Hymns For The Drowning  (English, Paperback, Nammalvar A K)

Hymns for the Drowning is a collection of verses which expound the glory of the Four Handed One, the wielder of Sudarshana, the Dark One, Vishnu, the Divine Protector of the universe. It brings together a selection of verses attributed to the azhwar saint Nammalvar.

Summary of the Book

If you seek salvation, mortal, there is but one path. Listen to the hymns of all those who drown in the endless sea of birth and rebirth as they call upon He Who Rests On Ananta. Hear the words of his saints, the verses of those who loved him most. Hear the songs of Nammalvar as he praises the Lord of Srirangam, the Protector. Learn about the cycle of life, the benevolence of the Saviour of Gajendra, the Vanquisher of Ravana, and the Slayer of Kamsa. Between the sixth and the ninth century, the azhwars roamed the area currently known as Tamil Nadu singing songs of praise to Vishnu, spreading a revolution which checked the growth of Buddhism. They began to chant verses in praise of their lord, who they extolled as the origin of the universe: He of the Golden Womb. In 4000 stanzas, the azhwars extolled Vishnu and preached on topics of love, philosophy and the Lord’s divine games. They sang of how, as the Eternal Gopala, He played with and loved the Gopis. They sang of how his love encompassed the Seven Heavens and the Seven Patalas. In their songs, their love for Vishnu bled through, writing their names in Vaishnavite history forever. This collection brings together some of the verses attributed to Nammalvar: the greatest of the azhwars.

About Nammalvar

Nammalvar was a Hindu saint, one of the twelve azhwars of Tamil Nadu. The azhwars are known for their association with the Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism.

According to the order of their listing in the Iramanucanurrantati, Nammalvar is the eleventh azwar, and he is also considered the foremost of them for writing 1352 stanzas of the 4000 stanzas in the holy Nalayira Divya Prabandham.

About the Translator

Attipat Krishnaswami “A. K.” Ramanujan was a poet and scholar of Indian literature, known for his works in English and Kannada. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 posthumously for his collected poems.

He is other translations include: Speaking of Siva and When God Is a Customer: Telugu Courtesan Songs by Ksetrayya and Others.