Tirupallantu


The Tirupallantu, also rendered the Pallandu, is a Tamil benedictory hymn dedicated to the Hindu deity Vishnu. Written by the poet-saint Periyalvar, it is the opening hymn of the medieval devotional compendium of the Alvars, the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. It is referenced in other works of this anthology, such as the Perumal Tirumoli.
This hymn is commonly recited at temples that adhere to the Sri Vaishnava tradition during the morning.

Etymology

Tiru is a Tamil word that denotes sacredness, while paḷḷāṇṭu translates to 'many years.'

Legend

There exists a Sri Vaishnava legend regarding the composition of this hymn. Periyalvar was once invited by the Pandya king to participate in a religious debate. The poet-saint was able to defeat a number of Jain scholars in this event, which won him the praise of the king. He was honoured by the monarch with a procession, where he was taken around the capital while seated upon an elephant. Pleased by his devotee, Vishnu himself descended upon the earth to meet him, upon his mount Garuda. Witnessing the deity's presence, and worrying that he was precariously seated upon his mount, Periyalvar glorified him with the Tirupallantu, wishing him protection and longevity.

Hymn

The Tirupallantu comprises twelve verses. The poet extols the attributes of Vishnu in this work, such as his Sudarshana Chakra and his Panchajanya:

Translations

Srirama Bharati features a prose translation of the hymn in his translation of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, named The Sacred Book Of Four Thousand. Kamil Zvelebil features a poetic translation of the hymn by J.S.M Hooper in his book entitled ''Tamil Literature.''