முருகன் - பெயர்களும் பின்புலங்களும்: சங்க இலக்கியம், நாட்டார் வழக்காறுகள் மற்றும் பிற சமயத் தாக்கங்கள் பற்றிய சமூக-பண்பாட்டு ஆய்வு

Murugan - Names and Backgrounds: A Socio-Cultural Study of Sangam Literature, Folk Traditions, and Other Religious Influences

Abstract

This research paper extensively examines the multifaceted names of Murugan, the primary deity of the Tamil tradition, and the historical, social, literary, and archaeological backgrounds behind them. The etymological roots and philosophical backgrounds of names attributed to Murugan from the Sangam period to the contemporary era—such as 'Velan', 'Seyon', 'Kandan', 'Arumugan', 'Subramanian', 'Kumaran', 'Aandi', and 'Malayaandi'—are analyzed here. Specifically, this paper discusses the roles played by Tamil folk worship traditions, North Indian Vedic Skanda-Brahmanya worship, and the profound influence of Sramana religions like Ajivika, Jainism, and Buddhism in the transformation and diversification of Murugan. Based on multi-dimensional data—including the philosophical insights of Czech Tamil scholar Kamil Zvelebil, historian T.G. Aravamuthan’s comparative studies on Greek deities and Indus Valley seals, Professor N. Vanamamalai’s socio-cultural perspectives, and epigraphical records regarding 'Brahmanyadeva' found on North Indian Yaudheya coins—this article establishes in detail the diversity of Murugan worship and its historical evolution.