பரயபரணததன வழ வழவயல பணபடம கறகளம / Lifestyle and Culture in Periyapuranam

The “Periyapuranam” is composed by Sekkizhar Swamigal. He is a revered Tamil literary scholar who wrote the famous epic styled “Periyapuranam” that extols Lord Shiva. It chronicles the lives and devotional fervour of the sixty three Nayanmars and their unwavering devotion to Shiva. Sekkizhar elucidates the essence of human existence, intertwining spirituality with cultural values in this sacred text. He highlights the profound love of Nayanmars for Shiva and reflects human life and ethics. The “Periyapuranam” portrays the themes of devotion (bhakti), culture and religious practices of the medieval Tamil society. It emphasises the importance of learning, arts and the veneration of women by portraying an idealized humanistic worldview. “Periyapuranam” is a compilation of biographies that exemplify diverse forms of worship from ascetic penance to emotional surrender to Lord Shiva. The work celebrates Saiva spiritual tradition, Tamil cultural heritage and the symbiotic relationship between religion and art. “Periyapuranam” honours women as deep Saiva devotees and divine embodiments and advocate gender inclusion in spiritual quest. Hence, this study explores how “Periyapuranam” serves as a spiritual treatise and a socio-cultural document of life of eminent men and women.