Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 15,729
Date uploaded in London –12 May 2026
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
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Item 508 Poverty
Here in Puram verse 69 composed by Ālathūr Kizhār we get some interesting information about the appearance of a bard suffering from poverty. He is a musician with Yaaz (Veena like instrument). He is wearing torn clothes. The bards led a nomadic life.
***
Item 509 Wealth of Kings
In the next few lines, we see a quite contrasting scene with king wearing golden chains, sitting at Uraiyur with big shining mansions. Also bloddy scenes from battles are described. One more interesting point is kings saw saints and bards without waiting.
***
Item 510 Golden Lotus
Kings used to give Golden Lotus to bards. It is in other poems as well.
***
Puranānuru 69, Poet: Ālathūr Kizhār sang for Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan
1
O bard who is sad! You carry a yāzh used to playing perfect music.
Your body is hungry, since you do not have a patron. The clothes
around your waist are darned and soaked in sweat. You protect and
wear them. You have a large family that is depressed like the body
of a man with no will. Since you have travelled around the world
and you ask me gently, I will tell you.
2
The battle elephants of kings are in pain in a camp with flags,
while other elephants have been cut down and they lie in pools of
blood, his army has caused flesh to stink, the King of Uranthai with
shining mansions, who raises his spear against advancing warriors
and he is ready to march into the lands of his enemies!
If you go and see Killivalavan who wears a fine garland and lovely
gold ornaments that flash like fire, you will not have to wait at
his tall gate without seeing him donate chariots at harsh noon time
3
in his court. You will not fail to gain a golden lotus flower upon
which bees that swarm on flowers do not buzz!
(Vaidehi Herbert’s translation is used; thanks
***
Notes: Puranānūru poems 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 69, 70, 226, 227, 228, 373, 386, 393 and 397 were written for this Chozha king who wrote Puranānūru 173. Ālathūr Kizhār who came from a town called Ālathūr, wrote Puranānūru 34, 36, 69, 225 and 324.
****
புறநானூறு 69, பாடியவர்: ஆலத்தூர் கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பாணாற்றுப்படை
1
கையது கடன் நிறை யாழே, மெய்யது
புரவலர் இன்மையின் பசியே, அரையது
வேற்றிழை நுழைந்த வேர் நனை சிதாஅர்
ஓம்பி உடுத்த உயவற் பாண!
பூட்கை இல்லோன் யாக்கை போலப் 5
பெரும் புல்லென்ற இரும்பேர் ஒக்கலை
வையகம் முழுதுடன் வளைஇப் பையென
என்னை வினவுதி ஆயின்,
2
மன்னர்
அடு களிறு உயவும் கொடி கொள் பாசறைக்
குருதிப் பரப்பின் கோட்டுமா தொலைச்சிப், 10
புலாக் களம் செய்த கலாஅத் தானையன்
பிறங்கு நிலை மாடத்து உறந்தையோனே
பொருநர்க்கு ஓக்கிய வேலன், ஒரு நிலைப்
பகைப் புலம் படர்தலும் உரியன், தகைத் தார்
ஒள் எரி புரையும் உருகெழு பசும்பூண் 15
கிள்ளி வளவற் படர்குவை ஆயின்,
3
நெடுங்கடை நிற்றலும் இலையே கடும் பகல்
தேர் வீசு இருக்கை ஆர நோக்கி,
நீ அவற்கண்ட பின்றைப் பூவின்
ஆடு வண்டு இமிராத் தாமரை 20
சூடாய் ஆதல் அதனினும் இலையே.
****
Item 511 Snskrit names for Tamil Months
Kōvūr Kizhār copied the greatest poet Kalidasa in Puram verse 70
Tamils have no names in Tamil for 12 months. All the names we use now for 12 so called Tamil months are Sanskrit names. In some cases they are Tamilized. Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994) who was a great linguist, has explained the names of all the 12 months. No one could have any doubt because we get Panguni in Akananuru 137, Karthikai in other poems. Silappadikaram also used Sanskrit month. This shows ancient Tamils considered Tamil and Sanskrit as two eyes of a man. More over all the Tamil dictionaries and Nikandus have more Sanskrit words than Tamil.
