Lord Rama - A vegetarian? Guess not.

Hindus often have a misconception about Hinduism. We often tag it as a vegetarian religion. Hinduism as we know today is actually a collection of various religions native to the Indian subcontinent. Unlike the Abrahamic religions, it is not a one book religion. 

Therefore, there are many scriptures and paths within Hinduism. Each may contradict with one another. Each path has its own rules and way of doing things. What is correct for you may not necessarily be correct for me.

The Gaudinya Vaishnavites believe that Krishna is the Supreme God. The other Vaishnavites disagree by stating that Vishnu Narayana is the Supreme God and Krishna is just an avatar.

Get my point?

Many Hindus failed to realize the vast differences within Hinduism itself. 

Vegetarianism become popular in India not because of Hinduism but because of Jainism and Buddhism. These were the real promoters of vegetarianism. Only after the arrival of Buddhism and Jainism did vegetarian practice became so popular in India.

There are many references in Hindu scriptures and epics which promotes vegetarianism but at the same time, there are many references which speaks about animal sacrifice and consumption of meat. 

Believers of  'Vegetarian Hinduism' will definitely deny this. Many do not like to speak about it and for obvious reasons, do not like people like me to speak about it.

I used to be very active in Hindu forums during the early 2000s. I often end up arguing with many priest and most of them happen to be from ISKON. I have nothing against vegetarians or Vegetarian Hindus. It is a choice. I also have nothing against ISKON.

But at the same time, I strongly believe that the historical facts about Hinduism must never be denied. There is no shame or guilt in accepting something which is against the current norm. 

If we can accept the fact that Draupadi was shared by 5 husbands, why can't we accept the non-vegetarian aspect of Hinduism?

One of the hottest debates which I came across was about Lord Rama's diet. As we all know, he was a warrior born in the Solar race. He belonged to a lineage known as the Ishvaku lineage. Rama lived in the forest for many years. He was exiled.

So what he could have eaten in the forest? Some argued with me stating that he relied on fruits, herbs and roots only. I find it difficult to believe. 

The current Ramayana books which you get in the market may tell a different story. It has been edited from the original version. I call it the 'vegetarianised scriptures'.

We need to look at the Ramayana written by Vaalmiki. Not the Ramayana which was edited in recent times to suit the needs of certain Hindu groups.

I have included some verses from the Vaalmiki Ramayana itself. You can read it towards the end of this article and judge it for yourself.

I have nothing against a non-vegetarian Rama.
I accept Rama for how he was, not for how I want him to be.

JAI SRI RAM!!!

suraaghaTasahasreNa maamsabhuutodanena cha |
yakshye tvaam prayataa devi puriim punarupaagataa || 2-52-89

89. devii= “Oh, goddess! Upaagata= After reaching; puriim= the city (Ayodhya); punaH= again; yakshhye= I shall worship (you); suraaghata sahasreNa= with thousand pots of spirituous liquor; maamsa bhuutodanena cha = and jellied meat with cooked rice; prayataa= well-prepared for the solemn rite.”

“Oh, goddess! After reaching back the city of Ayodhya, I shall worship you with thousand pots of spirituous liquor and jellied meat with cooked rice well prepared for the solemn rite.”

Verse 89, Sarga 52, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 तौ तत्र हत्वा चतुरः महा मृगान् |
वराहम् ऋश्यम् पृषतम् महा रुरुम् |
आदाय मेध्यम् त्वरितम् बुभुक्षितौ|
वासाय काले ययतुर् वनः पतिम् || २-५२-१०२

102. hatvaa = having killed; tatra = there; chaturaH = four; mR^igaan = deer (namely); varaaham = Varaaha; R^ishyam = Risya; pR^ishhatam = PR^isata; mahaaruru = (and) Mahaaruru; (the four principal species of deer); aadayaa = and taking; tvaritam = quickly; medhyam = the portions that were pure; tou = Rama and Lakshmana; bubhukshhitou = being hungry as they were; yayatuH = reached; vanaspatim = a tree; vaasayaa = to take rest; kaale = in the evening.

Having hunted there four deer, namely Varaaha, Rishya, Prisata; and Mahaaruru (the four principal species of deer) and taking quickly the portions that were pure, being hungry as they were, Rama and Lakshmana reached a tree to take rest in the evening.

Verse 102, Sarga 52, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 क्रोशमात्रम् ततो गत्वा भ्रातरौ रामलक्ष्मनौ || २-५५-३३
बहून्मेध्यान् मृगान् हत्वा चेरतुर्यमुनावने |

33. tataH = thereafter; gatvaa = having travelled; kroshamaatram = only a couple of miles; bhraatarau = the two brothers; raamalakshhmaNau = Rama and Lakshmana; hatvaa = killed; bahuun = many; medhyaan = consecrated; mR^igaan = deer; cheratuH = and ate; yamunaavane = in the river-forest of Yamuna.

Thereafter having travelled only a couple of miles the two brothers Rama and Lakshmana killed many consecrated deer and ate in the river-forest of Yamuna.

Verse 33, Sarga 55, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 ऐणेयम् मांसम् आहृत्य शालाम् यक्ष्यामहे वयम् |
कर्त्व्यम् वास्तुशमनम् सौमित्रे चिरजीवभिः || २-५६-२२

22. saumitre = Oh; Lakshmana!; aahR^itya = being; aiNeyam maamsam = bring meat of the antelope; vayam = we; yakshyaamahe = shall worship; shaalaam = (this) leaf-hut; vaastushamanam = purifactory ceremony on entering the house; kartavyam = on entering the; chirajiivibhiH = by those who wish to live long.

"Oh, Lakshmana! Bring the meat of an antelope. We shall perform a purifactory ceremony while entering the house. Which is to be done by those who wish to live long."

Verse 22, Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 मृगम् हत्वाऽऽनय क्षिप्रम् लक्ष्मणेह शुभेक्षण
कर्तव्यः शास्त्रदृष्टो हि विधिर्दर्ममनुस्मर || २-५६-२३

23. shubhekshaNa = Oh; large-eyed; lakshmaNa = Lakshmana!; hatvaa = killing; mR^igam = the antelope; kshhipram = quickly; anaya = bring; iha = here; vidhiH = the prescribed rite; shaastra dR^iSTaH = according to scriptural point of view; kartavyaH hi = indeed is to be done; anusmara = keep in mind; dharmam = the sacred obligation."

