Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 15,793
Date uploaded in London –27 May 2026
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xxxx
Purananuru wonders-29, Tamil Encyclopedia-69; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 69
Item 541 Tamil Heroine
This is one of the famous poems in Purananuru. This shows Tamil women were heroic in Sangam Age. This is seen not only in Tamil Nadu but also in other parts of India. All Kshatria women were like her. Indian history is full f heroic women who fought against Muslim invaders and Christian invaders. But here is a beautiful comparison from a female poet. Her son is like a tiger cub and so definitely in the battle field.
One must remember the modern rules. Nowadays using boy soldiers is against international law. In those days teenage boys Rama and Lakshmana were taken by Vishwamitra to fight demoness Tadaka and others.
We see Veera Maathaa in Vedic literature as well. (I have written a separate article on this topic some years ago)
***
Puranānūru 86, Poet Kāvarpendu, Thinai: Vākai, Thurai: Ērān Mullai
You grasp a fine pillar in my small house
you ask me, “Where is your son?”
I do not know where he is.
Like a mountain cave that a tiger
inhabited and abandoned,
is this womb which gave birth to him.
He will appear on the battlefield!
***
புறநானூறு 86, பாடியவர்: காவற்பெண்டு, திணை: வாகை, துறை: ஏறாண் முல்லை
சிற்றில் நற்றூண் பற்றி, “நின் மகன்
யாண்டு உளனோ?” என வினவுதி; என் மகன்
யாண்டு உளன் ஆயினும் அறியேன்; ஓரும்
புலி சேர்ந்து போகிய கல் அளை போல
ஈன்ற வயிறோ இதுவே, 5
தோன்றுவன் மாதோ போர்க்களத்தானே.
Notes: This is the only poem written by this female poet.
***
Item 542 Sanskrit word Thachchan (Puram verse 87)
In English we have lots of words with Tech (nology, nician, nical etc). All these words including Thachcan are derived from Sanskrit word
Takṣa (तक्ष).—[adjective] cutting off, destroying (—°); [masculine] a carpenter (—°); [Name] of a serpent-demon etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary
1) Takṣa (तक्ष):—[from takṣ] 1. takṣa mfn. ‘cutting through
***
Item 543-Eight Chariots in One Day
Avvaiyar, the most famous Female poet of Sangam age had composed several poems and gave us very interesting details of Sangam Age culture. Here in Puram 87 she warns the enemies of chieftain Athiyamān Nedumān Anji that he had also got good carpenters who can make 8 chariots a day! This statement shows us the technology and the road conditions of those days. We have hundreds of references to chariots in Akam (Sex and Family life) section where the hero comes to see his lady love in chariots. So, the road conditions were so good that they can drive very fast. Second point is that Tamils also used Chariots in battlefield like their northern counterparts. We always see Arjuna and Krishna in war chariot in Bhagavad Gita pictures.
***
Item 544 Athiyaman is Sathyavan, not a Tamil King!
Tamil name Athiyaman is Sathyavan in Sanskrit. Because Tolkappaiar banned SA as initial letter in Tamil he is Tamilized as Athiyamaan. Tamil women knows the story of Sathyavaan Savitri very well. They are known for their truthfulness. Sathya=Truth. Asoka 268 BCE also mentioned them in his inscription as Satyaputro. He belonged to Ikshvakus (Ikshu= Sugarcane) which Avvai herself said in another verse. They were the one who introduced Sugarcane cultivation in Tamil Nadu. Like Chozas they also came from North India.
***
Item 544 Strange but True Tamil has no AVV in Tamil!
If you go through word index of Sangam Tamil literature or Tirukkural you wont see the Tamil letter ஔ AVV at all. Only in footnotes under the poems we see ஔ (வையார்)
***
Puranānūru 87, Poet Avvaiyār sang for Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Thumpai, Thurai: Thānai Maram
O enemies! Protect yourselves
before you enter the field!
Among us is a warrior
who will fight you in battle.
He is like a chariot wheel
crafted with care
for over a month, by a carpenter
who creates eight chariots in a day!
***
Avvaiyār and King Athiyamān Nedumān Anji were great friends. Avvaiyār wrote Puranānūru poems 87-104, 140, 187, 206, 231, 232, 235, 269, 286, 290, 295, 311, 315, 367, 390 and 392.
***
புறநானூறு 87, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: தும்பை, துறை: தானை மறம்
களம் புகல் ஓம்புமின் தெவ்விர்! போர் எதிர்ந்து
எம்முளும் உளன் ஒரு பொருநன், வைகல்
எண் தேர் செய்யும் தச்சன்
திங்கள் வலித்த கால் அன்னோனே.
