Bhakti and Sufi Chapter
Bhakti and Sufi Chapter
Bhakti and Sufi Chapter
Q1.Who coined the terms”Great” and “Little” tradition ? What do you understand by concepts of Great
and Little traditions ?
A1.The term “Great” and “Little” tradition was coined by Robert Redfield. He was a 12th century
Sociologist and described the cultural practices of peasant society.
1)Those traditions which were followed by socially dominated classes such as priests and the kings were
known as Great Traditions.
2)Those cultural traditions which were followed by the peasantry class and other social groups were
known as Little Traditions.
Q2.Explain with examples what historians mean by the integration of cults.
A2.The period from 10th-17th century witnessed the worship of Gods in many forms.Many Gods and
Goddesses appear in the sculptures and texts but they were various forms of the original deities only.
These original deities are Vishnu,Shiva, and Goddesses Durga,Lakshmi and Parvati.
1)The integration of cults means that there was composition, compilation and preservation of Puranic
texts in simple Sanskrit verse ,mainly meant to be accessible to women and Shudras ,who were
generally excluded from Vedic learning.
2) Secondly, the Brahmans also accepted and reworked the beliefs and practices of these and other
social categories. It was a process of evolution, wherein Traditional classical traditions were getting new
shapes as they were being impacted by the traditions of common people throughout the land.
Some examples :
1)A very good example of the above description is the temple of Jagannath at Puri in Orissa. The temple
is of Lord Jagannath who is another form of Vishnu only. The word Jagannath means one who owns the
world.
2)There were many local gods, their statues were often created by wood and stones by tribals. The
worship of the goddesses in the form of stone smeared with ochre was widespread. These local deities
were made a part of the Puranic traditions by giving them an identity as the wife of the main male gods.
So sometimes, they were regarded as Lakshmi Vishnu’s wife or as Parvati Shiva’s wife.
Q3.Describe the differences and the conflicts in the evolution of changes in religious ,beliefs or forms of
worship.
A3.The differences and conflicts that arose in the evolution of changes in religious beliefs and practices
were as given below :
1)Tantric practices were widespread in several parts of the subcontinent .They were associated with
the worship of goddess. They were open to women and men, they ignored differences of caste and class
within the ritual context. Many of these ideas influenced Shaivism and as well as Buddhism.
2)During this period Vedas still continued to be revered as authoritative. Thus there was conflict too
because those who valued the Vedic tradition often condemned practices ,such as Tantric.They went
beyond the closely regulated contact with the divine through the performance of sacrifices or precisely
chanted mantras.
3)Those who were in Tantric practices frequently ignored the authority of the Vedas.
4)Devotees often tended to project their chosen deity, either Vishnu or Shiva as supreme.
5)Relations with other traditions ,such as Buddhism or Jainism were also full of tension.
Q4.Describe the early traditions of Bhakti .
A4.The early traditions of Bhakti were :
1)Poet-saints emerged as leaders around whom there developed a community of devotees.
2)Brahamans remained important intermediaries between gods and devotees in several forms of
Bhakti.
3)The early traditions accomadated and acknowledged women and the ‘lower castes” categories that
were considered ineligible for liberation within the orthodox Brahaminical framework.
4)There was remarkable diversity too.
5)There were two Bhakti traditions-
a)SAGUNA(with attributes) –it focused on the worship of specific deities such as Shiva,Vishnu and his
avatars and forms of the goddess or Devi.
b)NIRGUNA(without attributes)—It was a worship of an abstract form of God.
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Q5.Who were the Alvars and the Nayanars ?
A5.
1)The Alvars: Some of the earliest bhakti movements were led by the Alvars, literally, those who are
“immersed” in devotion to Vishnu.
2) Nayanars: literally, leaders who were devotees of Shiva.They travelled from place to place singing
hymns in Tamilin praise of their gods.
3)During their travels the Alvars and Nayanars identified certain shrines as abodes of their chosen
deities and large temples were built at these sacred places. These developed as centers ofpilgrimage.
4) Some historians suggest that the Alvars and Nayanars initiated a movement of protest against the
caste system and dominance of Brahmanas. Bhaktas joined from diverse social backgrounds from
Brahmanas to cultivators and even from castes considered untouchables.
