Why do Pujaris[Archakas] chanting hymns in the temples of Tamilnadu, feel uncomfortable ?

Question

All theists go to temple either to seek blessings or to thank the God for his favours. That communication with the God could be only as one wishes ; a silent one or in any language. The Government of
Tamilnadu had issued a notification to the temple authorities some
time back, to chant hymns either in Sanskrit [the language which has
been in practice] or in Tamil if demanded by the devotee..However, I have had seen some kind of displeasure with the archakas when we demand Tamil hymns.
Perhaps they feel hymns only in Sanskrit will please the Lord. When
the archakas represent us [ if I am correct,only in Hinduism a mediator plays a role between the devotee and the God] should we
not know whether he represents us properly ? Any kind of response
is welcome..

dear Sriram,it is long time since I saw
such an excellent,thought provoking
and well analysed answer.Kudos.
'a deep emotion of surrender in total
silence is the real prayer'; 'stand before a murthy and pray'; 'no need
to go to temples' are very impressive.
However, temple is a place where
cleanliness and serenity should prevail.You cannot pray in the house on certain days. Festivals with the community can be better celebrated in temples only. Maintaining and minding the temple are also to be considered.

dear level two,you too have given a good explanation. If hymns are in Tamil, a Tamilian will feel himself to be more closer to the Lord. If he chants the hymns in Tamil along with the pujari, in due course,he will also learn those hymns, which will be very
useful for him in future.

Answer 1

In temples what is being done is a traditional pooja, which has been standardised, and has been contimued from time immemorial.The structure is basically Sanskrit based.The God or the Goddess is praised profusely and the praise is in sanskrit. Then the various poojas are peformed which has also been settled.No what is happening is that younger generation of Archaks have not learnt thier lessons proeprly and often mispronounce. There will always be a lurking fear that, somebody may catch them. There are also chances, that some guy who knows this by his birth and scholarly in Sanskrit, who has come have a darshan may catch him. Also they make short cuts. These are the various factors that lead to a guilt ridden mind which obviously fears.
When a devotee asks that rendering should be in Tamil, the entire structure often collapses.Ther person who has mugged up the various portions and parts of the pooja rituals may not know the meaning of it. Hence he will not be in a position to render the same in Tamil. The gaps between two rituals, like betwween the Snanam, and Alankaram, between Alankarama and Doopam, likewise, till mahamangalarathi, could be rendered in Tamil but not the entire eppisode.Thus the Archak feels irritated, and obvioulsy is displeased.It is not only Sanskrit Hyms pleases the Gods. God is beyond all languages, and therefore the language of God is not Sanskrit but in Silence and Stillness. A deep emotion of surrender in total silence is the real prayer. Prayer in language is inferior. The glory of God, when seen as beauty personified also stumbles the devotee into silence and awe. This is real prayer.Going to temple to have a darshan, may be some demands and coming back pleased is okay. What is the point in commenting?.As well stand before your personal God's photo or a Murthi and make prayers. No need to go to temples.

Answer 2

All hymns are forms of sound energy. These Samskrit hymns were designed specifically to invoke an energy into the Idol of the Lord. The Tamizh Hymns were composed by Azhwars and Nayanmars, for the understanding of the people. These r also chanted in the temples, outside the Sanctum, such that people can hear them and understand them. They are especially sang by the common people lead by a pujari.

The Gov of TamizhNadu had asked the archakas to translate the Samskrith Hymns. This, may not give the same form of energy provided by the Samskrith ones. It is difficult for a person to change his families 1000 yrs practice. So the archaks find it difficult. Morover Samskrith Hymns are only praises of Lord and are in no way Obligatory. U can be sure that the archakas represent u properly, because he (the archaka) is just a mediator who transfers some form of his energy into the Idol (which is the Lord), such that, his energy can be utilized by that Idol to listen to your prayers directly.

Various meanings of these Samskrith Hymns and their energy transfering powers have been explained by great persons like The Acharya Narsimha Bharathi and ChandraShekara Bharathi of Sringeri Peetam and Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi Mahaswami of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.
The Stapathis who design Idols of the Lord also Have some Hymns while they design the idol. They feel that these Tamizh ones should not counteract the energy they have aldready provided.

I also feel that it is unnesacary to translate as the Tamizh Hymns Being Sung outside the Sanctum also give u an insight about the Samskrith versions, though it also adds more.

Answer 3

A very GOOD QUESTION-

The first part of your question is very correct. viz. The communication with the God should be only between the person and God only. There is no need for any mediator there, I mean Archakas. You can stand in front of the Deity and pray whatever you want in your heart and the God will know it.

Secondly if you go through an archaka (Like an advocate in the Court0 you should allow him to communicate in what ever fashion, language, style he is familiar with. He may not be comfortable to do the archanai in Tamil as he himself may not be knowing the meaning of the archana in Tamil. He may pronounce the Tamil version wrongly, they the God would not get the correct communication. So he is preferring to do in his known or accustomed language. I feel the Government is not correct (That too a atheist government) in specifying to do Tamil archana. For it the devotee himself can do it. I being a Tamilian I do not understand the meaning of Tamil hymns and I prefer Sanskrit slokas which I understand. Here the Dravidian contention is wrong and whatever you want to tell to the God say it yourself. The duty of the Archaka is just to vomit whatever he has memorized in Sanskrit or Tamil and if anyone is not happy with his telling the devotee should do it himself. I think the Government has made provision for this also.


Sriram m's answer came in just when I completed my answer. He has explained it nicely analyzing the whole thing.
I find people of Tamilnadu are UNABLE to find equivalent Tamil word or use if in even colloquial language when discussing in general life and they go to English only. Even a person who is not ware of full A,B,C,D, he tries to use English words (wrongly) in day today life The Government or the SO CALLED Guards of Tamil Language can not do anything. So is Archaks usage also You have to ensure or have confidence on the Archakas that he is not telling anything wrong bout the devotee to God while doing the puja in Sanskrit. lol.-

Answer 4

There is no need mediater between God and Man.!Suppose If there is some one as priest(PUJARI).The people has to understand what he says...!Without understand praying the God is very funny...!

For Example- CHRISTIANS

They read Bible...! and the priest is teaching them,each other the people and the priest understand what they speak.no hidden things.Priest could not hide anything from bible passages..!

But not in hinduism...! No devotee understand what Archaka says...!it's a doubt whethe he knows the meaning of mantras...!

Sanskrit is a dead language...!no people speaks like their vernacular language....!

if they use tamil in temples it will be understand by the peopele...!

Answer 5

Why would I mind them using my restroom? Still to answer the first question. Yes, it would be uncomfortable for a 18 year old child to hit on me. Sorry children, gals. I would like a lady not a girl. I'm in my 30's and the age gape is freaking huge! Medicine cabinet, go ahead since if they could even find my place... what would I be fearful for.

Answer 6

Please chant the hymns, NAALAAYIRA DIVYA PRABANDHAM which is purely in Tamil language and this is considered by the twelve Azwars, Yamunacharya, Ramanujacharya, Vedanta Desikan, Manavala Mamunigal etc... to be much more potent, effecting and pleasing than the Sanskrit hymns.

Answer 7

Why are u concerned about the Pujari. Communicate Ur message to God from Ur heart and it is sure to reach God's ear.

Answer 8

Even if you don't visit temples God will not mind it. Let you must have honest feeling in your mind. I don't visit shrines. I have my work [karma] with me.

Answer 9

they dont remember them nicely...hehe ;-)
thats all allowed in hinduism my dear!
hymns were also made so that u could learn them and memorise them so that ur brain power grew....they dont practise well enough