The correct option is 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Bhakti movement in South India (7th to 9th centuries CE) was led by two distinct groups of saints: the Alvars (devotees of Vishnu) and the Nayanars (devotees of Shiva). Their devotional hymns, composed in Tamil, laid the foundation for the temple-centered religious culture of the region.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Nalayira Divyaprabandham is a major anthology of 4,000 verses composed by the 12 Alvars. It was compiled by Nathamuni in the 10th century and is frequently referred to as the "Tamil Veda" within the Vaishnava tradition.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The Tevaram consists of the first seven volumes of the Tirumurai, a twelve-volume collection of Shaiva devotional poetry. These specific volumes contain the hymns of the three most prominent Nayanars: Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Chola kings were significant patrons of the Tamil Bhakti tradition. Under rulers like Rajaraja I, the hymns of the Nayanars were recovered, organized, and their singing was institutionalized in Shiva temples, a practice that continues in many temples today.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Periya Puranam, written by Sekkizhar in the 12th century, is a Tamil poetic account depicting the lives of the 63 Nayanars (Shaiva saints), not the Alvars. It is considered the twelfth volume of the Tirumurai.
Key Takeaway:
The Alvars are associated with Vaishnavism and the Nalayira Divyaprabandham, while the Nayanars are associated with Shaivism, the Tevaram, and the Periya Puranam.