சங்கப் பாடல்களில் எச்சரிக்கை நிமித்தங்கள்: Sanga Padalgalil Nannimiththangal

Abstract

Sangam literature, serving as a repository of the ancient Tamils' way of life, reveals their culture, beliefs, and deep-seated bond with nature. Through specific natural signs, humans were able to anticipate in advance the fortunes and misfortunes they would encounter in their daily lives. These very signs came to be known as ‘Nimithangal’ or omens. From the era of ‘Tolkappiyam’ through the Sangam period, these omens played a pivotal role in the domestic (Akam) and public (Puram) lives of the Tamils. This research paper aims to compile and present the references to omens—specifically auspicious (Nannimittam) signs—found within the Sangam literary corpus, comprising the ‘Ettuthogai’ and ‘Pathupattu’ anthologies; furthermore, it seeks to analyze the underlying human psychology and knowledge of the natural world that inform these beliefs.

It has been established that the people of the Sangam era placed their faith in various omens, such as ‘Virichi’ (listening for auspicious words), ‘Pul’ (the sounds or actions of birds), the chirping of lizards, the cawing of crows, dreams, and shifts in planetary positions. While auspicious omens served as a solace for the heroine in her distress, inauspicious omens acted as warnings for kings embarking on war. This research paper establishes that these elements are not merely superstitions, but rather reflect the profound understanding of nature possessed by the people of the Sangam era, as well as the psychological need that served as an outlet for their emotional expressions.

Keywords

• Sangam Literature
• Omens
• Virichi
• Avian Omens
• Good Omens
• Tamil Way of Life