Alvars vs Nayanars: Matching Bhakti Devotees Correctly
Alvars were devotees of Lord Vishnu, while Nayanars were devoted to Lord Shiva. The pair linking Alvars to Shakti is incorrect.
Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part II
Archived:
Updated:
Exam Year
2023
Evidence Source
Link ↗Which one of the following pairs denoting various forms of 'Bhakti' is NOT correctly matched?
[CDS 2023 (I)]
Detailed Solution & Historical Context
Concept
This question tests basic terminology used in the study of the medieval Bhakti movement in India.
Authentic Source Evidence
Historical records from the 6th-9th centuries in Tamil Nadu show that the Alvars (literally 'those immersed in God') were strictly Vaishnavites, while the Nayanars (literally 'leaders') were Shaivites.
Analytical Breakdown
Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic
"What is the collective scripture of the Alvars?"
Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip
"The Alvars and Nayanars represent the first major wave of Bhakti that sought to overcome the influence of Buddhism and Jainism in South India through emotional theism."
Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)
Analysing authentic CDS (I)previous year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Bhakti Tradition Categories helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Alvars Vishnu and Nayanars Shiva builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →