Which of the following are the correct statements with reference to early traditions of 'Bhakti'?
(A) The language of the hymns sung by Alvar and Nayanar Bhakti saints was Tamil.
(B) One of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, named as 'Nalayira Divyaprabandham' was frequently described as the 'Tamil Veda'.
(C) Women saint Andal was a devotee of Vishnu and Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva.
(D) Alvar and Nayanar traditions have also been seen as a movement of protest against the caste system and dominance of Brahmanas.
(E) The relation of Alvar and Nayanar Bhakti tradition with Buddhism and Jainism was extremely amicable and harmonious.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B), (C), (D) only
(A) The language of the hymns sung by Alvar and Nayanar Bhakti saints was Tamil. Correct. The Alvars and Nayanars travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of their gods.
(B) One of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, named as ‘Nalayira Divyaprabandham’ was frequently described as the ‘Tamil Veda’. Correct. The Nalayira Divyaprabandham was described as the Tamil Veda, a claim that it was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit.
(C) Women saint Andal was a devotee of Vishnu and Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva. Correct. Andal, a woman Alvar, saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu; Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a devotee of Shiva.
(D) Alvar and Nayanar traditions have also been seen as a movement of protest against the caste system and dominance of Brahmanas. Correct. Some historians suggest that they initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas, as bhaktas came from diverse social backgrounds.
(E) The relation of Alvar and Nayanar Bhakti tradition with Buddhism and Jainism was extremely amicable and harmonious. Incorrect. One of the major themes in Tamil bhakti hymns is the poets’ opposition to Buddhism and Jainism, so the relation was one of hostility, not harmony.
NCERT (2026-27): “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… 2.2 Attitudes towards caste … Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the caste system and the dominance of Brahmanas or at least attempted to reform the system. To some extent this is corroborated by the fact that bhaktas hailed from diverse social backgrounds ranging from Brahmanas to artisans and cultivators and even from castes considered ‘untouchable’. The importance of the traditions of the Alvars and Nayanars was sometimes indicated by the claim that their compositions were as important as the Vedas. For instance, one of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda, thus claiming that the text was as significant as the four Vedas in Sanskrit that were cherished by the Brahmanas.… 2.3 Women devotees … 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. Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva… 2.4 Relations with the state … Interestingly, one of the major themes in Tamil bhakti hymns is the poets’ opposition to Buddhism and Jainism.…” |