Thiruppavai (The Devotional Songs of the Garland)

பாவை தந்த (திருப்)பாவை

Abstract

The Vaishnavite devotional literature, the NalayiraDivyaPrabandham, includes two significant texts—Thiruppavai and NachiyarThirumozhi—composed by the female saint Andal. Among the twelve Alwars, Andal alone was the female devotee. The Thiruppavai consists of thirty hymns. It is a traditional belief that singing the hymns of Thiruppavai and observing the "PaavaiNonbu" (fast) throughout the Tamil month of Margazhi fulfills one’s wishes with devotion.

All thirty hymns are praiseworthy and hold spiritual significance. This study focuses particularly on the unique features of the third hymn in Thiruppavai