“Scientific information in ancient Tamil literature THIRUARUTPA”
Sri Ramalingam (alias) Vallalar, wrote Thiruarutpa (www.thiruarutpa.org) in 19th century, which is famous literature for spiritual principles. However, many scientific information could be observed in his works. This makes us to think, how amazing people lived in the pre ICT era. The valuable information from ancient literature’s could be used as proxy/reference for validating some of the research studies
The forest lands has been converted into agricultural lands for feeding the growing population. Scientific community (Ecologist, climatologist, bio geographers, etc.,) has been telling that deforestation is one of the threat for our planet earth, as losing forest might warm the earth and alter precipitation patterns. There are so many impacts related to the deforestation, which I will not discuss in detail.
Here are the lines from Thiruarutpa (tamil literature), which says about deforestation trend in the ancient days.
“ காடுவெட்டி நிலந்திருத்திக் காட்டெருவும் போட்டுக்
கரும்பைவிட்டுக் கடுவிரைத்துக் களிக்கின்ற உலகீர்…” Thiruarutpa, Sixth Thirumurai, Section 105, Song 2
Translation – “ You (people) are cutting forest, converting land, applying fertilizer, cultivating sugarcane, and enjoying…”
It has been clearly indicated that people living in 19th century are converting forest lands into agricultural lands. This is what we talk in the scientific language, deforestation and land use conversion.
Here are the lines on disaster preparedness:
“ஆற்றுவெள்ளம் வருவதன்முன் அணைபோட அறியீர்” Thiruarutpa, Sixth Thirumurai, Section 105, Song 3
Translation – “You do not know to make bund/embankment before the river flood comes …”
This poem highlights the evidence of hazards such as floods in those days in Tamil Nadu (mostly cuddalore district or cauvery delta region, where the author lived). Also, the song highlights lack of disaster preparedness in ancient days. Preparedness is very important to protect lives and properties from natural hazards such as Floods..
