Shakthasamayam Thoughts in Bharathiyar's Works

Abstract

He created many innovative works in many areas, such as religion, philosophy, art, social reform, women's upliftment, freedom, condemnation of superstitions, mercy, and humanity. In that way, his view on religion is admirable. Being born into a Brahmin clan, he was naturally inclined towards piety and religious thinking. At the same time, he also tried to look at them in a humanistic way. Because of that, he thought that there was a need for reform in society and religion to solve the woes of mankind. He directly condemned the superstitions traditionally practised by the Brahmins, which were not mentioned in the Vedas. He was very much attracted by Vedanta and sang many reconciliation songs mixed with Advaitha (dualistic) thoughts. However, he was deeply devoted to Goddess Parashakthi. Most of his Shakthi songs are composed in such a way, that the Almighty Shakthi should help the society prosper, for him to make revolutions, and to improve the lives of the poor. He records in many songs that the Goddess Shakti is present in his actions and words. Let us look at the composition of his Shakthi songs, which are arranged in such a way that he mentions that Shakthi is the cause of his activity, just as all life in the world needs a force to function.