Chapter 4.6 - (f) Symbology of Trisula (the trident)

Shiva is said to hold the “Trisula” or trident in His hand. This trisula is traced sometime to the universal symbol of a cross or a svastic. In the engraved seals of the Mohenjodaro and Harappa, there are forms of human faces with two inward bent horns and the head-dress. They are said to be representations of divinity. An examination of these figures bring out their similarity with the trisula. At Mamallapuram, such faces as the crowning head of the rathas, have been found lying on the sands, nearby, by Longhurst. We are familiar with the “Cakradevata” represented in a human form with a number of hands, round which, we find the cakra. Similarly these forms found at Mamallapuram may be taken as ‘Suladevata’, the personification of Trisula, where the central sphere appears as the head, and the side spheres as horns. This representation is exactly like the representation found at

Mohenjodaro and Harappa. Such personification of other weapons are referred to by the old commentators.

This weapon of destruction, so frightful, has been transformed into a weapon of love. The story of Andhakasura and the part the trisula played therein, have been mentioned in a different place. The trisula destroys all our obstructions towards redemption and salvation, obstructions which are personified as demons.

The association of Shiva with the Trisula is found in the Cankam works themselves. The invocatory verse of Akananuru speaks of the “Muvay vel”—‘the three mouthed spear’ which is no other than the trident. What is considered to be the invocatory verse of ‘Patirru-p pattu quoted by Naccinarkkiniyar mentions the very word ‘Sulam’ and speaks of Shiva as “Teriya sulam pititta cutarppatai-k katavul”—‘the Lord of Time, of resplendent weapons holding the clear trident’. This trident is the characteristic weapon of Sakti and in the ‘Vettuvar vari’ of Cilappatikaram, we find this emphasized.

Arurar’s reference to this trident in connection with Andhakasura has already been mentioned. The form of Mahisasura mardhani, so beautifully sculptured at Mamallapuram and in Kailasanatha temple represents the heroic use of this trident by the Mother Goddess. The sculptures of Kailfisanatha temple represent Shiva holding the trident.

There are eleven references to trisula, the trident. Arurar calls it “Sulam” from the root ‘sul’ to pierce. He calls it, “Patai-t talai-c culam” —the head or the king of weapons. It is a threeheaded spear. The spear-head is usually said to be in the form of a leaf and the three-headed spear is naturally in the form of three leaves—“Ilaikol culam”. Therefore, our poet calls this ‘Culam’—“Muvilai vel”. He calls it simply, “Mupilai”, a metaphorical expression for the trident. The poet has formed out of this a “peyareccam”—‘a relative participle with the genitive significance’ —‘muvilaiya pantankan and “Muvilaiya pankaya pa tan”. He also makes this “Muvilaya” descriptive of ‘Culam’ in the phrase, “Muvilaiya Culattinan” The poet speaks of its radiating rays of light, “Katir muvilaiya” Its destructive aspect is also emphasized: “Kollum muvilai vel” —‘the trident which kills’; “Alaikol culam” —‘the teasing trident’; and also “Alaiyar Katir muvilai” Its swift movement is also referred to “Virai-yar katir muvilai” —‘the light radiating trident full of swift movement’. It is made of iron—“Irumpuyarnta muvilaiya culattinan”. That it is a weapon is also clearly described by calling “Pataittalai-c culam” and “Culappatai”. The Lord is catching hold of it in one of His hands, “Culam parriya kaiyar” It is inside His palm —“Ankaiyil muvilai vel” He has the trident in His hand—“Kai-yir culamatutaiya”.

The trisula is spoken of as the characteristic feature of Shiva and the lady love speaks of Shiva as the Lord of the trident—“Cula-p patai Adigal”. The trident is mentioned in juxtaposition to the heroic feat of the Lord conquering ‘Kalan’ or ‘Yoma’ in one place, “Kollum muvilai utaiyanai-k kotiya kalanaiyum kumaittanai”, In another place it is mentioned when referring to the ‘Pantaranka’ dance of Shiva. It is also mentioned in Andhakasura samhara—“Irul mevum Andhakanmel tiriculam paicci” which we have already referred to. In other places it is difficult to say to what particular murtas the culam is referred to.

We have been noticing that descriptions of Shiva being made applicable to Sakti. In one place, it is possible to interpret the trident as being held by Gangadevi, a Sakti of the Lord.