Shaiva, Bhagavata Religion

Q.1 Who among the following was not an ‘Alvar Saint’? (U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2013)

(a) Poigai (b) Tirugyan (c) Pudam (d) Thirumangai

Ans. (b)

Exp:

1. Poigai Alvar was one of the earliest three Alvars (Vaishnava saints), known as the Mudhal Alvars (First Alvars). The three are: Poigai Alvar, Bhutath Alvar, Pey Alvar. They were early Tamil Vaishnava Bhakti saints.
2. Tirugnana Sambandar (also called Tirujnana Sambandar) was a famous Shaiva Nayanar saint, not an Alvar. He was one of the important Nayanars, the Tamil devotional saints devoted to Shiva. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.
3. The option “Pudam” refers to Bhutath Alvar (Pudattalvar/Bhutat Alvar). He was one of the first three Alvars.
4. Thirumangai Alvar was one of the 12 Alvars and an important Tamil Vaishnava poet-saint. He composed several works included in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the major collection of Tamil Vaishnava devotional hymns.
5. ALVARS → Vishnu. There were traditionally 12 Alvars. Important names: Poigai, Bhutath, Pey, Tirumalisai, Nammalvar, Kulasekhara, Periyalvar, Andal, Thondaradippodi, Tiruppan, Tirumangai, and Madhurakavi
6. NAYANARS → Shiva. Traditionally 63 Nayanars. The most famous include: Appar (Tirunavukkarasar), Sambandar, Sundarar.