UPSC · Prelims and Mains
Ancient and Medieval History, Art and Culture
← Religion and philosophyBhakti in the south: Alvars, Nayanars, acharyas and Virashaivas
- Alvars nayanars
- Adi Shankara (eighth century, Kaladi): Advaita, maya, four mathas, debates with Mimamsakas and Buddhists
- Ramanuja (eleventh to twelfth century, Srirangam): Vishishtadvaita, Sri Vaishnava sampradaya, devotion (bhakti and prapatti) as the best means of salvation; Nathamuni and Yamunacharya before him
- Madhvacharya (thirteenth century, Udupi): Dvaita; Haridasa movement (Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa); Vallabha's Pushtimarg is distinct
- Basavanna (twelfth century, Kalyana court of Bijjala): Virashaivas or Lingayats, vachanas, ishtalinga, rejection of caste hierarchy and questioning of rebirth, burial not cremation
- Siddhars (Sittars) of Tamil country: monotheistic, condemned idolatry and caste, Tirumular's Tirumantiram
