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CDS 2019 (II)

Bhakti Origins

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who were Alvars?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept The early medieval Bhakti movement in South India was led by two groups of wandering poet-saints who composed hymns in the Tamil language.

Explanation The Alvars (literally 'those who are immersed' in the divine) were 12 saints who dedicated their lives to the devotion of Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option A is correct. Their hymns are collected in the *Nalayira Divyaprabandham*.
Logic 2: Devotees of Shiva (B) are the Nayanars. Those who worshipped the abstract form (C) were later Nirguna saints. Devotees of Shakti (D) are Shakta practitioners.

Active Recall

Question

Who was the most famous female Alvar?

Answer

Andal, who considered herself the bride of Lord Vishnu and composed the Tiruppavai.

Core Insight

The Alvars democratized religion by making intense, emotional devotion in a local language (Tamil) more important than Sanskrit rituals.

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