"Oh, large-eyed Lakshmana! Killing the antelope quickly, bring it here. The prescribed rite according to scriptural point of view indeed is to be performed. Keep in mind the sacred obligation."

Verse 23. Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 इणेयम् श्रपयस्वैतच्च्चालाम् यक्ष्यमहे वयम् |
त्वरसौम्य मुहूर्तोऽयम् ध्रुवश्च दिवसोऽप्ययम् || २-५६-२५

25. saumya = Oh; great brother!; shrapayasva = boil; etat = this; aiNeyam = antelope's meat; vayam = we; yakshyaamahe = shall worship; shaalaam = the leaf-hut; ayam = this; divasaH = day; ayam = (and) this; muhuurtaH api = instant also; dhruvaH = are of a distinctive character; tvara = be quick.

"Oh, gentle brother! Boil this antelope's meat. We shall worship the leaf-hut. This day and this instant also are of a distinctive character. Be quick."

Verse 25, Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 स लक्ष्मणः कृष्ण मृगम् हत्वा मेध्यम् पतापवान् |
अथ चिक्षेप सौमित्रिः समिद्धे जात वेदसि || २-५६-२६

atha = then; saH lakshmaNaH = that Lakshmana; prataapavaan = the strong man; saumitriH = and son of Sumitra; hatvaa = killing; medhyam = the holy; kR^iSNa mR^igam = black antelope; chikSepa = tossed; jaata vedasi = in a fire; samiddhe = ignited.

Then, Lakshmana the strong man and son of Sumitra, killing a holy back antelope, tossed it in an ignited fire.

Verse 26, Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 तम् तु पक्वम् समाज्ञाय निष्टप्तम् चिन्न शोणितम् |
लक्ष्मणः पुरुष व्याघ्रम् अथ राघवम् अब्रवीत् || २-५६-२७

27. parijJNaaya = feeling certain; pakvam = it is cooked; niSTaptam = and heated thoroughly; chinna shoNitam = with no blood remaining; lakshmaNaH = Lakshmana; atha = thereafter; abraviit = spoke; raaghavam = to Rama; puruSa vyaaghram = the lion among men (as follows).

Feeling certain that it is cooked and heated thoroughly with no blood remaining, Lakshmana spoke to Rama the lion among man as follows:

Verse 27, Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 अयम् कृष्णः समाप्त अन्गः शृतः कृष्ण मृगो यथा |
देवता देव सम्काश यजस्व कुशलो हि असि || २-५६-२८

28. ayam = this; kR^iSNaH mR^igo = black antelope; samaapta angaH = with its complete limbs; shR^itaH = has been cooked; sarvaH = completely; mayaa = by me; deva damkaasha = Oh Rama; remsembling god!; yajasva = worship; devataaH = the deities; asi ahi = you are indeed; kushalaH = skilled (in such act)

"This black antelope, with its complete limbs, has been cooked completely by me. Oh, Rama resembling God! Worship the concerned deity, as you are skilled in that act."

Verse 28, Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 वन्यैर्माल्यैः फलैर्मूलैः पक्वैर्मांसैर्यथाविधि |
अद्भर्जपैश्च वेदोक्तै र्धर्भैश्च ससमित्कुशैः || २-५६-३४
तौ तर्पयित्वा भूतानि राघवौ सह सीतया |
तदा विविशतुः शालाम् सुशुभाम् शुभलक्षणौ || २-५६-३५

34;35. raaghavau = Rama and Lakshmana; saha siitauyaa = along with Seetha; shubha lakshhmaNau = having auspicious characterstics; tarpayitvaa = satisfied; bhuutaani = the spirits; maalyaiH = by crowns of flowers; vanyaiH = obtained in the forest; phalaiH = by fruits; mulaiH = by roots; pakvaiH = by cooked; maamsaiH = meat; abdhiH = by water; japaishcha = by prayers; vedoktaiH = as uttered in sacred texts (Vedas); darbhaishcha = by sacred grass; sasmitkuchaiH = by fuel and Kusa grass; tadaa = then; vivishatuH = entered; sushubhaam = the auspicious; shaalaam = leaf-hut.

Rama and Lakshmana along with Seetha, having auspicious characteristics, satisfied the sirits by crowns of flowers obtained in the forest, by fruits roots and cooked meat, by water, by prayers as uttered in the sacred texts (Vedas), by sacred grass, by fuel and Kusa grass and then entered the auspicious leaf-hut.

Verse 35, Sarga 56, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 तां तथा दर्शयित्वा तु मैथिलीं गिरिनिम्नगाम् |
निषसाद गिरिप्रस्थे सीतां मांसेन चन्दयन् || २-९६-१

1. tathaa = thus; darshayitvaa = having shown; girinimnagaam = the mountaneous river Mandakini; taam siitaam = to that Seetha; maithiliim = the daughter of the king of Mithila; niSasaada = sat; giriprashthe = on the hill side; chhandayan = in order to gratify her appetite; maamsena = with flesh.Having shown Mandakini River in that manner to Seetha, the daughter of Mithila, Rama set on the hill-side in order to gratify her appetite with a piece of flesh.

Verse 1, Sarga 96, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 इदं मेध्यमिदं स्वादु निष्टप्तमिदमग्निना |
एवमास्ते स धर्मात्मा सीतया सह राघवः || २-९६-२

2. saH raaghavaH = that Rama; dharmaatmaa = of righteousness; aaste = stayed; siitayaa sha = with Seetha; evam = thus speaking; idam = this meat; madhyam = is fresh; idam = this; niSTaptam = was roasted; agninaa = in the fire.Rama, whose mind was devoted to righteousness stayed there with Seetha, saying; "This meat is fresh, this is savoury and roasted in the fire."

Verse 2, Sarga 96, Ayodhya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 निहत्य पृषतम् च अन्यम् मांसम् आदाय राघवः |
त्वरमाणो जनस्थानम् ससार अभिमुखः तदा || ३-४४-२७

27. tadaa = then; raaghavaH = Raghava; anyam = another one; pR^iSatam nihatya ca = spotted deer, on killing, also; maamsam aadaaya = its flesh, on taking; tvaramaaNaH = hurrying himself; janasthaanam abhimukhaH sasaara = to Janasthaana, towards, he drifted,proceeded.