5) Alvars and Nayanars claimed that their compositions were as importantas the Vedas. The
composition of the Alvars, the NalayiraDivyaprabandham, was frequently described as the Tamil Veda
and the composition of Nayanars is Tevaram.
6)One of the most striking features of these traditions was the presence of women. For instance ,the
compositions of Andal, a woman Alvar, were widely sung and continue to be sung to date. Andal saw
herself as the beloved of Vishnu; her verses express her love for the deity.
7) Another woman, Karaikkal Ammaiyar, a devotee of Shiva, adopted the path of extreme asceticism in
order to attain her goal. Her compositions were preserved with in the Nayanar tradition.
Q6.”One of the major themes in Tamil bhakti hymns is the poet’s opposition to Buddhism and
Jainism”.Explain with reason.
A6.
1)It is a fact that one of the major themes in Tamil bhakti hymns is the poet’s opposition to Buddhism
and Jainism, particularly in the compositions of the Nayanars.
2)The opposition to Buddhism, Jainism or other religious traditions was due to the competition
between the members of other religious traditions for royal patronage. For example ,powerful Chola
rulers supported Brahmanical and bhakti traditions by making land grants and constructing temples for
Vishnu and Shiva, such as shiva temples at Chidambaram,Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram.
Q7.Who started the VIrashaiva traditions in Karnataka ? What were its main principles ? OR Describe
the main features of the Virashaiva tradition in Karnataka.
A7.
1)Basavanna, a Brahman who was a minister in the court of a Chalukyan ruler started the Virashaiva
tradition in Karnataka in the 12th century. Also known as lingayats, this community worships Shiva in his
manifestation as a linga.
2) Men usually wear a small linga in a silver case on a loop strung over the left shoulder.
3)The lingayats believed that on death the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to this
world. They therefore do not do funerary rites such as cremation prescribed in the Dharamshastras.
Instead they ceremonially bury their dead.
4)They were against the caste system, social pollution and the theory of rebirth.
5)Certain practices were encouraged by the lingayats such as post –puberty marriages and widow
remarriage..Whatever we know about the Virashaiva tradition has been derived from vachanas
composed in Kannad by those who had joined the movement.
Q8”In North India historians have not found evidence of anything resembling the compositions of the
Alvars and the Nayanars till the 14th century.” How do you account for this difference ?
A8.The reason for this difference is :
1)Emergence of many Rajput states in North India,where Brahmans occupied an important position,
performed various rituals and no one could challenge their position.
2)During this period, religious leaders such as the Naths,Jogis and Siddhas emerged ,they did not work
within the orthodox Brahmanical framework.Many of them came from artisanal group such as weavers
who gained importance due to their craft work.
3)New leaders questioned the authority of the Vedas.
4)They expressed themselves in languages spoken by common men.
5)With the coming of the Turks,,Delhi Sultanate was established in thev 13th century which reduced the
power of the Rajputs and the Brahmans.
6)There were marked changes in the sphere of culture and religion such as coming of Sufism.
Q9 Who were Ulemas ?
A9.Ulemas are scholars of Islamic studies,considered as preserver of Islam and performed many
functions in judicial and religious sphere.
Q10.What do you know about Sharia ‘ ?
A10.By Sharia we mean Islamic law. These laws were based on the Quran and the Hadis the traditions
of the prophet including a record of his remembered words and deeds .The Ulema expected that rulers
to rule according to Sharia’.
Q11.Give the meaning of zimma. Who were zimmis ?
A11.Zimmi means protected derived from an Arabic word Zimma. It refers to those non-muslim people
who lived under the protection of muslim rulers. Thus zimmis were the protector of the people who
lived in the muslim area.They pay jizya (a religious tax on non-hindus) and were exempted from the
following Islamic laws.
Q12.What were the five principles of Islam ?
A12.The 5 principles or 5 pillars of Islam are as follows :
a)There is one God,Allah and Prophet Muhammad is his messenger.
b)Offering prayers five times a day.
c) Giving alms (zakat)
d)fasting during the month of ramzaan.
e)Performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.(Haj)
Q13.Write a brief note on ‘Sufism’. OR Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterized
Sufism.
A13 .Sufism was a reform movement within Islam and started as a reaction against the constant fights
b/w the Shias and Sunnis, the two sects of the Muslim community.
