BRAHMINS IN SANGAM LITERATURE-14.PURANANOORU

LITERATURE- LIGHT AND DELIGHT

BRAHMINS IN SANGAM LITERATURE-14
               Purananooru

Puranas occupy an important place in Indian religion and spirituality. But it is a word not properly rendered in English. Usually people call it 'mythology' but this is understood differently. Some take it as old beliefs concerning the origin of a society. It is also taken as popular belief which is not true. But in what sense? It may not be literally true, but there is a core which is based on some fact. Psychologist Carl Jung found out that all societies, in all stages of civilisation, had such mythologies, that there was a common pattern in them but the expression was symbolic and varied according to local culture. He pointed out that they expressed some deep psychological insights in symbolic form and it is necessary for people to understand them to develop as healthy individuals. Scholars like Joseph Campbell later interpreted the old myths for the modern mind.

Purana simply means that which is very ancient-it is incredibly ancient. In India it has been used traditionally to induce some religious faith in the common man, while the learned people always knew that they were allegorical or symbolic and contained deeper insights. The very terms and names are loaded with psychological significance and philosophical meaning. But at a popular or mass level, they merely explain some religious truth through stories. Some of them are outstanding, like the legend of the churning of the ocean for nector.

To a thinking person, it is clear that this story is understood at many levels and conveys a deep truth.In the story, Devas and Asuras churn the ocean desiring to obtain nectar which confers immortality, but first comes terrible poison. Lord Shiva swallows the poison and saves them. Let us take a modern situation. Nuclear energy is sought  both for military and so called peaceful purposes. But in either case,it is harmful- it produces radiation which is extremely dangerous and lasts for thousands of years. Scientists do not yet know how to dispose of the radioactive nuclear waste- there is simply no Shiva there! But they go on merrily advocating nuclear energy. So we see how this story is relevant today- though there seem be no Devas now- we all are Asuras, scientists heading the ranks, ever greedy for more and more power, however obtained!

The ancient Tamils were fully conversant with the Indian Puranas and numerous references are found in Sangam literature.

STORY OF AMRITA

10. Oonpothi Pasungkudaiyaar.

Amizhdhu attu aanaak kamazh kui adicil

Varunarkku varaiya vasaiyil vaazhkkai

Magalir

Your queens serve food, excelling  even Amrita in taste, to all those who approach you.

182. ILAM PERU VAZHUTHI, a Pandya King.

Vundaal amma, ivvulagam ; indhirar

Amizhdam iyaivadhu aayinum, inidhu enath

Thamiyar undalum ilarey.

Even if it is the very Amrita of Indra and other Devas, it is not their habit to take it alone, induced by  its sweetness.

Here, the king is talking of great people who will not eat alone, even if is the nectar, who will seek fame even at the cost of life, and who will avoid acts that will cause blame, even if it involves rejecting the whole earth. He says it is such people who make the world great.

We see how the ancient Tamils were aware of the story of Amrita, its association with the Devas. Amrita confers immortality- but good people will not take it alone, neglecting guests. Thiruvalluvar expresses the same idea:

Virundu puratthathaath than undal saava

Marundheninum vendarpaat ranru.             82

Even if it is the nectar, which is the medicine for obtaining immortality, it shall not be taken alone when there is a guest waiting.

Valluvar refers to Amrita (amizhdhu in Tamil) -64- when he says the remnants of food touched by one's children are sweeter than nectar.So, this story was part of Tamil lore.

174. MAAROKKATTHU NAPPASALAIYAAR

Vishnu rescuing the Sun from the Asuras.

Anangkudai avunar kanam kondu olitthenach

Saenn vilangu sirappin jnaayiru kaadaadhu

Irulkan keduttha paruthi jnaalatthu

Idumbaikol paruvaral theerak, katundiral

Anjana vannan thandhu nirutthaangu.

The Asuras, causing great fear, seized the far-away Sun and hid it. All the worlds were immersed in darkness, and encountered great suffering. Then, Vishnu of the dark hue and great might, rescued the Sun, and removed the darkness from the world.