Raghava then on killing another spotted deer and on taking its flesh, he hurried himself towards Janasthaana. [3-44-27]

Verse 27, Sarga 44, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 समाश्वस मुहूर्तम् तु शक्यम् वस्तुम् इह त्वया || ३-४७-२२
आगमिष्यति मे भर्ता वन्यम् आदाय पुष्कलम् |
रुरून् गोधान् वराहान् च हत्वा आदाय अमिषान् बहु || ३-४७-२३

22b, 23. muhuurtam samaashvasa = for a moment, be comfortable; tvayaa iha vastum shakyam = by you, here, to take rest, possible; me bhartaa = my, husband; ruruun = stag with black stripes; godhaan = mongooses like [civet-like mammals of the family Viverridae, esp. of the genus Herpestes, Marathi manguus]; varaahaan ca = wild-boars, also; hatvaa = on killing; bahu amiSaan aadaaya = aplenty, meat, on taking; puSkalam vanyam aadaaya = plentiful, forest produce, on taking; aagamiSyati = will be coming [soon.]"Be comfortable for a moment, here it is possible for you to make a sojourn, and soon my husband will be coming on taking plentiful forest produce, and on killing stags, mongooses, wild boars he fetches meat, aplenty. [3-47-22b, 23]

Verse 23, Sarga 47, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 रामो अथ सह सौमित्रिः वनम् यात्वा स वीर्यवान् |
स्थूलान् हत्वा महा रोहीन् अनु तस्तार तम् द्विजम् || ३-६८-३२

32. atha = then; viiryavaan raamaH = resolute one, Rama; saha saumitriH = with, Soumitri; vanam yaatvaa = to forest, on going; sthuulaan mahaa rohiin hatvaa = robust-bodied, big, Rohi [or, Kesari animals,] on killing - hunted; tam dvijam = for him, the bird; saH = he; anutastaara = spread sacred grass - to place offerings.Then that resolute Rama on going into forest along with Soumitri hunted a robust-bodied, big Rohi animal, or, Kesari animal, and then he spread sacred grass on ground to place that offering to the deceased soul of that bird. [3-68-32]

Verse 32, Sarga 68, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 रोहि मांसानि च उद्धृत्य पेशी कृत्वा महायशाः |
शकुनाय ददौ रामो रम्ये हरित शाद्वले || ३-६८-३३

33. mahaayashaaH = highly renowned one - for his observance of religious ceremonies; raamaH = Rama; rohi maamsaani = Rohi animal's, meat; uddhR^itya = pulling out; peshii kR^itvaa = to gobbets, on lumping it; ramye harita shaadvale = on pleasant, greenish, on pastures; shakunaaya dadau = for the bird [Jataayu,] gave [as offering.]On drawing up the flesh of that Rohi animal and lumping it to gobbets, that highly observant Rama placed those gobbets on pleasant greenish pasturelands as obsequial offerings in respect of that bird Jataayu. [3-68-33]

Verse 33, Sarga 68, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 न उद्विजन्ते नरान् दृष्ट्वा वधस्य अकोविदाः शुभाः || ३-७३-१३
घृत पिण्ड उपमान् स्थूलान् तान् द्विजान् भक्षयिष्यथः |

13b, 14a. vadhasya = of killing - about hunting; a kovidaaH = not, experts - artless to avoid hunting; shubhaaH = best - birds; naraan dR^iSTvaa = people, on seeing; na udvijante = un, flustered; ghR^ita piNDa upamaan = ghee, gobs, in simile; sthuulaan taan dvijaan = burly, them, birds; bhakSayiSyathaH = you may savour."Thereabout birds will be unflustered on seeing humans, because they are artless to avoid hunting, because none kills them, and you may savour them because those birds will be best and burley, similar to ghee-gobs... [3-73-13b, 14a] 

Verse 13, Sarga 73, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------
 
रोहितान् वक्र तुण्डान् च नल मीनान् च राघव || ३-७३-१४
पंपायाम् इषुभिः मत्स्यान् तत्र राम वरान् हतान् |
निस्त्वक्पक्षानयसतप्तानकृशान्नैककण्टकान् - यद्वा -
निः त्वक् पक्षान् अयस तप्तान् अकृशान् न अनेक कण्टकान् || ३-७३-१५
तव भक्त्या समायुक्तो लक्ष्मणः संप्रदास्यति |
भृशम् तान् खादतो मत्स्यान् पंपायाः पुष्प संचये || ३-७३-१६

14b, 15, 16a. raaghava = oh, Raghava; raama = oh, Rama; tatra pampaayaam = therein, in Pampa Lake; iSubhiH hataan = with arrow, on skewering; varaan = best ones; niH tvak pakSaan = without, skin [scales,] wings [fins, descaling and de- finning]; ayasa taptaan = with iron rod, on broiling; a kR^ishaan ca = not, scraggy, also; na aneka kaNTakaan = not, many, with thorns [with fish-bones]; matsyaan = fishes; rohitaan = red-carps [cyprinus carpio]; vakra tuNDaan = blunt, snouted [small eatable porpoises]; nala miinaan ca = a sort of sprat, also; lakSmaNaH = Lakshmana; bhaktyaa samaayuktaH = reverence, along with - reverentially; tava = to you; sampradaasyati = will offer.

"Oh, Rama in that Pampa Lake there are best fishes, red-carps, and blunt-snouted small porpoises, and a sort of sprats, which are neither scraggy, nor with many fish-bones. Lakshmana will reverentially offer them to you on skewering them with arrow, and on broiling them on iron rod of arrow after descaling and de-finning them. [3-73-14b, 15, 16a]

Verse 14, Sarga 73, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 पद्म गन्धि शिवम् वारि सुख शीतम् अनामयम् |
उद्धृत्य स तदा अक्लिष्टम् रूप्य स्फटिक सन्निभम् || ३-७३-१७
अथ पुष्कर पर्णेन लक्ष्मणः पाययिष्यति |

16b, 18a. bhR^isham = many [stomachful, to satiety]; taan matsyaan = those, fishes; khaadataH = while eating; puSpa sancaye = [one in the] flowers', bunches of; padma gandhi = lotus, scented; shivam = pellucid; sukha shiitam = comfortably, cool; anaamayam = without disease [uncontaminated]; sa tadaa akliSTam = that, that way, unadulterated [pristine water]; ruupya sphaTika sannibham = silver, crystal, in shine; pampaayaaH vaari = Pampa Lake's, water; atha lakSmaNaH = then, Lakshmana; puSkara parNena = with lotus, leaf; uddhR^itya = on lifting up; paayayiSyati = [to you] he offers.

