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Comparative Mysticism: Tamil Bhakti Saints and Global Mystical Traditions

Ramanathan Srinivasan, P. S. Aithal

Poornaprajna International Journal of Philosophy & Languages March 10, 2026 DOI: 10.64818/pijpl.3107.4634.0035 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Exploratory qualitative research Peer reviewed
Population Tamil Bhakti saints and global mystical traditions
Topics Mysticism
Keywords Tamil Scholarship Spirituality Exploratory research Experiential learning Hinduism Indian subcontinent Religious studies Aesthetics Anthropology Relevance law
Citations 1
Key findings Tamil Bhakti literature mysticism transcends South Indian religious theology, establishing a soteriological grammar of interiority and sharing common themes with Sufi, Christian Mystical, and Zen Buddhist traditions.

Abstract

Purpose: One of the greatest mystical traditions of the world is the Tamil Bhakti literature. It is literature of devotion focused on inner realization and the unitive experience with the Divine. For instance, this paper presents a comparative study of some Tamil Bhakti saints, primarily the Nāyaṉmār and Āḻvārs, and the global mystical traditions of the Indian subcontinent Sufi, Christian Mysticism, and Zen Buddhism. Being an independent literature with its own theological, historical and cultural frameworks, the Tamil Bhakti literature in this instance, shares the greatest commonality with the aforementioned global mystical traditions. Love, surrender, self-annihilation, and the experiential knowledge of the Divine beyond the prescribed rituals and dogmas are some of the common themes of this literature. Using a comparative mystical approach, this paper illustrates Tamil Bhakti literature’s engagement with a universal mystical tradition while also being anchored in South Indian religious traditions Methodology: In this paper, the exploratory qualitative research method is used. The relevant information is collected using keyword-based search in Google search engine, Google Scholar search engine, and AI-driven GPTs. This information is analysed and interpreted as per the objectives of the paper. Analysis/Results: By illustrating how Tamil Bhakti literature mysticism transcends the South Indian religious traditions’ theology, the paper enhances interreligious scholarship by establishing the mysticism’s soteriological grammar of interiority. The paper concludes by placing the Tamil Bhakti saints within a contemporary mystic’s global community, highlighting their relevance to modern search for spirituality and peace. Originality/Values: In the Tamil Bhakti literature, divine intimacy is the central theme, and the literature is characterized by ego-negation, paradoxical statements, and the transcendence of organized religion. It has been documented in the various mystical traditions globally that the Escaped the institution literature love, grace, and experience share a commonality with the Sufi literature on ishq and fanā, Christian literature on agape and unio mystica, and Zen literature on satori. Mystical devotion in a culture, devoted literature and mystical expression in a culture, is often documented. Type of Paper: Exploratory Research

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on mysticism, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... 2017 Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis n = 10
Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns 2011 Mixed-methods study n = 139
Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective 2004 Interview
Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics Psychedelic drug users 2021 Qualitative study n = 50
Auras in mysticism and synaesthesia: a comparison. Synaesthetes who experience colors in response to human faces and figures 2012 Qualitative study n = 4

Citations in the library

Cites 5

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Mysticism Buddhism Mystical experience