திருப்பல்லாண்டு — Benefits & How to Chant
திருப்பல்லாண்டு
Complete guide to chanting correctly for maximum benefit
Benefits of Chanting திருப்பல்லாண்டு
The very first hymn of the Divya Prabandham
sung at the beginning and end of all Sri Vaishnava recitation and worship.
A unique act of pure love (mangalasasanam): blessing the Lord Himself rather than seeking from Him, the highest sign of devotion.
Believed to bring the Lord's protection and auspiciousness to the devotee and to all who hear it.
Invokes well-being upon the Lord, Lakshmi, and His divine weapons
a complete benediction of the entire divine presence.
Cherished for cultivating selfless, parental love (vatsalya bhakti) toward God, the special mood of Periazhwar.
How to Chant திருப்பல்லாண்டு
Instructions
Sit before an image of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, light a lamp and recite the Thiruppallandu first, before other hymns, as a blessing wished upon the Lord. It is also sung at the very end of a recitation of the Divya Prabandham. Chant with the loving, protective mood of a parent blessing a beloved child — the bhava in which Periazhwar himself sang.
Spiritual Significance
Tradition tells that when Lord Vishnu appeared in the sky before Periazhwar at Madurai, the saint, fearing the evil eye might fall upon the Lord's beauty, at once sang 'Pallandu Pallandu' to protect Him — and the Lord, moved by such love, ever after accepted this blessing-song as the first offering in His worship.
Origin & History
Source: Nalayira Divya Prabandham — Thiruppallandu (opening verses), by Periazhwar (Tamil, c. 8th-9th century CE)
Author: Periazhwar (Vishnuchittar), Alwar saint
Periazhwar of Srivilliputhur was granted a vision of Lord Vishnu, and seeing the surpassing beauty and tenderness of the Lord, his heart was filled not with desire to ask, but with anxious love lest any harm should touch Him. So he sang the Thiruppallandu, wishing the Lord 'many years' of well-being, as a parent blesses a child. This hymn became the opening of the entire Divya Prabandham, and is sung first in all Sri Vaishnava worship.