பெரிய புராணத்தின் வழிகாட்டலில் உயர் இலட்சிய நிறைவேற்றத்தில் சுயமாற்றமும், தியாகமும் பெறும் முக்கியத்துவம் - உளவியல் நோக்கு

Significance of Self-Transformation and the Sacrifice in the Realization of Higher Ideals in the Guidance of the Periyapuranam: A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

Within the Tamil Saiva tradition, the Periyapuranam occupies a distinctive and exalted position. Compiled by Sekkizhar Swamigal, this sacred work presents the life narratives of the sixty-three Nayanmars who dedicated their lives entirely to Lord Siva. These hagiographies embody a wide range of spiritual and psychological dimensions, including devotion, sacrifice, self-knowledge, love, commitment, and self-transformation. When these narratives are approached not merely as spiritual biographies but through a psychological lens, they offer rich models and illustrative paradigms that are highly relevant to contemporary life. The lives of the Nayanmars, who regarded the attainment of Siva as the highest ideal, provide valuable insights into the processes and disciplines required for the realization of elevated life goals. This study adopts a qualitative and interpretative approach to examine the lives of Siruthondar Nayanar and Karaikkal Ammaiyar from a psychological perspective. Through an analysis of their actions, symbolic gestures, and modes of devotion, the study explores the ways in which their lives offer meaningful guidance for modern psychological understanding and practice. Specifically, the study addresses the following research questions: How do the lives of Siruthondar Nayanar and Karaikkal Ammaiyar articulate psychological processes of self-transformation? In what ways does sacrifice function as a catalyst for inner change in their narratives? How can their lives be understood as exemplary models for psychological constructs such as self-identity, goal-oriented living, and the cultivation of resilience? Furthermore, how can their narratives be meaningfully integrated as illustrative frameworks within contemporary psychological discourse and counseling practices? Methodologically, this qualitative study is based on a close textual analysis of relevant passages from the Periyapuranam, supplemented by insights drawn from psychological literature and related scholarly studies. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the research seeks to demonstrate the enduring psychological relevance of these sacred narratives and their potential contribution to modern understandings of human flourishing and self-realization.