Srivaisnava Disciplic Succession

According to popular belief, the disciplic succession of the Srivaisnavism, originated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sriman Narayana. He taught them to His eternal consort Laksmi; She in turn revealed them to Visvak-sena the martial entourage of the Lord. He revealed them to Nammalvar (Satakopan), the first of the Alvars.

The Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto XI, chapter 5: verses 38 Q& 39) has predicted that in the beginning of the present age (Kali yuga), many devotees of Lord Vishnu would take birth on the bank of the river Tamraparani in Tamilnadu. They are said to be the 12 Alvars (saints) the pioneers of the devotional movement in India.

The Alvars composed hymns of devotion in the Tamil language, describing their revelations received from the Lord Himself. The Alvars are revered by the Srivaisnavas and their compositions have influenced Srivaisnava theology.