Which woman ‘Alvar’ saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Andal
One striking feature of the early bhakti traditions of Tamil Nadu was the presence of women. Andal, a woman Alvar, saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu, and her verses express her love for the deity. Her compositions were widely sung and are still sung today.
Karaikkal Ammaiyar was also a woman saint, but she was a devotee of Shiva, who took the path of extreme asceticism.
NCERT (2025-26): “2.1 The Alvars and Nayanars of Tamil Nadu … Some of the earliest bhakti movements (c. sixth century) were led by the Alvars (literally, those who are ‘immersed’ in devotion to Vishnu) and Nayanars (literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva). They travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods.… 2.3 Women devotees … Perhaps one of the most striking features of these traditions was the presence of women. For instance, the compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung (and continue to be sung to date). Andal saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu; her verses express her love for the deity.…” |