The question asks about the deity to whom the Alvars were devoted. The Alvars were prominent figures in the South Indian Bhakti movement.

Understanding the Alvars and their Devotion

The Alvars were a group of Tamil poet-saints who lived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. They are known for their intense devotion to a particular deity. Their hymns, compiled into the Naalayira Divya Prabandham, are a significant part of South Indian religious literature.

Which Deity did the Alvars Worship?

The Alvars were solely devoted to Lord Vishnu and his avatars. Their poetry expresses deep love, longing, and surrender to Vishnu. This strong devotion to Vishnu is a defining characteristic of the Alvars.

The other options represent different deities:

• Shakti: Refers to the divine feminine power, often worshipped as goddesses like Durga or Kali.
• Shiva: A major deity in Hinduism, part of the Trimurti. Devotees of Shiva in South India during a similar period were known as the Nayanars.
• Brahma: The creator god in the Trimurti, less commonly the focus of direct devotional cults compared to Vishnu and Shiva.

Based on historical and religious texts, the Alvars were exclusively devotees of Vishnu.

Revision Table: Alvars and Deity

Additional Information on Alvars and Bhakti

The Bhakti movement in South India saw the rise of popular devotionalism focusing intensely on either Vishnu (Vaishnavism) or Shiva (Shaivism). The Alvars were the torchbearers of Vaishnavism in this movement, while the Nayanars were the champions of Shaivism. Their hymns were composed in Tamil, making religious ideas accessible to common people, not just those who knew Sanskrit.

The Alvars' devotion encompassed various aspects of Vishnu, including his forms like Krishna and Rama. Their songs helped spread Vaishnavism throughout the Tamil-speaking region and continue to be sung in temples today.

Understanding the distinction between Alvars and Nayanars is key when studying the South Indian Bhakti movement.