Thiruppugal

2022-06-22T18:00:57Z

2409:4071:E18:DD99:6E10:4BA3:B8CD:710:

{{Short description|An anthology of Tamil religious songs}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
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'''Thiruppugal''' ([[Tamil language|Tamil]]: {{lang|ta|திருப்புகழ்}}, ''{{transl|ta|ISO|Tiruppukaḻ}}'', [[Help:IPA/Tamil|IPA/Tamil]]: {{IPA-ta|tiɾupːɯɡaɻ|}}, meaning 'Holy Praise' or 'Divine Glory'), sometimes spelled '''Thiruppugazh''', is a 15th-century [[anthology]] of Tamil religious songs dedicated to Lord [[Murugan]], the son of Lord [[Shiva]], written by the poet-saint [[Arunagirinathar|Arunagirinaadhar]] (Tamil: {{lang|ta|அருணகிரிநாதர்}}, ''{{transl|ta|ISO|Aruṇakirinātar}}'', {{IPA-ta|aɾuɳaɡiɾɯn̪aːdaɾ|}}). The anthology is considered one of the central works of medieval [[Tamil literature]], both for its poetical and musical qualities, and for its religious, moral and philosophical content.

[[File:Thiruppugazh - Umbartharu - Hamsadhwani.wav|thumb|Thiruppugal - Umbartharu]]

==The work and its contents==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
There are no historical records of the life of Arunagirinaathar, and what we know of the composition of the Thiruppugal is largely derived from oral traditions and [[legend]]s recorded in commentaries on the work. According to these, Arunagirinathar led a [[hedonism|hedonistic]] life as a young man. His disgust at his own conduct led him to attempt suicide by jumping off the temple tower at [[Tiruvannamalai|Thiruvannamalai]]. He was saved by [[Murugan]] himself. Arunagirinathar was transformed, and began a long [[pilgrimage]], visiting the ''Arupadai Veedu ([[Six Abodes of Murugan]])'', the six temples most sacred to Murugan, and over 200 other holy shrines in [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. At each of these, he composed songs in praise of Murugan, which are collected together in the Thiruppugal. The majority of the songs are sung to Murugan, but there are also a few songs that sing of deeds of [[Shiva|Siva]] or the [[avatar]]s of [[Vishnu]], and of the power of [[Parvati|Parvathi]]. Almost all songs end addressing Murugan as [[Perumal]], a term that traditionally had strong associations with Tamil [[Vaishnavism]].

The worship of [[Murugan]] has strong roots in [[Tamil Nadu]]. According to [[Tamil people|Tamil]] legends, Murugan was the brave warrior who defeated the powerful demon [[Soorapadman]], and was seen as being the epitome of youth, compassion and beauty. Arunagirinathar's songs build on this tradition, hailing Murugan as the source of all knowledge, who even gave saintly advice to his father, Lord Shiva. Murugan is described as being full of love and [[compassion]]. Arunagirinathar says in the Thiruppugal the songs will, by the grace of Murugan, convey the pearls of [[:wikt:devotion|devotion]] and [[wisdom]]. The songs contain philosophical musings on [[God]], expressed in simple terms, placing particular emphasis on the role of God's [[Divine grace|grace]] or [[mercy]] in helping the individual deal with the troubles and ills that afflict humanity. The songs also deal with issues of [[morality]] and living a [[virtue|virtuous]] life on Earth, with many exhorting people to seek true happiness in God.

== Language and style ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
Early mediaeval Tamil religious poems were written in a language and style that followed the pattern of [[Sangam literature|classical Tamil literature]]. The Thiruppugal, in contrast, was written in a form of Tamil that was quite different from pure classical Tamil. Its [[Meter (poetry)|metres]], too, are more obviously rhythmical than the stylised classical metres{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}.

The Thiruppugal makes extensive and deliberate use of the imagery associated with the [[Sangam landscape|five landscapes]] of classical ''akam'' poetry. The usage is not, however, straightforward. Whereas ''akam'' poetry uses the imagery in the context of secular, sensuous [[love]], the Thiruppugal uses the same imagery in the context of the longing of the individual for God. The imagery used in the following verse is illustrative of this usage:

::''I do not wish to dwell in this illusory body, built of the sky, water, earth, air, fire and desires. Enlighten me, that I may praise the glory of your holy name in the wise, beautiful Tamil tongue, O Lord of the celestial heavens who protects the Kurava woman of the sweet, child-like words who wields the spear which destroyed the majestic hill and wears a garland of scarlet flowers where bees dance seeking honey.'' (Song 1304)

The reference to [[Narikurava|Kuravas]] and hills, and the imagery of the bees making [[honey]] from scarlet {{transl|ta|ceccai}} flowers, are characteristic of the {{transl|ta|kuriñci}} landscape. In secular poetry, the image of bees entering flowers symbolises the clandestine union of lovers, and the backdrop of the hills calls to mind the raw forces of nature. The union which Arunagirinathar uses this to symbolise, however, is that of the [[soul]] with God, and the imagery specifically calls to mind the legend of Murugan's wooing of [[Valli]], the daughter of a Kurava chief. This appropriation of secular imagery to religious purposes is characteristic of the Thiruppugal: just as it call people to turn from hedonistic pleasures to a life centred on God, it turns the language formerly used to celebrate carnal love to celebrate God.