1)Sufis turned to ascetism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the Caliphate as
a religious and political institution.
Teachings :
2)a.They believed in one God .According to them God is one and he is ALLAH.Besides Allah they should
not serve anyone.
b)Sufis lay great stress on the equality and brotherhood of all irrespective of any distinctions.They
emphasized that all human beings whatever caste or whatever their social ranks in the society ,rich
and poor all are equal.
c)They also believed that one can reach God through personal devotion and not through meaningless
rituals.
d)According to them prayer to God is the essential duty of a man.
e)It also preached charity and giving alms to all the needy.
f)Sufis laid great emphasis on Ibadat(worship) of God, which included fasting ,prayer and pilgrimage to
Mecca.
g)They regarded Prophet Muhammad as a perfect human being and suggested to follow his example.
3)Sufis organized communities around the Khanqah or hospice controlled by a Shaikh, pir or murshids.
SILSILAS:
4)Sufi saints organized themselves into 12 orders called Silsilas .Each silsila was was generally led by a
mystic called Pir who used to live with his followers or disciples known as murids.Every pir nominated
his successor (khalifa) to carry on his work.
5)Khalifa established rules for spiritual conduct and interaction between inmates as well as b/w
laypersons and the master.
6) The word silsila literally means a chain ,signifying a continous link b/w master and disciple stretching
as far as back to the Prophet Muhammad .It was through this channel that spiritual power and the
blessings were transmitted to the devotees. Those who wished to join the silsila had to perform
certain rituals like taking an oath of allegiance, wore a patched garment and shaved their hair.
7)When the sheikh or pir died his tomb-shrine became the center of devotion for his followers.This
encouraged the practice of pilgrimage or ziyarat to his grave particularly on his death anniversary or
urs.This was because the people believed that in death ,the saints had great power as they were now
united with God.
Thus evolved the cult of sheikh revered as wali.
Q14What are the similarities and differences b/n the be-shari’a and the ba-shari’a ?
A14.The sufi mystics were divided into two groups based on their ideologies ---be shari’a and ba shari’a.
SIMILARITIES:
1)Both be shari ‘a and ba shari’a sufis turned toasceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing
materialismof the Caliphate.
2)Both were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Quran .
3)Both emphasized on seeking salvation through intense devotion and love for God .
4)Both sought an interpretation of the Quran on the basis of their personal experiences.
DIFFERENCES.
Be-Sharia Ba-Sharia
1)Sufis, Who left the khanqah and took to The Sufis who lived in Khanqas by following
mendicancy and observed celibacy and normal Sharia practices were called Ba-
extreme forms of asceticism were called Be- Sharia Sufis.
Sharia
2)They were known by different names – The chishti silsila is the most important and
Qalandars, Madaris, Malangs, Haidaris,etc. influential tradition.
3)They deliberatel defied the sari’a i.e law They complied with the shari’a.
governing the muslim community.So they
were called as be shari’a
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Q14 .Describe the life of Chishti in Khanqah. How Khanqah acted as a centre of social life ?
A14.The khanqah was the centre of social life.Shaikh Nizamuddin’s hospice was on the banks of the river
Yamuna in Ghiyaspur.
1)It comprised of several rooms and a big hall(jama’at khana) where the inmates and visitors lived and
prayed.
2)The shaikh lived in a small room on the roof of the hall where he met visitors in the morning and
evening.
3)There was a boundary wall around the complex with a verandah surrounded by the courtyard.
4)There was an open kitchen (langar)run on futuh(unasked for charity).
5)From morning till late night people from all walks of life –soldiers,slaves,travelers ,rich and poor,Hindu
jogis and qalandhars came seeking discipleship,amulets for healing and the intercession of the Shaikh in
various matters.
6)Poets Amir Hassan Sijzi ,Amir Khusrau and the court historian Ziauddin Barani too visited the
Khanqah and wrote about the Shaikh.
7)Attempts were made to assimilate local traditions by adopting various practices incliuding bowing
before the Shaikh, offering water to the visitors,shaving the heads of initiates and yogic exercises.
Shaikh appointed several spiritual successors and deputed them to set up hospices in different parts of the
sub-continent. As a result,the teachings, practices and organizations of the Chishtis as well as the fame of
the Shaikh spread rapidly.
