The Tamil Veda
Divya Prabandham (Tamil/Sanskrit: divya = divine + prabandham = composition/composition; 'the divine composition') is the collective name for the 4,000 Tamil devotional verses (pāsurams) composed by the twelve Āzhvārs. It is also called Nālāyira Divya Prabandham (nālāyiram = 4000) and Aruḷicceyal ('what was graciously spoken').
Structure
The 4,000 verses are organized into approximately 153 individual works (prabandhas) by different Āzhvārs, compiled into the Nālāyira collection by Nāthamunigaḷ. The arrangement follows a specific order reflecting the theological progression of the tradition.
Status and Authority
In the Śrī Vaiṣṇava tradition, the Divya Prabandham is Drāviḍa Veda — the Tamil Veda — holding the same authority as the Sanskrit Vedas. This is the doctrine of Ubhaya Vedānta. It is recited in temples alongside Vedic chanting, and its pāsurams are treated as mantras of equivalent sanctity. The tradition's entire doctrinal and devotional life flows from these 4,000 verses.