


Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 15,854
Date uploaded in London –10 June 2026
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Part 72
Purananuru wonders-32, Tamil Encyclopedia-72; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 72
Vaidehi Herbert’s English translation of Purananuru is used here; thanks.
Item 563

Kapilar was the greatest poet in Sangam Tamil literature; he was a Brahmin poet praised by many Tamil poets; no other poet has such encomiums. He was praised as a person of spotless character. His quotations are famous and reveal many unknown details; he was like a modern day orator who spoke in bullet points; he must be a mathematician because he gave us Tamil statistical information. He was an example of great friendship. He was the first one to smash the caste barriers. He was the poet who contributed the highest number of poems in Sangam Tamil literature. His name is a Sanskrit name that means great sages of the past as well as Lord Ganesh! Along with another great Brahmin poet of Kerala, named Paranar, both carved a niche for them in Sangam corpus; Paranar was a great historian who gives us over eighty historical anecdotes.
Kapilar was a great Sanskrit scholar and he taught Tamil to a North Indian named Brhad Duttan, because he ridiculed Tamil language. For him, he composed Kurinjippattu where he listed 99 flowers at one go and entered Book of Records. He made that Tamil hater to compose poems in Tamil and included it in the Sangam corpus. Though Kapilar achieved many firsts in Tamil literature, he sacrificed his life by voluntarily entering fire at Tirukkovilur. We have such anecdotes of Hindu saints entering fire in three other places. One happened in front of Alexander; another happened in Europe, both 2000 years ago; third happened in front of Adi Sankara and the person who did it was Kumarila Bhatta, who used Dravida Bhasa for Tamil language.
***
Item 564
All his poems on chieftain Pari- paari–are grouped together and placed one after another in Purananuru- puranaanooru- by the compiler. Pari belonged to Velir tribe who controlled Pudukkotai area of Tamil Nadu. His capital was at the top of Parampu hills, now called Piraanmalai. He was born in Tiruvat havur near Madurai where one of the greatest Saivite saints, Manikkavasagar was born.
In Puram verse 105, he persuaded a Virali (dancer who accompanies bards) to go to Pari to get good ornaments.
***
Puranānūru 105, Poet Kapilar sang for Vēl Pāri, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Virali Ātruppadai
O virali with a bright forehead!
You’ll get gifts of red gold jewels
if you go and sing to Vēl Pāri,
who is sweeter than the water
that cascades down the sky-high
peaks of his mountain where bamboo
ladders hang, whether it rains or not,
and runs down in canals that wind
through the vast land where horse gram
is farmed, and sprays cool water droplets
on bee-swarming, dark-petaled, fresh
kuvalai flowers that flourish in wide springs.
***
புறநானூறு 105, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: வேள் பாரி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: விறலியாற்றுப்படை
சேயிழை பெறுகுவை வாணுதல் விறலி!
தடவுவாய்க் கலித்த மா இதழ்க் குவளை
வண்டுபடு புது மலர்த் தண் சிதர் கலாவப்
பெய்யினும் பெய்யாது ஆயினும், அருவி
கொள் உழு வியன் புலத்து உழை கால் ஆக 5
மால்பு உடை நெடுவரைக் கோடுதொறு இழிதரும்
நீரினும் இனிய சாயல்
பாரி வேள்பால் பாடினை செலினே.
***



Item 565 Bhagavad Gita Echo
In Purananuru verse 106, Kapilar echoed what Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita.
Kapilar says, whatever given by a devotee , God accepts it. It does not matter whether it is grass or Erukkam flowers; and Pari is also like God; he does not bother about what you take for him, he rewards anyone with faith.
erukkam flowers with dull/small leaves, Calotropis gigantea,
Puranānūru 106, Poet Kapilar sang for Vēl Pāri, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Iyan Mozhi
Neither good nor bad, are offerings of pointed
clusters of erukkam flowers with pale leaves,
and gods don’t say that they do not like them.
Even if foolish and soft-natured people go to
him, Pāri will reward them, since he is generous.
Bhagavad Gita
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: || 9-26||
patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayachchhati
tadahaṁ bhaktyupahṛitam aśhnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
BG 9.26: If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that item offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness.

106, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: வேள் பாரி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: இயன் மொழி
நல்லவும் தீயவும் அல்ல குவி இணர்ப்
புல் இலை எருக்கம் ஆயினும், உடையவை
கடவுள் பேணேம் என்னா ஆங்கு
மடவர் மெல்லியர் செல்லினும்,
கடவன் பாரி கைவண்மையே. 5
****
Item 566 Lord Ganesh in Sangam Literature
Though we have Ganapathy/ Vinayaka in Vedas, he was not praised or worshipped as we do today in ancient days. Kalidasa, Manikka vasagar and Sangam poets never mentioned him; there is one rare reference in the added part of Sangam poems; scholars reject it as added one during compilation.
