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Difficulty: MediumCultural Heritage, Art, Architecture, Bhakti and Sufi Movements

With reference to the early medieval Bhakti movement in South India, consider the following statements:

1. The Alvars were devoted to Lord Shiva, whereas the Nayanars were devout worshippers of Lord Vishnu.
2. The canonical compilation of hymns composed by the Alvars is titled the 'Nalayira Divya Prabandham'.
3. Women saints like Andal and Karaikkal Ammaiyar made significant contributions to the movement.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 onlyAnswer
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The Alvars were 12 Vaishnavite poet-saints whose hymns were compiled into the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, and the Nayanars were 63 Shaivite poet-saints. Women saints such as Andal (Alvar) and Karaikkal Ammaiyar (Nayanar) played key roles.
The option stating '2 and 3 only' is correct because the Alvars were 12 Vaishnavite poet-saints whose compositions were collected in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, while the 63 Nayanars were Shaivite poet-saints. Female saints like Andal (Alvar) and Karaikkal Ammaiyar (Nayanar) were vital figures who challenged prevailing social norms.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding the devotional focus of Alvars and Nayanars.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Alvars were Vaishnavite saints (worshippers of Vishnu), while the Nayanars were Shaivite saints (worshippers of Shiva).
Identify the core sectarian classification of South Indian Bhakti traditions.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding the sacred literature of the Alvars.
Statement 2 is correct. Nathamuni collected and compiled the devotional hymns of the Alvars into the 'Nalayira Divya Prabandham' (Four Thousand Divine Compositions).
Verify the textual canonical compilation of Tamil Vaishnava devotional poetry.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding female saints in the Alvar and Nayanar traditions.
Statement 3 is correct. Andal was the sole female Alvar saint, and Karaikkal Ammaiyar was one of the prominent female Nayanar saints.
Confirm the historical presence and contributions of female poet-saints in southern Bhakti.

Key Concept

South Indian Bhakti Movement (Alvars and Nayanars)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Cultural Heritage, Art, Architecture, Bhakti and Sufi Movements

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