Agriculture in ‘Periyapuranam’

Abstract

Sekkizhar, very religious in nature, was deeply affected by Kulothunga Cholan II's reading of ‘Sivaga Chinthamani’. He advised the king to give up his pursuit of blasphemous sensual literature and instead return to the lives of Saiva sages celebrated by Sundaramurthy Nayanar and Nambiandar Nambi. The king then invited Sekkizhar to describe the lives of the Saiva sages in a great poem. After studying the lives of the sages, and collecting the data, he wrote poetry in the thousand-pillared hall of the Chidambaram temple. The legend has it that the Lord gave the first phase of the first verse to Sekkizhar as a divine voice from heaven, proclaiming "Ulahelam" (the whole world). This work is considered to be the most important effort of the reign of Kulothunga Cholan II. Although Sundarar and Nambiandar Nambi composed an earlier literary composition of Saiva sages, it was considered to epitomise the high standards of Chola culture. For, the highest order of literary style, the Periyapuranam is regarded as the fifth Veda in Tamil, and immediately takes its place as the twelfth and last book of the Saiva catalogue. It is considered one of the masterpieces of Tamil literature and is considered to commemorate the golden age of the Cholas. The Periyapuranam, also known as Thiruthondapuranam, is that which explains about 63 Nayanmars (saintly devotees) and 9 Thokaiyadiyaars (group of devotees). By telling their life story, the social culture of the Tamil people has also been explained. This review article deals with the life of the Nayanmars, especially the agricultural culture. Agriculture starts from planting, harvesting and giving rise to a soulful life. The agricultural system consists of the steps of ploughing, planting, irrigation, fertilizing, fencing, and conservation. This review highlights that these methods are derived from the lived experience of the culture.