Position of Woman in Way of Nayanmar Bhakti

Abstract

When we think of Bhakti literature, what comes to mind is the Periyapuranam which glorifies the Saivas. The Saiva service of 63 Nayanmars is well documented in the Periya Puranam. The devotional spirit of the devotees who have offered their body, material and spirit to Lord Shiva is expressed. In the Periya Puranam of the medieval period, the Puranam records the elevation of various devotees as Shiva devotees irrespective of their caste and place. However, it is noteworthy that the Periyapuranam also records the condition of women who constitute half of the society in medieval times. In this way, women have been doing their work from different levels as the wife and daughter of the devotees and not as solitary worshippers and worshiping their Lord Shiva voluntarily. It is noteworthy that Periyapuranam also records the situation in which people like Karaikkal Ammaiyar had to separate from their spouse when they came forward to do it alone.