Nalayira Divyaprabandham Explained
The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is a collection of 4,000 Tamil verses considered a foundational text in Sri Vaishnavism.
Analyzing the Options:
- Option 1: Compositions by the Alvars compiled in the form of an anthology - This is the correct definition. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham consists of hymns composed by the 12 Alvars (Vaishnavite poet-saints) and compiled by Nathamuni in the 9th-10th century CE. It is essentially an anthology of devotional poetry.
- Option 2: Hymns composed by Nayanars - The Nayanars were devotees of Shiva, and their hymns are primarily found in the Thirumurai, not the Nalayira Divyaprabandham.
- Option 3: Eulogies composed for Chola kings - While devotional literature often coexisted with royal patronage, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham focuses specifically on hymns dedicated to Vishnu, not eulogies for secular rulers like Chola kings.
- Option 4: An exposition of the hymns of Rig Veda in Malayalam - The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is in Tamil, not Malayalam, and it is an original devotional work, not an exposition of the Rig Veda.
Therefore, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham is accurately described as compositions by the Alvars compiled into an anthology.