Puranas contain many stories of fight between Devas and Asuras. Essentially, this signfies the fight between light and darkness- the very term Deva means light. This in turn means knowledge and ignorance. In Hindu view, the Sun stands for not just external light, but for Enlightenment. Hence it is the object of Gayatri, which seeks enlightenment! The ancient Tamils were aware of such puranic accounts.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SOME NATURAL PHENOMENA

117.KAPILAR

Maimmeen pugaiyinum dhumam thonrinum

Then disai marungin velli yodinum

Even if Saturn changes and turns smoky, even if Dhumaketu appears (thereby inducing fear), even if Venus starts moving towards the South-- (the lands yielded aplenty so long as Paari lived)

35.VELLAIKKUDI NAAGANAAR

Alangu kathirk kanali naalvayin thonrinum

Ilangu kathir velli thenpulam padarinum

Even if the Sun rises in all the four directions, even if the bright Venus starts moving in the South.....(Cauvery river will continue to flow)

These are astronomical events. But ancient people attached significance to changes in natural events or cycles. For instance, the appearance of the meteor (dhumakethu) was interpreted as signifying ill-fortune for the ruler. Our Jyotisha sastra deals with such matters. Tamilians were fully aware of them, and shared those beliefs. Such beliefs are widespread even today among all people.

ARUNDATI AS THE IDEAL

122.KAPILAR

Vadameen puraiyum karpin

Steady in married fidelity (karpu), like the star which shines in the North.

Arundati, wife of Sage Vashishtha, is the ideal wife, extolled in the Puranas for married fidelity-chastity..She is identified with the star of that name in the northern direction. It is an important part of the marriage ritual of the Hindu to show this star to the newly-wedded girl. This ritual is followed even to this day. Tamilians of Sangam age knew this. 

'To step on ammi, to show Arundati' is a popular saying, both in the context of marriage ritual. The former is for the newly married girl to place her foot firmly on the flat grinding stone, which used to be part of every home (before the invasion of grinder-mixtures). This was meant to make her realise that her resolve in marriage should be firm like the stone( rock). The other was to look at the star Arundati and remind herself of the ideal cherished in marriage. This is an ancient practice, followed in the Tamil land too. The meaning and significance of Arundati was not lost on the Tamilians of the Sangam age.

TO HEAVEN THROUGH HEROISM IN WAR

62.Kazhaaththalaiyaar

It was the heroic age and which place to prove one's heroism better than the battlefield? Unfortunately, this frenzy for war seized the ancient Tamils and many great kings died on the battlefield. It was the general Indian belief that a righteous war should not be avoided; the victor will attain glory here while the brave loser will ascend  to heaven- a point made by Krishna to Arjuna. The pity is that the Tamil kings fought among themselves, and which or how many wars could be considered righteous? In one battle, Chera king Kudakko Neduncheralaathan and Chola king Peruvirarkilli both died.This poet sings of the tragedy of war, but cannot avoid praising the dead kings and warriors!

Varuthaar thaangi amar migal yaavadu?

How can one be sure that the garlanded (kings and warrors) will win the war? It is strange!

Kurudhich chengai koondhal theetti

Niramkilar vuruvin paeip pendir

Eduthu ari anantar parai seer thoongap

Parundu arundhutra......

Warriors get killed, and blood flows.

Female ghosts (which feast on the dead bodies) dance in glee.

Vultures feed on the dead bodies and circle round the field, contented.

Aratthin mandiya marappor vaendar

Thaam maaindanare.

The kings who fought in the name of righteous war are dead.

    .....................pendirum

Paasadagu misaiyaar, pani neer moozhgaar

Marbagam porundi aangu amaindhanarey.

(Because hundreds of warriors are killed) their women cannot take betel leaves, and not enjoying the pleasant  cold bath , are crying in the battlefield, falling on the deadbodies.How tragic it is!

Even so,

Vaadaap poovin imaiyaa naattatthu

Naatra vunavinorum, aatra

Arumperal ulagam niraiya

Virundhu petranaraal!

Poliga num pugazhey!

The Devas, who wear the flower which never withers, and whose eyelids do not blink, and who enjoy the fragrant food offered in the Havis, rejoice- that they have received many guests through this righteous war!

May your glory last for ever!

Even though the poet describes the horrors of war rather graphically (I have omitted some lines), and suggests that the war was pointless, yet he conforms to the old heroic norm of praising the dead warriors and holding that they have entered the realm of the Devas. In the process, he confirms every detail of Hindu belief- about the ghosts, the Devas,etc. About the activities of the ghosts on the battlefield, Arunagirinathar is even more graphic in his hymns. 

