The Vedas and Bhakti Harmonized - Kovalur

The Mutal Alvars and Tirumankai

Bibliographic Data

ID22196584
AuthorsKesava Rajarajan K (0000-0002-1078-1694), Kesava Rajarajan (Gandhigram Rural Institute, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume2
Issue2
Pages14-33
Publication date2021-08-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2582-7472 • E-ISSN: 2582-7472
PublisherGranthaalayah Publications and Printers (PUBLISHER • IN)
DOI10.29121/shodhkosh.v2.i2.2021.27
OpenAlexW3193394090
LanguageEN
References cited12

The unanimous opinion among religious philosophers is that the Vedas and bhakti are two different denominators of approach to God in Indian tradition. However, the Tamil Vaiṣṇava mystics, the Āḻvārs find a harmonious blend of the two modes in ritual worship. The present article examines the pros and cons of the problem from a study of the hymns beginning with the Mutal (Early) Āḻvārs and last in the train, Tirumaṅkai. The cited hymns are replete with the bounties of nature associated with the divyadeśa-Kōvalūr that we examine for a case study. Bhakti or the Veda is the euphony linked with nature. The present article explains how the Āḻvārs had harmonized the Veda with bhakti. These are complementary modes of approach to God. They are not conflicting phenomena. By the way, data bearing on flora and fauna dumped in the twenty-one hymns on Kōvalūr are presented in a capsule (Attachment)

Hinduism · Linguistics · Mantra · Mysticism · Tamil · Theology · Traditional medicine · Vedas · Worship · History · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Indian History and Philosophy · Medicine · Philosophy · Religious studies · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices

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