Difference between Nayanars and Alvars UPSC Notes| Download PDF

Difference between Nayanars and Alvars lies in their religious affiliations within the Bhakti movement of South India. Nayanars, also known as Nayanmars, were devotees of Lord Shiva, composing devotional hymns and promoting Shaivism. Conversely, Alvars, or Azhwars, were devotees of Lord Vishnu, composing hymns praising Vaishnavism. While both groups played crucial roles in the spread of Bhakti ideology, their focus on different deities and theological doctrines delineates their distinct identities within the broader Bhakti tradition.

Difference between Nayanars and Alvars is one of the most important topics for UPSC IAS Examination. This will be very useful for aspirants in the UPSC Prelims Exam.

In this article on the Difference between Alvars and Nayanars, we shall discuss who they were, what their ideologies were and the time-period in which they existed. 

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Difference between Nayanars and Alvars 

This table provides a detailed comparison covering multiple aspects of the Nayanars and Alvars, useful for a deep understanding, especially for UPSC preparation.

Difference between Nayanars and Alvars
Aspect	Nayanars	Alvars
Origin	Originated in Tamil Nadu, between the 6th to 9th centuries CE, during a period of revival for Hinduism in South India.	Originated in Tamil Nadu, between the 6th to 9th centuries CE, a time marked by deepening devotion and the establishment of Vaishnavism.
Deity Worshiped	Devotees of Lord Shiva, known as Shaivites. Their devotion is primarily to the form of Shiva.	Devotees of Lord Vishnu, known as Vaishnavites. Their worship includes various avatars of Vishnu, particularly Rama and Krishna.
Number of Saints	Traditionally counted as 63 saints, including both men and women who dedicated their lives to Shiva.	Traditionally counted as 12 saints, also including both men and women who expressed deep devotion to Vishnu.
Philosophical Focus	Emphasized Shaivism, focusing on devotion (bhakti) to Shiva, often addressing themes of personal surrender, devotion, and the power of Shiva’s grace.	Emphasized Vaishnavism, focusing on surrender (prapatti) to Vishnu, with themes of divine love, grace, and salvation through devotion to Vishnu.
Key Figures	Some prominent Nayanars include Appar (Tirunavukkarasar), Sundarar (Sundaramurthi), Sambandar, and Manikkavacakar.	Prominent Alvars include Periyalvar, Andal (the only female Alvar), Nammalvar, and Thirumangai Alvar.
Literary Contributions	Their hymns are compiled in the Tevaram and Thiruvasagam, which are central texts in Tamil Shaiva liturgy.	Their hymns are collected in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a revered canon in Tamil Vaishnava tradition.
Language	Composed their hymns in Tamil, making spirituality accessible to the common people.	Also composed their hymns in Tamil, emphasizing the significance of the local language for spiritual teachings.
Themes of Devotion	Devotional hymns often narrate the supremacy of Shiva, the poet’s personal dedication, and stories of Shiva’s miracles. They emphasize the destruction of ego and surrender to Shiva.	Their hymns express deep emotional devotion (bhakti), often employing motifs of divine love and longing. They use allegorical themes like Vishnu as the divine lover to convey devotion.
Cultural Impact	Had a profound influence on Tamil Shaiva traditions, temple architecture (notably in Chidambaram), and ritual practices, contributing to the proliferation of Shiva temples and festivals.	Greatly impacted Tamil Vaishnava traditions, influencing temple architecture (especially in Srirangam), rituals, and festivals, contributing to the spread of Vaishnavism across South India.
Role in Bhakti Movement	Major proponents of the Bhakti movement, they played a critical role in making religious devotion a personal and accessible practice and staunchly opposed Jainism and Buddhism.	Integral to the Bhakti movement, their works helped shift focus from ritualistic worship to personal devotion, thus countering the influence of Jainism and Buddhism.
Iconography and Symbols	Often depicted with symbols like the Vibhuti (sacred ash), Rudraksha beads, and sometimes holding weapons like the trident (trishula) or a spear (vel).	Frequently depicted with symbols like the conch (shankha), discus (chakra), along with other Vaishnava insignia, and often represented in postures of prayer and devotion.
Public Influence	Influential across social strata, their hymns aimed to reach every community, and received significant royal patronage, from the Pallavas and later the Cholas.	Garnered widespread following and royal support, spreading their religious ideology through songs and temple endowments under Pallava and Chola patrons.
Role of Women Saints	Fewer women saints; notable ones include Karaikkal Ammaiyar, who is revered for her intense devotion and ascetic lifestyle.	Significant presence of female saints, with Andal being a prominent figure known for her passionate and devotional poetry.
Festivals and Worship	Integral to major Shaiva festivals such as Maha Shivaratri and Arudra Darisanam, with their hymns often sung during temple rituals.	Central to Vaishnava festivals like Vaikunta Ekadasi, Panguni Uthiram, and other prominent celebrations tied to Vishnu and his avatars.
Literary Style	Their hymns are characterized by rich metaphors, vivid imagery, and passionate expressions of devotion to Shiva, conveying complex theological themes in simple, effective language.	Their compositions are filled with allegory, deep emotional expression, and a focus on divine love, often using the symbolism of a soul’s yearning for God, akin to a lover’s longing.