It is tragic that good kings fight and die. What if they are friendly?

KAARIK KANNANAAR

58. Cholan Perum Thirumaavalavan

      Pandyan Peruvazhuthi

The poet saw them  seated together, and sings.

Paal nira vuruvin panaik kodiyonum

Neel nira vuruvin naemiyoum, enru

Iru perum deivamum vudan ninraangu

Vurukezhu thotramodu vutkuvara vilangi....

You are together- like the white-complexioned Balarama with his flag inscribed with the palmyra tree, and the dark-blue  Vishnu , with his chakra- the two big Gods! This sight will frighten all enemies!

Inneer aagalin iniyavum vulavo?

Can any sight be better than seeing  you two thus together?

The poet then expresses his wish that they sould always be friendly and not listen to the words of those who might cause discord.

It is usual for poets to compare the king to the sun. But recalling Balarama and Krishna (in that order) shows how popular they were among the ancient Tamils.  It is intriguing that Balarama was so well known and worshipped in the ancient Tamil land.See poem 56 also.

In considering the position of Brahmins in the Sangam age, we have also to see to what extent their ideas and beliefs were common to the land and shared by every one. Purana and Itihasa are an integral part of the Vedic culture, and where their knowledge is widespread, Brahminical presence is automatic.

LITERATURE-LIGHT AND DELIGHT: BRAHMINS IN SANGAM LITERATURE: 1. AN OVERVIEW

LITERATURE- LIGHT AND DELIGHT

     Brahmins in Sangam Literature
              AN OVERVIEW

Cultured men in all societies have been men of 'learning'- the term not to be confused with mere literacy as it is today. Their learning consisted mainly of learning the history of their societies, from as far back as they could remember. This was mostly in the form of poetry. In societies like those of American Indians, their learning consisted of skills to interact with nature,communicate with the Invisible Power of Life they called the Great Spirit, and attend to physical survival and well being.

In India, we see an extraordinary phenomenon. Thanks to the varna system, each varna concentrated on acquiring the knowledge and skill essential for their professions. This was mostly done in house.Formal literacy was not necessary. Only those who desired to devote their life to the pursuit of religious life had to go to a 'gurukula' for learning,where it was free. So, in India, learning meant mainly religious and philosophical knowledge. But such knowledge was freely disseminated among the public by wandering minstrels and sadhus. Learning by listening was the main method of acquiring knowledge. Even the common man was well acquainted with our religious ideas, itihasa and purana incidents. We read that this was how, in the early 19th century Sri Ramakrishna acquired puranic lore as a boy in his village. So the proverb says: it is better to listen than to study - katralir kaettale nanru.கற்றலிற் கேட்டலே நன்று.

In the Chandogya Upanishad we have an interesting episode. Narada approaches Sanatkumara for instruction. Sanatkumara asks him what he had learnt already. Narada reels of all the branches of knowledge he had learnt- which gives an idea of the state of knowldege in those distant days! Sanatkumara tells him that all this is 'apara vidya'- lower form of knowledge and proceeds to instruct him on spirituality, which is considered 'para' or higher knowledge.

Later on, we   talk about the 64 'kalas' or arts or vidyas. In classical times, we have great proliferation of language and literary studies. But then, what exactly do we mean by literature? In the English tradition:

(The word) 'Literature' is equally problematic, not existing as a word in English until the fourteenth century.....that body of writing containing what we now call 'literature' encompassed without division texts that today we categorise as religious, historical,legal and medical. Poets were certainly popular figures, but their business was often primarily to commemorate historical events. Their poems, even if they contained marvels, had little to do with 'fiction' as we understand it."

