பரபடலல மரகன வழபட / Worship of Lord Murugan in Paripadal

The people of the Sangam period believed in nature worship. Tamils worshipped Lord Murugan through nature worship and recorded the benefits in “Thirumurukatruppadai”, “Paripadal”, “Kandapuranam”, and “Kandhar Kalivenpa”. Lord Muruga has everlasting youth and is in harmony with nature. The Ongu Paripadal describes Lord Muruga as a handsome Lord and called him Chevvel. He is carried by an elephant called Pinimukham. Lord Muruga is the one who battles and crushes the rocks in the cold ocean into powder. He throws his sword upon the enemies and subdues them. The syllables ‘Mu’ mentions ‘Mukundan’, ‘Ru’ mentions ‘Rudra’, and ‘Ka’ mentions ‘Kandhan’. Murugu can be interpreted as the one who embodies beauty, youth, divine status, well-being, mind, etc. People often call Muruga as ‘Kandhan’. Lord Muruga is also called 'Aarumugan' because he has six faces. 'Velavan' means he carries out work in his hands, and 'Panniru Kai Vadivelan' means he has twelve hands. There are six places mentioned as the holy places of Lord Muruga. Lord Muruga bestows blessings on the people at six important shrines such as Thiruparankundram, Thiruchendur, Palani, Swami Malai, Tiruttani, and Pazhamudircholai. It is believed by the people that wherever there is a hill, Kumaran will be there. Many mythological stories about Kumaran are also mentioned in the Tamil work “Paripadal”. One can learn the wisdom of Lord Muruga who subdues the demons who cause suffering to the people and guide them to the path of good. Hence, this study examines the worship of Lord Murugan as recorded in “Paripadal”.