All posts tagged Religion

Omens, Sanskrit Words and Valakhilya Rishis in Purananuru – Part 57 (Post No.15,566)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,566

Date uploaded in London – 2 April 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 

Purananuru Wonders -17, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 57; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 57

SAKUNA/OMENS AND SANSKRIT WORDS IN PURANANURU VERSE 41

(Vaidehi Herbert’s English Translation of Purananuru is used by me; thanks)

***

Item 416 Sanskrit words in Puram 41

Poet Kovur Kizar used lot of materials from Sanskrit books. In Puram 41 we see a number of Sanskrit words.

Kaala- Time; used in all Sangam works and Tirukkural

Kaalan- Yama, God of Death

Brahmins salute the Vedic Gods, Planets and Directions thrice a day in the Sandhyavandana. When they salute Yama, God of Death Facing South, they recite all the names of God of Death; and one of them is Kaala.

Disai=Dik= Direction

English word Direction and Tamil word Disaiare from Sanskrit Dik, Disaa.

Emam – Kshemam

Urkam- Ulka in Vedas

The most common Sanskrit word for meteor is ulkā (उल्का), which typically denotes a meteor, firebrand, or fiery appearance. It refers to shooting stars, often appearing in literature from the Rigveda onwards.

***

Item 417 Sakuna/Omens

Tamil commentators on Puram 41, list the omens without telling the readers that they are Bad Omens. Because Tamils already knew about bad omens and they follow this science in their life, commentators leave it  without explaining.

Brhat Samhita of Varahamihira has one full chapter on Omens (Chapter 86)

Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata have lot of references to Omens.

Many of the things mentioned here are already in the epics.

shooting stars falling in all the eight directions, long
branches of huge trees parched without any leaves, sun with
its scorching rays burning, bird calls heard as terrifying sounds,
teeth falling on the ground, pouring oil on hair, men riding on
boars, people removing their clothes and silver hued mighty
weapons falling from an overturned cot.

***

Puranānūru 41, Kōvūr Kizhār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan

1

O king who triumphs in battles!  Even Kootruvan, the
god of death, will wait for the due time.  You do not wait,
but kill, when you want, destroying fine men owing armies
with many spears!

2

You invade the lands of enemies causing distress.
In dreams and in reality, men see sights that are rare:
shooting stars falling in all the eight directions, long
branches of huge trees parched without any leaves, sun with
its scorching rays burning, bird calls heard as terrifying sounds,
teeth falling on the ground, pouring oil on hair, men riding on
boars, people removing their clothes and silver hued mighty
weapons falling from an overturned cot.

3

O King who is mighty in battles!  You advance like fire combined
with wind.  When they see you, your enemies who enraged you,
who do not have KSHEMAM/EMAM/protection, kiss the flower-like eyes
of their children, and hide their sorrow from their wives!

***

புறநானூறு 41, பாடியவர்: கோவூர் கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: வஞ்சி, துறை: கொற்ற வள்ளை

1


காலனும் காலம் பார்க்கும், பாராது


வேல் ஈண்டு தானை விழுமியோர் தொலைய,
வேண்டிடத்து அடூஉம் வெல் போர் வேந்தே!

2


திசை இரு நான்கும் உற்கம் உற்கவும்,
பெரு மரத்து இலையில் நெடுங்கோடு வற்றல் பற்றவும்,  5
வெங்கதிர்க் கனலி துற்றவும் பிறவும்,
அஞ்சுவரத் தகுந புள்ளுக் குரல் இயம்பவும்,
எயிறு நிலத்து வீழவும், எண்ணெய் ஆடவும்,
களிறு மேல் கொள்ளவும், காழகம் நீப்பவும்,
வெள்ளி நோன்படை கட்டிலொடு கவிழவும்,  10

3


கனவின் அரியன காணா நனவின்
செருச்செய் முன்ப நின் வருதிறன் நோக்கி,
மையல் கொண்ட ஏமம் இல் இருக்கையர்
புதல்வர் பூங்கண் முத்தி, மனையோட்கு
எவ்வம் கரக்கும் பைதல் மாக்களொடு  15
பெருங்கலக்குற்றன்றால் தானே, காற்றோடு
எரி நிகழ்ந்தன்ன செலவின்
செரு மிகு வளவ நிற் சினைஇயோர் நாடே.

***

Item 418 Beautiful Comparisons

Elephant- Size of Mountains

Army- Vast like ocean

Spears- Shine like Lightning

***

Item 419 Dharma Danda

Hindu Kings carry Senkol (Righteous Stick/Rod)

It is respected and revered like a divine symbol.

Madurai Nayak Kings received it from Goddess Meenakshi and the ceremony is repeated every year even today in a symbolic ceremony.

Kerala King submit it in the temple of Padmanabha Swamy in Thiruvanathapuram, when they go out of the country with a request to the God to take care of it till he comes back.

There are many instances like this in Hindu History.

Recently Indian Parliament had such a ceremony.

***

Item 420 Good Simile

The king protects his people like a tiger protects its cubs.

Item 421

Tamils’ Hospitality and Tamil Food

In the following lines Tamil food and drink that is served to guests are explained

Your citizens are hospitable to their relatives
from arid lands, and give them vālai fish that rice reapers remove
from the lower sluices, tortoises overturned by the plow blades
of those who plow, sweet juice that harvesters take from sugarcanes,
and waterlilies plucked by women on the huge shores.  Like the rivers

***

Item 422 Vedic Simile

Like the rivers
that descend from the mountains, run on the land, and flow toward the
ocean, all the poets come to you

The poet has translated a famous Sansskrit  saying which Brahmins recite thrice a day in their Sandhayavandana. Moreover this simile is used in umpteen places in Sanskrit books. Hindus are very familiar with geography.

The phrase “Akashat patitam toyam, yatha gacchati sagaram, sarva deva namaskaram, Keshavam prati gacchati” means that just as rain water from the sky flows towards the sea, worship offered to any deity reaches Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम् । सर्वदेवनमस्कारं केशवं प्रतिगच्छति

***

Item 423

Thaanai for Army is cognate to Senaa in Sanskrit.

Akl the T sounds are change into S sound in Tamil and English.

TION in English is pronounced as SION in English.

In Tamil Visham= Vitam; Basha= Paadai etc.

So Tamil is not a Dravidian language

Tamil and Sanskrit have come from the same root.

So Tamil and Sanskrit are Hindu /Indian languages; neither Aryan nor Dravidian.

***

Puranānūru 42, Poet Idaikkādanār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan,

1

You are endless in charity and a leader of murderous battles!
Lord, your elephants appear like mountains!  Your army roars like
the ocean!  Your spears gleam like lightning!  You have the ability
to make the kings of the world tremble!  What you do is never wrong
and this is not new to you!

2
With your righteousness and faultless scepter, you afford protection

3
as a tiger protects its cub, and your citizens listen only to the
sounds of cool water even in dreams, and not those of warriors in your
battlefields crying, “May you live long, Valavan!  Remove our sorrows!”

4

You are the ruler of a fine and greatly prosperous country with rich
towns with fields.  Your citizens are hospitable to their relatives
from arid lands, and give them vālai fish that rice reapers remove
from the lower sluices, tortoises overturned by the plow blades
of those who plow, sweet juice that harvesters take from sugarcanes,
and waterlilies plucked by women on the huge shores. 

5

Like the rivers
that descend from the mountains, run on the land, and flow toward the
ocean, all the poets come to you.  When you glance at the countries of
the two other kings, you are like Kootruvan with great might who is
enraged, as he whirls his axe, for which there just suffering and no cure!

***

புறநானூறு 42, பாடியவர்: இடைக்காடனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை


ஆனா ஈகை அடு போர் அண்ணல்! நின்
யானையும் மலையின் தோன்றும் பெரும! நின்
தானையும் கடலென முழங்கும், கூர் நுனை
வேலும் மின்னின் விளங்கும், உலகத்து
அரைசு தலை பனிக்கும் ஆற்றலை ஆதலின்,  5
புரை தீர்ந்தன்று, அது புதுவதோ அன்றே,
தண் புனல் பூசல் அல்லது நொந்து,
களைக வாழி வளவ என்று நின்
முனைதரு பூசல் கனவினும் அறியாது,
புலி புறங்காக்கும் குருளை போல  10
மெலிவு இல் செங்கோல் நீ புறங்காப்பப்,
பெருவிறல் யாணர்த்து ஆகி அரிநர்
கீழ் மடைக் கொண்ட வாளையும், உழவர்
படை மிளிர்ந்திட்ட யாமையும், அறைநர்
கரும்பிற் கொண்ட தேனும், பெருந்துறை  15
நீர்தரு மகளிர் குற்ற குவளையும்,
வன்புலக் கேளிர்க்கு வருவிருந்து அயரும்
மென்புல வைப்பின் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருந!
மலையின் இழிந்து மாக் கடல் நோக்கி
நிலவரை இழிதரும் பல் யாறு போலப்  20
புலவரெல்லாம் நின் நோக்கினரே,
நீயே மருந்து இல் கணிச்சி வருந்த வட்டித்துக்
கூற்று வெகுண்டன்ன முன்பொடு,
மாற்று இரு வேந்தர் மண் நோக்கினையே.

***

Item 424 Narasimha in Puranauru

Puram verse 43 is composed by Poet Narasimha!

Thāmarpal Kannanār is Tamil Translation of Narasimha.

The reason for my interpretation is the subject he is dealing with- Vaalakilya Rishis

Thaamappal means sharp teeth ;Kannan is Vishnu

Narasimha Gayatri Mantra (Sanskrit):

ॐ वज्रनखाय विद्महे तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राय धीमहि तन्नो नृसिंहः प्रचोदयात्॥

Narasimha Gayatri Mantra (Transliteration):

Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi Tanno Narasimhah

Meaning:

Om: The sound of the universe.

Vajranakhaya Vidmahe: “Let me contemplate on the Man-lion form of the Lord who has nails as strong as the Vajra (thunderbolt)”.

Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi: “Let me meditate on the one who has sharp teeth (which pierce the veil of ignorance)”.

Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat: “May that Lion god (Narasimha) be pleased to illuminate my intellect/mind and guide me”.

****

Item 425

Sibi Chakravarthy (Dove and Hawk) is story is repeated by this poet as well. Chozas came from Northwest of India. They are not Tamils.

Those who argue they ruled that part of India from Tamil Nadu have no historical or literary proof. Tamils didn’t even know Indus river.

***

Item 426 No one hurts Brahmins

Poet and the king were playing Chess. The king threw a coin on the poet. The poet became angry and said I doubt your birth (meaning you are a low born fellow). The king could have chopped poets head immediately. But he did not do it and felt ashamed about his behaviour. Immediately the poet praised him for not cutting off his head.

Here we know homw much respect Brahmins had in those days. It also shows the patience of the king

***

Item 427

The Poets praise

May your life be splendid for more days than the number of sands
heaped in the dunes by River Kāviri with sweet abundant waters!

Is in Tamil and Sanskrit books. Poets wish someone’s life should be like the number of stars in the sky or the number of sand particles on the shore or the number of rain drops

310).  மணலினும் பலவே:  அகநானூறு 93 – தண் ஆன்பொருநை மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 9- நன்னீர்ப் பஃறுளி மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 43 – எக்கர் இட்ட மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 55 – வடு ஆழ் எக்கர் மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 136 – நுண் பல மணலினும் ஏத்தி, புறநானூறு 363 – இடு திரை மணலினும் பலரே, புறநானூறு 387 – கல்லென் பொருநை மணலினும், மதுரைக்காஞ்சி 236 – திரை இடு மணலினும் பலரே, மலைபடுகடாம் 556 – வடு வாழ் எக்கர் மணலினும் பலரே.  

***

Item 428 MOST IMPORTANT REFERENCE TO VALKHILYA RISHIS

to the amazement
of sages with glowing hair who live with air as food and roam
around absorbing the heat of the scorching rays of the sun,
to end the sorrow of those who live on the land!

I have already written the following on Sec.31 ,2011 on the Munis:

Valakhilyas: 60,000 thumb-sized ascetics who protect Humanity

Jonathan Swift has taken the idea of Lilliputians for his novel Gulliver’s Travels from Valakhilyas!!

Valakhilyas are thumb sized ascetics accompanying the sun in its everyday travel in the sky. They are protecting the humanity by taking all the extra heat and act like the ozone layer. They are 60,000 in number they are shining like brilliant lights because of their severe penance. They used to hang upside down in the trees while doing penance—these are some of the interesting facts that are found in the Vedas, the epics and the mythologies. Tamil literature adds more details about these strange kinds of ascetics.

Valakhilya hymns, eleven in number, are the appendix of the eighth Mandala of the Rig Veda. But famous commentators like Sayana rejected them as interpolations. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata have a lot of references to the Valakhilya Rishis. They may be considered the forerunners of English folklore: ‘Tom Thumb’ and the Lilliputians of the famous satirical novel Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. English newspapers and magazines were publishing a lot of stories about India in the 1700s.

Ancient Sangam Tamil literature refers to Valakhilyas in Puranaanuru (verse 43), Tirumurugatrup patai (lines 16-109), post Sangam book Silappadikaram (Vettuvavari 15) and in the poems of middle age poet Arunagirinathar.

