General

Nāyanāṟ

நாயனார்

Also known as: nāyanāṟ, naynar, நாயனார், alagar manavalapperumal naynar, acharya hridayam author

Meaning

Honorific title meaning 'the revered lord' — specifically refers to Azhagiya Maṇavāḷa Perumāḷ Nāyaṉār, Piḷḷai Lokācārya's younger brother and a learned Ācārya in his own right.

Detailed Explanation

The Revered Elder

Nāyanāṟ (Tamil: 'the revered lord' / 'our Nāyaka [leader]') is used as an honorific for several figures in the tradition. In Śrī Vaiṣṇava usage, Nāyanāṟ most specifically refers to Azhagiya Maṇavāḷa Perumāḷ Nāyaṉār — the younger brother of Piḷḷai Lokācārya.

Azhagiya Maṇavāḷa Nāyaṉār

He was a highly accomplished Ācārya in his own right, a disciple of Nampiḷḷai's lineage, and the author of Ācārya Hṛdayam — one of the most celebrated and profound Śrī Vaiṣṇava granthams. Ācārya Hṛdayam (also called Azhagiya Maṇavāḷa Nāyaṉār Prabandham) explores the deeper inner meaning (svāpadeśa) of the Divya Prabandham.

The Two Brothers

The teaching lineage at Śrī Raṅgam in the 13th century was enriched by the presence of both brothers: Piḷḷai Lokācārya systematizing Teṅkalai doctrine in his Rahasya Granthams, and Nāyanāṟ revealing the esoteric dimensions of the Divya Prabandham in Ācārya Hṛdayam.

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