Religion as Depicted in Literature

இலக்கியங்கள் காட்டும் சமயம்

Abstract

The term samayam (religion) literally means to nurture or to cultivate a person. The people who worshipped nature gradually developed religious practices, beginning with Sangam literature, where nadukal (hero stones) worship became a prominent ritual. They engaged in religious practices in a structured manner over time. Religion can also be understood as a principle or guideline that cultivates and refines human behavior. It is often said that religion is regulated and defined. Some scholars note that the term madham (another word for religion) derives from madi + am, meaning to respect or revere God. Religion is not merely a scripture but a way of life; it serves as a moral and social guideline. Religious practices act as instruments that bring humans under a framework, instructing them on how they should live.