***
Item 545 Different sections of Army
In the Tamil commentary for Puram verse 88, we come across two sections of army “கூழை தார் கொண்டு யாம் பொருதும்”
Koozai= கூழை= the soldiers on the sides of the king or commander and at his back
Thaar = தார்= Front of the battalion= dust soldiers= they ride very fast and produce dust.
This description in the commentary shows Tamils organised the army and allocated particular roles to the soldiers.
***
Puranānūru 88, Poet Avvaiyār sang for Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Thumpai, Thurai: Thānai Maram
Whoever you may be,
if you defend your words,
“We will fight with his foot
soldiers and the rest of his army”,
you haven’t seen my lord who
celebrates victories with festivals.
He has drum-like shoulders,
fine, strong chest with elegant
ornaments that shoot rays,
and is chief to young, brave warriors
who bear long and shining spears.
***
புறநானூறு 88, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: தும்பை, துறை: தானை மறம்
யாவிர் ஆயினும், “கூழை தார் கொண்டு
யாம் பொருதும்” என்றல் ஓம்புமின்! ஓங்கு திறல்
ஒளிறு இலங்கு நெடுவேல் மழவர் பெருமகன்,
கதிர் விடு நுண் பூண் அம் பகட்டு மார்பின்
விழவு மேம்பட்ட நல் போர் 5
முழவுத் தோள் என் ஐயைக் காணா ஊங்கே.
***
Item 546
Here in Puram verse 89, poetess Avvai described the appearance of a Virali:
, “O virali with a bright
brow, kohl-rimmed eyes, delicate nature,
and lifted, beautiful loins decorated with
jewels!
VIRALI= a a female dancer , a female bard.
***
Item 547 Snake simile
Normally snakes will run away if they are hit or chased; but there are certain aggressive kinds of snakes that are ready to fight. Here poetess compared the soldiers to such aggressive snakes
Like snakes that do not fear
the rods that hit them.
***
Item 548 Tamils were warmongers!
The king was ever ready for a fight; so he mistook even the natural sounds for beating sounds of war drums,
whenever the wind
blows against the clear-sounding eyes of the
tightly tied thannumai drum in the courtyard
and it resonates.
***
Puranānūru 89, Poet Avvaiyār sang for Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Thumpai, Thurai: Thānai Maram
O king with a battling army! You asked
me again and again, “O virali with a bright
brow, kohl-rimmed eyes, delicate nature,
and lifted, beautiful loins decorated with
jewels! Is there anyone in your huge
country who can fight?
Yes, there are young, brave warriors who
are fearless Not only that, there is also my king who is
happy that it is war, whenever the wind
blows against the clear-sounding eyes of the
tightly tied thannumai drum in the courtyard
and it resonates.
***
புறநானூறு 89, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை : தும்பை, துறை: தானை மறம்
“இழையணிப் பொலிந்த ஏந்து கோட்டு அல்குல்,
மடவரல், உண்கண், வாணுதல் விறலி!
பொருநரும் உளரோ நும் அகன்தலை நாட்டு?” என
வினவல் ஆனாப் பொரு படை வேந்தே,
எறி கோல் அஞ்சா அரவின் அன்ன 5
சிறு வன் மள்ளரும் உளரே, அதாஅன்று
பொதுவில் தூங்கும் விசியுறு தண்ணுமை
வளி பொரு தெண் கண் கேட்பின்,
“அது போர்” என்னும் என் ஐயும் உளனே.
***
Item 549
Here is a beautiful description to say that No one can stop the king; no one can survive his attack.
The enemies are compared to deer in front of a tiger, darkness when sun shines, a strong bull that draws the cart even in muddy lands.
***
Item 550 Avvai Fond of Sanskrit Words!
Poetess Avvaiyar never hesitated to use Sanskrit words such as ACHCHU (Axis, Axle) PANDAM (things, materials) SAKATAM (cart).
Shamudrika Lakshana of kings :
Your strong, faultless arms reach down
to your legs that are like crossbars – already explained in previous poems.
***
Puranānūru 90, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Thumpai, Thurai: Thānai Maram
If a fierce tiger roars in anger on
the fragrant mountain slopes with
white glory lilies resembling broken
conch and wild jasmine flowers with
lush leaves, can a deer herd linger
there?