***
Item 512 Bee= Six Legged Bird
This poem shows that Kovur Kizar as a great Sanskrit scholar. He not only used Sanskrit Thai, but also used Six Legged Bird (bee) of Kalidasa.
***
Item 513 Interesting Folklore- Gold Diggers
Hindu folklore is full of finding gold in the middle of the forest. This is used as a simile here. They always add those gold are protected by snakes. There are two reasons for it:1. Gold is found as nuggets in many places in those days. Now they were all exploited by gold diggers. 2.Tamils have a proverb Tamilan puthithuk kettan—meaning Tamils spoiled themselves by burying (treasures). In those days there were no banks or lockers in villages So they buried the treasure and told no one. After their death, some lucky person stumble on it.
***
Item 514
Another notable point is the appearance of a drum held by the bards.
like a pond tortoise strung
on an iron rod
***
Puranānuru 70, Poet: Kōvūr Kizhār sang for Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan,
1
O bard with ancient wisdom carrying a small yāzh with
honey-sweet music! You show me sweetly your clear-eyed
kinai drum tied with sticks like a pond tortoise strung
on an iron rod, and urge me strongly to rest here a little.
2
Killivalavan is the lord of a fine country with abundant
rice and water. His huge city is filled with food
and there is constant abundance like a Thai month pond whose
level never goes down despite taking. There are only kitchen
fires and no war fires. Go to him thinking of his renown.
3
If you travel leisurely and quietly with your female dancer,
her forehead glowing, her smile sweet, adorned with pāthiri
flowers from Sirukudi of Pannan who gives very generously,
where six-legged bees buzz on small white waterlilies desiring
fragrance, you will become rich.
4
Do not think that his
generosity is not a rare matter, like woodcutters going to the
forest to cut wood finding gold. May his efforts prosper!
Notes: Puranānūru poems 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 69, 70, 173, 226, 227, 228, 373, 386, 393 and 397 were written for this Chozha king. Kōvūr Kizhār wrote Puranānūru 31-33, 41, 44-47, 68, 70, 308, 373, 382, 386 and 400. He hailed from Kōvūr town in Thondai Nadu. It is presently in Chengalpattu district.
****
புறநானூறு 70, பாடியவர்: கோவூர் கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பாணாற்றுப்படை
தேஎம் தீந்தொடைச் சீறியாழ்ப் பாண!
கயத்து வாழ் யாமை காழ் கோத்தன்ன
நுண் கோல் தகைத்த தெண் கண் மாக் கிணை
இனிய காண்க இவண் தணிக எனக் கூறி,
வினவல் ஆனா முதுவாய் இரவல! 5
1
தைத் திங்கள் தண் கயம் போலக்,
கொளக் கொளக் குறைபடாக் கூழுடை வியன் நகர்,
அடு தீ அல்லது சுடு தீ அறியாது,
இரு மருந்து விளைக்கும் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருநன்,
கிள்ளிவளவன் நல் இசை உள்ளி, 10
2
நாற்ற நாட்டத்து அறு கால் பறவை
சிறு வெள் ஆம்பல் ஞாங்கர் ஊதும்
கைவள் ஈகைப் பண்ணன் சிறு குடிப்
பாதிரி கமழும் ஓதி ஒண்ணுதல்,
இன்னகை விறலியொடு மென்மெல இயலிச் 15
செல்வை ஆயின் செல்வை ஆகுவை
3
விறகு ஒய் மாக்கள் பொன் பெற்றன்னதோர்
தலைப்பாடு அன்று அவன் ஈகை,
நினைக்க வேண்டா, வாழ்க அவன் தாளே.
