The Devotional Path of Kulasekara Azhwar in the Vaishnava Tradition

Abstract

Bhakti literature flourished extensively during the Pallava period. No other language has seen the emergence of devotional literature to the extent that it did in Tamil. Following Sangam literature and epics, devotional literature holds the distinction of enriching the Tamil language. Bhakti literature refines the human mind. The period from 600 - 900 till has been defined as the Bhakti movement period. Although caste discrimination prevailed in the Tamil society of that time, the Bhakti movement championed the principle that ‘all devotees of God are worthy of worship’. The Jain doctrine held that the consequences of one’s actions, which relentlessly pursue and torment the doer, must be experienced to be expiated. In contrast, the Saiva and Vaishnava religions stated that God is the one who controls karma and its consequences. They attracted people by proclaiming that if we surrender to His feet; all the bonds of karma will be loosened and destroyed. K. Kailasapathy cites this as the primary reason for the Bhakti movement gaining influence as a people’s movement.