Read the article on the Difference Between Bhakti and Sufi Movements!

Who were Nayanars?

The Nayanars were a group of 63 Tamil saints dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, flourishing between the 6th and 9th centuries CE in Tamil Nadu. These ardent devotees emerged during a period of religious and cultural revivalism, significantly contributing to the development of the Bhakti movement in South India. The Nayanars came from diverse social backgrounds, including various castes and professions, reflecting the inclusive nature of the Bhakti movement. Their devotional hymns, known collectively as the Tevaram, were composed in Tamil and played a crucial role in promoting vernacular literature, making spiritual teachings accessible to the common people. Prominent figures among the Nayanars include Appar (also known as Tirunavukkarasar), Sundarar (Sundaramurthi), Sambandar, and Manikkavacakar.

The Nayanars opposed Jainism and Buddhism, which were prevalent at the time, advocating for the superiority of Shaivism. They fostered a strong community of Shaivite devotees, and their influence is evident in Tamil Shaiva culture, temple architecture, and ritual practices sanctioned by royal patronage from the Pallava and Chola kings.

Who were Alvars?

The Alvars were a group of 12 Tamil poet-saints devoted to Lord Vishnu, active in Tamil Nadu between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. These saints were pivotal in the advancement of the Bhakti movement within the Vaishnavite tradition during a time of spiritual renaissance. The Alvars hailed from various social strata, showcasing the Bhakti movement's egalitarian ethos. Their divine hymns are compiled in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, consisting of 4,000 Tamil verses that extol the virtues, miracles, and avatars of Vishnu, especially emphasizing the emotional intensity of divine love and surrender (prapatti). Key Alvars include Periyalvar, his adoptive daughter Andal, who is one of the few female Alvars, Nammalvar, and Thirumangai Alvar.

The Alvars' contributions significantly influenced Tamil Vaishnava culture, leading to the construction and enhancement of major Vishnu temples, particularly in Srirangam. Their verses are integral to temple rituals and major Vaishnava festivals like Vaikunta Ekadasi and Panguni Uthiram. The Alvars' devotional fervor and their emphasis on personal, emotional relationships with the divine continue to resonate deeply within the Vaishnavite communities, exemplifying the universal appeal of their spiritual teachings.

Read the article on Sufism in India!

Significance of Nayanars and Alvars

The compositions of Nayanars and Alvars have had a significant impact on Tamil literature and music. They have inspired subsequent generations of poets, musicians, and scholars.

• The hymns composed by Nayanars and Alvars have been compiled in the Tamil works known as "Thevaram" and "Divya Prabandham" respectively. These works have played a crucial role in preserving and propagating the religious and cultural traditions of South India.
• Nayanars and Alvars played a pivotal role in popularizing the concept of Bhakti (devotion) as a means of attaining spiritual liberation. Their hymns and teachings have fostered a culture of deep devotion and love for the deities they worshipped.
• The Bhakti movements led by Nayanars and Alvars challenged social hierarchies. They emphasized the equality of all devotees irrespective of their social background or caste. They promoted a more inclusive and egalitarian society.
• The contributions of both Nayanars and Alvars have helped in fostering religious unity by emphasizing the underlying principles of devotion, love, and spirituality, transcending sectarian differences.

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Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants Deity Worshiped: Nayanars were devotees of Lord Shiva, while Alvars were devotees of Lord Vishnu. Number of Saints: There are traditionally 63 Nayanar saints and 12 Alvar saints. Philosophical Focus: Nayanars emphasized Shaivism focusing on devotion (bhakti) to Shiva, whereas Alvars emphasized Vaishnavism focusing on surrender (prapatti) to Vishnu. Literary Contributions: Nayanars' hymns are compiled in the Tevaram and Thiruvasagam, whereas Alvars' hymns are collected in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Cultural Impact: Nayanars influenced Tamil Shaiva traditions, temple architecture, and festival practices, whereas Alvars significantly impacted Tamil Vaishnava traditions and temple rituals. Social Inclusivity: Both groups included saints from diverse social backgrounds, promoting an inclusive approach to spiritual devotion. Role of Women Saints: Notable among the Nayanars is Karaikkal Ammaiyar, while Andal is a prominent female Alvar. Historical Context: Both groups emerged between the 6th and 9th centuries CE in Tamil Nadu, contributing significantly to the Bhakti movement and countering the influence of Jainism and Buddhism.

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