"While you eat those fishes to satiety, Lakshmana will offer you the water of Pampa Lake, which will be in the bunches of flowers of that lake, and which will be lotus-scented, pellucid, comfortably cool, shiny like silver and crystal, uncontaminated and that way pristine, by lifting it up that water with lotus leaf, making that leaf a stoup-like basin... [3-73-16b, 17, 18a]

Verse 15, Sarga 73, Aranya Kanda
------------------------------------------------------

 पंच पंच नखा भक्ष्या ब्रह्म क्षत्रेण राघव |
शल्यकः श्वाविधो गोधा शशः कूर्मः च पंचमः || १-१७-३९

39. raaghava = oh, Raghava; brahma kSatreNa = by Brahmans, Kshatriya-s; shalyakaH = a wild-rodent with defensive quills; shvaavidhaH = a kind of boar that kills dogs, wolves etc; godhaa = a lizard with unimaginable grip; shashaH = hare; pancamaH kuurmaH ca = fifthly, tortoise, also; panca = five [kinds of]; panca nakhaa = five nailed animals; bhakSyaa = are edible.

"Raghava, five kinds of five-nailed animals, viz., a kind of wild rodent, a kind of wild-boar, a kind of lizard, a hare and fifthly the turtle are edible for Brahmans and Kshatriya-s. [4-17-39]

Verse 37, Sarga 17, Kishkindha Kanda

Bangsa India Malaysia

Setelah sekian lama, saya telah bercadang untuk menulis dalam Bahasa Melayu yang kini dikenali sebagai Bahasa Malaysia. Kali terakhir saya menulis dengan menggunakan Bahasa Kebangsaan kita adalah ketika di sekolah menengah, iaitu hampir 13 tahun yang lepas.

Oleh itu, saya memohon maaf sekiranya penggunaan bahasa tidak begitu memuaskan.

Malaysia merupakan sebuah negara yang mempunyai pelbagai bangsa. Setiap bangsa di negara kita mempunyai asal-usulnya yang tersendiri. Saya ingin mengambil peluang ini untuk berkongsi ilmu  mengenai Bangsa India dan suku-sukunya.

Bangsa & Kewarganegaraan
Istilah Bangsa India atau 'Indian' sebenarnya merupakan istilah kewarganegaraan yang digunakan oleh penjajah British untuk merujuk kepada rakyat Empayar British India. Walaupun orang-orang India di Malaysia bukan lagi warga negara asal moyang mereka, namun istilah ini masih digunakan sebagai nama bangsa di Malaysia.

Pada pendapat saya, adalah tidak wajar untuk menggunakan istilah ini. Ini adalah kerana kami kini merupakan rakyat sah negara Malaysia dan bukannya negara India.

Seperti mana 'Indian' digunakan untuk mereka yang datang dari India, istilah 'Ceylonese' digunakan untuk mereka yang datang dari Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka dikenali sebagai Ceylon sebelum tahun 1972. Apa yang menghairankan ialah, istilah 'Indian' dan 'Ceylonese' telah memisahkan serumpun bangsa yang kebanyakannya menggunakan bahasa Tamil sebagai bahasa ibunda .

Tetapi untuk mengelakkan kekeliruan para pembaca, saya akan menggunakan istilah Bangsa India atau 'Indian' di rencana saya ini.

Kaum & Bahasa Ibunda
Bangsa India di negara ini mempunyai pelbagai bahasa. Bahasa-bahasa yang digunakan berasal dari wilayah yang berlainan. Sebelum kewujudan Empayar British India, setiap kaum mempunyai kerajaan tersendiri dengan raja yang berdaulat di wilayah mereka.

Mereka yang berasal dari Kerala bertutur dengan menggunakan Bahasa Malayalam. Oleh itu mereka dikenali sebagai Kaum Malayali. Mereka yang berasal dari Tamil Nadu bertutur dengan menggunakan Bahasa Tamil. Oleh itu mereka dikenali sebagai Kaum Tamil.

Kaum Punjabi pula berasal dari negeri Punjab dan mereka menggunakan Bahasa Punjabi. Kaum Telugu merupakan pengguna Bahasa Telugu dari negeri Andra Pradesh.

Oleh itu, identiti kaum dikalangan orang India ditentukan oleh bahasa ibunda mereka. Bahasa ibunda saya ialah Bahasa Tamil. Keluarga bapa saya berasal dari daerah Sivagangai (selatan Tamil Nadu) dan keluarga ibu saya berasal dari daerah Thanjavur (timur Tamil Nadu).

Kasta & Persaudaraan 
Kita sering mendengar perkataan kasta digunakan tetapi tidak ramai yang faham maksudnya. Kasta boleh dibahagikan kepada dua. Iaitu Jathi dan Varna. 

Jathi merupukan suku atau puak, manakala Varna merupakan kategori sosial sesuatu individu ataupun puaknya. Jathi ditentukan oleh kelahiran dan tali persaudaraan tetapi Varna ditentukan oleh pekerjaan dan status sosial.

Antara suku-suku dikalangan Kaum Tamil

Vellalar
Palli
Kallar
Maravar
Agamudayar
Pallar
Nagarathar
Paraiyar
Idaiyar
Ilavar
Paravar

Saiz dan bilangan suku setiap kasta adalah berbeza dari satu sama lain. Setiap suku mempunyai tradisinya yang tersendiri. Selain itu, suku-suku ini berasal dari daerah-daerah yang berlainan. 

Misalnya, kebanyakan Palli berasal dari kawasan utara Tamil Nadu manakala suku Paravar pula berasal dari kawasan tepi laut (terutamanya di tenggara Tamil Nadu).