Valakhilyas were born to Kratu and Kriya. Once Kasyapa did a Yagna (fire sacrifice) to beget children. He invited all the Devas and Rishis to help him in the task. Everybody readily agreed. Mighty Indra, the King of Heaven, brought wood for the ceremony. Valakhilyas were emaciated due to severe penance. They were hardly able to lift anything but leaves. Even when they were moving leaves like ants, they fell into rainwater puddles, because they were so tiny. It amused Indra and he laughed loudly. Valakhilyas were very much offended. They made a vow to do a separate yagna to create another Indra. When Indra listened to their vows, he was afraid and ran to Kasyapa to explain what had happened.

Kasyapa lent a patient ear, but warned that he could not stop the powerful Valakhilyas. But he gave an assurance to Indra that he would find a compromise. When he met Valakhilyas he requested them to drop the yagna to create a new Indra. He also assured them that whoever they create will be the Indra of the birds and Valakhilyas agreed to this new plan.

After the yagna Valakhilya’s prasad (food offering) was given to Vinata, one of the two wives of Kasyapa. She gave birth to two children Aruna and the most powerful golden-hued eagle, Garuda. Long after this Garuda flew to Indraloka to get Amrita and defeated Indra. The Second wife of Kasyapa Kadru gave birth to the Nagas or the Snake race. Garuda on his way back sat on the tree where Valakhilyas were doing penance. The tree broke into many branches, but Garuda lifted all the ascetics with the branch and put them in a safe place.

The Rig Veda says that they sprang from the hairs of Prajapati Brahma. They are the guards of the Chariot of the Sun. They are also called the Kharwas. The Vishnu Purana describes them as pious, chaste and resplendent as the rays of the sun.

Tamil literature is very clear in saying that the main task of the short and smart ascetics is to prevent human beings from being scorched. So they absorb the excess heat from the sun by travelling in front of him. Tamil books also add they were in turn given energy by Lord Skanda and Goddess Durga. Even the hunters in the forest pray to Durga for this. Another Tamil poet compares the sacrifice of the Valakhilyas to the sacrifice of the Emperor Sibi who gave his flesh to an eagle to save a pigeon. The famous story of Sibi was referred to in four Sangam Tamil books. Sibi was praised as the forefather of the famous and powerful Tamil Chola dynasty. The food of Valakhilyas is only wind.

Another story in the Hindu mythology is that the sun has to fight a set of demons called Mandokarunar on a day-to-day basis for survival. Valakhilyas stand beside the Sun in battle. We don’t know whether there is scientific basis for this story. Mandokarunar maybe a reference to the dangers of solar flares or magnetic storms. In any case, it is crystal clear that the Valakhilyas act as the ozone layer to protect us from harmful ultraviolet rays. Too much ultraviolet rays will cause us skin cancer and other health problems.

We must be grateful to the authors of the Vedas, Puranas, Epics and Tamil commentators Nachinarkiniyar and Adiarrku Nallar for creating awareness about the dangers of ultra violet radiation. In western countries people are warned to use special creams whenever they sunbathe.

***

Puranānūru 43, Poet Thāmarpal Kannanār sang for Māvalathān, the younger brother of Chozhan Nalankilli,

1

O heir of a powerful man with endless generosity who saved
a dove with small strides that came to him for protection,
afraid that it might be killed by a kite with curved wings
and sharp claws, and entered a scale,

2

to the amazement
of sages with glowing hair who live with air as food and roam
around absorbing the heat of the scorching rays of the sun,
to end the sorrow of those who live on the land!

3

O younger brother of Killivalavan with chariots and great wealth!
O Lord of warriors with long arrows and curved bows!  O leader
with strong hands and swift horses!  I said this making you hate me,

4
“I have doubts about your ancestry.  Your ancestors who wore
mountain ebony garlands did not hurt Brahmins. How can you?”
I had wronged you and was mistaken, but you did not take offense.
You were very embarrassed as if the fault was entirely yours. 

5

O Lord
who tolerates mistakes of those who have hurt you!  O Lord who has
admirable strength worthy of your clan!  I survived because of you!

6
May your life be splendid for more days than the number of sands
heaped in the dunes by River Kāviri with sweet abundant waters!

***

புறநானூறு 43, பாடியவர்: தாமற்பல் கண்ணனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளி தம்பி மாவளத்தான், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை

1


நில மிசை வாழ்நர் அலமரல் தீரத்,
தெறு கதிர்க் கனலி வெம்மை தாங்கிக்,
கால் உணவாகச் சுடரொடு கொட்கும்,
அவிர் சடை முனிவரும் மருளக்,

2

கொடுஞ் சிறைக்
கூர் உகிர்ப் பருந்தின் ஏறு குறித்து ஒரீஇத்,  5
தன்னகம் புக்க குறுநடைப் புறவின்
தபுதி அஞ்சிச் சீரை புக்க
வரையா ஈகை உரவோன் மருக!

3
நேரார்க் கடந்த முரண் மிகு திருவின்
தேர் வண் கிள்ளி தம்பி வார் கோல்  10
கொடுமர மறவர் பெரும! கடுமான்
கை வண் தோன்றல்! ஐயம் உடையேன்,
“ஆர் புனை தெரியல் நின் முன்னோர் எல்லாம்
பார்ப்பார் நோவன செய்யலர் மற்று இது
நீர்த்தோ நினக்கு?” என வெறுப்பக் கூறி,  15

4
நின் யான் பிழைத்தது நோவாய் என்னினும்,
நீ பிழைத்தாய் போல் நனி நாணினையே,
தம்மைப் பிழைத்தோர்ப் பொறுக்குஞ் செம்மல்
இக்குடிப் பிறந்தோர்க்கு எண்மை காணும் எனக்
காண்தகு மொய்ம்ப! காட்டினை ஆகலின்  20

5
யானே பிழைத்தனென் சிறக்க நின் ஆயுள்,
மிக்கு வரும் இன்னீர்க் காவிரி
எக்கர் இட்ட மணலினும் பலவே!

310).  மணலினும் பலவே:  அகநானூறு 93 – தண் ஆன்பொருநை மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 9- நன்னீர்ப் பஃறுளி மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 43 – எக்கர் இட்ட மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 55 – வடு ஆழ் எக்கர் மணலினும் பலவே, புறநானூறு 136 – நுண் பல மணலினும் ஏத்தி, புறநானூறு 363 – இடு திரை மணலினும் பலரே, புறநானூறு 387 – கல்லென் பொருநை மணலினும், மதுரைக்காஞ்சி 236 – திரை இடு மணலினும் பலரே, மலைபடுகடாம் 556 – வடு வாழ் எக்கர் மணலினும் பலரே.  

பார்ப்பார் நோவன செய்யலர் – they did not hurt Brahmins, றக்க நின் ஆயுள் மிக்கு வரும் இன்னீர்க் காவிரி எக்கர் இட்ட மணலினும் பலவே – may your life flourish for more days than the sands brought and heaped by Kāviri with sweet waters .

-Subham—

Tags- Purananuru Wonders -17, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 57, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 57, Sakuna, Omens, Valakhilya muni, Hurting Brahmins, Item 428

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 2, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamil and Vedas on April 2, 2026

https://tamilandvedas.com/2026/04/02/omens-sanskrit-words-and-valakhilya-rishis-in-purananuru-part-57-post-no-15566/

April 2026 Calendar with more Quotes from Kanchi Shankaracharya (Post No.15,557)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,557

Date uploaded in London – 31 March 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 

In November 2022 Calendar I posted 30 quotes under  Kanchi Shankaracharya’s Golden Sayings (Post.11,395); now I add more quotes from the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal 1894-1994 (popularly known as Maha Periyava or the Kanchi Paramacharya).

***

Festivals- April 1 Panguni Uththiram; 3 Good Friday;5 Easter ;14 Tamil New Year ; 20 Akshaya Trtyai; 21 Sankara Jayanti; 22 Ramanuja Jayanti; 28 Madurai Meenakshi Kalyanam; 30 Narasimha Jayanti.

***

Amavasyai-17; Purnima-2; Ekaadasi Fasting Days 13,27

***

Muhurta/ Auspiscious Days

April 20,  23,  30;

(also 6, 12, 13, 16)

***

April 1 Wednesday

The Vedas are eternal and the source of all creations. The Vedas are also notable for the lofty truths that find expression in the mantras.

***

April 2 Thursday

The remarkable about the Vedas is that they are of values much for their sound as for their verbal content. While the sound has its own creative power, the words are notable for the exalted character of the meaning they convey.

***

April 3 Friday

There are mantras that are especially valuable for their sound but are otherwise meaning less. Similarly, there are works pregnant with meaning but with no special Mantrik power.

***

April 4 Saturday

The Vedas indeed constitute the apex of our law books.

***

April 5 Sunday

What is a Yajna ? it is the performance of a religious duty involving Agni, the sacrificial power with the chanting of Mantra.

***

 April 6 Monday

The concept of Yajnas not present in other systems of worship. There is a big difference between our religion, the Vedic Mata, and other faiths.

***

April 7 Monday

An important difference between the Vedic religion and other faiths is this: while followers of other religions worship one God, we worship many deities and make offerings to them.

***

April 8 Wednesday

The Vedas proclaim that the one Brahman, call it Truth or Reality, is manifested as so many different devatas or deities.  Since each devata is extolled  as Paramatman we know for certain that monotheism  is a Vedic tenet.

***

April 9 Thursday

The Vedic sacrifices have a threefold purpose. The first is to earn the blessings of the deities so that we as well other creatures may be happy in this world.

***

April 10 Friday

The second is, to ensure after our death we will live happily in the world of the celestials.

***

April 11 Saturday

The third purpose is the most important and it is achieved by performing the sacrifices (Yajnas), as taught by the Bhagavad Gita, without any expectation of rewards. Here we desire neither happiness in this world nor residence in the paradise.

***

April 12 Sunday

Many matters pertaining to the Vedas may not seem to be in conformity with science and for that reason they are not to be treated as wrong.

***

 April 13 Monday

Money is not essential to the performance of the rites enjoined by the sastras nor is pomp and circumstance essential to worship. Even tried Tulsi and BilVa leaves are enough to perform puja.

***

April 14 Monday

Sages transcended the frontiers of human knowledge and became one with the universal reality. It is through them that the world received the Vedic mantras.

***

Kanchi Shankaracharaya visited Madurai Dinamani office at the request of my father V Sanatanm, News Editor, Dinamani, Madurai.

April 15 Wednesday

The noble characters who figure in the puranas serve as an ideal for all of us to follow. When we read their stories, we are inspired by their examples.

***

April 16 Thursday

Manu Parasara, Yajnavalkya, Gautama, Harita, Yama Vishnu Sankha, Likhita Brhaspati, Daksha, Angiras Pracetas, Samvarta Acanas Atri Apastamba and Saataatapa are the eighteen sages who mastered Vedas with their superhuman power and derived the smritis/ law books from them.

***

April 17 Friday

Apart from these 18 Smritis,  there are 18 subsidiary smritis called upa smritis. It is customary to include Bhagavad Gita among the smritis.

***

April 18 Saturday

If we call ourselves Hindus we must bear certain external marks , outward symbols. Now we have come to such a pass that nobody wears any of the external marks of our religion.

***

April 19 Sunday

People ask me why should not the sasrtas be changed to suit our times. The Vedic word cannot and must not be changed at any time and on any account. The same applies to the rules and laws laid down in the smritis/law books of Hindus.

***

 April 20 Monday

The greatest of the mahakavis, Kalidasa makes a reference to the smritis in his Raghuvamsa. Sudakshina , of matchless purity and character, following her husband Dilipa is likened to the smritis  closely following the Vedas.

***

April 21 Monday

To discriminate between Sruti and Smriti is not correct. Sankara is said to be the abode of the three Sruti Smriti  Purananam alayam- abode of Sruti, Smritis, Puranams;  if the three were at variance with one another, how can they exist together in harmony in the same person?

***

April 22 Wednesday

In the Puranas the Vedic truths are illustrated in the form of stories.

***

April 23 Thursday

We speak of three worlds: Deva loka/ world of celestials, Manushyaloka (world of ours) and Naraka (hell)

***

April 24 Friday

A man’s actions, his works, together with his character, determine his passage to other worlds. Only in this Karmabhumi can we perfect our character by performing virtuous acts and thus qualify to go to another world.

***

Kanchi Shankaracharaya visited Madurai Dinamani office at the request of my father V Sanatanm, News Editor, Dinamani, Madurai.

April 25 Saturday

Pura means in the past. That which gives an account of what happened in the past is a purana, even though it may contain predictions about future also.

***

April 26 Sunday

Ramayana and Mahabharata are two Ithihsams. Iti-haa- asam – means it happened thus. The haa in the middle means without doubt, truly. So an Itihaasa means a true story, the word can also mean thus speak they

***

 April 27 Monday

Our nation, it is often alleged, does not have a sense of history. In my opinion the Puranas are history. History must be taught along with lessons in dharma; then alone will it serve the purpose of bringing people to the right path.

***

April 28 Monday

According to the sastras, Vyasa composed the Puranas 5000 years ago, at the beginning of the age of kali, but they must have existed before him also. In the Chandogya Upanishad,  Narada speaks about the subjects learned by him and they include the Puranas. From this we infer that they must have existed during the time of the Vedas and the Upanishads.

***

April 29 Wednesday

I regard Vyasa as the first journalist, the ideal for all newspapermen of today.  He composed the puranas and made a gift of that great treasure to humanity.

