Here I articulate some of the analysis I have made on the subject History of Religion in Tamil Nadu, based on research scholars insights, temple visits, Tamil Literature. Please point out if I have missed or manipulated any fact that are presented here. Worshipping Framework: Ancient Tamils followed a practice which has four main components with respect to their religious behavior 1. At the center of every village, an Amman(Mother) shrine would be there - This depicts that the mother is the central structure of their lives. 2. In the outer part of a village, they do have their Kaaval Theivam(Fatherly depictions), which consists of their kula deivam as well - not in all cases of course. 3. Murugan - Tamils considered him as their great ancestor - read Adam for Christianity. 4. Nature - Tamils considered nature as their fourth level of worshipping structure. How this framework was modified? 1. Amman was made as the avatar of the wife of Shiva. 2. Kaaval Deivams were made as Arakars. 3. Murugan - Son of Shiva. 4. Shiva and Vishnu are everything and they control the universe along with Bramha. Ok. Here Im not gonna discuss about certain questions as this write up is not intended to give answers for them upfront. 1. Who did all this? 2. Who is responsible? 3. Whether this change was good or bad? Lets know some more historical facts. The prime religions that arrived into Tamil region were, in the particular order of importance(to social - economic - cultural), Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. Based on the available literature and shrines, I articulate the following points, which were widely accepted by many research scholars: 1. Thiruvalluvar was most probably a Jain. 2. Tholkappiyar was most probably a Jain. 3. Manimegalai - Buddhist epic. 4. Seevaga Chindamani - Jain epic. 5. Kundalakesi - predominantly portrays Buddhism. 6. Valayapathi - confusion between Buddhist or Jain origin. 7. Silapathikaram - predominantly a socio economical work based on the people lives. Note: Manimegalai is about the daughter of Kovalan-Madhavi and Kovalan is the lead character of Silapathikaram. Note: Tamil is greatly defined by the literatures associated with those 7 points. Till 7th-8th century period, Tamil Region was predominantly following Jainism and Buddhism. The great massacre of Jain monks by Cheran and Cholan (were Shaivettes): After coming under the influence of Thiru Gyana Sambandar, the king became a Shaivite, as did several of his subjects. Sambandar championed the cause of Shaivism, and sought to prove wrong the Jain doctrines. When the Jains in Samanatham refused to convert to Shaivism, the king ordered their killings with the consent of Sambandar. Around 8000 Jains were killed by being forcefully put over sharp, tall, conical structures in sitting posture. Sambandar is associated with the final downfall of Jainism in the Pandya kingdom in the 7th century CE. Sambandar also converted a number of Buddhists in another part of the kingdom to Saivism. The torture is depicted on some carvings of the Meenakshi temple in Madurai. The massacre is celebrated and commemorated annually at the temple. After this period, Tamil region, for the very FIRST time become predominantly Hindus(more Shaivettes and less Vaishnavas). During 12th century, Kamba Ramayanam was written in Tamil, heavily influenced by Valmiki Ramayanam and Seevaga Chindamani. By stating all these stuffs, I am not going to draw any conclusions here as some of my readers may not be matured enough to handle the truths and facts, and be living in denial. So I ask my audience to make the conclusion by themselves. I request you all to understand the context of all these stuffs. Dont just believe what is written here. Please do your own research - talk to historians - visit ancient temples(built before 7th century) - absorb our own culture to understand how it works and what is the base. The final questions you gotta worth finding the answers are as follows: 1. Who did all this? 2. Who is responsible? 3. Whether this change was good or bad? - if good then what - if bad then what. P.S: on researching this subject please keep in mind that we were neglected with educational and many other opportunities and the actual ARAKANS in Ramayanam and Mahabaratham serials showed in DD channel are actually ancient Tamils.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 07:50:22 +0000
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