The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram)
by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy | 1958 | 410,072 words
This page describes “(c) symbology of muyalakan (the apasmara purusha)” from the part dealing with Nampi Arurar (Sundarar) and Mythology, viz. Puranic stories and philosophy. The 7th-century Thevaram (or Tevaram) contains devotional poems sung in praise of Shiva. These hymns form an important part of the Tamil tradition of Shaivism
Chapter 4.6 - (c) Symbology of Muyalakan (the Apasmara Purusha)
The apasmara purusha was also sent against Shiva. ‘Smr’ is to remember; ‘apasmara’ is the forgetful epileptic fit. The man in an epileptic fit perhaps must have been expected to effect murder much more easily and with supernatural forces. The Tamil name for the epileptic fit is “muyal vali” because the patient breathes like the hare whilst following a scent; it is also called ‘muyalakan’ as is made clear by Periyapuranam.
Therefore, the apasmara purusha is known in Tamil as Muyalakan of which the colloquial form is ‘musalakan’ as found in Tanjore Temple inscription. The unconscious epileptic demon has to be under control with great force and the Lord presses him down under His feet. The Tamil term ‘muyalakan’ occurs for the first time in Arurar and that only once where he describes Shiva as the Lord of the burning ground. He calls the Muyalakan as “Mutaya muyalakan”, the idiotic epileptic.