Language of Gods 'Tamil' hymns should be recited in temples: Madras HC

Chennai: The Madras High Court said that Tamil is the 'language of Gods' and temple consecrations across the country should be done reciting Tamil hymns. The court named hymns composed by Tamil saints like zhwars, Nayanmars, and Arunagirinathar.

The court was hearing a petition seeking consecration of a temple in Karur district in the state seeking direction to government authorities to conduct consecration/ Kudamuzhukku/ Nanneerattu function of ArulmiguPasupatheshwaraSwamyTirukovil by chanting Thirumuraikal, Tamil SaivaManthiram (hymns), and songs of Saint AmaravathiAatrangaraiKarurar.

Justice B Pugalendhi in a recent order noted that it is made to believe in India that Sanskrit alone is God's language and not any other language is equivalent. The bench added that there is no doubt that Sanskrit is an ancient language with enormous ancient literature. But "the belief is spread in such a way that only if the Sanskrit Vedas are recited, the Gods will listen to the prayers of the devotees".

The bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice B Pugalendhi said that every language spoken by the people is God's language. It further said that man cannot create language and Tamil was born out of a pellet drum that fell from Lord Shiva while he was dancing.

"As per mythology, Lord Shiva presided over the first academy (First Tamil Sangam). It is believed that Lord Shiva played 'Thiruvilayadal' to test the knowledge of Tamil poets. The above would only mean that the Tamil language is connected with Gods," said the court's order.

The court noted that "even the policymakers who have been ruling the state from the year 1967 onwards are also interested in making use of Tamil in all the fields" referring to the DMK and AIADMK.

The court said that Tamil has no scientific evidence to prove its antiquity like Sanskrit, and noted that Tamil inscriptions taken by the British are not properly preserved and many of them are lost or damaged.