Role of Dreams in Tamil Saivite Literature

[london swaminathan]

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Picture of Sleeping Vishnu in Nepal.

Lord Shiva has played a very active role in the dreams of Saivite saints and Saivite devotees. Those who believe in such dreams will not accept the western interpretation of dreams.


Hindus are the only race in the world who give importance to dreams and good sleep. I have strong proof for my sweeping statement. In the famous Rudram and Chamakam of Yajur Veda, the devotee prays for good sleep (Sayanam Cha Me, Su Dhinam Cha me)! Brahmins are supposed to do Sandhaya Vandhanam (Water oblation and Gayatri Mantra recitation) three times a day in which they pray for the destruction of nightmares (Dus Swapna Nasanam).


Hindus knew about the REM sleep and dream patterns. They even categorised the dreams as good and bad. The traditional Panchangam (calendar) gives good dreams and bad dreams. Through their scriptures we read the epic characters’ good and bad dreams.

Girls’ names like Swapna, Sapna, English words like Somnambulism, all came from the Sanskrit word for dream: swapna.


In my earlier article on dreams that was posted on 29 December 2011 under the heading ‘’DO OUR DREAMS HAVE MEANING?’’ I have explained how Hindus differ from Western Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and Jung. I have given the Hindu view through the words of Swami Sivananda. I have explained the mysterious dreams of mothers of Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Swami Vivekananda and famous people such as scientists Kukule, Otto Lowei, mathematician Ramanujan, politician Abraham Lincoln, authors Mary Shelly, Stephen King and singer Paul Mc Cartney. I have also explained the animal dreams mentioned in Sangam Tamil Literature and Swami Vivekananda’s strange dream about Jesus Christ.


Now I write about the role of dream in Tamil Saivite Literature Periapuranam. I have used the English translation of Swami Sivananda of Divine Life Society. But the interpretations are mine.
In Tamil Sangam Literature over 40 dreams of humans are reported. In the Tamil epic Silappadikaram, we read about the bad dreams of Kannaki just before the execution of her beloved husband Kovalan ( Gopalan). In Tamil Periyapuranam also we come across several dreams in the stories of Nayanars. Periapuranam is a book written in poetry form by poet Sekkizar in 11[SUP]th[/SUP] century detailing the life history of 63 Saivite saints called Nayanars.

Sweet Dreams
Sundarar was one of the four important Saivite saints. After marrying Paravaiyar, he fell in love with another girl Sangiliyar. She used to make garlands and bring them to the temple. Sundrar prayed to Lord Shiva to make this marriage happen. Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of Miss Sangiliyar and asked her to marry saint Sundarar. Though Lord fulfils devotees’ requests, it is up to the devotees to bear all the consequences. Sundarar’s life also took some unexpected turns.


Another important dream is found in Kannappa Nayanar story. He was the first one who did eye transplant ‘operation’ 1500 years ago! Read my earlier post for the full story of Kannappa Nayanar in ‘’MIRACLES BY THE BLIND & OLDEST ORGAN DONATION’’ posted on 25th February 2013.When the Brahmin priest who did traditional rituals was very upset with the unconventional rustic puja of Kannappan, Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of priest Sivagochariar and asked him to watch Kannappan the next day from a hiding place.


In the story of Tiru Nalai Povar alias Nandanar, Siva appeared in the dreams of two opposing parties and coordinated his temple visit. Tiru Nalai Povar (literal translation-- Mr Tomorrow), who belonged to a lower caste wanted to enter the most sacred shrine of Tamil Saivites—Chidambaram Temple. Lord made a compromise by appearing in the dreams of ‘’Thillai 3000’’ Priests and Mr Tomorrow. He asked Mr Tomorrow to undergo a Fire bath like Sita Devi to prove that he was pure. He appeared in the dream of Thillai Priests to arrange a Fire Walking ceremony and then bring him inside the temple. This shows how the fire walking ceremony was started by Sita Devi and spread to Tamil Nadu and practised till today.


Appar and Sambandhar
In the story of Appar, Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of his sister Tilakavathy. Shiva convinced her that her brother would return home and reconvert himself to Hinduism. When Appar started a fast against the removal of Shivalinga by the Jains in Vadathalai temple, Lord Shiva appeared in King’s dream and ordered him to restore order. In the story of Nami Nandi Adikal also we see a similar dream.


Tiru Jnana Sambandar, the boy wonder of Saivism, was given pearl palanquin by the Lord. He revealed the location of the palanquin in the dreams of the town people. Same dream came simultaneously to the devotees. This type of episode cannot be explained by science or psychoanalysts.


In the story of Pusal Nayanar we read about the construction of a temple by two methods. Pusal Nayanar did build a temple mentally. Pallava king built a temple physically. Both of them fixed the same auspicious day for consecration. But God appeared in the dream of Pallava King and asked him to postpone it.

