What did the Avars and Nayanars claim as crucial as the Vedas?a)Applic...
The Avars and Nayanars were two religious groups in ancient India who contributed significantly to the development of Hinduism. Both groups believed that the Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures, were crucial for understanding the nature of the divine and achieving spiritual liberation. However, they also emphasized the importance of another aspect of Hinduism that they considered to be equally significant: compositions.
Importance of Compositions:
The compositions referred to by the Avars and Nayanars were devotional hymns, prayers, and poems that were written by various saints and poets throughout history. These compositions were seen as a way of expressing one's love and devotion to the divine, and as a means of attaining spiritual enlightenment. The Avars and Nayanars believed that these compositions were just as important as the Vedas themselves, and that they should be studied and revered in the same way.
Examples of Compositions:
Some of the most famous compositions in Hinduism are the hymns of the Alvars, a group of Vaishnava saints who lived in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. The Alvars wrote hundreds of devotional poems in praise of Vishnu, one of the most important deities in Hinduism. Their works are still recited and sung in temples throughout India, and are considered to be among the greatest works of devotional literature in the world.
Similarly, the Nayanars were a group of Shaivite saints who lived in South India between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. They composed many hymns and poems in praise of Shiva, another important Hindu deity. Their works are also considered to be important contributions to the Hindu literary tradition, and are still studied and revered by Shaivite devotees today.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Avars and Nayanars emphasized the importance of compositions in addition to the Vedas in Hinduism. They believed that these devotional hymns and poems were crucial for expressing one's love and devotion to the divine, and for achieving spiritual liberation. The works of the Alvars and Nayanars are still studied and revered by Hindus today, and are considered to be among the greatest contributions to the Hindu literary tradition.