****
Item 515 Bhutapandyan
In Puranānūru 71, we come across the pandya king
Bhuta pandyan. This name is also found in alupa kings of Karnataka. Also we come across a queen, whose husband was Bhuta pandyan; see Puranānūru 246. This is a Sanskrit name. also note devi is used in verse 246.
Item 516 Names of dear friends
The king gives us a list of his dear friends that makes interesting reading.
May I lose the great joy in the company of my friends who
are as precious to me as my own eyes – Māvan who is the ruler
of Maiyal town and cities surrounded by the famous Vaiyai
River with abundant riches and unending prosperity, Ānthai
of long established Eyil town, Anthuvan Sāthan of great
renown, famous Āthan Azhisi, Iyakkan with intense rage
and others!
Also we get the names of river and towns.
***
Item 517 Dhama Sabhai and rebirth and Patriotism
The king makes two more points. His assembly is a place of Justice. Rig Vedic Sanskrit word Sabha is used in the poem. All over India B=V are interchangeable and so we see Avai in Tirukkural and Sangam literature.
Another point is rebirth. He makes a vow that he would be born in a country that is not Pandya country. This shows his patriotism and loyalty towards his mother land. This shows his belief in rebirth as well.
***
Puranānūru 71, Poet: King Ollaiyur Thantha Poothappandiyan, Thinai: Kānji, Thurai: Vanjina Kānji
They say that kings enraged like lions and owning
armies that do not succumb have formed a federation,
and announced that they will go into battle against me.
If I do not assault them so that I can hear their scream
in harsh battles as they show their backs and flee in their
chariots, may I separate from my wife with large, calm
kohl-lined eyes! And in my kind court that does not sway
from justice, let me install someone unworthy and rule with
a weak scepter, moving away from righteousness!
May I lose the great joy in the company of my friends who
are as precious to me as my own eyes – Māvan who is the ruler
of Maiyal town and cities surrounded by the famous Vaiyai
River with abundant riches and unending prosperity, Ānthai
of long established Eyil town, Anthuvan Sāthan of great
renown, famous Āthan Azhisi, Iyakkan with intense rage
and others!
May I no longer reign as king of this southern land, known
for its ancient lineage and protection to its citizens! May
I be born into a family that protects the dry lands of others!
*1**
புறநானூறு 71, பாடியவர்: ஒல்லையூர் தந்த பூதப்பாண்டியன், திணை: காஞ்சி, துறை: வஞ்சினக் காஞ்சி
மடங்கலின் சினைஇ மடங்கா உள்ளத்து
அடங்காத் தானை வேந்தர் உடங்கு இயைந்து,
என்னொடு பொருதும் என்ப, அவரை
ஆரமர் அலறத் தாக்கித் தேரொடு
அவர்ப் புறங்காணேன் ஆயின், சிறந்த 5
பேரமர் உண்கண் இவளினும் பிரிக,
2
அறன் நிலை திரியா அன்பின் அவையத்துத்
திறன் இல் ஒருவனை நாட்டி, முறை திரிந்து
மெலி கோல் செய்தேன் ஆகுக, மலி புகழ்
வையை சூழ்ந்த வளங்கெழு வைப்பின் 10
3
பொய்யா யாணர் மையல் கோமான்
மாவனும் மன் எயில் ஆந்தையும், உரை சால்
அந்துவஞ்சாத்தனும் ஆதன் அழிசியும்,
வெஞ்சின இயக்கனும் உளப்படப் பிறரும்,
கண் போல் நண்பிற் கேளிரொடு கலந்த 15
இன் களி மகிழ்நகை இழுக்கி யான் ஒன்றோ,
மன்பதை காக்கும் நீள்குடிச் சிறந்த
தென் புலம் காவலின் ஒரீஇப், பிறர்
4
வன்புலம் காவலின் மாறி யான் பிறக்கே.
