Question

What do you know about Alwar and Nayanar?

Hint:

To easily remember the distinction: "Alvar" has a 'V' sound, connecting them to Vishnu. "Nayanar" can be associated with Shiva, who is often depicted with a third eye ('nayan' means eye).

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for a description of the Alvars and Nayanars, who were key figures in the Bhakti movement of South India.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Alvars and Nayanars were Tamil poet-saints who were instrumental in spreading the Bhakti movement in Southern India between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. They preached a path of intense personal devotion to a deity as the means to salvation.
\begin{itemize} \item Alvars: They were devotees of Lord Vishnu. There were 12 Alvars, including one female saint, Andal. Their devotional hymns were compiled into a single volume called the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. \item Nayanars: They were devotees of Lord Shiva. There were 63 Nayanars. Their hymns and writings are collected in the Tevaram. \end{itemize} Both groups came from diverse social backgrounds, including those considered 'untouchable', and composed their works in the local Tamil language, making religion more accessible to the common people and challenging the dominance of Brahmanical rituals.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Alvars were 12 Vaishnava (devotees of Vishnu) poet-saints, and Nayanars were 63 Shaiva (devotees of Shiva) poet-saints who led the Bhakti movement in South India.