The Tiruvaciriyam (Tamil: திருவாசிரியம், romanized: Tiruvaciriyam, lit. 'Sacred meter')[1] is a compilation of hymns written by Nammalvar, one of the Alvars, the poet-saints of the Sri Vaishnava tradition. This work, which is a part of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, consists of seven hymns[2] referred to as pasurams, dedicated to the praise of the Hindu preserver deity, Vishnu. It is often regarded to contain the essence of the Yajurveda.[3][4]
The first hymn of the work describes Vishnu reclining upon his serpent-mount, Shesha, extolled as a deity without equal:[5]
O Lord with lotus-red feet that strode the Earth! Wearing the red clouds as vestments, the radiant Sun as a diadem, the pleasing Moon on your person, and stars spangled all over, with red coral lips, and green-radiance spreading emerald mountains, you lie in the arms of the sea-lord, seeming like one asleep Wearing a yellow vestment, a crown, and many golden jewels, the red of your eyes and lips glowing, the green of your body overpowering the red, in the middle of the Ocean of Milk, on a serpent with many hoods, You recline in deep sleep where all the gods led by Siva, Brahma, and Indra stand and offer worship. O Lord without a peer or superior, with a lotus on your navel!