***

April 30 Thursday

Vyasa composed the Puranas in 400,000 granthas.  A grantha is a stanza consisting of 32 syllables. Of these Skanda purana alone accounts for 100,000. It is perhaps the world’s biggest literary work. The remaining 17 puranas add up to 300,000 granthas. Apart from them Vyasa composed the Mahabharata , also nearly , 100,000 granthas.

–subham—

Tags- April 2026, Calendar, Sayings, Kanchi Swamikal, Sankaracharya, Maha periyava, 1894-1994, paramacharya, Vedas, Puranas, Itihasa

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by Tamil and Vedas on March 31, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamil and Vedas on March 31, 2026

https://tamilandvedas.com/2026/03/31/april-2026-calendar-with-more-quotes-from-kanchi-shankaracharya-post-no-15557/

HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 44; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-44 (Post.15,554)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,554

Date uploaded in London – 30 March 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 

Words beginning with letter KA continues…………………………….

Tamil version will be posted tomorrow

***

Kanishka

Kanishka  was a 2nd-century CE emperor of the Kushan dynasty who reigned around 127–150 CE. Known for his extensive military conquests, his empire stretched from Central Asia and Gandhara to Pataliputra, with capitals at Purushapura (Peshawar) and Mathura. He was a major patron of Buddhism, hosting the Fourth Buddhist Council and facilitating its spread along the Silk Road

***

Kanva Maharishi

Kanva is celebrated as the hermit who found the infant Shakuntala surrounded by Sakuntas (birds) in the wilderness, protected her, and raised her in his beautiful ashram (hermitage) on the banks of the river Malini. He is referred to as the foster father who enabled her union with King Dushyanta.

He is identified as the son of Rishi Medhatithi and is associated with the lineage of the Rishi Kashyapa, The name “Kanva” also signifies a Vedic school associated with the White Yajurveda (Kanva-Samhita), which includes 40 chapters and 2,086 verses.

***

Kartikeya

Kārttikeya (कार्त्तिकेय) is the name of Śiva’s son born for the purpose of slaying the asura Tāraka and to protect the realm of Indra .

Kārttikeya was born out of the fire having six faces. Accordingly, “When thus addressed by Śiva, the goddess (Umā) worshipped Gaṇeśa, and the fire became pregnant with that germ of Śiva. Then, bearing that embryo of Śiva, the fire shone even in the day as if the sun had entered into it. And then it discharged into the Ganges the germ difficult to bear, and the Gaṇas, by the order of Śiva, placed it in a sacrificial cavity on Mount Meru; it became a boy with six faces.”

The name Kārttikeya is derived from the fact he was nursed by the breasts of the six Kṛttikās.

***

Kartavirya

Kārtavīrya (कार्तवीर्य).—The son of Kṛtavīrya and king of the Haihayas, who ruled at Māhiṣmatī. Having worshipped Dattāttreya, he obtained from him several boons, such as a thousand arms, a golden chariot that went wheresoever he willed it to go, the power of restraining wrong by justice, conquest of earth, invincibility by enemies. According to the Vāyu Purāṇa he ruled justly and righteously for 85 years and offered sacrifices. He was a contemporary of Rāvaṇa whom he once captured and confined like a beast in a corner of his city;  Kārtavīrya was slain by Paraśurāma for having carried off by violence the Kāmadhenu of his  father Jamadagni. Kārtavīrya is also known by the name Sahasrārjuna.

***

Kapila

The great sage Kapila had chosen the netherworld to perform a terrible penance. At this time, the king Sagara had been performing the Ashwamedha (horse) sacrifice, but the sacrifical horse had wandered away. As the horse had strayed near the hermitage of sage Kapila, the 60,000 sons of Sagara came there in search of it.

The din caused by the arrival disturbed the sage, but he still did not open his eyes. When the sons of Sagara saw that the horse was there, they mistakenly assumed that Kapila was responsible for its theft. They started insulting the sage. At last, the sage could not bear it any longer. He opened his in wrath. Such was the potency of his gaze, that all the sons of Sagara were burned to ashes on the spot

Kapila is a revered ancient sage in Hindu tradition, best known as the founder of the Sāṅkhya school of philosophy, which analyses matter and spirit; he is the son of Kardama Muni and Devahūti. Kapila is associated with Satya-yuga .

Famous Sangam Tamil poet name is also Kapila; that Brahmin poet contributed the largest number of poems in Sangam literature.

***

Kasi

Kāśī has been known for centuries under five different names, viz., Vārāṇasī (modern Banaras), Kāśī, Avimukta, Ānandakānana and Śmaśāna or Mahāśmaśāna.

Kāsī is one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts 

It is situated on the left side of the river Ganga. As it is situated between the river Varuna and Ashi, it is known as Varanasi

Before the time of the Buddha, Kāsī was a great political power.

One of the oldest sacred places of learning in India. The Purāṇic name of the modern city of Benares in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ambā, Ambikā and Ambālikā were abducted by Bhīṣma from this city, according to Mahabharata.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is one of India’s most sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, featuring a 2-foot-high black stone lingam. It is one of the Seven Sacred Cities of India.

***

Katopanishad

The Katha Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems representing a conversation between the sage Naciketas and Yama (God of death). They discuss the nature of Atman, Brahman and Moksha (liberation). The book is made up of six sections (Valli). Adi Sankara wrote a commentary.

This commentary by Shankara focuses on ‘Advaita Vedanta’, or non-dualism.

***

Kaurava

Kaurava is a Sanskrit term referring to descendant of Kuru, a legendary king of India who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the epic Mahabharata. Usually, the term is used for the 100 sons of King Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari.

The descendants of King Kuru who fought against the Pāṇḍavas in the Battle of Kurukṣetra.

From Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Duryodhana and his brothers were born and from Pāṇḍu were born the Pāṇḍavas. All members born in the family of Kuru were known as Kauravas. But later, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra came to be known by the name ‘Kauravas’

***

Kaushika

 Kaushika is a Sanskrit term with multiple meanings, primarily referring to a descendant of Kusha, frequently used as a name for  Sage Vishvamitra: Often synonymous with Vishvamitra, who was originally a king (Kaushika) of Kanyakubja before becoming a Brahmarishi  Refers to the lineage or clan founded by the sons of Vishvamitra, noted for ascetic virtues and intermarriage with various Rishis.

The Story of Kaushika: A narrative involving a scholarly brahmin who is taught that duty and virtue, regardless of station, are superior to arrogant learning, often linked to the story of the virtuous butcher (Dharmavyadha).

Means “derived from the cocoon of a silkworm”; a gotra name; another meaning owl. Poets belonging to Kausika Gotra are in Sangam Tamil literature.

***

Kausalya

1) Kausalyā (कौसल्या).—A queen of King Daśaratha and mother of Śrī Rāma. Daśaratha had three wives Kausalyā, Kaikeyī and Sumitrā. Kausalyā gave birth to Śrī Rāma, Kaikeyī to Bharata and Sumitrā to Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Sarga 16).

2) Kausalyā (कौसल्या).—Queen of the King of Kāśī. Ambā, Ambikā, and Ambālikā were daughters of this Kausalyā. Of these daughters Ambālikā also was called Kausalyā. After the death of Pāṇḍu she went to the forest with Ambikā. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 129).

To be continued………….

Tags-  Kanishka, Kapia, Kasi, Kaurava, Part 44, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 44; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-44

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by Tamil and Vedas on March 30, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamil and Vedas on March 30, 2026

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Swastika in Iran

Swastika shared heritage of Tehran, New Delhi: Iran Consulate

Diplomats highlight long-standing cultural, civilisational ties between nations on social media

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

New Delhi,Updated At : 02:04 AM Mar 29, 2026 IST

  • Rabindranath Tagore at the Tomb of Poet Hafez in Iran. Photo: Iranian ConsulateEmphasising Iran’s long-standing cultural and civilisational ties with India, Iranian diplomats stationed in the country are using social media to bring out anecdotes dating back to 7,000 years, including the commonality of the Hindu religious symbol, ‘Swastika’, in both culturesconsulate%2F&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tribuneindia.com%2FWithin this week, important posts on ‘civilisational-ties’ have included a picture of poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore visiting Iran several decades ago; and a painting depicting Zoroastrian (Parsi) religious leader Zoroaster to mark his birth anniversary.tThe Iranian consulate in Mumbai posted a picture of a 7,000-year-old rock carving in Iran showing the ancient Hindu symbol, Swastika. “The Swastika is in fact a prehistoric motif, deeply rooted in the shared cultural heritage of ancient Iran and India,” it said.It claimed that Swastika emerged from an Indo-Iranian civilisational continuum, where early Persian and Indian cultures were intertwined through language, cosmology and symbolic expression.It provided archaeological evidence on one such rock carving in ‘Loch Math’ near Birjand in eastern Iran. “A motif known as the ‘cosmic wheel’ or rotating cross has been dated back to almost 7,000 years ago,” it said.Similar engravings have been found etched into mountain stone walls across Iran from Kurdistan to Gilan and Khorasan.In parts of Khorasan and southern Iran, families would tie small wooden charms shaped like the Swastika around children’s arms. These were believed to protect against the evil eye and to promote health and well-being, the social media post said.Notably, Swastika’s symbolism continued into later periods of Iranian religious history, including during the era of Zoroastrian influence.Earlier, another post by the Consulate included a picture of Tagore with a group of Iranians. “An Indian heart finding itself in Persian verse: 1932, when Rabindranath Tagore sat in reflection at the Tomb of Hafez.”Iranian travel websites describe Hafez was the most celebrated Persian poet. His full name was Khwaja Shams-ud-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi (1320-1389). Known by his pen name Hafez, he lived and died in Shiraz. Hafez’s collection of poetry is mostly composed of short poems with mystical themes and is commonly considered to be the zenith of Persian poetry.Another social media post on the birth anniversary of Zoroaster said: “We honour his timeless message: Good (Thoughts, Words, Deeds). He elevated humanity beyond darkness and practices tied to deities that demanded human sacrifice (especially baby girls like what the US did to the schoolchildren of Minab)”.Zoroastrians or Parsis have populations in Mumbai and nearby areas. In December 2024, a high-ranking Zoroastrian priest from Iran, Mobed Mehraban Pouladi, and President of the Council of Iranian Mobeds, had visited India, a first such visit in five centuries. The Parsi community in India had hosted Pouladi.India’s Zoroastrian community, which migrated from Persia in the eighth century, has left an indelible mark on the nation. Prominent Parsi families like the Tatas, Godrejs, Wadias, Mistrys and Poonawalas have contributed significantly to India’s industrial, social and cultural development.. ***
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by Tamil and Vedas on March 29, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamil and Vedas on March 29, 2026

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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL – 39; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-39 (Post.15,457)


Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,457

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  26 February 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.

xxxx  

ஆங்கில எழுத்து K- ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்

Words beginning with “K”. (Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow)

Kalidasa (kaalidaasa)

Kalidasa is widely considered to be the greatest Indian poet and playwright of all time. He wrote in Sanskrit. There are seven works written by him-two epic poems, two shorter poems and three plays. They are 1.Raghu Vamsa (dynasty of Raghu),2.Kumara Sambhava (Birth of Kumara, 3.Megha Duta (Cloud Messenger),4.Ritu Samhara (Cluster of Sesons), 5.Malavikagnimitram (Malavika and Agnimitra),6.Abijnana Shakuntala (The recognition of Shakuntala) and 7.Vikramorvasiya (Urvasi won by valour).His master piece was Shakuntala.

The age of Kalidasa has been debated for long. He could have lived anytime between 2nd century BC and 4th Century AD. Though the western scholars have placed him in the period of Gupta dynasty, Indians believe that he lived in the time of the great Indian King Vikramaditya who started his own Vikrama era in 56 BCE. Kalidasa was one of the Nine Jewels (Navaratna) of Vikramaditya’s court.

My research into Tamil Cankam (also known as Sangam) literature shows that Kalidasa lived sometime before the birth of Christ. Tamil poets have used a lot of his similes. Kalidasa was most famous for his apt similes. The Sanskrit poets praised him as Upama Kalidasasya: ( Kalidasa owns similes).Tamil poets have used lot of common Indian/ Hindu beliefs. The source may be different ancient Indian works. But there are very clear indications to show that the poets have got them from Kalidasa’s works. There are over 200 similarities between the works of Kalidasa and the Sangam Tamil works. No one can reject them as coincidences or of pan Indian origin.

Seven Books—40,000 words—93 commentaries for three of his works—he beat Shakespeare in writing poetry+ dramas+ Epics+  stotras (Shyamaladandakam) and usage of similes. He covered the history of 29 kings in Raghuvamsam. He used 1250 similes! He gives a description of a vast geographical area from Iran to Indonesia! He called the Himalayas “the measuring rod of earth” even before George Everest told the world the height of Everest Peak!!! An amazing poet the world has ever produced. First poet to write a travelogue called Meghadutam in Sanskrit and first poet to report the progress o South West Monsoon from South India to Himalayas.

First poet to link Pandyas and Agastya, which is the foundation of Tamil History.

***

Kalpa

Kalpa (कल्प) refers to “one day in the life of Lord Brahmā. It is equivalent to one thousand catur-yugas. Each catur-yuga is one cycle of the four yugas: Satya, Dvāpara, Tretā and Kali, totalling 4,320,000,000 years.

It signifies a period of creation, duration, and destruction of the universe.

One of the six Vedāṅgas, i. e. that which lays down the ritual and prescribes rules for ceremonial and sacrificial acts; शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणम् (śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇam) Muṇdtod; 1.1.5 see under वेदाङ्ग (vedāṅga).

