The Worship of Nadukal (A Sepulchral Stone or Monument) in the Purananooru

Abstract

Sangam literature is one of the most vivid descriptions of the life of the ancient Tamils. Of these, Purananooru is a book that describes the valour, endowments, education, impermanence, and warfare of the ancient Tamils. Purananooru songs are considered by scholars to be the songs of the heroic era. The events of lifting and reinstating cattle have been a symbol of the valour of the ancient Tamils. This event has also been the starting point for the war. This paper describes the context in which "Nadukal" worship was created in honour of the sacrifices of the martyred soldiers in the above events. The ancient Tamils believed that the spirits of those who had been martyred would stay in the Nadukal, or sepulchral stone, and do them well. Therefore, the manner in which the stone is worshipped with flowers, food grains, and peacock feathers is described in this paper. It has been pointed out that the situation in which the worship of Nadukal later developed for the people who gave up their lives by fasting and facing the North was one in which they engaged in emotional and great activities. During the period of Silappathikaram, the context in which the worship of the Nadukal was created for women (Kannagi) and which, in course of time, was transformed into a Minor Deity, has been compared with the conclusions of the researchers and the Nadukal worship in the Purananooru songs.