A Comparison Between Alvars And Bhakti Saints Of Maharashtra

Bhakti Across Regions: A Comparative Study of the Tamil Alvars and Maharashtrian Bhakti Saints

The Bhakti movement, a profound religious and social phenomenon in medieval India, found expression in diverse regions through the devotional poetry and lives of its saints. In South India, the twelve Tamil Alvars glorified Vishnu through lyrical hymns, while in Maharashtra, saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, and Namdev celebrated Vithoba (an incarnation of Krishna) and other forms of the divine. Though separated by geography and language, both traditions shared a common goal: to make spiritual devotion accessible to all, transcending caste and ritual barriers.

Historical Background
The Alvar tradition flourished between the 6th and 9th centuries CE along the Tamil coast. These poet-saints—among them Nammalvar, Andal, and Periyalvar—sang hundreds of hymns in praise of Vishnu, later compiled into the Divya Prabandham. Their verses inaugurated the Sri Vaishnava tradition and inspired temple-building and ritual innovations.

In Maharashtra, the Bhakti wave emerged between the 13th and 17th centuries CE under the patronage of the Varkari and Mahanubhava sects. Beginning with Dnyaneshwar (1275–1296), who composed the Dnyaneshwari, an extensive Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, the tradition continued with saints like Namdev, Eknath, and Tukaram. Their simple abhangs (devotional songs) popularized Vithoba worship and fostered large pilgrimages to Pandharpur.

Gods Worshipped

• Alvars: Focused almost exclusively on Vishnu and his avatars, especially Krishna and Rama. The Tamil hymns celebrate divine qualities such as compassion, playfulness, and protection, and often evoke the landscapes of Tamil Nadu in which these deities manifest.

• Maharashtrian Saints: Centered on Vithoba (or Vitthal), a regional form of Krishna-Vishnu worshipped at Pandharpur. Other forms like Rama, Shiva, and the local goddess Yogeshwari appear in some compositions, but Vithoba remains paramount.

Key Similarities

1. Devotion Over Ritual: Both traditions elevated heartfelt bhakti above elaborate Vedic rituals. They taught that sincere love of God alone could grant liberation.

2. Use of Vernacular Language: By composing in Tamil and Marathi, the saints made spiritual teachings accessible to the common person, breaking Brahminical monopoly over Sanskrit scriptures.

3. Temple and Pilgrimage Culture: The Alvars inspired Vishnu temples across Tamil Nadu, while the Maharashtrian saints popularized annual pilgrimages (wari) to Pandharpur, fostering communal worship.

4. Social Reform: Both movements challenged caste hierarchies. Alvars included members from various social backgrounds, and Maharashtrian saints explicitly welcomed untouchables and women into devotional practices.

Key Differences

1. Chronology and Geography: The Alvars preceded the Maharashtrian Bhakti saints by several centuries and were located in the deep south, whereas the Varkari movement arose in the western Deccan.

2. Literary Output and Form: Alvar hymns (pasurams) are elaborate and rich in Tamil poetic meters, forming a canonical corpus. Maharashtrian abhangs are shorter, repetitive, and often set to simple melodies for singing during pilgrimage.

3. Institutional Legacy: The Sri Vaishnava tradition established by Alvar influence remains closely tied to temple rituals and the philosophical system of Ramanuja. In Maharashtra, the Varkari movement is more loosely organized, emphasizing lay participation and less formal theology.

4. Role of Women: While Andal is a notable female Alvar, her contributions are exceptional. In Maharashtra, women like Muktabai and Janabai are part of a broader inclusivity, yet remain fewer in number compared to male saints.

Influence on Respective Societies

• Tamil Nadu: The Alvars inspired a revival of temple-centric worship, leading to the construction and renovation of grand Vishnu temples. Their hymns form a foundational element of Sri Vaishnava liturgy, recited daily in many households. Philosophers like Ramanuja systematized their teachings into Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, influencing South Indian theology and arts for over a millennium.

• Maharashtra: The Varkari tradition fostered strong community bonds, with annual palkhi (palanquin) processions of saintly images drawing millions of pilgrims to Pandharpur. The egalitarian ethos shaped Marathi culture, giving birth to folk music, dance, and drama that celebrate devotion in everyday life. Saints’ abhangs remain part of popular repertoire, reinforcing social cohesion.

Current Status and Ongoing Influence
Today, the legacy of the Alvars continues through active temple worship across Tamil Nadu, pilgrimages to Divya Desams (108 Vishnu shrines), and the study of Divya Prabandham in seminaries. Sri Vaishnava communities worldwide recite Alvar verses, and classical dance forms interpret their hymns through abhinaya.

In Maharashtra, the Varkari pilgrimage thrives, with pilgrims (wariyari) traversing long distances on foot. Abhangs are broadcast on radio and social media, inspiring new devotional music genres. Modern social reformers draw upon the saints’ messages of equality to address contemporary issues such as caste discrimination and women’s rights. Educational institutions run by Varkari trusts serve rural communities, blending devotion with social service.

Other Inputs: Arts, Philosophy, and Beyond

• Musical Styles: Alvar hymns have been rendered in Carnatic music concerts, often opening recitals with a pasuram. Maharashtrian abhangs feature in natyas (dramatic performances) and are central to folk genres like bhavageet.

• Philosophical Depth: While the Varkari saints focused on direct experience of grace, Sri Vaishnava scholars built intricate theological frameworks around Alvar insights, debating nature of soul, divine attributes, and the means of salvation.

• Literary Impact: The poetic richness of the Alvars influenced Tamil literature, spawning works in both secular and religious domains. Similarly, Dnyaneshwari spurred a flourishing of Marathi prose and commentary, setting a precedent for vernacular scholarship.

Final Thoughts
Though separated by time and terrain, the Tamil Alvars and Maharashtrian Bhakti saints share a profound unity in their emphasis on personal devotion, social inclusivity, and use of the vernacular. Their hymns and teachings transformed the spiritual landscape of India, democratizing access to the divine and fostering cultural expressions that endure today. By celebrating the divine in song and service, they forged a devotional heritage that continues to inspire countless devotees across the subcontinent.