The doctrine of poisons and antidotes.

 One of the trees of paradise; cf. कल्पद्रुम (kalpadruma).

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Kalpakavriksa- Wish fulfilling tree

Kalpavṛkṣa (कल्पवृक्ष).—A tree in Devaloka. It has the power of giving any object that one wishes to get. There are five Kalpavṛkṣas in Devaloka. Their names are: Mandāra, Pārijāta, Santāna, Kalpavṛkṣa and Haricandana.

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Kama (kaama)

Wish, desire; this Sanskrit word is used throughout ancient Tamil literature.

Kāma means desire, wish, longing in Indian literature. Kāma often connotes sexual desire and longing in contemporary literature, but the concept more broadly refers to any desire, wish, passion, longing, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, with or without sexual connotations.

Love or desire of sensual enjoyments, considered as one of the ends of life (puruṣārtha); cf. अर्थ (artha) and अर्थकाम (arthakāma).

Dharama, Artha, Kama, Moksha are the four values that Hindus should aim for.

***

Kama – God of Love

 Kama is the God of Love and Lust. He is also referred to as Manamatha. He is the most handsome among both men and Gods. He is equivalent to the Greek/Roman Cupid. He uses a bow of sugarcane, and shoots flower tipped arrows at humans to make them fall in love. He is married to Rati, one of the daugters of Daksha.

***

Kāmaśāstra (कामशास्त्र) refers to the “science of erotics”.

Kamasutra

Kāmasūtra (कामसूत्र).—

 Name of an erotic work by Vātsyāyana.

First book on sex in the world. Vatsyayana wrote it in Sanskrit. First book in the world which prescribed educational syllabus for women.

“ A woman should study even before reaching adolescence, and then, once married should continue her studies with her husband.” ( Sutra 2, Chapter 3, Kamasutra of Vatsyayana)

Vatsyayana, the Brahmin author of Kamasutra listed all the 64 arts that a woman should learn. Tamil and Sanskrit poets referred to this 64 arts in their poems. Goddess Sarasvati is the source of those 64 subjects.

Kāmasūtra (कामसूत्र) (lit. “principles of love”’) is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfillment in life.—The Kāmasūtra is a Sūtra-genre text with terse aphoristic verses that have survived into the modern era with different bhāṣyas (exposition and commentaries). The Kāmasūtra acknowledges the Hindu concept of Puruṣārthas, and lists desire, sexuality, and emotional fulfilment as one of the proper goals of life. Its chapters discuss methods for courtship, training in the arts to be socially engaging, finding a partner, flirting, maintaining power in a married life, when and how to commit adultery, sexual positions, and other topics.

***

Kamadhenu- Wish fulfilling Cow

Kamadhenu is the wish fulfilling cow. The picture and statues of Kamadhenu are in Hindu houses and temples.

It refers to the “celestial cow” also known as Surabhi (सुरभि Surabhī).

Kamadhenu, the divine “cow of plenty” originating from the Churning of the Ocean, is revered as a symbol of abundance and divinity with the power to fulfil desires. According to tradition, she is depicted with various divine attributes, serves as a protective force for sages, and is worshipped for prosperity and to bring good luck to homes and businesses

Kāmadhenu (कामधेनु) was the mythical cow of Vasiṣṭha which satisfies all desires, cow of plenty (= surabhi).

***

Karma

“Karma” (Sanskrit: कर्म) primarily means action, work, or deed, acting as the fundamental spiritual principle of cause and effect in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It governs the moral law of actions, shaping future destiny, rebirth, and experiences, often categorized into Sanchita (accumulated), Prarabdha (fruiting), and Agamya or Kriyamana (current). 

Karma (कर्म) refers to “action”, “deed”.—1) any action or deed; 2) the principle of cause and effect; 3) a consequence or “fruit of action” (karmaphala) or “after effect” (uttaraphala), which sooner or later returns upon the doer. What we sow, we shall reap in this or future lives. Selfish, hateful acts (pāpakarma or kukarma) will bring suffering. Benevolent actions (puṇya-karma or sukarma) will bring loving reaction.

Karma is three fold:—sañcita,prārabda, kriyamāṇa (or āgāmi)

Also any religious act or rite (as sacrifice, oblation etc., [especially] as originating in the hope of future recompense.

Karman (कर्मन्).—[neuter] action, deed, work, [especially] holy work, sacrifice, rite; result, effect; organ of sense; the direct object ([grammar]); fate, destiny.

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Karmendriya

Karmendriya (कर्मेन्द्रिय):—[from karma > karman] n. an organ of action (five in number like the five organs of sense, viz. hand, foot, larynx/ogan of voice, organ of generation, and excretion).

The Five Faculties of Action (Karmendriya):

  1. vak-tattva: speech (voice)
  2. pani-tattva: grasping (hands)
  3. pada-tattva: walking (feet)
  4. payu-tattva: excretion (anus)
  5. upastha-tattva: procreation (genitals)

Speaking, Grasping, Moving About, Excreting and Sexual Activities are the Soul’s Powers of responding to and interacting with, the external World.

***

Karta

Karta (Sanskrit: कर्ता, kartā) primarily refers to the “doer,” “agent,” or “creator” of an action. It is a term deeply rooted in Indian philosophy, grammar, and traditional law, representing the individual responsible for bringing about change or taking initiative.

 It is a foundational concept in Indian philosophy, grammar, and art, embodying initiative and responsibility.

Sanskrit Grammar (Vyakarana): Karta is the agent or subject of an action.

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Khadira

Khadira (खदिर)—Sanskrit word for a plant (Acacia catechu).

Khadira (खदिर) is mentioned frequently from the Rigveda1 onwards as a tree with hard wood—the Acacia catechu. The Aśvattha is referred to as engrafting itself upon it in the Atharvaveda, and from it the climbing plant Arundhatī is said to have sprung.

***

Kavya (kaavya)

Kāvya (काव्य).

A poem; महाकाव्यम् (mahākāvyam); मेघदूतं नाम काव्यम् (meghadūtaṃ nāma kāvyam) .  Poetics, poetry, a poetical composition

 Prophetic, inspired, poetical; अशंसीत् काव्यः कविः (aśaṃsīt kāvyaḥ kaviḥ) Ṛgveda 8.8.11.

 Name of Śukra, preceptor of the Asuras.

Mahākāvya (महाकाव्य):— the Raghu-vaṃśa, Kumārasambhava and Megha-dūta by Kālidāsa, the Śiśupāla-vadha by Māgha, the Kirātārjunīya by Bhāravi and the Naiṣadha-carita by Śrī-harṣa; [according to] to some the Bhaṭṭi-kāvya is also a Mahakavya.

In Tamil Five Great Epics (Tamil: Aimperumkāppiyaṅkaḷ) are:

Cilappatikāram (or Silappadikaram), Maṇimēkalai, Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi (or Jivak Chintamani), Vaḷayāpati (or Valayapathi), Kuṇṭalakēci (or Kundalakesi)

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Karakam- Tamil Folk Dance

Karakam, or Karagaattam, is a traditional, ancient folk dance from Tamil Nadu, India, performed to honour the rain goddess Mariamman. It features dancers balancing decorated pots (karakam) on their heads while performing intricate movements, acrobatics, and sometimes balancing on a rolling wooden block.

Though associated with religious festivals, nowadays they are part of cultural and political processions.

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Kavadi (kaavadi)

This semi-circular decorated canopy supported with wooden cross-pieces is called a kavadi, meaning ‘burden’ or ‘load’.

A kavadi is a ceremonial, often ornate, wooden or metal arch decorated with peacock feathers, flowers, and photos of Hindu deities, carried by devotees of Lord Murugan as an act of penance, gratitude, or devotion,  during the Thaipusam and other Murugan (Skanda/Kartikeya) festivals. It represents a “burden” or sacrifice, often involving fasting, rituals, and sometimes body piercings with hooks or skewers, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Tamil Nadu.

Devotees carry the kavadi to fulfill vows, seek blessings for health or success, or express gratitude to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and wisdom.

Types of Kavadi:

Paal Kavadi: A simple, less painful offering involving pots of milk (paal) carried on a wooden pole.

Alagu Kavadi: A more complex, heavy structure often attached to the body via hooks and spikes piercing the skin (alagu means small spears).

Sangili Kavadi: Involves dragging heavy chariot or metal structures via chains attached to the body.

During the procession, devotees often enter a trance-like state, facilitated by the rhythmic, loud, and intense drumming (urumi melam) and chanting of “Vel Vel” (referring to Lord Murugan’s spear).

In Malaysia, devotees often ascend 272 steps to the shrine in the Batu Caves during Thaipusam. Other famous Murugan temples are also on hills. They also climb the steps.

Gangajal taken in Kavadi poles

TO BE CONTINED……………….

–SUBHAM—

TAGS- Karakam, Kavadi, Kalpa, Kalidasa, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL – 39, இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-39 

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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL –36; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-36 (Post No.15,443)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,443

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  21 February 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  

ஆங்கில எழுத்து J- ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்

Words beginning with “J”.

Tamil version will be posted tomorrow

 J

JANARDHANA

Janardhana (Sanskrit: जनार्दन) appears as the 126th name in the Vishnu Sahasranama. It is a highly significant epithet of Lord Vishnu (and specifically Krishna), highlighting his role as the protector of devotees and the destroyer of evil

Meaning- “One Who Bestows Boons On One And All”

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JAGADGURU

Meaning: “Preceptor of The Universe”

used as an epithet of Brahmā and Siva in Siva Purana.

Used as an epithet of a name of Brahman, Viṣhṇu, Śiva, Rāma, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 6, 18.

Jagadguru is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms jagat and guru (गुरु).

In Tamil Nadu Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994) was also called Jagadguru

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JAINA

Meaning – A Jaina, a follower of Jaina doctrines.

In Tamil they are called Samana or Amana. Because of their political involvement in converting Pallava and Pandya kings, they were severely criticised by Saivite saints who lived 1400 years ago. They have made a huge contribution to Tamil Literature in the middle period. Earlier Tamil epic Silappadikaram praised them.

JAINISM

A heterodox school of Indian philosophy that perceives the world as transitory and does not advocate dependence on an almighty God for existence. It views the world as transitory and self-existent, rejecting the notion of an almighty God who dictates existence.

 In Jainism there are 24 Tirtankaras; a Tirthankara is a highly revered spiritual teacher. They are enlightened beings who establish a path to liberation, guide followers, and found a “tirtha,” or ford, to help individuals cross the cycle of rebirths. These figures, like Mahavira, are considered the highest order of spiritual teachers, with 24 recognized for their teachings. They are often associated with significant dreams, and their birth and teachings are central to the spiritual tradition, representing the pinnacle of spiritual attainment.

List of 24 Tirthankars

No       Name Father            Mother          Birth Place

1.        Rishabhadev  or Adinath              Nabhi Maru Devi    Ayodhya

2.        Ajitnath         JitSatru          Vijaya Ayodhya

3.        Sambhavnath          Jitari   Sena   Shravasti

4.        Abhinandan Swami            Samvar          Siddhartha   Ayodhya

5.        Sumatinath Megharath   Mangla Devi Ayodhya

6.        Padmaprabha          Shridhar        Susima Devi Kaushambhi

7.        Suparshvanath        Pratishtha     Prithvi Devi  Varanasi

8.        Chandraprabha       Mahasen       Lakshmana   Chandrapuri

9.        Suvidhinath  Pushpadanta           Sugriva          Rama Rani    Kakandi

10.      Shitaltnath   Dradharath  Nanda Rani  Bhadrilpur

11.      Shreyansnath          Vishnu           Vishnu Devi  Simhapuri

12.      Vasupujya Swami i Vasupujya     Jaya Devi       Champapuri

13.      Vimalnath     Krutavarma  Shyama Devi            Kampilyapur

14.      Anantnath    Simhasen      Suyasha         Ayodhya

15.      Dhramnath   Bhanu            Suvrata          Ratnapur

16.      Shantinath    Vishvasen     Achira Hastinapur

17.      Kunthunath and      Surasen         Shree Devi    Hastinapur

18.      Arahnath      Sudarshan    Devi Rani      Hastinapur

19.      Mallinath      Kumbha        Prabhavati    Mithila

20.      Munisuvrat Sumitra         Padmavati    Rajgruhi

21.      Naminath     Vijay   Vipra  Mithila

22.      Arishtanemi             Samudravijay          Shiva Devi     Dwarka

23.      Parshvanath and     Ashvasen      Vama Devi    Varanasi

24.      Mahavir  Siddharatha      Trishala         Kshatriya Kund

Mahavir was senior to Buddha and lived in the Sixth Century BCE.

There are two sects in Jainism- Digamabaras, and Svetambaras

Meaning —Digambara (“sky-clad”) and Śvētāmbara (“white-clad”)—which separated around the 4th century BCE due to differences in ascetic practices and scriptural interpretation. Digambara monks renounce all clothing, while Śvētāmbara monks wear white robes

Jains are strict vegetarians.

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JAMBHUDWIPA

Mentioned in Mahabharata, Asokan inscriptions and Sangam Tamil Literature. One of the seven regions on earth.

