The more well known aspect of the Nallur temple is the Kandaswamy Kovil, (or Nallur Murugan Kovil), probably constructed in the 10th century CE.’
by Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam
(August 21, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) I respond to the article ‘Was Nallur the capital of the Nagas in ancient Nakadeepa?, by Professor Chandre Dharmawardana of Ottawa, Canada; published in Sri Lanka Guardian. On the basis of this article – taken at face-value I say ‘ Hambantota is Tamil because of Kathirgama Kanthan.’
Professor Dharmawardana says ‘The more well known aspect of the Nallur temple is the Kandaswamy Kovil, (or Nallur Murugan Kovil), probably constructed in the 10th century CE.’
To me Nallur IS Murugan. When I hear Nallur – the image that comes to my mind’s eye is Murugan. I grew up believing in Nallur. Even when I go to Sydney Murugan Temple – I see Nallur in the Altar. Our Family & Community Guru Yoga Swami together with his Guru Chellapa Swami is enshrined in Nallur Ther (Chariot). My Spiritual Guru – Swami Sathya Sai Baba appeared to me on Nallur Ther in 1998 when I was hurting due to racial discrimination (as per my belief) pain at the University of NSW. On 11 August 1998 which like now was during the period of Nallur Murugan Festival, I wrote the letter of resignation from my substantive position at the University of NSW – after not being able to bear the ‘persecution’ I felt from Central Administrators of the University of NSW. I addressed my letter to the Dean of Medicine who did show appreciation – which I believe was because like Sri Lankan Tamils – he was expecting / promised Devolution of Powers to Faculties. (Appendix 1).
Lord Muruga is the Lord of Devolution. Hence Palani Murugan.
I believe that Festival periods are powerful because we collect and consolidate our individual beliefs into common Belief/Consciousness through One Identity. The Sri Lankan President praying at Nallur is confirmation that this Common Belief extends to the Presidential level. To that extent the solutions are already happening. We just need to identify with them as per our needs and share them with others in need with whom we feel connected.
Nallur is about Self Governance. Nallur confirms again and again – that Tamils do Govern themselves. There are challenges even now – but they iron themselves out due to Nallur Culture. I seek to share a couple of my most recent experiences:
1) Last year, I attended the first day of the festival after teaching a group of Chartered Accounting students. I was not early enough to secure a place close to the Kodi-Thambam (flag-post) around which the first of the twenty five day festival ceremonies take place. I was able to see from a distance of about 15 feet away. Even as I watched others close to the Kodi-Thambam getting the ceremonial flowers that were strewn – I said to Muruga – Who along with His Brother Ganesh and Partners Valli-Theivanai was being carried on the shoulders of strong men – ‘Muruga – the air that touches you also touches me. That is enough for me. I must not expect the flowers.’ Within the minute – a flower from the priest got carried to me and even before I recognized it – the flower touched me and started falling down. I caught it before it hit the floor. To me that was confirmation again that not only was Muruga Blessing me for my services to the Chartered Accounting students but also that to a believer – God comes even if the Believer is not able to go physically close to the altar.
2) The second experience during last year’s festival was on the evening of the Ther festival. Ther festival is about Murugan going around and successfully getting rid of the demons. In the evening Murugan with His two Partners is dressed in cool green and is brought into the temple and Shanmuga Poojah (Shan=six; Mugam=face) is performed by six priests. Witnessing this Poojah is the highlight of the festival for me. I was able to get there early and wait for Muruga to come. I usually wait near the gates of Vasantha Mandapam – (Spring Hall) where the Poojah is performed. As usual – I expected the crowd to push and shove and the Assistants to the Priests to push the gates from the inside – so we did not occupy the place reserved for Muruga. I usually sway with the crowd and absorb the physical discomfort as others around me do. This time as Muruga was brought to His seat – the row of men on our (women’s) side - carrying Muruga - had difficulty moving towards the men’s side. One middle-aged man sought to just sit down on our side. But there wasn’t enough space for him to sit on the floor. He was not allowed to stand because he would have blocked the view of others behind him. One older lady next to me said to him to use the space where her feet were. He accepted the offer. Even as we kept praying – I was bathed in sweat and a few drops fell on this man. I could not even move my hands to wipe the sweat off my face. The man said to me to move so he did not get the sweat drops on him! I said I could not move! To me that was Natural Justice – (a) because he should have made greater effort to move over to the men’s area (b) because in the past a young man, despite the care I took to protect myself, tried to be funny with me when I was praying during this Shanmuga Poojah! Now I was EVEN. Didn’t have to DO anything in revenge. Justice happened!
Nallur to me is self-regulating. Nallur’s Administration is well known amongst the devotees. To me Nallur Administration is Tamil Public Administration.
In that consciousness I quote from Professor Dharmawardana’s article ‘The Pali chronicles referred to the Northern peninsula by the name Naagadeepa, and it recounts disputes between the Naga kings, and even miraculous visits of the Buddha, not only to Nagadeepa, but also to Kalyani pura (Kelaniya) which was the capital of a Naga prince whose domain extended well into today's Western province. Thus, even today, there is a Nalluruva further south of Colombo. The Deegavapi-Mahiyangana area is also claimed to be a region of the Nagas, and it was important enough to have been assigned a visit by the Buddha.’
Nagam in Tamil is cobra. Naga worship is known to be Hindu worship. At Naina-Theevu (Naagadeepa in Sinhalese) – the presiding Deity is Naga Pooshani – Mother Who Worships Cobra. Kalyani is a popular Tamil name – stemming from Kalyanam/Marriage. Hence according to Professor Dharmawardana’s reasoning – Kelaniya was Tamil at one time.
