Understanding the Alwar Saints and Nalaiyira Divya Prabandham

The question asks to identify the group of Vaishnava Poet-Saints known for composing the sacred text 'Nalaiyira Divya Prabandham', which praises Lord Vishnu and his avatars, particularly Krishna.

Key Figures in Vaishnavism

In the history of Vaishnavism, especially in South India, specific groups of saints played a crucial role in spreading devotion (Bhakti) towards Lord Vishnu.

• Alwar: These were twelve devout Vaishnava Poet-Saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. The word 'Alwar' in Tamil means 'one who is immersed in love (of God)'. They composed moving devotional poetry dedicated to Vishnu and his various forms.
• Nalaiyira Divya Prabandham: This collection comprises 4,000 verses composed by the Alwars. It is considered a foundational text in Sri Vaishnavism, often referred to as the Tamil Veda. The verses express deep love and devotion towards Vishnu.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options in the context of the question:

• Nayanmar: This group consisted of 63 Shaivite saints who composed devotional hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are associated with the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition, not Vaishnavism.
• Alwar: As explained above, the Alwars were the Vaishnava Poet-Saints who composed the 'Nalaiyira Divya Prabandham'. This perfectly matches the description in the question.
• Thirumurai Adigalar: 'Thirumurai' refers to the canonical collections of Tamil Shaivite devotional literature. The 'Adigalar' would be the composers or custodians of these texts, generally associated with Nayanmars and Shiva worship.
• Sivanadiyar: This term literally means 'servant of Shiva', indicating devotees of Lord Shiva, similar in context to the Nayanmars.

Conclusion

Based on the historical and religious context, the Alwars are the specific Vaishnava Poet-Saints credited with composing the 'Nalaiyira Divya Prabandham' in praise of Vishnu and Krishna. Therefore, 'Alwar' is the correct identification.