Most of the Gupta kings were known as ‘Parama Bhagavatas’ or ‘Bhagavata Vaishnavas’. During early medieval period, Vaishnavism was mostly associated with Krishnaism. Vaishnavism developed in various sects and subsects emphasizing the concept of ‘Bhakti’, which was predominantly influenced by the South Indian religiosity. During 8th century, Vaishnavism came into the contact of ‘Advaita’- the doctrine of Adi Shankara. Some of Vaishnava scholars like, Nathamuni, Yamunacharya and Ramanuja opposed this doctrine of Advaita and proposed the ‘Vishnu Bhakti’ ideas instead. Vaishnavism was mainly flourished in Shaivite South India from 7th to 10th century with twelve Alvars. The Alvars were the saints who spread the sect to common people with their devotional hymns. The temples visited or founded by the Alvars are known as ‘Divya Desams’. The poems on Vishnu and Krishna written by them are collectively known as ‘Naalayira Divya Prabandha’.

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