In another story about Tiruneelakanta Yazpanar , God appeared in several peoples’ dreams and asked them to bring him inside the temple so that Lord can hear his sweet songs.
Though it is not an exhaustive list of all dreams, still one can see a pattern in them.1) Hindu approach to dreams is entirely different from Western analysts 2) No one can deny a place for the Hindu interpretation of dreams 3)Personally I feel the western interpretation of dreams is incomplete. Their interpretation could not be applied for all the dreams.4) In the olden days ASARIRI (anonymous voice) was heard more. Later it was replaced by dreams. Like we change methods of communication from cable phones to mobile phones God also changed his method of communication from Asariri to dreams.5)If one devotee dreams and it comes true we may consider it a coincidence or a dream come true by luck. But we read in Saivite literature that God appeared simultaneously in several people’s dreams. This is unique.6) Hindus take dreams seriously. In the olden days, they did what they were instructed to do. Even now they remember them and they approach their close relatives and friends and ask for explanation/interpretation of the dreams. 7) In the above episodes, we see two kings had dreams. They took them seriously and acted accordingly.


Have Sweet Dreams: Sayanam Cha me, Su dhinam Cha me!
Pictures are taken from various sources

 

[renuka]

Sweet Dreams


In the story of Tiru Nalai Povar alias Nandanar, Siva appeared in the dreams of two opposing parties and coordinated his temple visit. Tiru Nalai Povar (literal translation-- Mr Tomorrow), who belonged to a lower caste wanted to enter the most sacred shrine of Tamil Saivites—Chidambaram Temple. Lord made a compromise by appearing in the dreams of ‘’Thillai 3000’’ Priests and Mr Tomorrow. He asked Mr Tomorrow to undergo a Fire bath like Sita Devi to prove that he was pure. He appeared in the dream of Thillai Priests to arrange a Fire Walking ceremony and then bring him inside the temple. This shows how the fire walking ceremony was started by Sita Devi and spread to Tamil Nadu and practised till today.

Wow find this so hard to believe that Lord Shiva needs to ask a lower caste to do a fire bath to prove to priests that he was pure enough to enter a temple.

On daily basis so many birds and insects too enter temples..they do not have to do any fire bath to prove themselves to the priest that they are pure.

A human life is supposed to be sacred..so I find it hard to believe if animals/birds/insects can enter temples without restriction on their own accord why should any human be asked to do fire bath?

Anyway I would end my post with the lyrics of Sweet Dreams of Eurythimics

Sweet Dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody looking for something.

So going by that lyrics I guess everyone is looking for something to make them happy..so dreams act on our mind to make us believe in what we secretly desire.

 

[london swaminathan]

Dear Renuka

Thanks for reading and the comments.

Through out Avatars (of Vishnu), God always acted like human beings.He too cried and laughed. He too felt angry and sympathy. It is all to teach some lessons to human beings. It is like a mother's faked anger against her child to teach good things. It is like a mother's love towards her children, some times she chides, sometimes she begs, some times she goes out of the way and sacrifices her life. But we know our mother as a mother. Who can measure the depth of her love?

Our Gods are a reflection of the society. We cant quantify the glory and greatness of the God. That is why in the Vibhuti Yoga of Bagawad Gita he gives examples for a layman: I am a Garuda among birds, I am a lion among animals etc.

If you go to Upanishads the examples differ.

Even Rama asked Sita to undergo Fire bath , just to satisfy, ''the general public ''!

 

[renuka]

Even Rama asked Sita to undergo Fire bath , just to satisfy, ''the general public ''!

Dear Sir,

Rama asking Sita to take a fire bath poses no problems cos:

1)Both Rama and Sita are of the same caste

2)Rama is Sita's husband and the Indian thinking is "Kalllanalum Kanavan Pullanalum Purushan" range..so its is still accepatable.

3)Indian society is obsessed with purity of females..so this test is still acceptable.


4)Rama was confident that He would not need a fire extinguisher cos He knew Agni wont dare act too smart as to burn Sita.


But in the case of the story you wrote where the low caste person had to prove his purity just on the basis of his low caste birth.

This basically is dangerous territory cos there are 2 different caste involved in this case and it will be a Jati fight if it goes out of hand.

What is the low caste person had asked to priests to jump into the fire to prove their purity?

All hell would have broke loose.

So you see some Jati cases are sensitive and can trigger fights..so I wonder if the dream actually happened.

BTW what difference did that whole episode make to the mind set of people?

Even if Lord Shiva wanted to show the priests that lower caste people are also pure that fire does not burn them if they take fire bath..still there are temples which frown upon low caste entry into the temple.

So even if God starts a towering inferno and burns off everything..the Jati problem will never get burnt!LOL

 

[london swaminathan]

Renuka

I agree with your view about Jati in the last line: Jati problem will never get burnt.
jati was there, Jati is here and jati will be there.
As long as there are benefits for jatis, as long as there are jati based parties and as long as there are candidates of predominant castes are fielded in the elections, JATIS WILL FLOURISH.
This is the unfortunate picture of India Today.