But my research shows the name Kapila and Erukkam flowers show us that Lord Ganesh was known to Sangam Age Tamils. Kapila was the first mantra in Ganesh worship. Any priest who begins a Puja in any place says 16 names of Ganesh, and one of them is om Sri Kapilaaya Namah. Another point is Erukkam flowers. Kapilar who listed 99 flowers in Kurinjippattu left all of them away but mentioned Erukkam in Puram 106. That is the most favourite flower of Ganesh in Tami Nadu. Everyone buys the garland of Erukkam and adorn Ganesh statues. Another word in the poem is Tamil word Pul=grass. Commentators added it with Ilai=leaf in the poem; but if you split it, it means Pul/grass+ Ilai=leaf.
So my argument is Ganesh is the only god offered Arukam Grass and 21 types of different leaves on Ganesh Chaturthy day in Tamil Nadu.
During Ganesh Chaturthi, offering 21 specific types of leaves, known as Patra or Patri, is a sacred ritual called the Ekavimshati Patra Pooja. Each leaf is offered while chanting one of Ganesha’s 21 unique name mantras and corresponds to various health and spiritual benefits.
***
Item 567 Sarcasm and Rhyme
Kapilar’s poems are short but with lot of details. Here is Puram verse 107, Kapilar used Paari to rhyme with Maari
Paari- name of the chieftain
Maari – Rain;
Rain is praised in Hindu literature and compared with donations made without any intention or expectation.
Paari is also like rain who pours down gifts without expecting anything.
Here in a sarcastic language, he wonder why people praised Paari when there is Maari/rain.
Very short poem with excellent meaning!
***
Puranānūru 107, Poet Kapilar sang for Vēl Pāri, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Iyan Mozhi
” Pāri! Pāri,” they utter, and poets
with eloquent tongues praise him.
There is not just Pāri!
There is also the rain that gives
and protects this world!
புறநானூறு 107, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: வேள் பாரி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: இயன் மொழி
“பாரி பாரி” என்று பல ஏத்தி,
ஒருவர்ப் புகழ்வர் செந்நாப் புலவர்,
பாரி ஒருவனும் அல்லன்,
மாரியும் உண்டு, ஈண்டு உலகு புரப்பதுவே.
***
Item 568
Puram verse 108 was composed after Pari’s death; Three kings of Chera Choza Pandya kingdoms laid a siege around Pari’s Parampu hills and killed him. The verse portrays a scene where a woman burns sandal wood and the smoke engulfs the nearby Venkai tree. The implied meaning is Pari’s fame will spread like Sandal fragrance.
Puranānūru 108 – Kapilar sang for Vēl Pāri, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Iyan Mozhi
A mountain woman burns dry sandal
twigs and fragrant smoke spreads through
the branches of nearby vēngai trees
dense with flowers, on the mountain slopes
of Parampu country given to those who sang.
Righteous and generous Pāri yields to
those who request, and goes to their limits.
புறநானூறு 108, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: வேள் பாரி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: இயன் மொழி
குறத்தி மாட்டிய வறற்கடைக் கொள்ளி
ஆரம் ஆதலின் அம் புகை அயலது
சாரல் வேங்கைப் பூஞ்சினைத் தவழும்
பறம்பு பாடினரதுவே அறம் பூண்டு
பாரியும் பரிசிலர் இரப்பின் 5
‘வாரேன்’ என்னான் அவர் வரையன்னே.
***
Item 569 Bullet Points
Like great orators, Kapilar says Point No.1, Point No.2, Point No.3………………….. This is not seen in other poems!
First are seeds from bamboos with small leaves,
second are sweet ripe jackfruits, third are valli
yams with thick vines that spread low,
and fourth is bright-colored, mature honey
Apart from bullet point speech, it is also a description of natural products. He says even if your siege continues, people wont starve to death, because honey and other eatable plants grow in plenty. Later we are going to see how he trained birds to bring back grains
Puranānūru 109, Poet Kapilar sang for Vēl Pāri, Thinai: Nochi, Thurai: Makal Maruthal
Pāri’s Parampu is a pitiable place!
Even if the three of you with royal drums
surround it, there are four crops that flourish
without plowing and planting by farmers.
First are seeds from bamboos with small leaves,
second are sweet ripe jackfruits, third are valli
yams with thick vines that spread low,
and fourth is bright-colored, mature honey
that flows in his tall, dense mountain.