Q15.Explain Chishti devotionalism with special reference to ziarat and qawwali.
A15.
1)ZIARAT OR ZIYARAT---Pilgrimage called ziarat to tombs of sufi saints is prevalent all over the
muslim world.This practice is an occasion for seeking the sufi’s spiritual grace .People of various
creeds,classes and social backgrounds have expressed their devotion at the dargahs of the 5 great Chishti
saints,the most revered shrine is that of Khwaja Moinuddin popularly known as ‘Gharib Nawaz’
(comforter of the poor).His dargah was very popular due to the austerity and piety of the Shaikh,the
greatness of his spiritual successors and the patronage of royal visitors like Muhammad-bin-tughlaq the
first Sultan to visit the shrine.Anoher example is that of Mughal emperor Akbar who visited the dargah 14
times to seek blessings for new conquest,fulfillment of the vows and the birth of the sons.He celebrated
his visits by generous gifts. He offered a huge cauldron to facilitate cooking for pilgrims.He also had a
mosque constructed within the compound of the dargah.
2)QAWWALI---A part of the ziyarat is the use of music and dance including musical chants performed
by specially trained musicians or qawwals to evoke divine ecstasy.The sufis remember God either by
reciting the zikr(the Divine names) or evoking His presence through ‘sama’(audition) or performance of
mystical music.Sama was integral to the Chishtis and exemplified interaction with indigenous traditions.
Q16.Describe the languages and the modes of communication adopted by the Chishtis .
A16.
a)LANGUAGES---1)The Chishtis adopted local languages .In Delhi,under the Chishtis silsila Hindavi
was used.
2)Baba Farid composed verses in local language, which were incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib.
b)MODES OF COMMUNICATIONS—
1)Long poems or masnavis were composed to express idea of divine love using human love as an allegory
for eg Padmavat composed by Malik Muhammad Jayasi , such poetic compositions recited in hospices
during sama.
2)Short poems in Dakhani were composed around the towns of Bijapur,Karnataka.These poems such as
Charakhnama were probably sung by women while performing chores like grinding of grains and
spinning.
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Q17.Describe the life and teachings of Kabir .(vvimp).
A17.KABIR:
a) Kabir was born in aHindu family (Kabirdas) but was raised by a poor Muslim family belonging to the
community of weavers or julahas, who were relatively recent converts to Islam. They also suggested that
he was initiated into bhakti by a guru, perhaps Ramananda.
b)Kabir was one of the most outstanding examples of a poet-saint who emerged in North India.Verses
ascribed to Kabir have been compiled in three distinct but overlapping traditions.
a) The KabirBijakis preserved by the Kabirpanth in Varanasi and in UttarPradesh;
b)the KabirGranthavaliis associated with the Dadupanth in Rajasthan,
c)and many of his compositions are found in the AdiGranth Sahib.
c)Kabir’s poems have survived in several languages and dialects; and some are composed in the special
language of nirguna poets, the sant bhasha. Others,known as ulatbansi(upside-down sayings), are
written in a form in which everyday meanings are inverted.
TEACHINGS :
1) Kabir’s mystical experiences are many to describe the Ultimate Reality. These include Islam: he
described the Ultimate Reality as Allah,Khuda, Hazrat and Pir.He thus emphasized the unity of God.
2). He strongly denounced idol worship,polygamy,bathing in the Ganga.In short he rejected ritualistic
religion.
3). He believed in the equality of all human beings and opposed all forms of distinctions such as the cxaste
system and untouchability.
4). He felt that neither ascetism nor books were required to gain true knowledge.What was needed was
unflinching devotion to God. He believed that Hindus and Muslims were pots made out of the same clay
and that thyere were no differences b/w the Quran and the Puranas
5) He also used terms drawn from Vedantic traditions, alakh(the unseen), nirakar(formless), Brahman,
Atman, etc. Other terms with mystical connotations such as shabda(sound) or shunya(emptiness) were
drawn from yogic traditions.
d) Verses and sometimes conflicting ideas are expressed in these poems. Some poems draw on Islamic ideas
and use monotheism and iconoclasm to attack Hindu polytheism and idol worship; others use the Sufi
concept of love to express the Hindu practice of Nam-simaran(remembranceof God’s name).
e). However, the verses attributed to Kabir use the words guru and satguru, but do not mention the name of
any specific preceptor. Historians have pointed out that it is very difficult to establish that Ramananda and
Kabir were contemporaries, without assigning improbably long lives to either or both.
