AN ECOCRITICAL EXPLORATION OF THE EARTH ELEMENT IN TIRUKKURAL (Pages 136-143) by Sr. P.J. Alphonsa in THE ENGLISH INDIA / ISSN: 2321-1172 (Online); 2347-2634 (Print)

In this paper, one of the oldest ethico -social texts Thirukkural is interpreted from an ecocritical perspective which facilitates the understanding of man-nature-culture relationship as being characterized by interconnectedness and interdependence. This paper seeks to explore the significance of nature by analyzing the in the framework of Five Element theory explored in Ayurveda by Sunil V. Joshi and Oikopoetics, a concept put forward by Nirmala Selvamony. In the Tirukkural the elements are sometimes evoked in the context of their importance in human life, or are used as metaphor. It is analyzed that out of 1330 kurals, approximately 100 kurals speak about nature, its intrinsic value and its relevance to humans. In these hundred , 38 deal with the element „earth‟ directly and 25 verses with its life forms sustained by it such as flower, birds, snake etc. The earth element is seen in three aspects: the web of life, Mother Earth, and the sacred soil. This paper will look at the representation of the earth element in specific relation to the concept of integrative Oikos and its impact on the human value system. Keywords: Oikos, Earth, Integrative, Hierarchic, Anarchic, Five Element Theory.