சுந்தர மூர்த்தி நாயனார் புராணத்தில் மங்கள நிகழ்வுகளில் இயற்கை

Nature in Auspicious Events in the Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam

Abstract

This study explores the representation and significance of nature in the auspicious ceremonies described in the Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam, a narrative embedded within the 12th-century Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar. Adopting an ecocritical framework, particularly the principles of Deep Ecology, the research examines how natural elements such as flowers, plants, water, fire, and organic decorative materials are integrated into ritual practices with cultural, spiritual, and ecological meanings. The analysis demonstrates that these materials, drawn entirely from renewable resources, align with concepts of environmental sustainability and circular resource use. Furthermore, the study identifies the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of these natural substances, highlighting their role in promoting physical well-being, mental harmony, and spiritual purification. The findings suggest that these ritual practices reflect an intrinsic human–nature relationship based on mutual respect, sacred symbolism, and ecological awareness in ancient Tamil society. By situating the Sundara Moorthy Nayanar Puranam within the broader tradition of Tamil Shaivism, this research contributes to understanding how cultural heritage can inform contemporary environmental ethics. The study concludes that auspicious ceremonies in the Periya Puranam are not merely religious or social events, but also living embodiments of sustainable practices and ecological consciousness, offering valuable insights for integrating environmental preservation into modern cultural traditions.