π Topic 03 of 6 Β· Chapter 11 Β· Bhakti & Sufi Movements
Bhakti Saints of South India
Alvars (Vaishnavite), Nayanmars (Shaivite), Ramanuja, Madhva, Basavanna (Lingayat movement).
π Alvars β Vaishnavite Saints (6thβ9th CE)
- 12 Alvar saints β devoted to Vishnu; Tamil language; South India
- Their hymns compiled in Nalayira Divya Prabandham (4,000 divine verses)
- Considered equal to the Vedas in the Sri Vaishnava tradition
| Alvar | Key Work | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Andal | Tiruppavai, Nachiyar Tirumozhi | Only woman Alvar; considered incarnation of Bhudevi; shrine at Srivilliputhur |
| Nammalvar | Tiruvaimozhi | Greatest Alvar; “Tiruvaimozhi” = Tamil Veda |
| Tirumangai Alvar | Periya Tirumozhi | Prolific poet; 6 works |
| Periyalvar | Periyalvar Tirumozhi | Father of Andal |
π Nayanmars β Shaivite Saints (6thβ9th CE)
- 63 Nayanmar saints β devoted to Shiva; Tamil language; South India
- Their hymns compiled in Tevaram (by Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar) and Tiruvachakam (by Manikkavacakar)
| Nayanmar | Key Work | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Appar (Tirunavukkarasar) | Tevaram | Converted from Jainism to Shaivism; “Father of Tamil Shaivism” |
| Thirugnana Sambandar | Tevaram | Child prodigy; composed hymns from age 3 |
| Sundarar | Tevaram | Called Shiva his friend; intimate devotion |
| Manikkavacakar | Tiruvachakam | “He whose words are rubies”; profound devotional poetry |
π Philosopher-Saints of South India
Ramanuja (1017β1137 CE):
- Philosopher of Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism)
- Brahman has qualities; Atman and world are real but part of Brahman
- Popularised Vaishnavism; Sri Vaishnava tradition
- Opened temples to all castes β revolutionary for his time
- Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras and Bhagavad Gita
Madhva (1238β1317 CE):
- Philosopher of Dvaita (dualism)
- Brahman (Vishnu) and Atman are eternally distinct
- Udupi tradition; Udupi Krishna temple
- Wrote commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads
Basavanna (12th CE) β Lingayat Movement:
- Founded the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) movement in Karnataka
- Minister of Kalachuri king Bijjala
- Rejected caste distinctions, untouchability, and Brahmanical rituals
- Wrote Vachanas (prose poems) in Kannada
- Lingayats worship Shiva in the form of a linga worn on the body
- Established Anubhava Mantapa β a spiritual parliament open to all
β Basavanna’s Vachanas: Basavanna’s Vachanas are short, powerful prose poems in Kannada that challenge caste, ritual, and social inequality. Famous Vachana: “The rich will make temples for Shiva. What shall I, a poor man, do? My legs are pillars, the body the shrine, the head a cupola of gold.” This shows his belief that the human body is the true temple of God.
π Exam Tip:
β’ Alvars = 12 = Vaishnavite = Tamil = Nalayira Divya Prabandham
β’ Nayanmars = 63 = Shaivite = Tamil = Tevaram
β’ Andal = only woman Alvar = Tiruppavai
β’ Ramanuja = Vishishtadvaita = opened temples to all castes
β’ Basavanna = Lingayat movement = Karnataka = Vachanas = Anubhava Mantapa
β’ Alvars = 12 = Vaishnavite = Tamil = Nalayira Divya Prabandham
β’ Nayanmars = 63 = Shaivite = Tamil = Tevaram
β’ Andal = only woman Alvar = Tiruppavai
β’ Ramanuja = Vishishtadvaita = opened temples to all castes
β’ Basavanna = Lingayat movement = Karnataka = Vachanas = Anubhava Mantapa