சிலப்பதிகாரம் காட்டும் வாழ்வியல் விழுமியங்கள்: ஓர் அறவியல் மற்றும் சமூகவியல் ஆய்வு

Life Values as Depicted in Silappathikaram: An Ethical and Sociological Study

Abstract

In the history of Tamil literature, 'Silappathikaram' is not merely an epic; it is a living document of Tamil society. Authored by Ilango Adigal, the title is a derivation of the words Silambu (anklet) and Adhikaram (chapter/story). As the narrative unfolds through the events triggered by an anklet, it earned the name Silappathikaram. It is revered as the 'People’s Epic' (Kudimakkal Kappiyam) because it features ordinary individuals like Kovalan and Kannagi as its protagonists.

This epic vividly portrays the life principles of Tamils across various dimensions, including individual morality, family ethics, social relationships, and political justice. The three fundamental ethical doctrines that serve as the root of this epic are:

1.Dharma (Justice) shall become the God of Death for those who deviate from political righteousness.

2.The great shall praise a woman of exalted chastity.

3.Destiny (Karma) shall relentlessly manifest and yield its fruits.

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the life ethics proposed by Silappathikaram, the social structures expressed through the five types of landscapes (Ainthinai), the rise of the mercantile community, and feminist perspectives. Furthermore, it examines the social transitions between the Sangam era and the Epic era, alongside the harmonious coexistence of Jainism, Buddhism, and Vedic traditions.