Selain tradisi yang berbeza, suku-suku ini juga mempunyai loghat Bahasa Tamil yang berbeza dan agak unik. 

Loghat-loghat yang digunakan bergantung kepada daerah yang diduduki. Loghat Nellai Tamil, Madurai Tamil dan Kongu Tamil adalah antara loghat yang boleh didengar.

Kaum Tamil sebenarnya menggunakan nama akhir (last name) sebelum era politik Dravidia (era reformasi sosial Periyar) . Nama akhir diwarisi melalui keturunan bapa dan ia menunjukkan keluarga dan suku masing-masing.

Misalnya, saya menggunakan Thevar sebagai nama akhir kerana saya berasal dari suku Maravar.  Suku Maravar, Kallar dan Agamudayar juga digelar sebagai kasta Mukkulathor.

Antara nama akhir yang digunakan oleh suku-suku lain ialah: 

Pillai (Suku Vellalar)
Mudaliar (Suku Vellalar, Suku Agamudayar)
Kavundar/Kaunder/Gounder (Suku Vellalar, Suku Palli, Suku Vettuvar dan Suku Kurumbar)
Nadar (Suku Ilavar)
Kudumbar (Suku Pallar)
Konar (Suku Idaiyar)
Udayar (Suku Parkavakulam)

Kasta Mukkulathor mempunyai kira-kira 1,135 nama akhir. Thevar adalah salah satu daripada nama akhir yang digunakan.

Seperti yang dikatakan tadi, Varna ditentukan oleh pekerjaan dan kedudukan sosial. Mengikut kepercayaan masyarakat India yang kebanyakannya beragama Hindu, setiap tamadun manusia boleh dibahagikan kepada 4 Varna

Brahmin - Golongan paderi, ketua agama dan intelektual
Kshatriya - Golongan perwira dan pemerintah
Vaisya - Golongan perniagaan dan perdagangan
Sudra - Golongan petani dan buruh

Varna pada asalnya boleh ditukar. Misalnya, seorang askar boleh bekerja sebagai seorang petani. Tetapi, lama-kelamaan konsep Varna dimanipulasi untuk menjaga kepentingan sesetengah golongan masyarakat. 

Terdapat juga teori yang mengatakan bahawa sistem Varna melarang mobiliti sosial supaya setiap suku dapat menggunakan kebolehan masing-masing untuk melakukan pekerjaan yang paling sesuai untuk mereka. 

Misalnya, suku yang bersifat agresif seperti Kallar adalah lebih sesuai menjadi askar berbanding dengan orang-orang Brahmin yang kurang agresif. Oleh itu, adalah wajar untuk mereka meneruskan pekerjaan tradisi suku mereka pada zaman itu.

Sistem Varna tidak lagi diamalkan pada zaman moden ini kerana sistem demokrasi yang diamalkan kini membolehkan setiap individu memilih pekerjaannya.

Agama Hindu & Kepercayaan 
Agama-agama seperti Islam, Kristian dan Judaisma digelar sebagai Agama Abrahamik. Agama-agama ini mempunyai pengasas dan merujuk kepada satu kitab sahaja. Selain itu, agama-agama ini juga dipengaruhi budaya kaum pengasasnya.

Seperti yang anda tahu, kebanyakan orang India masih menganuti agama asal mereka, Agama Hindu.

Agama Hindu sebenarnya merupakan satu koleksi pelbagai agama yang wujud di benua India. Agama Hindu boleh dibahagikan kepada Vaishnava, Saiva, Shakta dan ia tiada pengasas.

Walaupun pengamalan agama, para guru, kitab-kitab suci dan tafsirannya berbeza, masyarakat Hindu percaya bahawa Tuhan Yang Esa adalah satu, hanya nama dan cara menyembahNya berbeza. 

Ini kerana konsep ketuhanan di dalam Agama Hindu menerangkan bahawa dunia mempunyai pelbagai tamadun. Setiap tamadun mempunyai bahasa dan budayanya yang tersendiri. 

Oleh kerana itu, masyarakat Hindu percaya bahawa setiap makhluk adalah ciptaan Tuhan yang sama dan pengamalan agama sesuatu tamadun harus dihormati walaupun berbeza dengan cara kita.

Saya berharap penjelasan saya tentang masyarakat India dan suku-sukunya dapat membantu anda memahami kami lagi. Sekiranya anda ingin membaca versi Inggeris, sila klik di bawah ini.

http://sharmalanthevar.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-indian-confusion-race-caste-clan.html

Sekian, terima kasih.

Deepavali 2013

***There was a discussion which happened after this thread. An explanation was given for the Krishna Chaturdasi. To know about the origins of Deepavali, please read http://jaybeetrident.blogspot.com/2012/11/festival-of-sridevi.html***

There is a general confusion among Hindus in Malaysia and to some extend Singapore. It is about when Deepavali should be celebrated this year. According to Malaysia, it should be 2 November. Many calendars marked 3 November as Deepavali. 

So everyone is confused. Who is right?

There are many astronomical factors which needs to be considered when deciding Hindu festivals. There are reasons for it. A person who calculates the dates for the almanac needs to know both Mathematics and Astronomy. This is also the foundation of Hindu Astrology.

Most of us are not familiar with the metrics used. We would have heard of Muhurta (moment), Paksha (forthnight lunar phase) or Tithi (lunar day) but are not aware of the maths behind it. Since we don't know, we tend to blindly follow whatever that is told in the temple.

Coming back to Deepavali....

For most of ignorant Malaysian Hindus, Deepavali is all about tanni poduraning, pattas vedikiraning and aadu kari kadikiraning.  A day of celebration.

But what is the actual purpose of celebrating Deepavali?

According to legend, it is the day Krishna or his wife Satyabama slayed the demon Narakasura. This is the most common story we hear in Malaysia. The story tellers will then go on and explain that this is just a metaphorical story. 

They will then mention that Narakasura is the embodiment of evil and Krishna is the embodiment of Good. So it is the day Good won over Evil.

Yes. Good won over Evil but is it about Krishna vs Narakasura or someone else?

To my best knowledge, the actual celebration of Deepavali predates the time of Krishna. It goes back to the time of Ramayana. We must not forget that Deepavali was never celebrated before this era. 