 

[கால பைரவன்]

Dear Doc,
Apart from temple entry, the "lower" castes did not have access to well water or roads or ownership of bullock carts (even though they might own bullocks) etc. Have you heard of any story where the Lord appeared in dreams of a village council head, for example, to allow the "lower castes" access to these things?

 

[renuka]

Dear Doc,
Apart from temple entry, the "lower" castes did not have access to well water or roads or ownership of bullock carts (even though they might own bullocks) etc. Have you heard of any story where the Lord appeared in dreams of a village council head, for example, to allow the "lower castes" access to these things?

Dear Sir,

Dreams are a play of thoughts as the saying goes..we humans tend to only want to believe the dreams that are to our liking.

For example if a headman gets a dream that God asked him to open the gates of temple and allow access of water/roads/ownership to the so called "Lower Caste" the first thing he is going to do is not follow his dream but he will interpret is as a sign of Adharma.

He will run to the temple in slow motion with the wind blowing leaves all around him and he will prostrate in front of the idol and break into a song '"Deivamme! What wrong did I do...have I not pleased You?? What did I do to have the ill luck to hear that You even want "lower caste " in the temple and give them access to water/roads/ownership? Are you angry with me?? Have I flawed in my worship to You?"


Next scene..he will then run to some astrologer who will say that the Kula Deivam is not happy and the family better do some Pariharams to ward off the impending bad luck.

Then he will most probably slaughter some 10 goats and then hire some dance troop for a group dance etc.

Ok the moral of the story is.."the so called lower caste still won't gain entry into the temple or have any access to anything"

Dreams are like the famous "Ekam Sat Viprah Bahuda Vadanti" scenario..

Dreams are play of the mind and the "learned" interpret in ways to suits their liking.

 

[SANDHYAV]

Dreams are random interplay of memories and longings.If history can be manipulated to suite science, so can religion be.

 

[auh]

Dreams are a mixture of past, present and future, all mixed with a generous dose of fantasies (longings/fears) - only that it is mighty difficult to be able to differentiate which is which.

 

[renuka]

Dear London Ji,

I would like you to do some research into why Lisbon of Portugal is called the Land of Seven Hills?

I was watching some documentary about Portugal yesterday and it was mentioned that Lisbon is known as the Land of Seven Hills with is related to ancient Greek legends too where Greeks called Portugal as the Land of Serpents and there is a myth about a serpent Goddess too.

I can't help wondering the similarity of Land of Seven Hills in India which obviously has a serpent in the form of Adishesa.

So any correlation???

 

[london swaminathan]

Dear Renuka

Very interesting. This is the first time I hear such a story about Portugal. There may be some link. If I fine any proof I will definitely share it with other interested people. I am reminded of Kanchi Parmacharya's talk. He gives several examples of Hindu culture around the world. I have written one based on hisitalk ''Is California, Kapila Aranya?''. After giveing several examples he says,'' dont think we went there and spread our culture. This was the Adhi Matham/original religion. That is why we call it Sanatan Dharma. I sincerly believe in what he said. We see vestiges of so called Hindu culture around the world. So it is possible that there is some connection between Portugal and Snake goddess, Seven Hills of India. But I dont write anything on guess. If I write any guess, I always add it requires further research.

Thanks for drawing my attention.

 

[Srimadhan]

My Guru citing some examples from his own experience 4-5 years back has told me that "A saint can change the dream pattern because they are even conscious about the dreams". Later 2 or 3 years back while reading one of Adi Shankara's work (I do not recollect the name now) I noticed that he also also stated the same.

 

[london swaminathan]

Hi

It is possible to change dreams by mechanical means. Swami Sivanada says if some one pricks one sleeping person with a needle, he will dream some one is murdering him. But I have not experimented it !!!!

I have written several anecdotes in my post DO OUR DREAMS HAVE MEANING? posted here in December 2011.

 

[sarang]

A simple explanation is the belief that sanatana dharma was practiced all over bhuloka, radiating from bharatavarsha. AIT, aryan invasion theory is virtually discredited now, and OIT, out of india theory is getting some degree of acceptance. Since greek, egyptian, roman, mayan civilizations are wiped out and only our civilization survives, establishing links will be difficult.

Dear London Ji,

I would like you to do some research into why Lisbon of Portugal is called the Land of Seven Hills?

I was watching some documentary about Portugal yesterday and it was mentioned that Lisbon is known as the Land of Seven Hills with is related to ancient Greek legends too where Greeks called Portugal as the Land of Serpents and there is a myth about a serpent Goddess too.

I can't help wondering the similarity of Land of Seven Hills in India which obviously has a serpent in the form of Adishesa.

So any correlation???