In Tamil it is called Naavalam Tivu. Name is derived from Jambu Tree (Indian Blackberry; in Tamil Naaval)

One of the Purāṇically famous Saptadvīpas (seven continents). These seven continents are embankments separating the seven seas. Jambūdvīpa, Krauñcadvīpa, Śākadvīpa and Puṣkaradvīpa are included in the seven islands.These are the seven major mountains in Jambūdvīpa:

Himavān, Hemakūṭa, Niṣadha, Meru, Nīla, Gandhamādana,Mālyavān.

***

JAMADAGNI

Jamadagni (जमदग्नि):—Son of Satyavatī (daughter of king Gādhi) and sage Ṛcīka. He married Reṇukā, the daughter of Reṇu. Many sons, headed by Vasumān, were born from the womb of Reṇukā. The youngest of them was named Rāma, or Paraśurāma. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.15.4-11)

Also mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.46) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places. 

Renuka was such very devoted wife and the power of her chastity was manifest. Such was this power, that she used to fetch water from the river in a pot made of unbaked clay every day. The pot would hold together because of her devotion to her husband.

***

JANAKA

Janaka (जनक) is the name of a famous king of Videha or Mithilā, foster-father of Sītā. He was remarkable for his great knowledge, good works, and holiness. After the abandonment of Sītā by Rāma, he became an anchorite-indifferent to pleasure or pain-and spent his time in philosophical discussions. The sage याज्ञवल्क्य (yājñavalkya) was his priest and adviser.

Shatapatha Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mention King Janaka (c. 8th century BCE) as a great philosopher-king of Videha, renowned for his patronage of Vedic culture and philosophy, and whose court was an intellectual center for Brahmin sages such as Yajnavalkya

***

JANAKI

Daughter of Janaka; another name of Sita Devi.

***

JANAMEJAYA & JARATKARU

Many people and places had this name according to Mahabharata. But the most famous was the son of Parikshit.

Name of a celebrated king of Hastināpura, son of Parīkṣit, the grandson of Arjuna. [His father died, being bitten by a serpent; and Janamejaya, determined to avenge the injury, resolved to exterminate the whole serpent-race. He accordingly instituted a serpent sacrifice, and burnt down all serpents except Takṣaka, who was saved only by the intercession of the sage Astika, at whose request the sacrifice was closed. Brahmins recite a mantra in the daily Sandhyavandana recalling this anecdote.

The first of the four sons of Parīkṣit and Irāvatī.1 Father of Śatānīka.2 Finding that the death of his father was predicted to be by the snake Takṣaka, he performed a sarpa yāga to destroy all snakes. All except Takṣaka came, the latter being sheltered by Indra. At this Takṣaka and Indra were invoked together. Advised by Bṛhaspati to refrain from the cruel yāga, Janamejaya agreed; with the aid of Tura, the priest, he performed Aśvamedha and other sacrifices; after anointing his son on the throne he went into the woods for penance.

Sandhya Vandana mantra

The snakes acceded to his request and said, “He who recites the following need not have any fear from us:

‘I call to mind the famous Astika born of Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes from the snake-sacrifice. Therefore it behoves you not to bite me. O snakes of virulent poison, remember the words of Astika after the snake sacrifice of Janamejaya. You shall be blessed‘.

That snake who does not cease from biting even after hearing such mention of Astika, shall have his hood divided a hundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa tree”.

(Source: Adi Parva, Chapter 58)

नर्मदायै नमः प्रातः नर्मदायै नमो निशि

नमोऽस्तु नर्मदे तुभ्यं त्राहि मां विषसर्पदः

सर्पापसर्प भद्रं त गच्छ सर्प महाविष।

Alternative line

Apasarapa sarapa bhadram te duram gachcha mahaayasaah

जनमेजयस्य यज्ञान्ते आस्तीकवचं स्मर।।

जरत्कार्वोर्जरत्कर्वां समुत्पन्न महायशाः

अस्तीक सत्यसन्धो मां पन्नगेभ्यो अभिरक्षतु

पन्नगेभ्यो अभिरक्षतु om nama iti.

MEANING

O Narmada, I offer you salutations in the morning & night (during sandhya vandana); Protect me from poisonous snakes

Astika, born of muni Jaratkaru and his wife of the same name, was a great soul. He, the protector of the truth, will protect me from the serpents.

***

JAPA

Japa (जप):—n. recitation; the practice of reciting mantras quietly/silently on prayer beads;Japa (जप).— Muttering, whispering.

2) Repeating passages of the Veda or names of deities &c.; Manusmṛti 3.74; Y.1.22.

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JATAKARMA

Jātakarman (जातकर्मन्).—n. a ceremony performed at the birth of a child; Manusmṛti 2.27,29; R.3.18. A ceremony performed when the navel string is divided, touching the infant’s tongue thrice with ghee, with appropriate prayers.

One of the Forty Samskaras (or Sixteen/Shodasa) from Birth to Death of a Hindu.

***

JATI

Jāti (जाति).—1) Birth, production, सङ्कुलं जलजातिभिः (saṅkulaṃ jalajātibhiḥ) Rām.3.11.6; Pañcatantra (Bombay) 1.38; Manusmṛti 2.148;

2) The form of existence fixed by birth. 3) Race, family, lineage, rank.

4) A caste, tribe or class (of men); (the primary castes of the Hindus are only four :-brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra).

5) A class, genus, kind, species

***

JAYADRATHA

Jayadratha (जयद्रथ).—A king of the Sindhu district and brother-in-law of Duryodhana, having married Duhśalā, daughter of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. [Once while out on hunting, he chanced to see Draupadī in the forest, and asked of her food for himself and his retinue. Draupadī, by virtue of her magical sthālī, was able to supply him with materials sufficient for their break-fast. Jayadratha was so much struck with this act, as well as her personal charms, that he asked her to elope with him. She, of course, indignantly refused, but he succeeded in carrying her off, as her husbands were out on hunting. When they returned they pursued and captured the ravisher and released Draupadī, and he himself was allowed to go after having been subjected to many humiliations. He took a leading part in compassing the death of Abhimanyu, and met his doom at the hands of Arjuna in the great war.

What happened on the 13th day of Mahabharata war? Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu Desa (Indus Valley King) killed Abimanyu, son of Arjuna on the 13th day of the war. Arjuna was furious and vowed to kill Jayadratha before the sunset next day. The whole Kaurava army gave Jayadratha full protection. When the sun appeared to set, Jayadratha poked his head out to show that he was victorious. Suddenly the sun reappeared in the sky and Arjuna shot Jayadratha down. The story goes that Krishna hid the sun with his Sudarsana chakra. Actually Krishna tricked Jayadratha with the knowledge of the solar eclipse happening on that day. Arjuna’s brothers Nakulan and Sahadevan were experts in such calculations.

People were told for a long time that the war started on a new moon (Amavasya) day. Latest research by scholars with computer software shows that it started on a full moon day. Another interpretation is that though it was started on New Moonday it was fought on alternate days.

***

JAYADEVA

Name of the author of Gītagovinda with 24 Ashtapathis. He made Buddha one of the Ten Avatars of Vishnu.

Jayadeva (जयदेव).—A Sanskrit poet who lived in the 13th century A.D. He is the author of the play ‘Prasannarāghavam’. The famous work ‘Candrāloka’, a treatise on rhetorical figures, was written by this poet Jayadeva. His most important work is ‘Gītagovinda’, the theme of which is the early life of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, especially the love between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā, which is very touchingly described. He used to sing lyrics before the image of Kṛṣṇa while his wife danced according to the beat.

***

JIVA

Meaning- A creature, living being.  The principle of life, the vital breath, life, soul. Jiva Atma is self; Parama Atma is God; Jiva is corrupted as Eve and Atma is corrupted as Adam in the Bible.

***

JIVAN MUKTA

Jīvanmukta (जीवन्मुक्त).— Liberated Soull.a. ‘liberated while living’, a man who, being purified by a true knowledge of the Supreme Spirit, is freed from the future birth and all ceremonial rites while yet living.

***

JNANA

1) Jnana (ज्ञान): Knowledge of the eternal and real. Knowing, understanding, becoming acquainted with, proficiency;

2) Knowledge, learning; 3) Consciousness, cognizance, knowledge; ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि (jñānato’jñānato vāpi) Manusmṛti 8.288 knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously.

4) Sacred knowledge; especially, knowledge derived from meditation on the higher truths of religion and philosophy which teaches man how to understand his own nature and how he may be reunited to the Supreme Spirit.

Jnana/does not mean a proficiency in a subject like chemistry or history. It is not mere learning but inward experience or awareness of a truth. In Advaita is the realisation of that one is  inseparably united with the supreme.

***

JNANENDRIYA

Jñānendriya (ज्ञानेन्द्रिय).—an organ of perception; (these are five tvac, rasanā, cakṣus, karṇa and ghrāṇathe skin, tongue, eye, ear and nose.

***

Jatavedas:

One of the names of Agni.

He who knows all; Heat creates everything e.g. sun, body heat

The fire god Agni is extremely important in the Vedic religion. He is the messenger of the gods. He takes all the offerings poured into the fire to the gods. He is everywhere. He is in the sun and moon and as ‘jataragni’ in the stomach, says Sayana in his commentary. Jataragni is the metabolic activities in the body that produce heat. He is in the sea as Badava Agni. All the girls are possessed by him before the marriage. This means that all the girls must be married in front of him (sacrificial fire) as he gives them like a father gives his daughter to the bridegroom. The couple have to walk around the fire. It is called Saptapadi.

Orthodox Hindus keep fire in a pot from the birth to death and use it for all occasions. The ‘aupasana’ pot contains paddy husk burning forever. It is never extinguished. When a baby is born it is lighted and the same fire is used to light the funeral pyre when the person dies at an old age.

***

JVARADEVA

Jvaradeva is a form of Lord Shiva. He destroyed Bhasmaasura . He is described in the Agamas as having three legs, three heads nine eyes and six arms. His images are found in many shiva temples including Madurai, Tirupparankundram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Tirunelveli, Bhavani etc.

Jvaradeva or Jurakareśvara is depicted in the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple (Ādi Kumbheśvara) in Kumbakonam (Kumbhakonam), representing a sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—Jvvradeva is a three-headed image of Śiva with four hands. The three heads include two animal heads emerging laterally from behind the human head. The head on the right is that of a lion while the other one seems to be that of an antelope. He holds triśūla (trident) in the right hand and small vessel in the left hand.

Jvāra-deva is also depicted in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai .

Later Vaishnava texts like Harivamsa gives a sectarian view of Krishna encounter with Jvara deva wherein the leader of the Vrishnis created a Narayana-jvara to fight against the original Jvara deva.

***

JYOTISHA

Means Light.

Jyotiṣa (ज्योतिष).—Astronomy and astrology. One of the six Vedāṅgas.

Jyotiṣa is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry. It is part of Vedic School Syllabus for thousands of years.

it is the science about the stars and heavenly bodies. The heavenly bodies are the sun, the moon, the other planets and the stars etc. From the very ancient days men believed that these planets and stars in the sky played an important part in controlling the growth and activities of all the living and non-living things in the world.

1)      Jyotiṣa (ज्योतिष) or Jyotiṣaka refers to an “astrologer” (one who is versed in Saṃhita, Astronomy and Horoscopy), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. He must be of noble birth and of agreeable appearance; meek, truthful and without jealousy; of proportional limbs; of joints well built and of good growth; have no physical defects; be of fine hands, feet, nails, eyes, chin, teeth, ears, forehead, eye-brows and head; of fine physique and of high, sonorous voice”.

–Subham—

Tags- Jatavedas, Jnana, Jamadagni, Jayadeva, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 36; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-36 , Jyotisha, Astrologer

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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL-34; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-34 (Post No.15,431)

Indra on Iravata in Indus Valley Seal (Harappa)

 Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,431

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  17 February 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  

 ஆங்கில எழுத்து I– ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்

Words beginning with “I ”. Tamil version will be published tomorrow.

INDRA

Indra is the most celebrated deity in the Rig Veda, with approximately 250 hymns directly dedicated to him. As the king of gods and god of storms/war, he is featured in over 25% of the 1,028 total hymns in the text, with an additional 50 hymns often co-praising him alongside other deities. 

Indra is a supreme heroic figure, often associated with the star Antares. These hymns focus on his martial prowess, destruction of Vritra, and role as protector, with significant references in the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda.

 Known as the King of Gods (Vendhan in Tamil literature) and a powerful warrior. He possesses over 35-40 names, including Vritrahan (slayer of Vritra) and Aaji krt (race maker).

He is the God of the East.

His name is used in male names throughout Asia until this day. His weapon is Vajrayudha.

Indra is not one person according to Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994)

It means leader, head, chief; examples- Mrgendra, Gagendra, Gajendra

According to the Mahabharata, Indra seduced or tried to seduce Ahalya, wife of Gautama Rishi. And the sage’s curse impressed upon him a thousand marks resembling the female organ, so he was called Sa-yoni; but these marks were afterwards changed to eyes and hence he is called Netra Yoni and Sahasraksha, the thousand eyed (Yoni is female organ). But there is no support for this story in the Rig Veda, the oldest book in the world.

Tiru Jnana Sambandar who lived 1400 years ago during the reign of Mahendra Pallava and Pandyan Nedumaran refers to 1000 eyes of Indra. After Indra’s prayer Lord Shiva changed his 1000 Yoni signs into 1000 eyes.

In Tamil Nadu you may find men named ‘ Mr One Thousand’ (Kan Ayiram in Tamil)

Indra in Tamil Literature

Indra is the most popular Tamil God according to the oldest Tamil book Tolkappiam. Tolkappiar wrote this grammatical treatise around 1st century BC. He lists all the four important Vedic Gods INDRA, VARUNA, VISHNU and SKANDA (another form of AGNI) as Gods of four Tamil Lands.  