As we know, Rama was exiled for 14 years. There was a war with Ravana during this period. So he killed Ravana, saved Seeta and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya with his loyal army. This happened on the Amavasai (New Moon) day of the Aippasi (Ashwina) month.

Since it was Amavasai, there was no moon light. So the happy citizens light up rows of lamps on the streets to welcome Rama home. Some believe that it was these rows of lights that guided Rama's flying chariot back home.

Reminds me of a modern airport runway!

Oil/Ghee Lamps are light up during Deepavali

This is why it is called as Deepa-vali (Lamp-row), the festival of lights! Now you will understand why we Hindus light up lamps in our houses on each Deepavali night.


For this year. Aipasi is during 17 October-15 November 2013. If you were to take a look at the moon phases during this period, the Amavasai day is on 3 November. According to certain Hindu NGOs in Malaysia, Deepavali must be celebrated on 2 November, not 3rd. 

Amavasai happens at 20:49:32 (Malaysia) on 3 November 2013

Their logic? The Brahma Muhurta (around 4am) of the Krishna Paksha and Chaturdashi Tithi must be in force for it to be considered as Deepavali. 

*Krishna Paksha is Tey-Pirai (Waning Moon)
*Shukla Paksha is Valar-Pirai (Waxing Moon)

So since this happens on 2 November, they declared it as Deepavali day.

But doesn't this beat the purpose of Deepavali? Rama returned on Amavasai and our ancestors light up lamps for him on that day. 

What is the point of lighting up lamps on 2 November and call it Deepavali when Amavasai is on 3 November?

To me, celebrating Deepavali on a non-Amavasai Aippasi day beats the whole purpose of the festival. We can't call that as Deepavali.

This is my own rational explanation.

Wishing all of you an advanced HAPPY DEEPAVALI! 

Balik Cina, India & Indonesia

Malaysia has the best of Asian cultures. Different types of people live here. Different roots, religion, language all in one country.

There are also those with mixed parentage known as Eurasians. We call them Orang Serani. They have been living here for centuries as a result of intermarriages between the Portugese and Malays.

The Orang Serani

Whichever tribe, ethnic or religious group we belong to, we share the same citizenship, Malaysians. It is our citizenship which holds us together in this country. This citizenship is also what brings us closer when we bump into each other in a foreign country.

But it looks like some do not appreciate it. Whoever you are, you should love your own tribe or race but you should also strive to bring people closer in the name of friendship. That is what we should be doing.

But some of these racist bigots are much more interested to say "balik Cina, balik India, balik Indonesia".

Why balik when we are all citizens of this country? We are not refugees, not tourists, not visitors, not illegal immigrants. 

We pay tax for this country. Many have even died fighting for the freedom of this country. Many are still working hard for this country.

If someone has to balik because of ethnic origin, then let it be that all who came here balik for good. Back to where we all came from.

Want to take a look at the origins?

Most Indians in Malaysia are from Tamil Nadu. My family is from southern Tamil Nadu. The remaining Indians are from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, Bengal etc. The Malaysian Ceylonese are from the nothern and eastern region of Sri Lanka.

The Chinese as we know are from mainland China. We also have many Chinese with roots in Taiwan and Macau. Back in China, they are identified according to their language, region and clan. The Han ethnic forms the majority among the Chinese.

The Malaysian Malays have their own divisions too. Today, the term Malay is a very loose definition. 

Malay is a ethnic with its own origins. Indonesia's definition of a Malay is not the same as Malaysia. 

The actual Malay race is made of Tamiang Malays, Riau Malays, Deli Malays, Jambi Malays, Bangka Malays, Belitung Malays and Samba Malays. Many Malay settlement already exist in peninsular during ancient times.

Most modern day Malaysians who call themselves Malays today are not real Malays. Most of them are not the direct descendants of the ancient Malays who lived here. Alot of them do not belong to the divisions which I mentioned above.

The Bugis, Minangkabaus, and Javanese of Malaysia have begin to call themselves Malays today. These people have their individual  language and are different from the actual Malays.

The Bugis people are from Sulawesi. Our Prime Minister Najib is a Bugis. He still visits his ancestral village in Sulawesi each year.

The Minangkabau people are from Sumatra. Those from Negeri Sembilan are mainly Minangkabaus with roots in Sumatra.

The Javanese are from Java region of Indonesia. They form the majority back in Indonesia.

Although they call themselves Malaysian Malays for official purpose, they are actualy different from each other. 


They even have associations like Persatuan Anak-Anak Bugis Selangor, Persatuan Ikatan Keluarga Minangkabau Malaysia and Persatuan Penggiat Kebudayaan Jawa Malaysia.

Basically, we all came from somewhere. We came from different parts of the Asian region, from different countries, from different kingdoms, from different tribes, speak different languages, believe in different religion and finally settled down in this country. 

We are all Pendatangs

So who are the actual natives? If you were to ask me, the correct definition of a native is the first tribe to settle down in a region.

The natives of Borneo have lived there for many centuries before any empire flourished in the thick forest of Borneo or in the coastal regions. They have their own language, customs and way of life.

Genetic studies has proven that the Orang Asli, particularly the Semang people are the first tribe to settle down in Peninsular Malaysia. 

For these people, all of us are pendatangs regardless of who we are.

It does not matter whether we are technologically more superior or more civilized, the fact remains that they were here first before us.


I know my roots and I accept it. It does not make me less Malaysian than others.

What about you? Do you know your roots? Do you accept it? Or are you living in denial?

If you are still unhappy and want to say "balik Cina, balik India, balik Indonesia" to a fellow Malaysian, then I suggest that you pack your bags first and return to where your ancestors came from.

The Kelings

The word Keling has been used by the Malays (and Indonesians) for many centuries. Even today, the Malays of Malaysia use it to refer to the local Indian population.

What is Keling?

The word Keling is taken from the word Kalinga. Kalinga was a kingdom in the Indian subcontinent. It was located in the present day state of Orissa. 

Orissa changed its name to Odisha as of 4 November 2011.

The kingdom of Kalinga was once very powerful. It was even mentioned in the Mahabaratha.

