The Madras High Court, hailing Tamil as the “Language of Gods,” has ordered that temple consecrations be performed across the country while reciting Tamil hymns authored by saints such as Azhwars and Nayanmars, as well as others such as Arunagirinathar.
In a recent ruling, a bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran, who has since resigned, and Justice B Pugalendhi stated that “it is made to believe that Sanskrit alone is God’s language” in our country.
Different forms of beliefs existed in numerous countries and religions, and the sites of worship also varied according to culture and religion.
We are taught that Sanskrit is the only language spoken by God; The bench comments
The bench remarked that only the local tongue was stated to be used for heavenly service in such locations. However, in our culture, it is taught that Sanskrit is the only language spoken by God and that no other language is comparable.
Sanskrit is, without a doubt, an old language with a vast body of literature. The notion is promoted in such a way that the Gods will only listen to the devotees’ pleas if the Sanskrit Vedas are chanted.
As part of its hearing on a petition for consecrationKudamuzhukku/Nanneerattu function of Arulmigu Pasupatheshwara Swamy Tirukovil, the court directed government officials including commissioners of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HRCE) to conduct the ceremony by chanting Thirumuraikal, Tamil Saiva Manthiram (hymn) and songs of Saint Amaravathi Aatrangarai Karurar, among other hymns.
Tamil as a ‘Language of Gods’
“Tamil is a ‘Language of Gods’ as well as one of the world’s oldest ancient languages. The Tamil language is thought to have originated from a pellet drum that dropped from Lord Shiva as he was dancing. Another school of thought holds that the Tamil language was founded by Lord Muruga.”
Lord Shiva, according to legend, presided over the first academy (First Tamil Sangam). Lord Shiva is said to have played ‘Thiruvilayadal’ to put Tamil poets to the test. The foregoing merely implies that the Tamil language is associated with Gods. It is a Godly language when it is associated with the Gods. When performing Kudamuzhuku, such a divine phrase must be utilised
Every language spoken by the people is God’s language, according to the judges. Language is something that man cannot make. For generations, the languages have coexisted and been passed down from generation to generation. There can only be improvements to existing languages, and no new languages can be created,” they stressed.
The bench stated that the petitioner requested that Kudamuzhuku be performed at a specific temple by reading Tamil lyrics. However, not only that temple, but other temples across the country shall be dedicated by reciting Tamil Thirumurai and other hymns authored by Saints such as Alwargal and Nayanmargal, in addition to Pattinathar, Arunagirinathar, and others.
“Even the policymakers who have been ruling the state from the year 1967 onwards are likewise interested in making use of Tamil in various spheres,” the court added, presumably referring to the two Dravidian parties, the DMK and the AIADMK.
If Tamil hymns aren’t allowed at temples in Tamil Nadu, they can’t be utilised anywhere else.
“The belief that God only understands one language is untrue”, says the court
The court disputed the claim that Tamil was formed by Alwars (Vaishnavite saints), noting that only “Thirupavai,” sung by Vaishnavite saint Andal, is sung in praise of the presiding god at the holy Tirmuala Hills in Tirupathi during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January).
“Lord Krishna revealed in the Bhagavat Geetha that he manifests himself in the month of Margazhi. Thus, during the month of Margazhi, God Thirumal would want to hear Tamil Thirupavai, which he enjoys. When Vaishnavism emphasised Tamil hymns, Saivism emphasised Tamil as well, owing to the abundance of many types of literature, particularly Bakthi literature.”
“How could devotees who were dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva, Lord Thirumal, Lord Muruga, and others have produced so many hymns in honour of them if God couldn’t comprehend Tamil? As a result, the belief that God only understands one language is untrue”, according to the court.
The court went on to say that the age of the Sanskrit language is first century BC, based on scientific data. Though it is said that the language has been passed down orally for more than 3000 years, this is merely a guess because no proof is available. It is, nonetheless, one of the old languages that have to be maintained.
“Tamil, on the other hand, has scientific proof of its antiquity. As a result, it’s impossible to say that only one language is God’s language and that others aren’t “It was stated.
Unfortunately, the British did not properly maintain the e-stamps of Tamil inscriptions, and many of them have been destroyed or damaged. According to the court, several valuable palm-leaf manuscripts holding Tamil literature were burned or thrown into the river.
U Ve Swaminatha lyer, a Tamil scholar, was credited with saving and conserving the palm leaf manuscripts and Tamil contents. “But for him, many of the important books could not have been salvaged,” the bench stated.