Tolkappiar was not the only one who praised Indra. We see Indra throughout Tamil literature. Sangam Tamil literature mentions his name in several places and the heaven under Indra is mentioned in innumerable places. Pura Nanauru, Tirukkural and Tamil epics did not miss his name.

***

INDRA FESTIVAL

Indra Festival was a very popular festival in ancient Tamil Nadu according to twin Tamil epics Silappadikaram and Manimekalai. It was first mentioned in Mahabharata and Ramayana. But in the Vedas we have some information which is interpreted by scholars as Indra festival. Atharva Veda mentioned Indra Dwaja (banner or flag of Indra). Rig Veda hinted at it.

At present Indra festival is celebrated as a grand Royal festival in Nepal. Gunabhadra, a king of 10th century CE started this festival in Nepal. They call it Yenya or Indra Jatra. Bengalese also celebrated it.

Raksha Bhandan celebrated all over India and the Water Festivals celebrated in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma has got some links with Indra, the god of rain.

***

IRAVATA

Airavata, also known as Iravata or Irawatha, is the mythical white elephant and vahana of Indra, the King of the Gods, considered the “king of elephants”. Airavata represents power, is associated with rain and clouds, and its depiction alongside Indra is found on seals from the Indus Valley Civilization.

He is shown with Four Heads or Four Tusks in sculptures, stamps and seals of South East Asia.

*** 

INDRANI

Wife of Indra.

***

ILVALAN

Ilvalan is a character from Hindu mythology, an Asura brother of Vatapi, known for a trap where Vatapi would turn into an animal to be eaten by Brahmins before being called out of their stomachs. The stories highlight that Sage Agastya defeated them by digesting Vatapi. Vatapi Jeerno Bhava- Let Vatapi be digested—story shows that Agastya annihilated the cannibals in the Indian forests.

***

ISVARA

A term used in the text to refer to God, indicating the supreme deity worshipped by the followers. Mostly used with Lord Siva as a suffix.

Sundareswara, Maheswara, Someswara, Rameswara , Trayambakeswara

***

ISHTADEVATA

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव).—a favourite god, one’s tutelary deity. The deity one particularly likes to  aore.

Derivable forms: iṣṭadevaḥ (इष्टदेवः).

Iṣṭadeva is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms iṣṭa and deva (देव).

a chosen tutelary deity, favourite god, one particularly worshipped. Each family has a Kula Devata as well. Mostly, that God will be Ista Devata.

***

INDUS VALLEY CIVILIZATION

Tiger Goddess in Harappa 

Narabali in Harapa

The world was misled by some scholars in the case of Indus Valley Civilization. They made two or three false statements as a result of which we are unable to decipher the script until today. More than fifty different decipherments are available today and none of them is accepted by everyone. The first false statement made by the early excavators introduced the Aryan- Dravidian division into it. The second false statement introduced the Dravidian decipherment theory in the script. Both not only failed to make any progress but also prevented others to look at it from different angles.

Calling the greatest civilization of the world as “Indus” Valley Civilization itself is wrong. Most of the scholars agree on it because more than 2000 sites have been discovered since the excavation of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa on the banks of River Indus. Satellite information from space and ground water analysis by the nuclear scientists show that the mighty River Saraswati was flowing through North India long ago

Religious belief of Indus valley people remains a puzzle until today. John Marshal, Director General of Archaeology made some sweeping statements about certain objects he discovered in Mohenjo-Daro and misled the world. He was very unprofessional and forgot to mention where these objects were discovered.  

He described some objects as symbols of phallic worship. He said the circular stone objects were representations of female genital organs (Yoni) and lingam shaped objects were male organs. Those were up to two feet in height. Marshal classified these objects into three groups: Lingas, Baetylic Stones and Ring Stones. No information is published to show where they were found. Neither Mackay nor Vats (later excavators) gave any information or new finds in their reports.

 Later scholars pointed out the linga stones may be gamesmen or weights. Ring Stones might have been used to erect pillars or used for astronomical calculations. Since they did not find anything like this anywhere else in further excavations they even questioned the statement ‘’Phallic worship was an important element of Harappan religion’’.

Ghost Seal in Harappa

Sir Mortimer Wheeler was the one who made all Indians idiots! He fooled all the Indians by saying that he found a clinching evidence for the massacre of Indus people when he saw 37 skeletons scattered in disorderly manner at Mohenjodaro. “It may be no mere chance that at a late period at Mohenjodaro, men, women and children appeared to have been massacred there. On circumstantial evidence, Indra stands accused” (Wheeler 1947:82). Later, on examination G.F.Dales did find that Wheeler has misread the archaeological evidence. Neither they belonged to one and the same stratigraphical context nor were there proof of any massacre. Most of the skeletons positively showed that the persons were actually drowned in severe and sudden flood in the river Indus. Only two or three out of 37 skeletons bore cut marks and those too were found to have healed up. So he wrote a paper entitled ‘The Mythical Massacre at Mohenjo-Daro’ and exploded the myth of Aryan destruction of Harappan cities. K.M Srivatsava aptly remarks “ Indra, therefore ,stands completely exonerated”.

Indus civilization is not Indus civilization anymore. There are more sites on the banks of River Sarasvati than Indus. BB Lal says 50 major sites are on Indus river where as 177 early and 283 mature Harappan sites are on the banks of dried Saraswati river. All the early scholars were proved wrong on Indus Civilization when the scientific proof for drying of Sarasvati was dated 1700 BC. According to Kalyanaraman (2002), out of 2600 archaeological sites, over 1500 settlements were found on the Saraswati River Basin.

Horse: Use of Horse was debated for long. At first, foreigners wrote that Aryans came by horses and destroyed Indus people with iron instruments. But they could not find any iron or horse bones! They contradicted themselves! Now there are horse bones. But they are not foreign horses!

***

IYER, IYENGAR

The name “Iyer” is a title and a caste name primarily associated with a Brahmin community from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The term “Iyer” is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit word “Arya,” signifying a person of noble or respectable lineage. Historically, Iyers have been priests, scholars, and administrators, known for their adherence to Vedic traditions and their contributions to various fields, including Carnatic music, literature, and mathematics. The name is a marker of social identity and is often used as a surname by individuals belonging to this community. Derivable or associated names are not typically found, as Iyer is more of a caste marker than a given name. Later others also used it to mean they are equal to Iyers. Even Christian preachers misused it.

There are subsects in the community like Vadama, Brahacharnam , Ashtasahsram etc.

***

The name Iyengar is a surname primarily found among the Vaishnavite Brahmin community of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a derivative of “Aiyar,” a common Brahmin surname, with the honorific suffix “-gar” added, denoting respect and status.

Tami Followers of Vishnu also are divided into sub sects like Vadakalai (northern branch) and Thenkaalai (southern branch) and Sellur Iyangars.

Iyers have Vibhuti as caste mark and Iyangars have Namam as caste mark. Thenkalai followers have Y shaped Namam (naamam). Vadakalai followers have Ushaped Namam (naamam).

To be continued ………………………..

Tags- HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL-34; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-34, Indra, Indus valley, Iyer, Iyengar

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Purananuru Wonders 11; Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia  Part- 51 (Post No.15,422)

Tamil Ships

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,422

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  14 February 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  

Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 51; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 51

Item 355

Ships as big as Elephants

In Puram verse 26 poet Mankudi Kizaar compared ships in the Tamil Navy to the elephants in the Tamil battle field. If one expands one’s imagination one can imagine how big the Tamil Naval ships were.

Item 356 Secret of Monsoon Wind

Tamils used the wind force to sail their ships. Since they knew the direction and the force of the monsoon winds, they were able to go from the Ganges to up to Indonesia and Philippines. Hindus knew this trick from the time of Ramayana. Surphanakha and Ravana were able to sail up to Godavari river. Mahavamsam clearly explains how the Buddhist preachers used monsoon winds to come to Patna (Pataliputra) and waited for a few months to use the returning monsoon winds to go back to Sri Lanka. One Tamil idiot Ippalan (Hippalus) taught this trick to Westerners and enabled Persian king Darius and Greek King Alexander to invade India.

***

Item 357 Battle Field = Oven Simile

Tamil poets used one simile at least in five Sangam poems

They compared the battle field to cooking in the oven. Here the poet says Pandya king Nedunchezian’s battled field looked like

Heads of Enemy kings = Oven

Enemy Hands= Ladles

Enemy Blood = Water in the Cooking Pot.

***

Item 358 Great Supporter of the For Vedas

Though the poet sang abut the victorious battle, he did not forget to mention that the king was a great supporter of Vedic Brahmins who were well versed in the Four Vedas- Rik, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana Veda.

The reference to Four Vedas is sung by the poets from Tolkappiar times. Tolkappiam got the approval from the Acharya of Tiruvithankotu  who was well versed in Four Vedas. Panamparanar gave us this information to us in the Foreword to Tolkappiam.

***

Item 359 Enemies were Lucky

Poet makes a sarcastic remark that the king’s enemies must have done some penance to be killed by him. Hindus believe that Kamsa, Sisupala, Ravana, Hiranyakasipu, Vali, Kabandhan were lucky to be killed by Vishnu. They go to heaven directly. And the fact is their names will survive as long as Vishnu’s name survive.

Nedunchelian defeated Two Kings and five chieftains. Their names also survive until this day.

***

Puranānūru 26, Poet Mānkudi Maruthanār sang to Thalaiyālankānathu Cheruvendra Nedunchezhiyan,

1
Lifting your spear with a shining blade, you went on
your elephant into the wide battlefield, splitting the
enemy army like a ship a ship driven by the wind in the


huge, ocean with great depths, attacked and killed your enemy kings, and with fame, seized their royal drums.

2

Using crowned heads as stoves, you boiled their blood,
stirring it with their braceleted hands you used as ladles.
O Chezhiyan of murderous battles!  You did perfect ritual

3
offerings in battlefields, surrounded by Brahmins of
the four Vedas, calm with the breadth of their knowledge.

4

O Ruler whose sword never fails!  Your enemies have
certainly performed penances, for once they have won the
fame of being your enemies, even though they are not
victorious, they will live forever.

***

புறநானூறு 26, பாடியவர்: மாங்குடி மருதனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் தலையாலங்கானத்துச் செருவென்ற நெடுஞ்செழியன், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை

1
நளி கடல் இருங்குட்டத்து
வளி புடைத்த கலம் போலக்,
களிறு சென்று களன் அகற்றவும்,
களன் அகற்றிய வியல் ஆங்கண்
ஒளிறு இலைய எஃகு ஏந்தி,  5
அரைசு பட அமர் உழக்கி,
உரை செல முரசு வெளவி

2
முடித்தலை அடுப்பாகப்,
புனல் குருதி உலைக் கொளீஇத்,
தொடித் தோள் துடுப்பின் துழந்த வல்சியின்  10

அடு களம் வேட்ட அடு போர்ச் செழிய!

3


ஆன்ற கேள்வி அடங்கிய கொள்கை
நான்மறை முதல்வர் சுற்றமாக,
மன்னர் ஏவல் செய்ய மன்னிய
வேள்வி முற்றிய வாய்வாள் வேந்தே!  15

4
நோற்றோர் மன்ற நின் பகைவர் நின்னொடு
மாற்றார் என்னும் பெயர் பெற்று
ஆற்றார் ஆயினும் ஆண்டு வாழ்வோரே.

****

Item 360

In Puram verse 27, poet Poet Uraiyur Muthukannan Sāthanār translated Sanskrit word Satapatra Lotus as as 100 petalled flower (lotus)

சேற்று வளர் தாமரை பயந்த, ஒண் கேழ்
நூற்றிதழ் அலரின் நிறை கண்டன்ன,

Śatapatrayoni (शतपत्रयोनि) is a Sanskrit term that refers to an epithet of Brahman (the creator god in Hinduism). 

  • Meaning: It signifies one who has the “hundred-petaled” (lotus) as their source or origin.

***

Item 361 Visa Free Entry to Heaven

Hindus believe that those who live like great men praised by great poets enter into heaven. No Visa is required; Valluvar beautifully said that why Hindus believe all the Avatars and all the Saivite saints are called Gods. Arunagirinathar has Sung Saivaite saint Sambandhar is Lord Muruga himself.

He who on earth has lived in the conjugal state as he should live, will be placed among the Gods who dwell in heaven- Tirukkural Couplet 50

வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்பவன் வான்உறையும்
தெய்வத்துள் வைக்கப் படும்.—50

உலகத்தில் வாழவேண்டிய அறநெறியில் நின்று வாழ்கிறவன், வானுலகத்தில் உள்ள தெய்வமாகவே மதிக்கப்படுவான்.

This is also a reference to Kannaki and Kovalan sung by Ilango.

Here the poet says

I have heard that those whose fame is sung by poets
gain chariots that fly in the sky without charioteers.

***

Item 362 Aeronautics in Tamil

The reference to Pilotless Plane shows the advancement of Hindus in Aeronautics. Valmiki Ramayana show that Rama’s plane (Originally belonged to Kubera and seized by Ravana later) was fast and expandable and thought powered. Only now we see such Drones and pilotless planes and driverless cars  in the Western world.

Kannaki and Kovalan went to heaven by pilotless plane.

