Thirunamam
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Thirunamam (Tamil: திருநாமம்; Tirunāmam) represents the 'Sacred name of God'. The phrase Namam also represents the white clay found at the deeper layer of earth, which is used as the powder to wear a flame shaped mark. The Ayyavazhi people wore this Namam, starting from the central point between the eyebrows, going straight up near the top edge of the forehead.
The flame shape represents Aanma Jyothi or
This white mark was unlike the one worn by a Hindu of
Social synonym
In the nineteenth century Travancore society, the social setup is highly marked for the discriminative hierarchical caste order and the inhumanities unfold from this, such as untouchability, unseeability and unapproachability accordingly some people were shunned from the public approach and sight. This caste based social reality is transformed into a religious institution. The then political faculties duly safeguarded this order. Even in temple the priests while handing over the Prasadam (a ritual object) to devotees after worship, they approach freely with the higher castes, whose nearness and touch would not pollute them, and use to throw the Prasadam on to a platform from where the lower caste devotee (whose touch may pollute him) has to collect this.
In such a social conscience, the alternative form of ritual marking 'Tottu Namam' generated. The very name 'Tottu Namam' says the meaning, 'a mark with a personal touch'. In Ayyavazhi universe primarily, Ayya Vaikundar seems to have personally touched the forehead of followers and worn it for them.
This dimension of personal touch stood out to the public eye and was much appreciated by the then society. It presented itself to be a symbolic site wherein new and alternative modes of social relations were proposed, forged and legitimated. It recast the priest-devotee relationship to bear upon the social reality of the time.
The alternative relationship and close contact brought up by this ritual practice meant a reversal of the hierarchical social relationship and discrimination based on
Under sociology, the then 'social discriminative force' is termed as the evil spirit of Kali. And this Kali is said to be get destroyed by the ritual practise of wearing 'Thiru Namam'. The break-point of social hierarchy is channeled in a religious way.
Religious understanding
Unlike the social definition for this ritual practice, the religious or ritual importance for Thirunamam fits to all period of time. Sociologically, while this practice is a basic need, to reform a society (19th century
It was religiously taught that, one who pay extreme belief over
As a ritual
Presently this practise is considered as the primary ritual to be performed in Pathis and Thangals. Those who 'serve' in every
Since Vaikundar used ordinary soil as 'Thiru Namam' during his Tavam (austerity) period, ordinary soil is kept there now in alternative of the white soil in the Vatakku Vasal, where Ayya performed the Tavam.
In Ayyavazhi symbolism
This Thirunaman, a white flame-shaped mark, is treated as the symbol of
In Ayyavazhi symbolism this Atman is placed above
Some Nizhal Thangals use this symbol Thirunamam as building architecture. Mostly all Thangals use to mount the symbol at the top either with a lotus or not.
See also
- List of Ayyavazhi-related articles
- Ayyavazhi rituals
- Ayya Vaikundar
- Muthirikkinaru
References
- G. Patrick, Religion and Subaltern Religion, University of Madras, 2003.
- R. Ponnu, Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the Struggle for Social Equality in South India, Ram Publishers, 2000.
- Dina Malar (Tamil daily), Avathara Thina Vizha Sirappu Malar, Nagercoil Edition, 3-3-2004.
External links
- www.vaikunt.org - Applying sacred clay by touching (Thottu Namam)
- www.ayyavazhi.org - Social Reforms
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