****
Item 518
Puram verse 72 was composed by a famous king called Thalaiyālankānathu Cheruvendra Nedunchezhiyan. The battle of Thalaiyālankānam as famous as Venni Battle where Choza Karikalan defeated many kings and Velirs. Here the young Boy King defeated many kings.
His story is in Thiru Vilayadal Puranam which says Lord Siva helped him. I have pointed out in my research articles on Tiru Vilayadal Puranam of Madurai.
***
Item 519 Proof for Tamil Sangam
Sangam is a Sanskrit word which we see from Panini days to modern times. Arthasastra of Kautilya/ Chanakya also mentioned Sangam(Association). But Tamil Tolkappiar banned all Sa beginning words in Tamil. So scholars were wondering what the association was called in Sangam period. We can only guess. But Nedunchezian in this verses says there was a group of poets under the leadership of Mangdi Maruthan. He was the author of the longest Sangam poem Madurai Kanchi.
Puranānūru 72, Poet: King Pandiyan Thalaiyālankānathu Cheruvendra Nedunchezhiyan, Thinai: Kānji, Thurai: Vanjina Kānji
1
They cause me anger, those who say, “They are laughable
who praise his land. He is too young.”
They also say,
“We have fine, tall elephants with wide feet and huge legs
that wear tinkling bells, chariots, horses and able warriors.”
They have no fear and they are filled with fury as they
utter disparaging words.
If I do not attack those enraged kings, who don’t fear my strength,
in harsh battles and ruin their drums, may my citizens who live under
the protection of my shadow no longer see any shade! Let them cry and
and blame me as a cruel king and insult my office!
3
Poets with great skill,
their leader Mānkudi Maruthan with his vast and great learning, as well
as others firmly established in this earth, let them leave my
country and sing no more about it! May I lose wealth and become
unable to help those who come to me in need, and remove their sorrow!
Notes: This is the only poem written by this king. Puranānūru 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 76, 77, 78, 79, 371 and 372 were written for this king. He defeated the Chera and Chozha kings along with five Vēlir kings in a battle at Thalaiyālankānam in the Chozha country.
1
***
புறநானூறு 72, பாடியவர்: பாண்டியன் தலையாலங்கானத்துச் செருவென்ற நெடுஞ்செழியன், திணை: காஞ்சி, துறை: வஞ்சினக் காஞ்சி
2
“நகு தக்கனரே, நாடு மீக்கூறுநர்,
இளையன் இவன்” என உளையக் கூறிப்,
“படுமணி இரட்டும் பாவடிப் பணைத் தாள்
நெடுநல் யானையும் தேரும் மாவும்
படை அமை மறவரும் உடையம் யாம்” என்று 5
உறு துப்பு அஞ்சாது, உடல் சினம் செருக்கிச்
சிறுசொல் சொல்லிய சினங்கெழு வேந்தரை
அருஞ்சமம் சிதையத் தாக்கி, முரசமொடு
ஒருங்கு அகப்படேஎன் ஆயின் பொருந்திய
என் நிழல் வாழ்நர் சென்னிழல் காணாது, 10
“கொடியன் எம் இறை” எனக் கண்ணீர் பரப்பிக்
குடி பழி தூற்றும் கோலேன் ஆகுக,
3
ஓங்கிய சிறப்பின் உயர்ந்த கேள்வி
மாங்குடி மருதன் தலைவன் ஆக,
3உலகமொடு நிலைஇய பலர் புகழ் சிறப்பின் 15
புலவர் பாடாது வரைக என் நிலவரை
புரப்போர் புன்கண் கூர,
இரப்போர்க்கு ஈயா இன்மை யான் உறவே.
To be continued
Tags- No name for months in Tamil, Sangam, Mangudi Maruthan, Item 519, Tamils have no Tamil Names for 12 Months:25Purananuru wonders-25, Tamil Encyclopedia-
Tamil and Vedas 