***

Item 363 Lesson from Moon 

Oriental religions only believe in rebirth and Sangam literature never knew the Abrahamic religions. Sangam Tamil poems explain only Hindu way of life.

Rebirth is in Bhagavad Gita and Bhajagonindam and the poet explains it with the waxing and waning moon.

The moon god
that roams above shows clearly even to those
who don’t understand that waning is true, waxing
is true, dying is true and being born is true.

Great Philosopher Adi Sankara said it in Bhaja Govindam

पुनरपि जननं पुनरपि मरणं

पुनरपि जननी जठरे शयनम् |

इह संसारे बहु दुस्तारे

कृपयाऽपारे पाहि मुरारे ‖ 22 ‖

punarapi jananaṃ punarapi maraṇaṃ

punarapi jananī jaṭhare śayanam |

iha saṃsāre bahu dustāre

kṛpayā’pāre pāhi murāre ‖ 22 ‖

Birth again, death again, again resting in the mother’s womb! It is indeed hard to cross this boundless ocean of saṁsāra (cycle of repeated birth and death). O Murāri! by your causeless mercy please protect me (from this transmigratory process)

Before Sankara, Lord Krishna said it Bhagavad Gita

जातस्य हि ध्रुवो मृत्युर्ध्रुवं जन्म मृतस्य च |

तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि || 27||

jātasya hi dhruvo mṛityur dhruvaṁ janma mṛitasya cha

tasmād aparihārye ’rthe na tvaṁ śhochitum arhasi

Translation

BG 2.27: Death is certain for one who has been born, and rebirth is inevitable for one who has died. Therefore, you should not lament over the inevitable.

***

Item 364 Poet’s Advice to the king

Even if they have talents or not, please shower your
graces rapidly on those who come with sorrow,

This is one of the 32 Virtuous acts explained in Hindu scriptures.


 Annadhanam Pictures

AMAZING LIST OF 32 GOOD ACTIVITIES IN HINDU SCRIPTURES (Post No.7687)

March 13, 2020 9:37 am

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No.7687

Date uploaded in London – 13 March 2020

meritorious activities. Though the lists have a few changes in different texts most of them are same.

Here is the list of 32 good things with some examples:-

1.Setting up Maternity Homes

2.Providing Pre-Natal and Ante-Natal care for women

(Maternity care is provided in every culture around the world; but no one has listed it as one of the duties or as a meritorious work)

3.Piercing Ears of the Young born babies

4.Providing them Ear Studs

(Hindus have been practising acupuncture for thousands of years. I have already written how the grand old celibate of Mahabharata Bhisma lived on Arrow Bed for two months and decided the date of his departure from the earth. Hindus found out that piercing the ears in early years and wearing gold studs or at least a wooden stick will open the wisdom nerves. For women an extra piercing of nose is done when they reach teen age)

5.Giving Milk to Children

(Now we send milk powder to famine affected or economically backward countries. In the olden days provision of milk is listed as one of the 32 Dharmas (duty which earns merits).

6.Constructing Choultries

(From the period of Asoka till the Muslim and British occupation of India ,Hindu kings constructed Free Boarding and Lodging facilities for travellers, particularly pilgrims. My home town Madurai was famous for Mangamma Chattiram (choultry) very near Railway Station. About 100 years ago everyone stayed free of cost in the huge building with 100s of rooms. Very near that was a Marwari Choultry for people travelling to Rameswaram and Kanyakumari. I myself have taken 100s of pilgrims for Free lodging during the Opening Ceremony of Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari. Several Tamil towns still bear the suffix Chattiram/Choultry in Tamil Nadu until this day reminding us of the golden days of free lodging and free boarding service)

7.Constructing Mutts

Mutts are religious centres with one religious head where Tamil or Sanskrit hymns are taught. They provided free hostel stay for students. Like the Christian parish, each Mutt has its own catchment area.

8.Pillars for Cows

Hindus’ greatest contribution to the world is domestication of cows and horses (and Decimal System). They worshipped Cow as goddess. So they constructed pillars to cows where they can rub their bodies to relive itching. And in such places water tanks provided continuous water supply for cows, horses and birds.

9.Setting up brothels

The needs of amorous men should not affect common men. To save the family women and teenage girls, Hindus provided (or allowed) separate places for Devadasis. Sangam Tamil Literature provides the pictures of Paraththai Cheris (Para Stree became ‘Paraththai’ in Tamil and Prostitute in English; cheri is  locality)

10.Provision of Dhobis/ Laundry Service

11.Provision of Barbers

Both these services were available free of cost for mendicants and ascetics. Others supported them by giving money or all the provisions for their families.

12.Provision of Mirrors

(When Hindu women celebrate some auspicious events in their houses they always invite young and teenage girls and provide them mirrors, combs and Kunkumam. So provision of mirrors is considered one of the good things. Till this day women are doing it during Navaratri, Durga Puja and several other women only events)

13.Water Distribution from Thatched Sheds

(From Mahabharata Sallian to Apputhi Adikal of Periya Purana in Tamil, we see people setting up water distribution sheds to provide good, clean and sweet water to everyone. Even today during Hindu festivals , hundreds of such thatched sheds are constructed to distribute water, butter milk (diluted Yogurt) and Panakam (sweet liquid with jaggery, cardamom and other spices. In a tropical country like India pilgrims desperately need this. Hindus follow this custom even in London ; during Tamil Temple festivals, Hindus distribute water bottles, juice cartons and butter milk.)

14.Help to have oil bath

(India is a tropical country lashed out by two monsoons. Therefore, dust is unavoidable. Every Hindu man is supposed to have an oil bath on Saturdays and every woman on Fridays. They apply gingelly oil or coconut oil with or without herbs and take a bath. This relives the body of dirt and pain. So provision of such service to poor people is considered a great act of merit. In Madurai there was a freedom fighter(A V Vaidhyanatha Iyer) who used to provide such service to children of slum dwellers. Now a days the concept and habit of oil bath is disappearing with the advent of shampoo culture.)

15.Fodder to animals and Food for Birds

(Every Hindu is supposed to do Pancha Yagna / Five Sacrifices every day and one of them is Bhuta Yagna. That is to feed the pet animals, cow and birds in the vicinity and ants in the ground. Every housewife draws beautiful Kolams in the front of the house every morning. The Kolam/ Rangoli flour they use feed the ants. Then they cook rice and provide it to the crows. Others sprinkle grains for the birds. Feeding cows is a ritual for orthodox Hindus)

16.Cremating Dead Bodies

(If anyone who has no relatives dies, one or two take the responsibility of cremating the body with all due honours. Though it is a hard job, every town had some gooid people who did such work without expecting any money.)

17.Constructing Tanks, Lakes

(India is an agricultural country. Water is needed for irrigation. So kings constructed tanks and lakes in temples and outside the town. It helped irrigating the temple Parks called Nandavanams. It maintained the water table in every well at the back of the house. Now wells are replaced by taps. But yet tanks and lakes are needed for saving water. The town council maintain them. Sometimes they themselves construct them).

18.Saving Life

(Every day we read in news papers some stories where some people save the life of others. They become great heroes. If they survive then they get medals. Saving life is appreciated in every culture. In Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states every region has some Hero Stones for the heroes who saved the town from some dangers. Hindu epics and Puranas have lot of stories about saving even animals. Story of Sibi is in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature and earlier Puranas.)

19.Giving Eatables/Anna Dhanam

Providing sweets and other unavailable eatables to poor children is a good deed. During Deepavali (Diwali) sweets are distributed. Annadhanam , that is provision of food, is done in every temple.

20.Provision of Betel, Areca Nuts and Lime

Chewing betel leaves and Supari smeared with calcium hydroxide is a typical South Asian custom. This is considered one of the good things.

21.Helping the needy

It may be in the form of providing them food, attire, shoes/sheppals, specs, money. May even include psychological consultation. Consoling the bereaved.

22.Setting up Parks

Ancient Hindu literature, particularly, Buddhist Jataka Tales, give graphic accounts of big parks. Every South Indian Temple has attached Parks/ Nandavanam. People enjoyed going there. They served as rendez vous for lovers according to Sanskrit dramas. Hindus are environmentally conscious and allocated one particular tree for every temple.

23.Constructing Temples

India has over two lakh temples. Tamil Nadu alone has 45, 000 temples. They are huge architectural wonders. They serve the spiritual, religious, psychological, wander lust needs of Hindus.

24.Provision of Medicines

Jains of India set up hospitals even for birds and animals. All service is given free.  We read from inscriptions that hospitals were also constructed by Hindu Kings.

25.Food for Students

Students who studied the Vedas and its allied six subjects went round the towns and begged for food. They collect freshly cooked food and share it with their Gurus. Buddha followed this custom and banned cooking inside Viharas, monasteries etc. In Madurai, the Vedic students from Dhanappa Mudali Street and Rameswaram patasalai near River Vaigai used to come to my house for (begging) food. They must go to Brahmins houses and beg with the words Bhavati Biksham Dehi. Manu Smrti says that students of three castes must do it. Only the three words were used in different order.

26.Constructing Roads or Tom Tomming

There is a word in Tamil (araithal) which may mean constructing roads or  providing communication facilities like Tom Tom. In the olden days Orders of the Kings were communicated to people by drum beats. When I was a student, Madurai city faced Cholera disease. Then the tom tom man came and announced it by beating little drum. When ban orders under section 144 were proclaimed they did tom toming. So the word Araithal may be announcing, proclaiming or constructing roads with sand and stones.

27. Helping Prisoners with Food

Even community service to prisoners is listed as one. Tamil epic Manimekalai described the good service done to prisoners. Though they were named as criminals, Hindus never attached any taboo. Manu Smriti says the minute one undergoes punishment, the sin attached to the crime is done away.

28.  Helping Beggars

Lame, Dumb, Blind and disabled or invalids beg for food. Hindus are asked to help them.

29.Helping to get Married

Nowadays we see Costly matrimonial service. In the olden days, some good hearted men and women helped youngsters to get married. They did not stop with exchanging horoscopes. They went all the way to cook food for hundreds of people who attend the wedding ceremonies. They collected money for  the minimum gold jewels and the Mangala Sutra (Thali).

30.Feeding the Ascetics

Adi Shankara streamlined Hindu worship into six divisions; Providing them food for those is considered a great religious duty. Even Buddhis followed this. They went to monasteries and provided food to the monks.

31 and 32. In the above listing piercing ear and providing ear stud is given as one itme. But it is given as two different duties or meritorious acts in the Tamil verse. And in the same way provision of betel leaves and Lime are given as two different duties.

32 அறம்

1).வண்ணான் புன்னாவிதன் காதோலை சோலை மடந்தடம் வெண்

சுண்ணாம் பறவைப் பிணஞ்சுடற் றூரியஞ் சோறளித்தல்

கண்ணாடி யாவிற்குரிஞ்சுதல் வாயுறை கண்மருந்து

தண்ணீர் பந்தற் றலைக்கெண்ணை பெண்போகந் தரலையமே

2).மேதகுமாதுலர்க்குசாலை யேறுவிடுத்தல் கலை

யோதுவார்க் குண்டி விலங்கிற் குணவோடுயர்பிணிநோய்க்

கிதன் மருந்து சிறைச் சோறளித்தலியல் பிறரின்

மதுயற்காத்தநற்கந்நியர் தானம் வழங்கலுமே

3).கற்றவறுசமயத்தார்க் குணவு கருதும் விலை

உற்றதளித்துயிர் மீட்டல் சிறார்க்குதவனற்பான்

மற்று மகப்பெறுவித்தல் சிறாரை வளர்த்த்லெனப்

பெற்றவிவற்றினையெண்ணான்கறமெனப் பேசுவாரே

–உபமானசங்கிரஹம், இரத்தினச் சுருக்கம்

32 அறச் செயல்களின் பட்டியல்:-

1.ஆதுலர்க்குச் சாலை (ஏழைகள்=ஆதுலர்)

2.ஓதுவார்க்கு உணவு (மாணவர்களுக்கு)

3.அறுசமயத்தோர்க்கு உண்டி (உணவு)

4.பசுவிற்கு வாயுரை (உணவு)

5.சிறைக் கைதிகளுக்கு உணவு

6.ஐயமிட்டு உண் (பிச்சை போடுதல்)

7.திண்பண்டம் நல்கல் (விழாக் காலங்களில் பொங்கல், வடை)

8.அறவைச் சோறு (அன்னதானம்)

9.மகப்பெறுவித்தல் (பிள்ளை பெறுதல்)

10.மகவு வளர்த்தல் (பிள்ளைகளை வளர்த்தல்)

11.மகப்பால் வார்த்தல் (அவர்களுக்கு பால் வழங்கல்)

12.அறவைப் பிணஞ்சுடல் (அனாதைகள் இறுதிச் சடங்கு)

13.அறவைத் தூரியம் ( தூரியம்=மேள வாத்தியம்

அளித்தல்)

14.சுண்ணம் அளித்தல்

15.நோய்க்கு மருந்து வழங்கல்

16.வண்ணார்

17.நாவிதர்

18.காதோலை

19.கண்ணாடி

20.கண்மருத்து

21.தலைக்கு எண்ணெய்

22.பெண்போகம்

23.பிறர்துயர் காத்தல்

24.தண்ணீர் பந்தல்

மடம் அமைத்தல்

26.குளம் வெட்டல்

27.பூங்கா வைத்தல்

28.ஆவுறுஞ்சுதறி (பசு முதலிய பிராணிகளுக்கு நீர்)

29.விலங்கிற்குணவு

30.ஏறுவிடுத்தல் (இனப்பெருக்கத்த்துக்கு காளைகள்)

31.விலைகொடுத்துயிர்காத்தல்

32.கன்னிகாதானம்

***

Puranānūru 27, Poet Uraiyur Muthukannan Sāthanār sang to Chozhan Nalankilli,

1

When one counts those born in fine, noble families,
only a few have gained fame and songs by poets,
like a row of flowers with many petals, shining
brightly, yielded by lotus plants that grow in mud.
Many have vanished like the leaves of lotus plants.

