The Hindu : Sekkizhar's glorious work

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 19, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Sekkizhar's glorious work

CHENNAI SEPT.19 . Scriptural works, contributed by eminent guides to enable men interested in religious pursuits, to study and acquire knowledge, refer to the anxiety of rulers of various kingdoms to choose only men of integrity to advise them on important subjects, more particularly on spiritual matters. They picked those who possessed academic distinctions, general knowledge and wisdom and were known for their impeccable character. Other considerations (like caste) were ignored. A Chozha king of the 12th Century thus spotted out a person from an agriculturists' family based on his ability and made him his chief minister.

Another important virtue of such dignitaries was their outspoken advice tendered when their master was in need of it. Usually subordinates were sycophants who uttered only words, which will please the masters. Also, they avoided the wrath of the latter. In the Ramayana, Sita, kept in captivity, admonished Ravana for his overtures saying, "Are there no elders to warn you of this aberration? Or could it be their words of wisdom fell flat on your ears?" The Chozha ruler who was reading a text that was alien to the principles of Saivism, to which system he belonged, was candidly told by the chief minister to study two major Saivite holy texts and thus take steps to reach the God's empire. The suggestion was taken in right spirit and the king then asked the chief minister to write a detailed account of the 63 saints whose lives stand for devotional excellence.

The genuine counsellor was none else than Sekkizhar and his monumental work was Periya Puranam, which reveals the cultural ethos of Tamil Nadu, their conviction and faith that the Lord would always be their saviour, said Srimathi V. Kanakasundaram in a lecture. Encouraged by the king, Sekkizhar proceeded to Chidambaram, offered his prayers to Lord Nataraja when an incorporeal voice uttered the first word of his first verse, thus prompting him to complete the remaining 4200. The poet-composer-saint was honoured for his glorious work. Details of Sekkizhar's life are contained in a poem by Umapathi Sivacharya, an authority on Saiva philosophy. It may be possible to swim across even tidal waves, count the sand particles on the beach or the stars on the sky but it is a tough task to evaluate the contribution of Sekkizhar, according to Umapathi Sivacharya, added Sri C. V. Sadanandam in his address.

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Sekkizhar's glorious work

dated September 19, 1953: Death of Thiru Vi. Ka.

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