he lines “நடுகல் பீலி சூட்டி துடிப்படுத்து தோப்பிக் கள்ளொடு துரூஉப் பலி கொடுக்கும்” from Akanaṉūṟu 35 describe key aspects of Naṭukal (Hero Stone) worship during the Sangam period in ancient Tamilakam. This practice was a significant part of the rituals performed for warriors who died a heroic death in battle.
Here’s a breakdown of the meaning:
Naṭukal Pīli Sūṭṭi (நடுகல் பீலி சூட்டி): This refers to adorning the hero stone, erected in memory of a fallen warrior, with peacock feathers (pīli). Peacock feathers were symbols of beauty, glory, and bravery.
- References: Other Sangam literature like Puṟanāṉūṟu 335 and Akanaṉūṟu 343 also mention the practice of decorating hero stones with peacock feathers. For example, “aṇimayiṟ pīlisūṭṭip peyar poṟit tiṉinaṭ ṭaṉarē kalluṅ kaṉṟoṭu” (Puṟanāṉūṟu) and “peyaram pīṭum eḻuti atartoṟum pīli sūṭṭiya piṟaṅkunilai naṭukal” (Akanaṉūṟu) confirm this practice. (Source: “Sepulchral Stone (Nadukal) Worship to Courageous Warriors in Purananooru” – irjt.iorpress.org)
Tuṭippaṭuttu (துடிப்படுத்து): “Tuṭi” is a type of drum or musical instrument. During the Naṭukal worship, the tuṭi drum was beaten as part of the rituals. This signifies the reverence for the hero and the intensity of the worship.
- References: Sangam literary texts indicate that during Naṭukal worship, a practice of sacrificing goats accompanied by the beating of the tuṭi drum existed, connecting the use of the instrument with the sacrificial rites. (Source: “நடுகல் வழிபாடு பற்றிக் கூறும் சங்க இலக்கியப் பாடல்கள்” – konarkotram.com)
Toppik Kaḷḷoṭu (தோப்பிக் கள்ளொடு): “Toppi Kaḷ” refers to a type of toddy (palm wine) made from rice. This toddy was offered to the hero stone. This ritual likely involved presenting the deceased warrior with his preferred food and drink.
- References: Sangam verses such as “ilaṭu kaḷḷin cilkuṭic cīṟūrp puṭainaṭu kallin nāṭpali ūṭṭi…” and “naṭukal pīlisūṭṭi tuṭupaṭuttu toppik kaḷḷoṭu turūup pali koṭukkum…” describe the offerings of preferred items to the Naṭukal hero. (Source: “நடுகல் வழிபாடும் தமிழர் நம்பிக்கையும்” – Keetru)
Turūu Pali Koṭukkum (துரூஉப் பலி கொடுக்கும்): “Turūu” denotes a lamb or a young sheep. This means that a lamb was offered as a sacrifice. This was a form of animal sacrifice performed during Naṭukal worship.
- References: Accounts stating “āṭṭukkiṭāykaḷaip paliyiṭṭu tuṭippaṟai olippar, eṇṇey pūci kaḷ paṭaippar…” confirm the sacrifice of goats during Naṭukal worship. (Source: “நடுகல் வழிபாடும் தமிழர் நம்பிக்கையும்” – Keetru)
Significance of Naṭukal Worship in the Sangam Period
During the Sangam era, Naṭukal worship was more than just a ritual; it represented the valor, gratitude, respect for the deceased, and the beginnings of guardian deity worship within society. People revered warriors who died heroically as protectors of themselves and their communities, treating them as guardian deities. There were also beliefs that worshipping these hero stones would bring abundant rainfall, prosperity, freedom from disease, and victory in battles. (Sources: “Sepulchral Stone (Nadukal) Worship to Courageous Warriors in Purananooru” – irjt.iorpress.org, “நடுகல் வழிபாடும் தமிழர் நம்பிக்கையும்” – Keetru)
Akanaṉūṟu 35 (authored by Ammūvaṉār, pertaining to the Pālai Tiṇai) accurately depicts these ancient rituals, offering valuable insight into the cultural and spiritual practices of ancient Tamils.