If the sun burns with rage,
is it possible for darkness to exist
in the expanses of the confused sky?
If a proud ox hauls a cart with goods,
even if the long bar grinds the axle bars
due to the weight, scattering the sand and
breaking stones as it pulls out of a deep
rut, is there a place where it cannot go?
O Lord of young warriors!
Your strong, faultless arms reach down
to your legs that are like crossbars.
Is there any warrior in this vast earth who
can take your land and be jubilant, if you
enter the field?
***
புறநானூறு 90, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: தும்பை, துறை: தானை மறம்
உடை வளை கடுப்ப மலர்ந்த காந்தள்
அடை மல்கு குளவியொடு கமழும் சாரல்
மறப் புலி உடலின், மான் கணம் உளவோ?
மருளின விசும்பின் மாதிரத்து ஈண்டிய
இருளும் உண்டோ, ஞாயிறு சினவின்? 5
அச்சொடு தாக்கிப் பார் உற்று இயங்கிய
பண்டச் சாகாட்டு ஆழ்ச்சி சொலிய,
அரி மணல் ஞெமரக் கல் பக நடக்கும்
பெருமிதப் பகட்டுக்குத் துறையும் உண்டோ?
எழுமரம் கடுக்கும் தாள் தோய் தடக்கை 10
வழு இல் வன் கை மழவர் பெரும!
இரு நில மண் கொண்டு சிலைக்கும்
பொருநரும் உளரோ, நீ களம் புகினே?
***
Item 551 King is Lord Shiva
Hindu poets never hesitated to compare kings with Vedic Gods and other gods. Queens were called Devi= Goddess; feminine form of Deva. Here in Puram verse 91, poetess Avvai blessed the king to live like Lord Shiva. She described Shiva as wee see in Puranas. So ,Tamils were Pukka Hindus well versed in Hindu scriptures
May you live as long as he lives, the god who has a milk-like, brow
shaped moon on his lovely head, and a sapphire-like dark neck!
***
Item 552 Ayurveda in Tamil
Nellikkay , Indian gooseberry, Amlaka in Sanskrit has been used by the Hindus for long. They knew the medical benefits of using it. And there was a special type in black colour which is rare and has more medical benefits. Thos who use it would have full life span- 100 years. Even al-Biruni mentioned it is his writings (I have written a separate article on this topic some years ago)
Chieftain Athiyaman gifted such a rare variety to Avvaiyar which shows his generosity
***
Puranānūru 91, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Vālthiyal
O Athiyar king owning uproar-causing alcohol! O king with a
mighty hand with whirling bracelets that lifts an unfailing,
victorious sword and strikes down enemies in battlefields!
O Anji with a golden garland, who is rich in murderous battles!
1
May you live as long as he lives, the god who has a milk-like, brow
shaped moon on his lovely head, and a sapphire-like dark neck!
2
O Greatness! Without considering how difficult it was to get
the sweet nelli fruit from a tree with small leaves,
plucked from the crevices of an ancient lofty mountain
that was difficult to scale, you gave it to me, knowing its benefits
of removing death, which knowledge you kept within yourself!
***
புறநானூறு 91, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: வாழ்த்தியல்
வலம்படு வாய்வாள் ஏந்தி ஒன்னார்
களம் படக் கடந்த கழல் தொடி தடக்கை,
ஆர்கலி நறவின் அதியர் கோமான்!
போர் அடு திருவின் பொலந்தார் அஞ்சி!
பால் புரை பிறை நுதல் பொலிந்த சென்னி 5
நீலமணி மிடற்று ஒருவன் போல
மன்னுக பெரும! நீயே தொன் நிலைப்
பெருமலை விடர் அகத்து அரு மிசை கொண்ட
சிறியிலை நெல்லித் தீங்கனி குறியாது,
ஆதல் நின் அகத்து அடக்கிச் 10
சாதல் நீங்க எமக்கு ஈத்தனையே.
The Story of Indian Gooseberry Tree in Hinduism (Post No.11923)
Post No. 11,923
Date uploaded in London – – 21 APRIL 2023
Veera Matha–‘Mother of Heroes’ in the Vedas and Tamil literature
by Tamil and Vedas on September 22, 2012
To be continued………………….
Tags- Lord Shiva, Nellikkay, Indian Goosberry, Athiyaman, Sathyavan, Satyaputro, No AVVஔ in Tamil! Purananuru wonders-29, Tamil Encyclopedia-69, Item 552, Sanskrit words, Thachan, Taksha, Tech
Tamil and Vedas 