The Kanninun Cirutampu (), also rendered as the Kanninun Siruttambu, is a work of Tamil Hindu literature composed by Madhurakavi Alvar, one of the twelve Alvars (the poet-saints) of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. Comprising eleven pasurams (hymns), the Kanninun Cirutampu is a tribute to Madhurakavi Alvar's acharya, Nammalvar. These hymns form part of the Sri Vaishnava canon, the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. The work praises both Alwarthirunagari Perumal Temple (Thirukkurugur) and its presiding deity, Adinathar Perumal, whose dark-hued image remains in the Alvar's mind as he sings of his acharya.
Legend
The Kanninun Cirutampu is associated with the recovery of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. According to legend, the theologian Nathamuni once heard devotees reciting the eleven pasurams opening with Āravāmude from Nammalvar's Tiruvaymoli at Sarangapani Temple at Kumbakonam. The final hymn referenced Āyirattul Ippattu (); Impressed by these pasurams (hymns) and intrigued by the implied existence of an additional 990 hymns, Nathamuni sought to locate the complete collection. When he inquired about the remaining 990 hymns, the reciters were unfamiliar with them. As the hymn mentioned the author's name and hometown (Kurukur Satakopan), Nathamuni traveled to Kurugur to search for Nammalvar's 1,000 hymns.
The local residents were unfamiliar with the 1,000 hymns, but they informed him of the eleven pasurams (hymns) composed by Nammalvar's disciple, Madhurakavi Alvar, known as the Kanninun Cirutampu. They asked him to stand before Tiruppulialvar, the sacred tamarind tree under which Nammalvar had meditated, and recite these eleven pasurams 12,000 times. Nathamuni followed their advice; pleased by his devotion, Nammalvar revealed to him not only his own 1,000 pasurams, but the entire 4,000 pasuram compendium of all twelve Alvars.
Hymns The work is named after the first two words of its opening hymn. The title functions as a metaphor comparing the rope used by Yashoda to bind the infant Krishna to the poet's devotion to his acharya, Nammalvar. In the work, Madhurakavi Alvar praises Nammalvar as the lord of Kurugur, his birthplace.
The opening hymn is translated as follows:
See also
Periyalvar Tirumoli Tiruchanda Viruttam Nachiyar Tirumoli
References
External links Mudalayiram - K. R. KrishnaSwami