புலவர் புராணத்தின் சமயக்கொள்கை / Religious Policies in Puzhavar Puranam

‘Puzhavar Puranam’ is a book written by Dantapani Swami who lived in the 19th century. The ideas expressed in it emphasize equality between the six Vedic Religions. It is also seen as an attempt of religious integration. Some stories in ‘Puzhavar Puranam’ have been told to emphasize that point. ‘Puzhavar Puranam’ is a book of 3005 poetries with 72 chapters which convey the stories of great Tamil Poets. Dantapani Swami has told stories and ideas to create a similarity between the Vedic religions that oppose the conflict of Saivam and Vaishnavam, especially in the ‘Sadakopar Sarukkam’ and ‘Thirumangaiyalwar Sarukkam’ which are the two chapters in ‘Puzhavar Puranam’. Even in the chapter sequence of ‘Puzhavar Puranam’, the discrimination between Vedic religions, such as Saivism and Vaishnavism, is not appreciated and the unity of Vedic religion is strongly expressed. In this scope, the ideas that create equality between the Vedic religions of Sauram, Saivam, Saktam, Vaishnavism, Ganapathyam and Kaumaram are prevalent. Dantapani Swami set the basic principles of Monotheism and Jeevakarunyam (Compassion) which he followed in valuing the religions. The ritual of burning animals, including cows and horses, to the deity, was instructed by the Vedas and practised by the Vedic religion. This ritual is called Velvi. Although it was obsoleted a few centuries ago, Dantapani Swami has exposed and opposed it in his works. The anti-Velvi stance taken by Jeevakarunyam is seen in various chapters such as ‘Thirugnanasambandar sarukam’, ‘Sadagopar sarukam’ etc. In many of his books, anti-Velvi, Jeevakarunyam and the philosophy of Monotheism are widely spoken. Hence, this article explores the reasons why Dantapani Swami hated it and did not accept Buddhism and Jainism, which practised Jeevakarunyam and anti-Velvi which are also his stance. It also discusses how the religious principles of Dantapani Swami, known through the ‘Puzhavar Puranam’, played a role in the religious and social life of Tamil Nadu in the 19th century. At the same time, it also addresses some of the contradictions between the doctrine of Dantapani Swami and his work.