the saints who carried the message of bhakti to the people of South India. (In Tamizh, the letter "zh" is pronounced as a soft, rolled "l".)

The Āzhwārs are revered as amshams of Sriman Nārāyaṇa, partial manifestations of the Lord Himself. They dedicated their lives to the service of Emperumān, as the Lord is lovingly called in Tamizh, and they sang His praise in the language of the people rather than in Sanskrit, which only a learned few could follow. In doing so, they opened the doors of devotion to all.

They were born in different parts of the land, in different times and in very different circumstances, yet they were united by a single purpose: to dedicate their lives to the Lord and to sing His glory.

Poigai Āzhwār, Bhūthath Āzhwār and Pey Āzhwār lived in the same period and are together called the Mudal Āzhwārs, the first Āzhwārs.

Tirumazhisai Āzhwār regarded Perumāl as his own friend and sang Mangaḷāshāsanam in His praise.

Tirumangai Āzhwār began his life as a great king, but later gave it over entirely to the service of Perumāl and His devotees.

Tondaraḍippoḍi Āzhwār, also known as Vipra Nārāyaṇa, lived as a servant of Perumāl and served Him by offering garlands every day.

Tiruppāṇ Āzhwār, born into the Pāṇar community, praised Perumāl through his beautiful songs and Pāsurams.

Periyāzhwār is revered as the father and mother of Āṇḍāl and as the father-in-law of Perumāl Himself, and he too sang Mangaḷāshāsanam in the Lord's praise.

Āṇḍāl, also called Sūḍikkoḍutta Suḍarkkoḍi, was brought up as the daughter of Periyāzhwār. She composed the Tiruppāvai, in which she regards Sriman Nārāyaṇa as her husband. She is the only woman among the Āzhwārs.

Nam Āzhwār sat beneath a tamarind tree without food or sleep, attained divine knowledge, sang Mangaḷāshāsanam on Perumāl, and laboured to spread Sri Vaishṇavam.

Madhurakavi Āzhwār, the disciple of Nam Āzhwār, is also counted among the twelve.

Kulasekhara Āzhwār had a deep devotion to Sri Rāma, and sang Mangaḷāshāsanam on Perumāl, particularly at the Divya Desams of Malai Nāḍu.

The chapters that follow tell the stories of these saints.