Alvars of South India: A psychiatric scanner

Abstract

Vaishnavism, the other important Hindu tradition besides Saivism, gained importance by the Bhakti movement sprouting from the Tamil land in the 7th–9th centuries Common Era and spreading all over the subcontinent, and as preached by the Alvars, which is discussed along with the evolution of the Godhead of Lord Vishnu is briefly mentioned. The maternal care of the divine child Sri Krishna by Yashodha as described by the Alvar, Perialvar, is summarized. The mysticism of Nammalvar and the religious experiences of other two Alvars, Kulasekarar and Andal, are sketched in this study.

Divine Love: The Bridal Mysticism of Andal

“…Some of the biographical details are to be found in one of our earlier articles. 1 The only woman among the 12 Alvars, Andal, lived in the ninth century ce . Her name literally translates as “the one who rules the Lord.” She is believed to have been found as a baby, underneath a holy basil plant, in the temple garden of Srivilliputhur, by the temple’s garland maker, Vishnuchittan (also known as Periyalvar, another of the 12 Alvars).…”

“…Some of the biographical details are to be found in one of our earlier articles. 1 The only woman among the 12 Alvars, Andal, lived in the ninth century ce. Her name literally translates as "the one who rules the Lord."…”