Nachinarkiniyar's Vedic Norm and Tolkappiar Interpretation

Abstract

Nachinarkinyar is the most prolific literary scholar known in the Tamil world. She has written not only for literary works such as Sivakachinthamani, Kalitthokai, and Pathuppaattu but also for all three chapters of the Grammar of Tolkappiyam. Many have discussed the mention of Vedic traditions in the special preface of the Tolkappiyam. The Vedic tradition is based on the idea that the Vedas are the source of all things. Nachinarkinyar has reemphasized the mythologizing ideas that she started in the special preface, reiterating them in many parts of the ‘Poruladhikaram, a section that includes nine subject matters. In particular, the Veda Vidhi, the twofold view of the four Vedas, the connection of the texts with the Vedic texts by means of textual techniques, the reference of the Vedic texts and the texts born out of them to the learner, the reference of the Brahmins and the Brahmins as superiors, the integration of their traditions with the Tolkappiya texts, and the integration of the four Varnas and their traditions with the Vedic ethics.