The Nayanars were a group of 63 Tamil poet-saints devoted to Lord Shiva. They lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE and played a significant role in the Bhakti Movement, promoting Shaivism (worship of Lord Shiva) through devotional poetry and songs.
Basic Information on Nayanars
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Meaning of Nayanar | “Leader” or “Devotee” (Tamil) |
| Time Period | 6th to 9th Century CE |
| Religious Tradition | Shaivism (Hindu Bhakti Movement) |
| Number of Nayanars | 63 |
| Sacred Texts | Tevaram, Tirumurai, Tiruvacakam |
| Worshiped Deity | Shiva |
| Key Concept | Bhakti (Devotion) over Rituals |
Teachings and Philosophy of Nayanars
- Devotion to Shiva (Bhakti)
- The Nayanars promoted deep personal devotion (Bhakti) to Lord Shiva through poetry and singing.
- Opposition to Caste Discrimination
- Many Nayanars were from lower castes, showing the inclusive nature of Bhakti.
- Social and Religious Reform
- Challenged Brahminical rituals and promoted direct devotion to Shiva.
- Temple Worship
- Their hymns became an integral part of temple worship in South India.
- Equality in Devotion
- Women and people from all backgrounds were accepted as Shiva devotees.
Major Nayanars and Their Contributions
| Nayanar | Key Contributions |
|---|---|
| Appar (Tirunavukkarasar) | Converted from Jainism to Shaivism, promoted Shiva Bhakti. |
| Sundarar | Known for singing hymns in a personal, friendly tone to Shiva. |
| Sambandar | Child prodigy, wrote Tevaram hymns in praise of Shiva. |
| Karaikkal Ammaiyar | A female saint, known for renouncing beauty and embracing Shiva. |
| Manikkavasagar | Composed Tiruvacakam, a devotional Shaivite text. |
| Kannappa Nayanar | A tribal devotee who offered his eyes to Shiva. |
Sacred Texts of Nayanars
- Tevaram (7th–9th Century CE)
- A collection of Shaivite hymns composed by Appar, Sundarar, and Sambandar.
- Forms part of Tamil Bhakti literature.
- Tirumurai
- Compilation of Tamil devotional hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Tiruvacakam
- Written by Manikkavasagar, expressing deep Shaiva devotion.
Comparison: Nayanars vs Alvars
| Feature | Nayanars (Shaivism) | Alvars (Vaishnavism) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Saints | 63 | 12 |
| God Worshiped | Shiva | Vishnu |
| Sacred Texts | Tevaram, Tirumurai | Divya Prabandham |
| Bhakti Style | Emotional devotion, singing hymns | Emotional devotion, singing hymns |
| Time Period | 6th–9th century CE | 6th–9th century CE |
Impact of the Nayanars
- Spread of Shaivism in South India
- Nayanars helped establish Shaiva temples and rituals.
- Bhakti Movement Influence
- Inspired later Bhakti saints like Basavanna and Namdev.
- Development of Tamil Literature
- Their hymns enriched Tamil spiritual poetry.
- Incorporation into Temple Worship
- The Tevaram hymns became part of daily worship in Tamil Shaiva temples.
Major Shiva Temples Associated with Nayanars
- Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- Dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja (Cosmic Dancer).
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Cholas.
- Rameshwaram Temple (Tamil Nadu)
- One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
- One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, where Shiva is worshiped as Vishwanath (Lord of the Universe).
- Thillai Nataraja Temple (Chidambaram)
- Where Shiva is worshipped as the Lord of Dance (Nataraja).
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Meaning of Nayanar | “Leader” or “Devotee” (Tamil) |
| Number of Nayanars | 63 |
| Sacred Texts | Tevaram, Tirumurai, Tiruvacakam |
| Most Famous Nayanars | Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar |
| Major Worship Centers | Chidambaram, Kashi Vishwanath |
| Time Period | 6th–9th century CE |
MCQs on Nayanars
1. Who were the Nayanars?
A) Devotees of Vishnu
B) Devotees of Shiva
C) Jain Monks
D) Buddhist Scholars
Answer: B) Devotees of Shiva
2. How many Nayanars were there?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 63
D) 108
Answer: C) 63
3. Which text contains the hymns of Nayanars?
A) Bhagavad Gita
B) Tevaram
C) Divya Prabandham
D) Ramayana
Answer: B) Tevaram
4. Who among the following was a famous female Nayanar?
A) Andal
B) Mirabai
C) Lalla Ded
D) Karaikkal Ammaiyar
Answer: D) Karaikkal Ammaiyar
5. Which temple is associated with Lord Shiva as Nataraja?
A) Brihadeeswarar Temple
B) Chidambaram Temple
C) Jagannath Temple
D) Kedarnath Temple
Answer: B) Chidambaram Temple
Subjective Questions for Further Revision
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- Who were the Nayanars, and what was their significance?
- What is the Tevaram, and why is it important?
- Name the only female Nayanar and her contribution.
- What was the role of Appar and Sundarar in Shaivism?
- How did the Nayanars influence the Bhakti Movement?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss the role of the Nayanars in the spread of Shaivism.
- Explain the philosophy and teachings of the Nayanars.
- Compare the Nayanars with the Alvars in the Bhakti Movement.
- How did the Nayanars promote social equality in Tamil society?
- Analyze the impact of Nayanars on temple worship in South India.
These notes are essential for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Hinduism, Indian Culture, and Religious History. Revise thoroughly and practice the MCQs and subjective questions to strengthen your preparation! 🚀