==Musical poems==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
The poet Arunagirinathar represents a remarkable blend of Tamil literary genius, devotion to Murugan and musical expertise. Although music had always been an integral part of the Tamil hymns such as [[Tevaram]], Arunagirinathar was one of the first to set all his compositions to music in the style of "Santham"—setting the verses within a certain length to conform with rhythm (''thala''). Arunagirinathar utilises certain repetitive phrases to achieve movement and colour in his poems. By combining the Tamil hard or soft consonants and long or short vowels in different ways, Arunagirinathar produces hundreds of compound rhythmic words such as {{transl|ta|tatta}}, {{transl|ta|taatta}}, {{transl|ta|tantha}}, {{transl|ta|thaantha}}, {{transl|ta|thaiya}}, {{transl|ta|thanna}}, {{transl|ta|thaana}}, and {{transl|ta|thanana}}. At the beginning of each poem in the ''Thiruppugal'', Arunagirinathar gives the rhythm notations.

Arunagiri's poems can be enjoyed for their literary value as well as for their devotional. Arunagirinathar has combined his poetic skill and his devotion towards Muruga with remarkable ease.
Scholars hail Thiruppugal both as a literary masterpiece and as a work of devotion.

Arunagiri was not a born poet nor a devotee but rather started out in a different way of life and transformed himself into an erudite scholar and versatile poet. (Arunagirinathar describes this in Kandhar Anuputhi) (The Adoration to God) thus: "This talent, this skill, this knowledge and this devotion, do not belong to me. These are the gifts of Muruga. It is only you, Lord Muruga, who make me sing." ("Yaam Odhiya Kalviyum Em Arivum Thame Pera Velavar Thandhadhanal").

Arunagiri has woven a beautiful garland, made not of fragrant flowers (Poomalai) but of beautiful verses of Tamil and has presented it to all so that they also could offer it to the Lord and derive immense inspiration, knowledge and blessings from Him. Thiruppugal is an ideal form of prayer, a beautiful set of songs, a panacea for all ills and above all a way of life.

==See also==
*[[Muruga]]
*[[Six Abodes of Lord Muruga]]
*[[Valli]]
*[[Deivayanai]]
*[[Arunagirinathar]]

==References==
<references />
* {{cite web | title= A History of Tamil Literature | work= Mu Varadarajan (Trans from Tamil by E.Sa Visswanathan, Sahitiya Akademi, Madras 1988) | url= http://www.tamilnation.org/books/Literature/varadarajan.htm | access-date=2006-06-16}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
* {{cite web|title=Thiruppugazh: Glory to Lord Muruga |work=V.S. Krishnan |url=http://www.thiruppugazh.org/index.php |access-date=2007-06-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928194210/http://www.thiruppugazh.org/index.php |archive-date=2007-09-28 }}
* {{cite web | title= Thiruppugazh: musical way of worship | work= Githa Krishnan | url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/07/11/stories/2003071101270600.htm | access-date= 2008-11-25 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081206090239/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/07/11/stories/2003071101270600.htm | archive-date= 2008-12-06 | url-status= usurped }}
*{{ cite web | title= Temples travelled In the footsteps of Arunagirinathar | work= V.S. Krishnan| url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/in-the-footsteps-of-arunagirinathar/article23520389.ece }}
*{{ cite web | title= Thiruppugazh - Lyrics in Tamil (and English) with meanings of Sri V.T. Subramaniam Pillai and V.T. Sengalvaraya pillai of Tiruthani.| work= Free App by Mr.Srinivasan Janakiraman| url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adiyaar.thiruppugazh }}

==External links==
* [http://www.tamil.net/projectmadurai/pub/pm0191/trpkz4.pdf Full text of the anthology] (''[[pdf]]'') from [[Project Madurai]]
* [http://www.kaumaram.com/thiru/index.html Thiruppugal in Tamil and English with meaning] from Kaumaram website.

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[[Category:Tamil-language literature]]
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[[Category:Tamil Hindu literature]]

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Thiruppugal