Abstract
The Ettuthokai preserves several mythological references that enrich its literary and cultural significance. Among them, the myths associated with Shiva occupy an important place in conveying the religious imagination and symbolic thought of the Sangam age. This study examines the Shiva myths found in the Ettuthokai, focusing on their literary function and cultural significance. Rather than serving merely as Puranic narratives, these myths communicate ethical, philosophical and social values through symbolic representations of Shiva's form, attributes, and relationship with nature. The study reveals that the Shiva myths in the Ettuthokai reflect the close integration of mythology, spirituality and cultural consciousness in early Tamil literary tradition.