His liberal teachings however made him unpopular with the orthodox section of both Hindus and the
Muslims.But his simple teachings however made him popular among the common people..
Q18.Describe the life and teachings of Guru Nanak.
A18.Guru Nanak was born in in 1469 in Talwandi(now known as Nankana in Pakistan).Like Kabir he laid
great emphasis on personal devotion to God for attaining salvation.
TEACHINGS :
1)He believed in nirguna bhakti.
2)He was against the external practices of religion.
3)He rejected sacrifices,ritual baths ,image worships austerities and the scriptures of both Hindus andMuslims
4) For him,the Absolute or “rab” had no gender or form.
5)He favoured a simple way of connecting to the Divine by remembering and repeating the Divine name.
The way in which the major teachings of Nanak were transmitted were as follows:
a)He expressed his ideas through hymns called ‘shabad’ in Punjabi.
b)He would sing his compositions in various ragas while his attendant Mardana played rabab.
c)He organized his followers into a community.He set up his rules for congregational worship (sangat)
involving collective recitation.
Though he did not wish to start a new religion but his followers distinguished themselves from Hindus and
Muslims and founded a new religion known as Sikhism.
Q19.Who was Mirabai ? What role did she play in the bhakti movement ?
A19.
1)Mirabai was the most well-known woman poet in the bhakti movement. A Rajput princess from Merta in
Marwar she was married to a prince of the Sisodia clan of Mewar.
2)Rejecting the traditional role of wife and mother she recognized Krishna,the avatar of Vishnu, as her lover.
3)When her in-laws- tried to poison her ,she escaped to live as a wandering singer composing bhajans
which are characterized by intense emotion.
4)According to certain traditions ,her Guru was Raidas, a leather worker .This indicates that she did not
believe in the prevalent caste norms.
5)Though Mirabai did not attract a sect or group of followers she has been source of inspiration for
centuries .Her bhajans continue to be sung by men and women especially who are poor and considered as
low caste in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Q20.Describe the impact of Sufism on Indian society .
A20.The Sufism had far reaching impact on the Indian society :
1)They emphasized on the universal brotherhood of mankind thereby tried to bring Hindus and Muslims to
come closer.
2)Helped in shaping the character of the people.
3)They raised their voice against the evils prevailing in the society and tried to eradicate them.
4)They contributed greatly towards the growth of regional culture and literature.
5)The sufis who were great scholars open madarsas in their khanqah to impart education to the people.
6)As a result of their considerable influence on the contemporary rulers they restrained them many times from
doing wrong to the people.
Q21.Describe the key features of the Bhakti movement .
A21 The key features of the Bhakti movement are :
1)BELIEVE IN ONE GOD : The saints of Bhakti movement believe in one God.According to them Ram
,Rahim, Krishna ,Hari ,Allah etc are the names of onGod. God is almighty and omnipresent and omnipotent.
He is the creator as well as the destroyer of the world.
2)EMPHASIS ON LEADING A PURE LIFE : They emphasized that a person should work and make his
living and should always be ready to help the poor and the needy.
3)FAITH IN GURU: The Bhakti saints had unflinching faith in Gurus and that they act as a mediator and a
bridge by means of which one can reach God.
4)OPPOSED FALSE RITUALS : They were not in favour of idol worship, fasting,pilgrimages etc.They
emphasized on the internal purity of the heart than the observance of these external symbols of religions.
5)CHALLENGED THE SUPREMACY OF THE SANSKRIT :Bhakti saints preached their message in local
languages of the common people.They put forward their opinion that God can be worshipped in any language.
Thereby challenged the sanctity of the Sanskrit language which had become unintelligible to the common
people..
6)OPPOSED CASTE SYSTEM : They preached the message of equality and held that caste-based
distinctions are baseless.
7)TRIED TO BRIDGE THE GAP B/W HINDUS AND MUSLIMS : The teachings of Bhakti saints acted as
a bridge to fill the gap b/w Hindus and Muslims and explained both are the creations of one God..
