Namadhari Naik - Etymology

Etymology

The word Namadhari seems to be of later origin attributed to their Vaishnavite allegiance .People wearing "Naama" on their forehead. Hence the term Namadhari. It can be noted here that among the Vokkaligas to there is a grouping called Namadhari Gowda which has similar origin . This has been referred to by the greatest poet of modern Kannada, Kuvempu in his magnum opus Malegalalli Madumagalu.

Halepaika in Kannada means Old Soldiers . In the Vikramarjunavijaya (ವಿಕ್ರಮಾರ್ಜುನ ವಿಜಯ ) of Adikavi Pampa dating back to 10th century there is a reference to the houses of Halepaika in the new capital of Yudhishtira, the Indraprastha. This indicates the prominence enjoyed by Halepaika during that time . And to refer them as "old soldiers" during that time should convey the fact that Halepaika formed one of the earliest martial settlers in this part of country . This fact can be compared with another similar community in the region, the Komarapaiks which means 'junior soldiers' in Kannada and are said to have migrated during 12th century . There is a reference to a regiment of Halepaika in one of the paintings of Mysore Palace. Kanthirava Narasaraja Vijaya (ಕಂಠೀರವ ನರಸರಾಜ ವಿಜಯ), the 17th century panegyric of Mysore Wodeyar king Kanthirava Narasaraja I by Govinda Vaidya describes a battle scene where in the Halepaik troops were in action against the invading Bijapur Sultanate army. There is a reference in a Nagamangala inscription (Mysore Dist)to a 'Halikera' (ಹಳಿಕೇರ) (Halepaik??) chief 'Lakhana Nayaka' making a landgrant of a plot containing 400 arecanut trees to 'Shrivaishnava Koneriyayya' in Devalapura in obeisance to Ramanuja (1471 A.D)

It is known that the community served as soldiers, mercenaries and commanders. Nayaka or Naik in Kannada or Sanskrit means commander. Halepaiks seem to have served almost all the important Kannada dynasties right from the Chutu satakarni and Kadambas to Vijayanagar kingdom and later Keladi Nayakas.

The term Deeva finds mention in the great epic Mahabharata as to one involved in the naval occupation and to denote islanders. It could also mean torch-bearing soldeirs for night warfare (Deevige (ದೀವಿಗೆ)= Torch). Since ancient times the armies equipped themselves for battles in dark. Torch bearing infantrymen were one of the ploys employed. Adikavi Pampa in his Vikramarjunavijaya (ಪಾದಚರರ್ಗೊಂದೆನೆ ದೀವಿಗೆಗಳ್ಲ್) and Kumaravyasa in his 15th century masterpiece Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari attests to this fact (ದೀವಿಗೆ ಹೊತ್ತ ಭಟರುಗಳು).).

In all probability the terms Deeva and Idiga are used to indicate the occupation of toddy tapping which the Halepaiks resorted to,and cannot be used to indicate ethnicity or origin. In this aspect the term Halepaik stands out prominently and holds the key to the origin of the community.