Epic Cilappathikaram and Pattini Devi worship

by Nagalingam Kumarakuruparan

The introduction of the Pattini cult by Gajabahu II into Sri Lanka is not a myth.

The Rajavali states that Gajabahu brought from the Chola country of South India, the foot ornaments (Anklet) of Pattini Devi, the arms of the four gods and the patra dhatu of the Buddha which had been taken away during the time of former king.

The statement of Rajavali provides confirmation of the account given by the Cilappathikaram (Epic of Anklet) that King Gajabahu introduced Pattini Devi (Kannagi) worship into Sri Lanka.

Though the epic Cilappathikaram might have been produced at a later date, the statement contained in it regarding the institution of the Pattini cult pertain to post Sangham period that is in the 2nd or 3rd century AD.

Festival

As is well known Gajabahu instituted a festival in honour of Pattini Devi including processions along the streets on Mondays in the month of Adi (July-August).

It was believed that the worship of the Goddess would dispel all ills and misfortune.

The facts suggest that religious ideas of the time in Sri Lanka were not radically different from those in South India.

Bhikkhus Buddhaghosa, Dharmapala, Buddhadutta, Anuruddha and Kasyapa had visited Sri Lanka from South India.

Antiquity of the Karthikeya or Muruga worship at Kataragama is well known. King Dutugemunu of old made several endowments to Kataragama.

Cillapathikaram (the story of the Anklet) popularly known as Cillampu (Anklet) is not only one of the five great epics in Tamil literature but also the first epic in Tamil

Brilliance

After the lyrical brilliance of the Sangam Age, Epic Age was ushered in Tamil literature by Jains and Buddhists.

Tradition speaks of the five great epics of which first to be written was Cilapathikaram.

The epic in Indian literary tradition should contain moral and spiritual truths. The preface to this work speaks about three spiritual truths:

Destiny will manifest itself and be fulfilled (Karma or Fate is continuous and inexorable)

It is natural for great men to adore a chaste lady of great fame or a woman of chastity is holy; even Gods respect her.

Dharma will become the God of Death to kings who swerve from the path of righteousness or justice is the bedrock of a king's rule.

Common man

The author of the great epic chose the story of a common man. The major characters are neither Gods nor Kings but common people. Kannaki (Pattini Devi) stands tall among various characters of the epic.

This is one of the most fascinating epics which brilliantly depicts the life of a woman, a woman of pristine purity and faithfulness.

Beauty

It is a story of a woman of great qualities; pure and chaste, who is forsaken by her husband Kovalan who chose to live with Matavi, a dancing girl whose enchanting beauty and artistic excellence made him almost her slave.

After losing his great wealth he finally returns to his wife, goes to the city of Madurai to sell her anklet to start a new life. When he was taking it for sale in the market, he happened to show it to a goldsmith who said that it was fit to be worn only by the Queen and not by anyone else.

Asking Kovalan to stay there, the goldsmith went to the royal court and told the king that he saw the queen's anklet (which the goldsmith himself had previously stolen) in the hands of the thief.

Ordered to kill

The king without inquiring into the matter fully, ordered to kill Kovalan and fetch the anklet.

The wife of the murdered Kovalan having no refuge, shed tears. Virtuous Kannaki realising the folly of the king agitates and in her anger and anquish turns rebellious.

The silent and the shy woman gets into a rage. She goes to the king and proves that her husband is innocent and this results in the instant death of the king and the queen. And the city of Madurai goes up in flames.

Heavenly abode

Finally, Kannaki reaches the heavenly abode and the gods unite her with her husband.

Kannaki is a woman of great patience and gracious silence and shyness.

But when provoked and when there is a danger to her dignity and womanhood she changes into a most vociferous person.

A woman of great qualities, chastity and faithfulness are considered holy and she is respected, admired and adored even by gods.

Holy stone

It is this fact that is brought out passionately by the poet Illango.

The Cera King Cenkuttuvan who marched his army to the Himalayas, brought a holy stone for the idol of Pattini Devi (Kannaki) which was worshipped as the Goddess of Chastity.

The mention of Gajabahu, the king of Ceylon as having been present at the installation ceremony of the goddess of chastity is significant from more than one standpoint.

It shows the frequent intercourse between Sri Lanka and South India.

As it is celebrated today the Kandy perahera starts from the Pattini Devi (Kannagi) temple immediately after the hoisting of the flag and the planting of a tree.

Today Pattini Devi worship is very much prevalent in the hill north and eastern part os Sri Lanka.