The Religion and Philosophy of Tevaram (Thevaram)
by M. A. Dorai Rangaswamy | 1958 | 410,072 words
This page describes “(m) symbology of the utukkai (udukkai)” 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 - (m) Symbology of the Utukkai (Udukkai)
In a few forms Shiva is found to hold the ‘Damaruka’ or ‘Utukkai’ [Udukkai] especially in the form of Nataraja at Cidambaram, in the right back arm whilst the burning faggot is held on the back left arm. In plate XL, fig. 2 and plate CXVIII, fig. 3 (Rea), the hinamost right hand near the crown seems to hold this drum or ‘utukkai’. In one of the right hands, right of the hand holding the drum, there is a serpent. Arurar seems to be describing this form of the very great swift action “Katuttdtum karatalattil damarukamum eriyakalum kariya pampum pitittati”.