Sanctity and Exclusion of Sanctified Women and Exempted Women

Abstract

The people of the Sangam period, who lived within a multi-professional social structure such as hunting, agriculture, and war, developed some spells and rituals whenever they had disruptions in those occupations. It is the function of anticipating material needs through nature. The mantras and rituals of ancient society are mostly based on prosperity. In that aspect, the woman who is the core nucleus of human opulence is seen as a symbol of prosperity in various events. The woman is entitled to high respect in the stages of puberty, marriage, and maternity. Especially for the sake of puberty and maternity, the woman is sanctified and forbidden. This article sets out to illustrate how mantra is transformed into religion when the consecrated woman is elevated to the status of a deity.