Kalinga established maritime trade with southeast asia. Settlers from Kalinga also opened up colonies in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives and the Malay archipelago.

Ships from Kalinga arrived in large numbers in the southeast asian ports. It then became common for the local Malays to refer to anyone from the Indian subcontinent as Keling. India was even called as Benua Keling (Continent of Kalinga) in ancient times.

However, not all Indians were Kelings. This is because there were many independent kingdom besides Kalinga. 

One such kingdom was the powerful Chola. The Malays also had another name for the Tamils. They were known as Cholia or Chulia as many arrived in ships from Chola kingdom back in those days.

Why Malaysian Indians get angry when Malays call them Keling?

The Malaysian Indian population is made of several ethnic groups. These ethnic groups speak different languages. Most modern Indians in Malaysia are Tamils from Tamil Nadu. 

It is incorrect for the Malays to continue to call all of us as Kelings. If this was 1000 years ago, the Malays would probably call us Chulias.

We also do not like to be called Keling because those who call us  Kelings in modern Malaysia do it in a derogatory manner. 

Some go to the extend of saying that the word Keling is used in reference to the bangles and ornaments used by the Indians as it produces the 'kling-kling' sound.

We also have some Indians who thinks that we should be proud of being called Kelings. My ancestors were from south and east Tamil Nadu. They were not from Kalinga. They were Tamils of Chola and Pandya kingdoms. 

So why should I be proud of being called a Keling? It is not related to me or my ancestors. 

There are some existing Tamil royal families with surnames such as Kalingarayar. Their ancestors earned this title after winning battles with Kalinga. 
 
It only makes sense if the present day Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka and the people of  Odisha are referred to as Kelings. Because these people are the direct descendants of the Kalingans.

Although the ancient kingdom of Kalinga came to an end, the Indian merchants continued trading with the empires in southeast asia. This includes Malacca.

The word Keling then got stuck with the Indian traders in Malacca. Most of the traders were Tamil Muslims from the Maraikayar community. They were called as Kelings and had their own settlements in Malacca. These settlements are known as kampung Keling.

Many Tamil Muslims traders back then intermarried with the local Malays . The Malays were Hindus at that time. The intermarriage between the predominantly Hindu Malays and Tamil Muslims caused Islam to spread in this region. 

Their mixed parentage descendants are also known as Darah Keturunan Keling (Keling bloodline) or DKK in Malaysia. 

In 1456, Raja Kassim became the sultan of Malacca after his half brother, Raja Ibrahim was murdered. Raja Ibrahim was a Malay and he was supposed to become the king with a Hindu title, Raja Sri Parameswara Dewa Shah. 

Raja Kassim was a DKK Muslim. This is because Raja Kassim's mother was a Tamil Muslim woman and she was the sister of Tun Ali, the influential Maraikayar who served as the Bendahara (Prime Minister) of Malacca.

This is the actual turning point in Malacca's history. The DKKs then gained more prominence than the Malays in the royal court of Malacca. The mamak era of Malacca begins from here. The Maraikayars were so rich and powerful that they could decide the fate of Malacca's sultanate.

This is why there is an infamous saying among the Malay community:

"Kalau jumpa ular dengan Keling, bunuh Keling dulu"

(If you meet a Keling and snake, kill the Keling first)

There is also a term called 'Janji Keling' (Keling's Promise). This is used in reference to people who are unable to keep their promise.

It could be traced back to the times of Malacca. This is the story behind the word Keling.

The Malaysian Mukkulathor Story

Janaki Thevar was a freedom fighter who was among the first women to join the INA.

The Tamils have several social groups which we call as caste. Each caste is made of clans with common origin. These clans are known as Jati in Sanskrit and Kulam in Tamil. 

Unlike many people would want to believe, the Tamil ethnic is not a single clan or single tribe ethnic. It is actually a collection of social groups which shares a common mother tongue, Tamil. 

Each of these social group or caste has its own culture and tradition. The Tamil castes also originated from different region of ancient Tamilakam. In the olden days, the castes were seen as separate ethnics and they do not intermarry with each other.

Tun.V.T.Sambanthan Thevar. One of the prominent leaders who played a crucial role in gaining citizenship for the Malaysian Indians. Tun Sambanthan and his wife Toh Puan Uma Sundari used to travel to various estates to ensure that the Indians are registered as both citizens and voters.

Today I will introduce you to my social group or caste. This is not a detailed historical explanation about us. It is just a simple write up about my people who migrated from India to Malaysia. It is about us, the Mukkulathor people of Malaysia.

The Mukkulathor is a caste of three clans or kulams. They are Kallar, Maravar and Agamudayar. The word Mukkulathor simply means "people of the three clans". These three clans share a common origin and culture. 

Mukkulathors are among the first tribes to live in ancient Tamilakam. On other words, they are native Tamils. This is  confirmed through literature and also genetic research.

The Kallars, Maravars and Agamudayars were people of the Paalai region. Those who were involved in agriculture also lived in the Marutham region. The Kallars were also known as Kalvars. Agamudayars are also known as Agampadaiyar or Agambadiyar.

The history of Mukkulathor people is well documented and you can find references to these clans in literature and stone inscriptions.

According to the National Geographic Genome project, the Piranmalai Kallars were among the first tribe to settle down in ancient Tamil land. This was confirmed through studies by Dr.Spencer Wells. 

One of the Mukkulathor caste member, Mr.Virumandi Andithevar of Jothimanickam village near Madurai, is a direct descendant of the first people who settled down 70,000 years ago in South India.

The Mukkulathors also believe that they are all of the same branch which later split to three different clans. 

I was a guest speaker for a forum organized by Penang Mukkulathor Sangam in 2011.

The Mukkulathors of Malaysia settled down in various settlements during the British era. That's roughly about 200 years of history.

They came here in groups consisting of caste members. The caste members were related to each other and most of them came from the same village.

Unlike most Tamils who worked as plantation laborers, the Mukkulathor forefathers of Malaysia worked mainly in the mining areas including coal mines, construction, railways and ports. 

Many also came here as political exiles and prisoners of war due to their anti-British involvement. Because they were anti-British, the Mukkulathors mainly those from southern Tamil Nadu were branded as hereditary criminals under the Criminal Tribes Act in India. 