   From:'English Literature in Context' Ed. Paul Poplawski, Cambridge University Press,2008.p.1

Compare this with the situation that prevailed in India! How vastly enormous, and richly varied are our literature- especially in the two most ancient languages: Sanskrit and Tamil! We have clearly separated the sacred from secular knowledge (Para and apara vidya). In our tradition,  the very names convey clearly, without ambiguity, what is meant. History is never mixed with religious learning.Veda, which is the foundation of our religion, just means 'knowledge' and it consists of purely Atma or Brahma vidya ie Self-knowledge. Here what mattered was conduct-achara- and not mere book learning. There is no mixture of history in Veda at all! For history we have the word 'Itihas', which literally means "iti ha asa": it happened like this. We have a separate category called Purana which means "very ancient". This consists of legends and mythology, but they too were based on some psychological facts. They are not pure fiction, such as our modern novelists write. When westerners came to India, they could not understand things as they were (they did not want to understand either) and gave their own fanciful interpretations.They called itihasa 'epic' which is a different category altogether. They had no word at all for Purana. In the last century, psychologists like Carl Jung and following him scholars like Joseph Campbell have proved that mythologies are psychological facts and are shared by the whole of humanity. Still these westerners (I won't call them scholars) indulge in misrepresenting Indian literary heritage- which is in fact the most continuous and undistorted in the whole world.

Since Macaulay introduced his education system in India in 1836, and made it the basis for govt employment, our people have taken to it , totally neglecting our own systems of knowledge, in every field. Our syllabuses still follow those old standards and ideas. Our so called scholars also talk and write like foreigners, having been trained in their methods. We have acquired a mentality where we accept something as correct or valid even about India only when it comes from a white -skinned mouth! 

As a matter of fact, our religion and philosophy are taught in American universities in many courses,  but with terrible distortions. Our scriptures and classics are translated by them in the most atrocious manner. People who are not Hindus, have never learned the Veda or practised it or learned the meaning with the required discipline indulge in fanciful translation. They write books which are bought by Indians,  who do not know Sanskrit or other languages well enough! They do not care to verify the accuracy of what is written, or the correctness of the interpretations. This is so ridiculous. People of no other religion accept some one outside their religion, especially a non-practising one,  as their authority- but Hindus do! This is the extent of our degeneration. Some one like Max Muller who could not follow spoken Sanskrit but dared to translate and interpret our 'Sruti' is venerated by our people even now, and his books are bought!

One important aspect of this situation, especially for those hailing from Tamil Nad, is the Aryan- Dravidian controversy. Both Sanskrit and Tamil possess vast literature from ancient days in unbroken line. But there is no reference to Aryan or Dravidian race in any of them. This was introduced by the colonialists in the 19th century to divide us, was taken up and pursued by Christian missionaries.Some elements here embraced it for political reasons . 

One theory propagated by them was that the Aryans came from somewhere ( no one is sure from where), invaded the Indus valley area and drove the people away and then spread in the whole country. This theory has been totally disproved. What was called Indus Valley Civilisation is now more appropriately recognised as the remnant of a vast civilisation that flourished on the banks of the mighty Saraswati river, which gradually dried up due to tectonic and geological changes. The existence and course of Saraswati river have been established by satellite photography, and archaeological investigations. More archaeological sites have been found on the course of this river system than in the Indus Valley. Here is what latest scholars say:

"At some point of time, things started going wrong in the Harappan cities. Decline had set in at Mohenjodaro by 2200 BCE and the settlement had come to an end by 2000 BCE. In some places, the civilisation continued till 1800 BCE. Apart from the dates, the pace of decline also varied. Mohenjodaro and Dholavira give a picture of gradual decline...

"One of the most popular explanations of the decline of the Harappan civilization- (the idea that the civilization was destroyed by Aryan invaders)-is one for which there is least evidence.....

There is ,in fact, no evidence of any kind of military assault or conflict at any Harappan site......

Moreover, K.A.R.Kennedy's analysis (1997) of the skeletal remains does not show any discontinuity in the skeletal record in the north-west at this point of time, MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THERE WAS NO MAJOR INFLUX OF NEW SETTLERS WITH A DIFFERENT PHYSIOGNOMY.The Harappan civilization was not destroyed  by an Indo-Aryan invasion."

     From: Upinder Singh: A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India, Pearson, 2009. p 179. (Highlighting and Capitalisation-mine)

There is usually no point in arguing with those who do not follow reason, but follow a petty unproved theory for political gains. But the victims of the process- the Brahmins of Tamil Nad- should at least know the truth, instead of merely bowing to idiotic mob belief or political fancy. They may not be able to counter the political force, but they should know the facts.

