Explores Indian history and spiritual traditions through a reflective and analytical lens, blending historical critique, cultural insights, and diasporic perspectives to offer thoughtful interpretations of religion, philosophy, and identity.
A shrine for Saptha Kanni Devis. Click here for source.
The worship of Saptamatha/Sapthakanni, Ayyanar (Sasta), Mudevi (Jyesta) is common in Tamil Nadu villages.
For some reason, Mudevi worship became less popular. Presently Hindu Saktas pray to Dhumavati and the other Hindus usually pray to Sani Bhagawan. These three deities are connected by a common symbol, the Crow.
The placement of shrines of certain deities in villages was mentioned in the following chapter of the Kamika Agama.
Those who conduct archaeological studies in rural Tamil Nadu should also study the Agamas because the ancient people could have planned the settlement by following some basic rules of the Agama.
If you know the Agamas, you may be able to make an educated guess on where to dig for answers.
Chapter 26 (Kamika Agama)
Directions for Allocation of Appropriate Places for the Deities in Villages and Other Settlements
The location for the shrine of Sasta should be in the west or south-west or east. In this Agama it is maintained that the location for the shrine of Ganesa should be in the west or south-west or between the north-west and the north. Or, the location for Ganesa may be in other directions also.
26.9
aisanyam somabhage vatayormadhye tu matarah agneyyam motikasthanam kamadevasya tatra vai
The shrine for the Saptamatrikas (Seven Mother Goddesses) is to be in the north-east or north or in between the north-east and the north. The location for the shrine of the Goddess Motika (a form of Kali) is to be in the south-east. The same location is recommended for the shrine of Kamadeva (Manmatha).
26.10
jyestha puskaran itire sthapyanyatra bahistu va kama bhaskarayor vastu sanmukhasthanam ucyate
The Goddess Jyestha is to be installed near the bank of the temple tank; or, may be installed in some other place outside the temple. The location allocated for Skanda is also applicable to Kamadeva and Surya (Sun).
26.14
subrahmanyarcanam nityam balanam hitakrdbhavetsastr puja svakrtyesu niyunkte vastu vasinah
The daily worship of Subrahmanya (Skanda) will bring into effect all the best things to the youngsters. The worship of Sasta inspires and impels the people of the village to accomplish the works undertaken by them.
If Moti (a form of Kali Sakti) is duly worshipped, She becomes favorably disposed to ward off the diseases which afflict the children. By the worship of Lord Ganesa all the works undertaken by the people get accomplished without any impediment.
The Tamil Nayanmar Thirunavukarasar @ Appar, was not only fond of Tamil but also Sanskrit. He gave importance to both languages. We have evidence from the Thirumurai to prove this.
Translation :He is concorporate with Her whose soft fingers sport a ball; He is the Master of song and dance; His is a wreath of fragrant konrai growing in bunches; Beauteous is His throat with the blue hue; He is Chaste Tamil as well as Sanskrit; He is the glorious One; He is the Brahmin (Anthanar) who wears on His divine chest, The sacred thread (Poonol); He is Hara that presides over Aavaduthurai; I, the lowly, reached His feet and stand redeemed.
வானவன்காண் வானவர்க்கும் மேல் ஆனான்காண் வடமொழியும் தென்தமிழும் மறைகள் னான்கும் ஆனவன்காண் ஆன் ஐந்தும் ஆடினான்காண் ஐயன்காண் கையில் அனல் ஏந்தி ஆடும் கானவன்காண் கானவனுக்கு அருள்செய்தான்காண் கருதுவார் இதயத்துக்கமலத்து ஊறும் தேன் அவன்காண் சென்று அடையாச் செல்வன் தான்காண் சிவன் அவன்காண் சிவபுரத்து எம் செல்வன்தானே.
Translation: He is of the empyrean; He is far above the celestials; He became Sanskrit, Tamil of the South and the four Vedas; He bathes in the Pancha-kavya; He is the Lord; He is a forester who holds fire in His palm and dances; He graced the forester; He is the honey that gushes from the lotus-hearts of the meditators; He is the opulent One of infinite riches; He is Siva; He is our opulent Lord of Sivapuram.
You would have noticed that in #2946, Appar also referred to Siva as the 4 Vedas. There are also other references to Vedas in the hymns composed by Appar. We will look at it under a separate posting in the future.
Based on Appar's teachings, it is quite clear that both Sanskrit and Tamil are important for Saivism. Appar even declared that both Sanskrit and Tamil represents Siva peruman. It will be good for Saivas to learn and understand both languages for their own benefit in pursuit of spiritualism.