His towering mountain is as tall as the sky
and its springs are like stars. Even if your
elephants are tied to each tree, and your chariots
are spread over the land, you will not win anything
for your efforts. He will not yield to your swords.
I know the path to seize his country. If you tune
the polished, twisted strings of your small yāzhs tight,
have your female artists with thick, fragrant hair
follow you, and go to him dancing and singing,
he will give you both his country and his mountain!
புறநானூறு 109, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: வேள் பாரி, திணை: நொச்சி, துறை: மகள் மறுத்தல்
அளிதோ தானே பாரியது பறம்பே!
நளி கொள் முரசின் மூவிரும் முற்றினும்,
உழவர் உழாதன நான்கு பயன் உடைத்தே,
ஒன்றே சிறியிலை வெதிரின் நெல் விளையும்மே,
இரண்டே தீஞ்சுளைப் பலவின் பழம் ஊழ்க்கும்மே, 5
மூன்றே கொழுங்கொடி வள்ளிக் கிழங்கு வீழ்க்கும்மே,
நான்கே அணி நிற ஓரி பாய்தலின் மீது அழிந்து
திணி நெடுங்குன்றம் தேன் சொரியும்மே,
வான் கண் அற்று அதன் மலையே வானத்து
மீன் கண் அற்று அதன் சுனையே ஆங்கு 10
மரந்தொறும் பிணித்த களிற்றினிர் ஆயினும்,
புலந்தொறும் பரப்பிய தேரினிர் ஆயினும்,
தாளின் கொள்ளலிர் வாளின் தாரலன்,
யான் அறிகுவென் அது கொள்ளும் ஆறே,
சுகிர் புரி நரம்பின் சீறியாழ் பண்ணி, 15
விரை ஒலி கூந்தல் நும் விறலியர் பின் வர,
ஆடினிர் பாடினிர் செலினே,
நாடும் குன்றும் ஒருங்கு ஈயும்மே.
***
Item 570 Tamil Statistics and Tamil Geography
Hindu India has 6 lakhs villages. Here in Puram verse 110, Kapilar says that there are 300 towns under Pari’s rule. For the first time we hear about Tamil geography. In the little mountain kingdom Pari had 300 towns and all were donated to bards. This shows his generosity. Kapilar advised the three great kings to come as bards singing the praise of Pari and then they can get the remaining hill and Pari himself. Beautiful advice. In those days poets were bold and never feared any king.
Puranānūru 110, Poet Kapilar sang to the three great Kings, Thinai: Nochi, Thurai: Makal Maruthal
Even if the three of you
with your murderous armies
unite,
Parampu will be difficult to seize.
There are three hundred villages
in the cool, fine Parampu country.
All the villages were gifted by him
to those who asked. But if you go
singing, you can win us and Pāri.
You will also get his mountain!
***
புறநானூறு 110, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோர்: மூவேந்தர், திணை: நொச்சி, துறை: மகள் மறுத்தல்
கடந்து அடு தானை மூவிரும் கூடி
உடன்றனிர் ஆயினும், பறம்பு கொளற்கு அரிதே,
முந்நூறு ஊர்த்தே தண் பறம்பு நல் நாடு
முந்நூறு ஊரும் பரிசிலர் பெற்றனர்,
யாமும் பாரியும் உளமே, 5
குன்றும் உண்டு, நீர் பாடினிர் செலினே.
***
Item 571 Woman can win easily!
Again Kapilar emphasizes saying if you come like a woman singing, it is easy to win the Parampu Hill.
***
Puranānūru 111, Poet Kapilar sang for Vēl Pāri, Thinai: Nochi, Thurai: Makal Maruthal
Pitiful is his huge dark mountain!
It would be difficult to conquer it with
spears, even by brave kings,
but easier to win if a female drummer
goes singing with her kohl-lined eyes,
dark like blue waterlily blossoms.
புறநானூறு 111, பாடியவர்: கபிலர், பாடப்பட்டோன்: வேள் பாரி, திணை: நொச்சி, துறை: மகள் மறுத்தல்
அளிதோ தானே பேர் இருங்குன்றே!
வேலின் வேறல் வேந்தர்க்கோ அரிதே,
நீலத்து இணை மலர் புரையும் உண்கண்
கிணைமகட்கு எளிதால், பாடினள் வரினே.
To be continued-
Tags- item 571, Bhagavad Gita and Tamil Statistics! Purananuru wonders 32, Tamil Encyclopaedia 72, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 72 , Pari, Parampu Hills, Kapilar,300 towns, God accepts Erukkam flowers, leaf
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