தற்சிறுமைக் கோட்பாடு

Abstract

This study examines Tharsirumai Kottpadu (self-deprecation) as a central aesthetic in Tamil Bhakti literature, particularly in Manickavasagar's Thiruvasagam. Tharsirumai, formed as Than + Sirumai per Tholkappiyam grammar, signifies the devotee's voluntary self-belittlement before God and is the literary manifestation of the Saranagathi philosophy of complete surrender. Unlike Sangam Tharperumai used for love and valour, or Perumitham where one's greatness is revealed through others (e.g., Kavunthiyadigal praising Kannagi), Bhakti saints like Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar, Manickavasagar and Thayumanavar, despite their immense spiritual and poetic prowess, portray themselves as insignificant and lower than a dog to attain divine grace. Thiruvasagam, described by V. Sub. Manickam as Uyir-padal, exemplifies this through verses like "Urrarai yaan vendan" and "Inbe aruli enai urukki", showing the soul's longing for God, and the paper concludes that Tharsirumai is the essential path to quick mukthi through total self-surrender.

Keywords

• Thiruvasagam
• Tharsirumai
• Saranagathi
• Manickavasagar
• Bhakti