They were banned from practicing martial arts and finger printed. The British tried their best to subdue the Mukkulathors. Some left India to avoid this.

The Mukkulathors of then Malaya hated the British too. Many Mukkulathors like Madam Janaki Thevar joined Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) to fight against the British. Mukkulathors particularly many from Batu Arang became trade unionist and communist.

One example of such person is the late S.A Ganapathy Thevar who was hanged by the British on 4 May 1949. He belonged to the Agamudayar clan and I had the chance to meet his grand nephew and grand niece when I went to deliver a speech in Penang. This was back in 2011.

Contrary to popular belief that Mukkulathors are staunch MIC supporters, many Mukkulathors are actually socialist. The influence of the Forward Bloc (India) and trade union comradeship can still be seen among the present day Mukkulathors.

In fact, some of the Mukkulathor people in Malaysia address each other as comrades!

But I don't deny the fact that many of my people are still in MIC.

In the olden days, areas like Penang, Klang, Tanjung Malim, KL, Batu Arang, Kuala Selangor were Mukkulathor hotspots. The Mukkulathors of Klang were also involved in many trade union strikes and riots which happened in 1940s.

Ramasamy Saluvar s/o Vengadasalam Saluvar was born in 1920 in Batu Arang. His family is from Thanjavur, India. He was the Vice President of Pan Malayan Federation of Trade Union in 1948. A close ally of another trade unionist, S.A Ganapathy Thevar. He made an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate the British Manager of Malayan Collieries in 1949. Due to his involvement in anti-British activities, Ramasamy Saalvar was shot dead by the British on 22 September 1956 (Saturday). He died a martyr fighting the British in Malaya.

Like the other castes, Mukkulathor people also formed their own sangam (association) for the benefit of the Mukkulathor people. 

The purpose of the Mukkulathor Sangam is the same as the Chinese clan associations. It was founded with the intention to help the caste members so that they can lead a better life in this country.

The first Mukkulathor Sangam was formed in Penang on 31 July 1973. The history of Penang Mukkulathors can be traced to my ancestral district of Sivagangai. 

After Sivagangai was captured by the British in 1801, many Mukkulathors were exiled to Penang. This is the origin of Penang Mukkulathors but of course, we also have people who came in later just like how most Tamils did.

Here in Malaysia, Mukkulathor people mix freely with Tamils of other castes.The situation is very different in rural India.

The Malaysian Mukkulathors accept friendship with anyone from any caste but will not tolerate if someone pretends to be a Mukkulathor. For the Mukkulathor people, blood ties and family identity is always a very sensitive issue.

Don't ask me why. It has been like that for thousands of years. 


Even in Facebook, I see many using our surnames such as Thevar or Servai despite not being a real Mukkulathor. 

What these people fail to realize is this behavior will only make us hostile towards them. No one is going to respect you for using a surname which does not belongs to you. So why bother calling yourself a Thevar or Servai if you are not one?

Some of you may think that I'm being straightforward about this matter. I prefer to be honest when I write :)


A person is considered a Mukkulathor only if the father is a Mukkulathor. This is because every Mukkulathor individual inherits the surname from the father. There is no Mukkulathor without a surname. 

In total, there are 1,135 surnames in the Mukkulathor community. So far, I have identified about 40 of those surnames in Malaysia. Thevar is one of the many surnames we have.

Usually Mukkulathor people will ask for surnames and name of ancestral village when they encounter another Mukkulathor. Purpose? Well we want to know how we are related to one another.

The 12th congress of Malaysian Mukkulathor Council was attended by His Highness Raja N. Kumaran Sethupathi, the present king of Ramanathapuram.

I hope that someday I can do a database for my people in this country. I formed a group known as FB Malaysian Mukkulathors in 2009. There are currently 400 people in my group.

Many people discovered their long lost relatives through my group. Despite criticism from certain non-Mukkulathor people, it is still going strong in its 4th year. 

The Mukkulathors are not caste fanatics. We are just a group of relatives who wish to maintain our identity in this country.

This is our short story in Malaysia.

Malaysian Heroes in Facebook

Today I would like to highlight a few Facebook pages in my blog. These pages were started by concerned Malaysians. They can be individuals, a group of friends or even NGO.

I consider these pages as a MUST FOLLOW for the betterment of the Malaysian public.

I do not admire certain pages that used to be very popular especially among the Malaysian Indian FB users. There were many pages and bloggers who used to run their show under the pretext of educating the Indian community. Although they started out well, they end up deviating from the original motive.

Their pages became a platform for rampant cyber bullying among the Malaysian Indian community. In a Malaysian layman terms, it functioned more as a portal for 'kutuking' among the Indians rather than providing solutions to the existing issues faced by the community.

These pages come and go. Many such pages have been removed. To me, they are just passing clouds.
 

The ones which I am going to highlight are the real unsung Malaysian heroes of Facebook. Why? Because they are genuine with their intention to help the mass. They are a reflection of the true Malaysian spirit.

Having said this, I can boldly say that these pages are much more important than my own blog. It is alright to ignore my blog but never ignore the following pages.

Bersih, an election watchdog dedicated in ensuring a clean and fair electoral system in Malaysia. No fear or favor.

The Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) was founded in September 1982 to promote and create respect, protection and fulfillment of equal rights for women. To work towards the elimination of discrimination against women, and to bring about equality between women and men.

Malaysia’s definitive bank comparison page that exists for the sole purpose of helping all Malaysians make quick, well-informed decisions for all banking products and services currently in the market. It is absolutely free.

Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR) is a non-profit organization that helps strays in need. It was founded by Ms.Puspa Rani who gave up her career as a chartered accountant.

Kita Kawan Mah is a page initiated by a few concerned citizens who wants to bring the various Malaysian ethnics together as people of 1 country. Here is their motto "We are just ordinary rakyat of Malaysia. We love our rojak culture. We are awesome because we are different. We love our muhibah spirit. We are all kawan."

Started by some concerned people of Petaling Jaya, the PJ Community Alert is dedicated to alert fellow Malaysians on crime with hopes that Malaysia will be a safe nation.

I highlighted just 6 of such pages. There are many more out there. Seek them and give them your support.

"FAITH IN HUMANITY, RESTORED!"