Professor Dharmawardana says ‘When Lanka embraced Buddhism, Naaka Deiyo and many other animistic Gods, and Brahaminical Gods like Vishnu were inducted into local Buddhism as Bodhisatvas, i.e., future Buddhas. The Naga temple at Nagapura (Nallur) became a Buddhist temple with God Natha recognized as a Bodhisathva. The shrine in Keeramali (ancient Vakulakanda), dedicated to the spirit of the mongoose became accepted as an early shrine to Vakula, a Mahayana Bodhisatva. When Hinduism replaced Buddhism in the North, God Vakula→ Nakula became the Hindu deity Nakulesvaran who is worshipped today at Keeramalai. The Puranas describe Krishna's victory over the Naga king Kaliya, and the suppression of the Natha cult by main-stream Hinduism.’
It is submitted that according to this – an independent reader would conclude that Lanka was Hindu before it became Buddhist country. The missing part above is that Nallur has been Tamil Hindu for as far back as today’s generation can remember. Like with family ancestors – those who believe and maintain the ancestral connections – are strong believers. Believers are real owners. Custodians are apparent owners.
Professor Dharmawardana says in conclusion ‘King Gajaba (second century CE) raised God Natha to the status of a Guardian Deity of Sri Lanka itself. More recently, God Natha has even become topical in the news, due to claims that God Natha has made revelations via a medium, leading to chemical investigations of pesticides. This claim has come from Kelaniya, a pre-Christian principality of the Nagas!’
God Natha as described above by Professor Dharmawardana is Lord Shiva – very much a Hindu Form of God. Lord Shiva carries the Snake. There is a Tamil cinema song that goes like this ‘Natha Thalaiyil irukkum Naga Pampe’ (Oh Cobra on the head of Natha!). Natha means Lord in Secular Tamil. It is also a Hindu name for Shiva. Hence according to the above, King Gajaba was Hindu. The identify that a person sees her/himself through is her/his form of belief. The outer form is as per others’ eyes.
As for the University of Kelaniya matter – I wrote as follows (before I learnt that Kelaniya was Tamil) in regards to Professor Nalin De Silva’s claim in regards to Rajarata Kidney Disease ‘Divine Godly forces may have influenced him to do the work – but to show that as the influence – the field of study ought to have been Theology and not Science. In Science also there is faith/belief component. This needs to be shown through subjects who are already accepted as pioneers in that field of Science. Our belief in them are those divine forces.’
I wrote also ‘To me, Dr. Karunaratne’s statement that Professor Nalin De Silva is a Messiah is an expression of superstition. Likewise, Professor Nalin De Silva’s statement about the LTTE who to me were purified by Lord Shiva because they were buried in Nandi Kadal. My expression is an expression of belief because I sought and exhausted all avenues available to me to find the reason/the connection for the fate of my people, that I needed to show others.
The Sri Lankan Government claimed Sovereignty towards Confidential Action. To the extent it was based on belief that the LTTE were Terrorists – they would have been entitled to that action to protect the whole country – as head of a family might discipline/punish within. But once the Government started expressing victory – it started confirming that it lacked that belief and hence needed to show through objective global measures – the connection between cause and effect in terms of every civilian – taking that last battle as a project and not an ongoing program. Likewise, Professor Nalin De Silva in terms of his declarations re Rajarata Kidney Disease. If Professor Nalin De Silva is Messiah to some, then President Mahinda Rajapakse would be Head of UN to his voters.’
President Rajapakse’s electorate of Hambantota is in Kathirgamam area. The Presiding Deity in Kathirgamam is Murugan. Murugan is the Presiding Deity of Tamils. Hence one could conclude that Hambantota is Tamil.
Physical form changes as per the environment. That is Nature. Form without Belief is a symbol of Superstition. Belief without form is Divine Power. The above journey into history seems to be to reject Tamils’ claim over Nallur and indeed the whole of Northern Province. It takes only one believer to believe that Sri Lanka is Tamil. When that happens – it results in exponential growth of Belief. If Tamils lead Sri Lanka towards Global Standards in Governance – the next Generation Sri Lanka would be Tamil. We thus become EVEN through Global Minded Diaspora Tamils.
Appendix 1
“Dear Bruce,
This morning, in consultation with my husband, I made up my mind to return to Sri Lanka as soon as possible – to a place where I can perform as a Professional in all my creativity.
I heard Pauline Hanson on the 4 Corners Programme last night. Ms Hanson suggests that we go back to our countries of origin if we cannot be like them. It hurts that we even have to hear such things. In the name of ‘Freedom of Speech’ we – the new Australians are being made to lose our freedom to live as individuals. If the leadership of Australia is unable to turn it around – to make up for their negligence in failing to hear the cries of the new Australians – One has to wonder whether Ms Hanson is expressing what these leaders (and employers) feel themselves in their heart of hearts. This is the million dollar question to which I have been seeking a favourable answer – that the leaders of the country to which we brought our children and made them call it their ‘home’ would ensure that it is ‘home’ for our children. But my experience during the past 13 years has failed to deliver the answer that I have been seeking so desperately. When an education institution such as the University of New South Wales also demonstrated that it was no different – I do not wish to waste any more time – hoping.
I am sorry if this causes you any inconvenience, but I am quite happy to hand-over to your satisfaction – to a person of your choice. I am not arrogant to think that I am indispensable – there are so many excellent Accountants in the market (might even ease the unemployment problem!) and I sincerely wish you the very best – for you are a good leader.”
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