8)SELF-SURRENDER TO GOD : Complete devotion to the God through words and deeds can help to attain
the salvation.
Q22.To what extent do you think the architecture of mosques in the sub-continent reflects a combination of
universal ideals and local traditions?
A22. The architecture of mosques in the sub-continent reflects a combination of universal ideals and local
traditions in a significant way :
1)Some architectural features of mosques are universal-such as their orientation towards Mecca,evident in the
placement of the mihrab(prayer niche) and the minbar (pulpit).
2)However, there are variations in roofs and building materials.
a)For example,a mosque in Kerala(c,13th century)has the shikhara like roof.
b)Atiya mosque in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh was built with brick.
c)The Shah Hamadan mosque in Srinagar ,on the banks of Jhelum is often regarded as the”jewel in the
crown” of all the existing mosques of Kashmir built in 1395.It is one of the best examples of wooden
architecture.It has the spire and the beautifully carved eaves. It is decorated with paper mache.
Q23.Discuss the ways in which the Nayanara,Alvars and the Virashaivas espressed critiques of the caste
system .
A23. The Nayanara,Alvars and the Virashaivas espressed critiques of the caste system in the following ways :
1)Alvars and Nayanars : They protested against the caste system and started a protest movement against it by
drawing bhaktas from diverse social backgrounds ranging from brahamans to artisans and cultivators and
even from castes considered ‘untouchables ‘.
2)Virashaivas : or Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the’pollution ‘ attributed to certain groups by
Brahmans.
Q24. Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with traditions of the Nayanars and the sufis
?
A24. Sufis and their relations with the state(Rulers)
a. The sufis accepted unsolicited grants and donations from the political elites. The Sultans in turn set up
charitable trusts as endowments for hospices and granted tax-free.
b. The Chishtis accepted donations in cash and kind.Rather than accumulate donations, they preferred to
use these fully on immediate requirements such as food, clothes, living quarters and ritual necessities.
c. All this enhanced the moral authority of the shaikhs, which in turnattracted people from all walks of life.
Further, their piety and scholarship, and people’s belief in theirmiraculous powers made Sufis popular
among the masses, whose support kings wished to secure.
d. Kings did not simply need to demonstrate their association with Sufis; they also required legitimation
from them. When the Turks set up the DelhiSultanate, they anticipated opposition from Ulemas for not
imposing Sharia as the state law. The Sultans then sought out the Sufis – who derived their authority
directly from God – and did not depend on jurists to interpret the shari‘a.
e. Besides, it was believed that the auliaya could intercede with God in order to improve the material and
spiritual conditions of ordinary human beings. That is why kings often wanted their tombs tobe in the
vicinity of Sufi shrines and hospices.
f. However, there were instances of conflict between the Sultans and the Sufis. To assert their
authority,both expected that certain rituals be performed such as prostration and kissing of the feet.
Occasionallythe Sufi shaikhwas addressed with high-sounding titles like sultan-ul-mashaikh.
Alvars and Nayanars and their Relations with the state(Rulers)
1. Cholas,Pallavas and Pandyas ruled south India. Buddhism and Jainism had been prevalent in this region
for several centuries. Alvars and Nayanars opposed Buddhism and Jainism through their hymns.This
hostility was due to competition between religious traditions for royal patronage.
2. Chola rulers supported Brahmanical and bhakti traditions, making land grants and constructing temples
for Vishnu and Shiva.In fact, some of the most magnificent Shiva temples, including those at
Chidambaram, Thanjavur were constructed under the patronage of Chola rulers and representations of
Shiva in bronze sculpture were produced.
3. Rulers tried to win the support of Alvars and Nayanars. The Chola kings often attempted to claim divine
support and proclaim their own power and status by building splendid temples that were adorned with
stone and metal sculpture to recreate the visions of these popular saints who sang in the language of the
people.
4. These kings also introduced the singing of Tamil Shaiva hymns inthe temples under royal
patronage,taking the initiative to collect and organise them into a text (Tevaram).
5. Cholaruler Parantaka I had consecrated metal images of Bhakti Saints -Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar
in a Shiva temple.These were carried in processions during the festivals of these saint
GUNJAN CHATTERJEE.