Sataka Bird looking for rain water

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,981

Date uploaded in London – 14 July 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

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Item 623 About Birds’ Omen

Hindus believe that birds and animals can show us the things going to happen soon by their movements. Jackal or foxes are watched mainly. But more common is augury from the birds. Until this day Tamil almanacs print the predictions from the ancient books. People  watch whether the birds fly from left or right. noise or the calls from the birds are also considered. Even Varahamihira has some chapters on this topic in his encyclopaedic work Brihat Samhita.

Sanskrit word Sakunam (good or bad signs) is used in Tamil as well. Sakuna means Bird in Sanskrit

Sangam works mentioned the Bird Signs or augury in the following places:

Puram 20, 68, 117, 124, 204, Akam.151;351;

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Item 624 About whales

Tamil poets who lived 2000 years ago also repeated what Kalidasa said in his Raghuvamsa (13-10). There are two verses in Natrinai (132 and 291) wherein we come across whales and sperm whale that contains ‘oil’ in its head. 

An anonymous Tamil poet says in verse 132: “ Whole town is sleeping; there is no one who is awake. The mouthed whale gushes out water. When the cold and noisy wind blows into the streets there is drizzling.  The water comes into the house through the holes in the door. Even the sharp toothed dog shivers.” 

In verse 291, famous poet Kapilar says:-The water birds stand in the muddy waters like the soldiers of a king’s army to eat the fat/oil headed (Sperm) whale.(Probably the whale got stranded in the muddy water).

 Another anonymous poem found in Natrinai 175 says, “the fishermen light the lamps made up of oyster shells, filled with fish oil in the coastal areas.

Big Whale Bone

Tamil poet Kamban who made Ramayana in Tamil also spoke about whale bone on the seashore (Kishkinda Canto, Dundhubi section). When Lord Rama saw a big and dry bone on the seashore, he asked Sugreeva what it was. He wondered whether it was a skeleton of a whale. But Sugreeva explained it was the skeleton of Dundhubi killed by Vali.

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Item 625  about bees- six legged

Sanskrit poets and Tamil Sangam poets mentioned bees as Six legged insects or six legged birds.

Following references are about bees or beetles:

Nar .55; Puram. 70

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Item 626 About Sataka bird

Skylark in Sangam Tamil Literature
A bard awaiting with hopes the kind of munificence of a benefactor compares himself to the skylark that longs for drops of rain – Puram 198 sung by Vatamavannakkan Berisatan

The skylark sings while soaring in the sky longing for rain – Kali 46
It suffers in the absence of seasonal rain – Aink. Line 418

There is a reference to the skylark that longs for rain and the poet mentions it as “tuli nasai pul”( puram 198 vatamavannakkan perisatan)
Aink-418, aka.67, kali 46, pura 196, Patina-3/4

I have made it clear in a previous article that  Grtsamada,Kalidasa and Sangam Tamil poets sing about the same bird Kapinjala=Sataka= Thuli Nasai Pul in Tamil.

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Item 627

About chakravaka bird Andril in Tamil

Symbol of Eternal Love: The Andril bird is a famous motif in Sangam literature, celebrated for its inseparable bond with its mate. The name literally translates to “not without” (அன்றில்) because the birds are believed to live, travel, and even die together, becoming an ultimate allegory for devoted, lifelong love.

Akam .50-11;120-15; 260-6; 305-13; 360-17;

Kali. 129-12; 131-28; 137-4;

Kurinji- line 219;

Kuru. 160, 177, 301;

Narr . 124, 152, 218, 303, 335.

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Item 628

Nimiththam in Tolkappaim

A grammar work considered as the oldest book in Tamil mentioned some beliefs in astrology and prophesy.

Nimiththam is a word used in Tamil Sangam works in several places. It means a happening taken as a sigh of things to come.

It is in third chapter called Porul Adikaram:-

-16-2; 39-2; 88-17; 101-1; 175-3; 263-2;

Nimiththam is not found in Sangam Tamil works!

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Item 629

In addition, Tolkappiar, the author of the work, mentioned the Tamil customs followed before going to war or launching an attack on the enemy country. On an auspicious day the king’s royal umbrella and the sword moved towards the particular direction, that is the direction of the marching army.

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Item 630

Seven Pindas to Crow!

Brahmins and those who believe in ancient funeral rites or annual remembrance day (Thithi) ceremonies offer rice balls to the crows. Crows and Sesame seeds, both black in colour are associated with Yama, God of Death, who is also black in colour. Offering of Seven Pindas (cooked rice balls) to the crows is mentioned in Kuru.210

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Item 631

Bad omens and Nightmares

Hindus interpreted dreams according to their age-old beliefs. Westerners like Jung and Freud interpret dreams in a different way.

Tamil poems show their belief in good and bad dreams.

Anything that happens in an abnormal way or unusual manner that is also considered a bad omen.

One woman worried about the oil lamp suddenly going off. One bard worries about out of tune sound from his lyre.

Following poems have such remarks: Puram .260, 280,  Kuru. 218, 298, Puram.238

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Item 632

Ghost busting measures

Like other cultures Tamils also believed in ghosts and bad spirits.

When a woman gave birth to a baby or in the battle fields and crematoriums the ghosts are active, they believed.

They used the smoke of the white mustard to drive away such bird spirits. White mustard is Aiyavi in Tamil.

Puram.281, 296, 

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Item 633

Don’t Look Back in Crematoriums

Crematoriums are scary places for most of the people. Tamils and in general all Hindus, are told not to look back or turn back when they leave the crematorium.

 We may guess the reasons. The burning bodies of the beloved may give them nightmares. Moreover, it is said, the workers there beat the bodies with long poles to make them remain in the pyre. If someone sees it may hurt one’s feelings. They may even think that the dead person is rising alive.

Tamils say Don’t look back in the following poems: Puram 356, 363, Kuru.231

To be continued………………………

Tags- Purananuru wonders-40, Tamil Encyclopedia-80, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 80, item 633.