Virtue in Devotional Literature

Abstract

Devotional literature is a book of virtues that teaches virtue. Although the gods of various religions are different, all the theologies emphasize the idea that mankind should live together without any differences. It is the people who follow different religions who judge that my deity is superior and the deities worshiped by others are inferior. Saiva Nayanmars, Vaishnava Alvars and the Siddhars of Tamil Nadu saw revolution in religious philosophies. The songs which they criticize and condemns caste system and religion in the society. Siddhars like Shivavakkiyar believe giving image to the increase’s inequality. Even in 20^th century caste and religious issues are there. In order to eradicate all these, literature conveys the moral values to people. The period from 7^th to 12^th century AD in our Tamil language was the period when the Devotional Literature gained strength, and it continued till the 19^th century. Hence the Christian and Islamic literature flourished. However, Devotional literature refers to Saiva Vaishnava literature. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to explain the principles of knowledge implied in Saiva Vaishnava literature. This article shows the importance of developing moral thoughts which are mandatory.