Trace the growth of Tamil devotional cults (Alvars/Nayanars). Discuss the Virashaiva movement as an attempt at social reform.

The Bhakti Movement originated in South India between the 7th and 12th centuries. It began as a reaction against the formalism of Brahmanism and the dominance of Jainism and Buddhism. The movement was spearheaded by the Tamil saints—the Alvars and Nayanars—and later reached a radical social peak with the Virashaiva movement in Karnataka.

1. The Tamil Devotional Cults: Alvars and Nayanars

The Bhakti movement in the Tamil region was characterized by intense personal devotion to a specific deity:

  • Nayanars (Shaivites): There were 63 Nayanar saints devoted to Lord Shiva. Their hymns were compiled in the Tevaram and Thiruvasagam. Famous saints include Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar.
  • Alvars (Vaishnavites): There were 12 Alvar saints devoted to Lord Vishnu. Their collective works are known as the Nalayira Divya Prabandham. Andal was the only female saint among them, celebrated for her divine love for Krishna.
  • Social Inclusivity: These cults were the first to break caste barriers. Saints came from all backgrounds, including potters, hunters, and even "untouchable" groups (like Nandanar).
  • Royal Support: Initially a folk movement, it later received massive Pallava and Chola patronage, leading to the construction of grand stone temples.

2. The Virashaiva Movement: A Radical Social Reform

Founded by Basavanna (a minister in the Kalachuri court) in the 12th century, the Virashaiva (or Lingayat) movement was a revolutionary attempt to reform society:

  • Opposition to Caste: Basavanna famously rejected the Varna system. He promoted the idea that all human beings are equal in the eyes of Shiva. He even conducted marriages between different castes to defy social norms.
  • Rejection of Rituals: They opposed idol worship, sacrificial rituals, and the authority of the Vedas. Instead, they wore a small Lingam in a silver casket around their necks (hence the name Lingayats).
  • Dignity of Labour (Kayaka): The movement preached Kayaka—the idea that manual work is worship. It discouraged begging and emphasized self-reliance.
  • Anubhava Mantapa: Basavanna established the "Hall of Experience," which was the first democratic parliament where men and women of all castes sat together to discuss spiritual and social issues.
  • Status of Women: The movement strongly opposed child marriage and the ill-treatment of widows. Female saints like Akka Mahadevi played a central role in this movement.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alvars and Nayanars successfully shifted the religious focus from rituals to emotion, while the Virashaiva movement took it a step further by challenging the structural inequalities of Hindu society. These movements provided the "How" for the survival of Hinduism by making it democratic and accessible to the common man. These cults represent the first major wave of social egalitarianism in medieval India.