The Alvars were a group of twelve Tamil poet-saints who lived between the 5th and 10th centuries CE in the southern part of India, especially in the present-day Tamil Nadu. They were devoted to Lord Vishnu, one of the major deities in Hinduism, and their works of devotion and poetry contributed greatly to the Bhakti movement in Hinduism.
The word “Alvar” means “one who is immersed” or “one who is drunk” in Tamil, which refers to their state of divine ecstasy and devotion. The Alvars are considered to be some of the greatest devotees of Lord Vishnu, and their hymns and poems are still widely sung and revered in South India.
The Alvars were not a homogeneous group, and they came from various backgrounds and castes. However, they shared a common love for Lord Vishnu and a deep devotion to him. They were considered to be saints and were highly respected by the people of their time.
The works of the Alvars consist of devotional poems, hymns, and songs, which were written in Tamil. They wrote about their personal experiences of the divine, and their works reflect a deep understanding of the teachings of the Vedas and the Upanishads. Their poems and hymns also conveyed moral and ethical teachings and were a means of spreading the message of love and devotion.
The Alvars’ works were highly influential in the Bhakti movement, which emphasized devotion and love as the means of attaining salvation, rather than mere ritualistic practices. Their works were also instrumental in the growth of the Vaishnavite tradition in South India, which considers Lord Vishnu as the supreme deity.
The works of the Alvars were compiled into a collection known as the Divya Prabandham, which is considered to be a part of the sacred scriptures of the Vaishnavite tradition. The Alvars are revered as saints and their works continue to be celebrated and sung by devotees in South India.
drkarunayoga@gmail.com
Explain and discuss about 12 alvars
The 12 Alvars were a group of Vaishnavite poet-saints from South India who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. They are revered in the Vaishnava tradition for their devotional hymns, which are considered to be divinely inspired.
Here is a brief introduction to each of the 12 Alvars:
Poigai Alvar: He is believed to have lived in the 7th century CE and is considered to be the first among the 12 Alvars. He is said to have composed 473 hymns.
Bhoothathalvar: He is also known as Peyalvar and is believed to have lived in the 8th century CE. He is said to have composed 473 hymns.
Peyalvar: He is also known as Boothathalvar and is believed to have lived in the 8th century CE. He is said to have composed 473 hymns.
Thirumalisai Alvar: He is believed to have lived in the 7th century CE and is said to have composed 1,100 hymns.
Nammalvar: He is believed to have lived in the 9th century CE and is considered to be one of the most important among the 12 Alvars. He is said to have composed 1,000 hymns, which are collectively known as the Divya Prabandham.
Madhurakavi Alvar: He is believed to have been a disciple of Nammalvar and is said to have composed 11 hymns.
Kulasekhara Alvar: He is believed to have lived in the 8th century CE and is said to have composed 1,000 hymns.
Periyalvar: He is believed to have lived in the 9th century CE and is said to have composed 473 hymns.
Andal: She is the only female among the 12 Alvars and is believed to have lived in the 8th century CE. She is known for her devotion to Lord Krishna and is said to have composed 143 hymns.
Thondaradippodi Alvar: He is believed to have lived in the 9th century CE and is said to have composed 51 hymns.
Thiruppaan Alvar: He is believed to have lived in the 8th century CE and is said to have composed 10 hymns.
Thirumangai Alvar: He is believed to have lived in the 8th century CE and is said to have composed 1,000 hymns.
The hymns composed by the 12 Alvars are considered to be an important part of the Tamil literary tradition and are sung in Vaishnava temples to this day. They are also studied and revered by scholars and devotees alike for their spiritual and literary significance.