CAPF 2020

South Indian Bhakti Traditions

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following statements about the Bhakti Movement in South India is NOT correct?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept The Bhakti movement in South India was divided between the Alvars (Vishnu devotees) and the Nayanars (Shiva devotees).

Explanation Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a famous female poet-saint and one of the 63 Nayanars. She renounced her social identity and requested Shiva to grant her the form of a demoness so she could watch his cosmic dance eternally.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option C is incorrect (the 'NOT correct' answer). She was a devotee of Shiva, not Vishnu.
Logic 2: Option A is correct; the Nalayira Divyaprabandham is indeed hailed as the Tamil Veda. Option B is correct; Andal was the only female Alvar. Option D is correct; the Chola kings famously cast bronze images of Nayanars for temple worship.

Active Recall

Question

How did Nayanars and Alvars differ?

Answer

Alvars were 12 saints devoted to Vishnu, while Nayanars were 63 saints devoted to Shiva; both rejected caste rigidity through devotion.

Core Insight

Figures like Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Andal provided a powerful challenge to patriarchal norms by prioritizing spiritual devotion over familial and social obligations.