There is an allied aspect. The Christian Church believed that the world was created on 23 October,4004 BCE ! So, that was when Adam was created! The world is only 6000 years old! Wherever colonial rule was established , the missionaries followed, opened schools and taught this. They fixed the dates of historical events in other countries on this basis. And since these missionaries and officials took undue interest in translating and interpreting our religious literature, (eg G.U.Pope, Constantius Beschi, so called Orientalists),  they gave arbitrary dates to Veda and other scriptures. Today, science has proved that the earth is millions of years old and the christian theory of creation is sheer bull-shit. But, our so called scholars and  self-styled secularists still religiously cling to these dates, without exercising their brain!

It is the general belief held by the common man in Tamil Nad, spread through the govt.controlled education system , that Brahmins are Aryans who came to Tamil Nad from elsewhere. However, if we study the ancient Sangam literature, we find that there is no evidence of Brahmins having come from outside, that there was no time when they were not there, and they are as indigenous as the rocks and plants found there. Unfortunately, Brahmins do not study this literature now and so are not aware of what is there in it. The govt knows the facts, but attempt to hide them. After the Dravidian parties came to power, they did not  admit Brahmin students to  Tamil language and literature courses in the Tamil colleges!. So much is their fear of Truth being discovered! But who can prevent us from studying our own mother tongue on our own!

There are innumerable references to Brahmins in the Sangam literature; in fact nearly one third of the Sangam poets are Brahmins, with leading figures like Kapilar and Bharanar! In this series of posts, I would endeavour to cover the specific references to Brahmins and Brahminical practices in some Sangam literature like Purananuru, Tirumurugatruppadai, etc.

Sangam literature is one of the most sublime in the world, besides being ancient. It is sheer delight to study them for the literary pleasure, but like all ancient literature, it also contains crucial moral and ethical teachings to help us lead a  righteous life. We will thus derive both light and delight from this study!

Note:

1. 'Tamil Nadu' is how it  is officially written. But in Tamil, the last 'u' is only half pronounced. It is called 'kutriyalugaram' in Tamil grammar.குற்றியலுகரம். It sounds so jarring to a Tamil ear when people pronounce the last 'u' fully. I will write Tamil Nad.

2. Most of the translations of Indian scriptures and literary classics done by foreign  academics, and their analyses are based on theories and methods which are inappropriate for an ancient but still living tradition. For the extent of mischief done and efforts made by Indians to counter it, please see 'Invading The Sacred' ( Rupa, 2007) and other books by Rajiv Malhotra.

3. For a detailed analysis of the latest findings on the Saraswati River, and the state of Harappa-Indus civilisation, see: Michel Danino: The Lost River; Penguin,2010. A Tamil translation (ஒரு நதியின் மரணம்) is also available from Kizhakku Pathippagam. See also his book: The Invasion that Never Was. On how our history was distorted by colonial interests, please see N.S. Rajaram: The Politics of History.

4. On the state of Brahmins in Tamil Nad, see the two volumes of 'Tamizhaga Andanar Varalaru' by K.C.Lakshminarayanan. See also his excellent book: "Paintamizh Noolgalil Bharata Panpaadu", tracing how  Vedic Hindu culture is common  to the whole country, including ancient Tamil Nad with original quotations from Sangam literature. See also his book: "Vedangalai Yettru Potrum Tamizh Ilakkiyangal". (LKM Publications, Chennai-17)

5. On the nature and significance of mythology,it is essential to read the works of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell. Today no serious thinker or learned person would dismiss mythology as pure fiction.

6.Narada mentions the following as the branches of knowledge he had already studied:

• The four Vedas
• Itihasa,Purana
• The grammar of the Vedas (Vedanaam Vedam)
• Pitrayam ( worship offered to Pitrus)
• Rasim (mathematics)
• The science of meteors, natural phenomena and omens (daivam)
• Science of underground resources (nidhim)
• Logic (Vakovakyam)
• Moral science (ekayanam)
• Astrology (Deva vidyam)
• Brahma Vidya (Inner meaning of the Veda)
• Geology (Bhuta vidya)
• Military arts (kshattra vidya)
• Astronomy (nakshatra vidya)
• Knowledge about snakes (Sarpa vidya)
• Fine arts (devajana vidya)

At the end Narada humbly states: "Sir, I only know the meaning of these words; I do not know the Self (na atmavit) I have heard from great people like you that one who knows the Self overcomes sorrow: tarati sokam atmavit. I am suffering from sorrow; please take me across".

Chandogya Upanishad, 7.2

Tr. by Swami Lokeswarananda.