பக்தி இலக்கியங்கள் காட்டும் தமிழரின் வாழ்வியல்: ஓர் விரிவான சமூக-பண்பாட்டு ஆய்வு

The Tamils' Way of Life as Depicted in Bhakti Literature: A Comprehensive Socio-Cultural Study

Abstract

The primary objective of this paper is to comprehensively study the noble cultural traits of the Tamils—such as love, equality, social service, women's liberation, compassion for all living beings, and ecological values—through the life principles depicted in Bhakti literature1. Transcending the moral doctrines of the post-Sangam period, Tamil society, whose lifestyle during the Sangam era was rooted in Agam (inner life) and Puram (outer life/warfare) across various landscapes, blossomed into the Bhakti movement between the 7th and 9th centuries CE, bridging divine consciousness with humanism1. This paper critically analyzes humanistic philosophies, social equality opposing the caste hierarchy, the ethic of charity and service to the marginalized, a lifestyle in harmony with nature, and the spiritual autonomy of women, as expressed through Saiva and Vaishnava Tamil literature, namely the Panniru Thirumurai, Naalayira Divya Prabandham, and Periya Puranam.