2

I have heard that those whose fame is sung by poets
gain chariots that fly in the sky without charioteers.

3

My Lord!  O Chētchenni Nalankilli!   The moon god
that roams above shows clearly even to those
who don’t understand that waning is true, waxing
is true, dying is true and being born is true.

4

Even if they have talents or not, please shower your
graces rapidly on those who come with sorrow,
looking at their thin waists.  May those who oppose
your unspoiled strength, remain without generosity!

Ms Vaidehi Herbert’s Translation is used; thanks.

புறநானூறு 27, பாடியவர்: உறையூர் முதுகண்ணன் சாத்தனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளி, 

1

சேற்று வளர் தாமரை பயந்த, ஒண் கேழ்
நூற்றிதழ் அலரின் நிறை கண்டன்ன,


வேற்றுமை இல்லா விழுத்திணைப் பிறந்து,
வீற்றிருந்தோரை எண்ணுங்காலை
உரையும் பாட்டும் உடையோர் சிலரே,  5
மரை இலை போல மாய்ந்திசினோர் பலரே,

2
புலவர் பாடும் புகழுடையோர் விசும்பின்
வலவன் ஏவா வான ஊர்தி
எய்துப என்ப தம் செய் வினை முடித்து எனக்
கேட்பல், எந்தை சேட்சென்னி நலங்கிள்ளி!  10

3
தேய்தல் உண்மையும், பெருகல் உண்மையும்,
மாய்தல் உண்மையும், பிறத்தல் உண்மையும்,
அறியாதோரையும் அறியக் காட்டித்,
திங்கட் புத்தேள் திரிதரும் உலகத்து
வல்லார் ஆயினும் வல்லுநர் ஆயினும்,  15

4
வருந்தி வந்தோர் மருங்கு நோக்கி
அருள வல்லை ஆகுமதி, அருளிலர்
கொடாஅமை வல்லர் ஆகுக
கெடாஅத் துப்பின் நின் பகை எதிர்ந்தோரே.

 —Subham—

Tags-Purananuru Wonders 11; Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia  Part- 51, Tamil Ships, Naval attacks

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Why did Christians burn Women alive in Europe? (Post.15,399)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,399

Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia –  6 February 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  

Fanatic Christians burnt alive millions of women in Europe. To hide their atrocities, they published fake SATI (wives burning themselves in pyres of Hindu husbands) drawings to malign Hindus.

World “famous” historians in their world “famous” books never wrote a single line in their books about these atrocities. Now we can rate those historians as notorious scoundrels. Despite their secrecy, now and then we see a few books and articles about the Christian atrocities.

Fanatic Christian bishops burnt millions of non- Christians , particularly women, dubbing them as witches. They spread the rumour that catastrophes will happen if they are allowed to live. They conducted fake enquiries and burnt them alive. The whole world knew how Joan of Arc was burnt alive thanks to Bernard Shaw’s book St Joan (London Swaminathan has translated it into Tamil).

***

On the other day, I walked into a library in Sydney, Australia and I got the August 2025 History Today Magazine .

I give below some interesting points from the article, with my inputs.

In one French city alone, they interviewed more than 5000 people during the Great Inquisition of Toulouse.

Toulouse is in Southwestern France, known as the “Pink City” (La Ville Rose), it’s France’s fourth-largest city .

(Imagine if you are one of them who will be burnt alive. Also imagine how much fear would have been spread in the small town)

Spanish Inquisition is known to many. But it started even centuries before that.

Hersey is believing Non-Christian worship. The heretics were described as a big infectious disease. 12th century Augustinian William of Newburgh referred to a group of foreign heretics that arrived in England in 1163 as a pestilence. And another person dubbed it as cancer.

The largest of the investigations in the Middle Ages was held at the vast Romanesque abbey of Saint-Sernin in Toulouse between May 1245 and August 1246. More than 5000 men and women from 100 villages were interviewed by the clergy.

Typical questions in the interview

Did you see any heretics?

Where, when, and who else was there ?

Did you eat and drink with them and did you give them anything ?

Did you ever swear to keep silent about all of this ?

Did you ever conceal the truth?

Use of torture

Torture was not practised in the early stage. Pope Innocent IV allowed torture methods in 1252.

Punishments

Excommunication

Pilgrimages to far flung places

Those who are found guilty must wear yellow crosses

Guilty and unapologetic will be executed.

Burning heretics began in 1022

The first case of heretics being burned occurred in 1022 at Orleans, but death by burning became a more common punishment from the 13th century. Burning heretics brought great joy to the faithful. Killing people and Violent deaths were enjoyed by thousands and thousands which people saw during French Revolution and executions of queens in the Tower of London in Britain.

(Joan of Arc was executed on May 30, 1431. At approximately 19 years old, she was burned at the stake in the Vieux-Marché (Old Market) in Rouen, France. She was condemned for heresy following a politically motivated trial by English-allied French clerics)

In the 1230s the chronicler and the inquisitor William of Pehission recounted an episode in the city of Alibi  in which inquisitors  condemned  the heretics Peter of Odiumperditum and Peter Bomacip to be burned- this execution terrified many other heretics and brought great joy to the faithful, according to William.

Historians called the heretics Cathars, a Greek word, meaning pure. But it is not found in the available manuscripts.

Doctors were heretics !

Even practising medicine was dubbed as anti-Christian. There was a rumour that heretics can have a book of medicine. Heretics Arnauts and Pons Faure  were sought out be one deponent  because they were the ‘best doctors’. Records show many heretics were doctors. People were banned going to doctors. Relatives brought the sick family members to the so called heretics  in the hope that they would be cured.

And in the manuscripts showed only pro clergy approach. It also reported street corner debates between the heretics and the clergy.

The statements of the people were translated into Latin, far removed from the vernacular dialects of Occitan that the deponents spoke.

The 13th century chronicle of William of Puylarns captures the general feeling of people of Toulouse towards heretics with this anecdote;  a knight when asked by the bishop of Toulouse why he and his comrades had not attempted to expel the heretics from their territory replied,

 “We cannot; we were brought up with them, there are many of our relatives among them, and we can see their way of life is a virtuous one”.

The article in the magazine was written by Josua Rice of Britain. I have included my comments in the article.

–subham—

Tags- Toulouse inquisitions , Christian atrocities, burning women alive, History Today article, torture and punishments.

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NEW BOOK ‘SHARANAGATI- SURRENDER’ (Post.15,397)

WRITTEN BY S NAGARAJAN

Post No. 15,397

Date uploaded in London – 5 February 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

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SHARANAGATI

SURRENDER

LETTING GO

This valuable book has been published by http://www.Open Sky Press.com. Details available at the above site.

Mr John David, Director of Open Sky Press 

John David is a Spiritual Teacher, Author, Filmmaker, Painter, Architect, and World Traveller who has spent over 25 years guiding people towards Inner Freedom and Self-realisation. His whole life has been a journey of Awakening, a rich unfolding that he now shares to inspire others to reconnect with their True Nature.

Originally trained as a Civil Engineer and later as an Architect, John David left behind a successful career in London to follow a deep inner calling.

His search took him to Japan, where a spiritual awakening began to stir, and then to India, where he spent 15 years with his first master Osho, and later 5 years with Papaji, a direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi. His interviews with Indian Masters brought him eminent friends. These profound encounters deeply shaped his understanding.

Today, John David shares his wisdom through Satsang, Books, Films, Paintings, and his thriving International Centres for Inner Transformation, Open Sky. These communities in Spain and Germany offer a powerful and supportive environment for deep Inner work, Creative expression, and Silence.

John David’s multi-facetted teaching approach is simple, direct and free of religious or ideological frameworks.

His heartfelt presence, down-to-earth nature, and humor make his teachings accessible to people from all walks of life and whatever their level of knowledge.

**

The Foreword is given by Santhanam Nagarajan for this book.

Foreword

Santhanam Nagarajan

Santhanam Nagarajan is a deeply spiritual man and devoted follower of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. A prolific Advaita writer, he has travelled widely and authored over 230 books and 6,400 articles on spirituality and Indian culture. Regularly featured on ‘All India Radio’ and ‘Jaya TV’, his life’s work is to awaken spiritual awareness, especially among the youth, and share the timeless wisdom of Self-realisation.         

We first connected with Nagarajan while looking for a translator for the Aham Sphurana edition in Tamil. Since then, his extraordinary kindness and devotion to this project have been an invaluable support.

It is indeed a great pleasure to have this book in hand, since one can only have it because of the good deeds he has done in the past births.

To describe and explain the ways of Self Realisation is very difficult.

Bhagavan Ramana, the Sage of Arunachala, out of great karuna [compassion], made this complicated task a simple and direct one.

He showed the world that the inquiry in the form of Nan Yar – ‘Who Am I?’ – is the principal means to realise the Self. Yet again and again, through his words, his life in the Ashram, and his own shining example, he also pointed to the path of Surrender as the highest expression of that same inquiry – where the seeker, the seeking, and the sought become one.

Sri Ganapathi Aiyyer, an ardent devotee of Bhagavan, came to Ramana Ashram in July 1936. From his instant Surrender to his Master, he started recording all the conversations that took place daily in the Old Hall. From his diaries, written with love and devotion, this book presents a thoughtfully chosen selection devoted to the topic of Surrender.

But for a sincere sadhaka [spiritual aspirant], hundreds of questions arise in the mind.

The three books – Aham Sphurana, Vichara, and Sharanagati – born from the Aham Sphurana manuscript, provide answers to all such questions one may ask.

Bhagavan has declared categorically in the clearest possible way:

Renounce the Renouncer.

Give up the Ego. Surrender.

Here in Sharanagati [Surrender], Bhagavan teaches that the mind’s endless striving is itself the cause of restlessness. Human life, he says, is like a man swimming tirelessly against the current of a vast ocean, struggling to stay afloat in a battle that can never be won. To such a one, Bhagavan gives this compassionate instruction: ‘Stop swimming and drown! This is not death, but awakening into true life.’ (p.115)

To ‘stop swimming’ means to stop resisting the natural flow of Divine Will. The drowning Bhagavan speaks of is not physical death, but the Surrender of the false sense of individuality into the boundless ocean of Being. When the ego ceases to struggle, it is discovered that we were never separate from that ocean at all – we are That.

He continues, ‘“Let go,” is the secret of Realisation. By drowning yourself in pure Subjective Consciousness beyond possibility for revival or resuscitation, you will realise that imperishable Immortality which is verily your inherent nature.’ (p.115)

This is not annihilation but awakening – the end of effort and the beginning of true life. Liberation, Bhagavan reveals, is not the fruit of laborious striving, but of a single moment of complete yielding to the Divine.

‘If one would simply Surrender unconditionally, he is freed from all karma in a single stroke.’ Here, Bhagavan assures us of the transforming power of true Surrender. The law of karma binds only the doer. When the sense of doership dissolves, the entire web of bondage vanishes instantly, and the heart rests in effortless peace. (p.116)

For this, the Viharas Margam – the path of inner abiding – is the most efficient way. The inquiry ‘Who Am I?’ is the principal means.

When a devotee asked Bhagavan, ‘What if full Surrender is not possible?’, Bhagavan advised him to begin with partial Surrender. He revealed the secret that ‘some force takes charge’ (p.95) and will unfailingly guide the seeker to the Guru, who is none other than the Self.

To a householder who feared that Surrender might conflict with his worldly duties, Bhagavan speaks with deep compassion: ‘To truly Surrender is to completely cease to care. You no longer have any cares, for all your cares are now His.’ (p.11) He explains that Surrender is not withdrawal from life but release from the burden of ownership. Actions continue, but the sense of ‘I am the doer’ falls away. In that freedom, one lives and works joyfully as an instrument of the Divine.

He further taught, ‘Having Surrendered to God, leave it to Him to fulfil your needs and responsibilities in any way He sees fit, by using you as a tool.’(p.11) This, Bhagavan said, is the life of divine partnership. When one ceases to impose personal will upon the world, the Higher Power acts through that being spontaneously. Success and failure lose meaning, for the ego has yielded to the will of God.

Finally, Bhagavan declared, ‘The state of absolute Surrender, or complete relinquishment of the ego, is not any sadhana, but the goal itself.’ (p.122) Thus, he reveals the summit of all spiritual effort: complete Surrender is not a means to Realisation – it is Realisation. When the ego has wholly dissolved, there remains no seeker, no effort, and no path – only the silent radiance of the Self, timeless and complete.

This luminous jewel of a book, Sharanagati, contains many stories, also in order to understand complicated problems, giving living examples that can be understood by all.

Even the design of the book – the layout, the fonts, and the headings – has been lovingly crafted for the reader to become fully absorbed in Bhagavan’s presence and teachings.

This book is not a ‘Read and Leave’ book. This is a permanent guide for a whole lifetime till one learns the spiritual art of Surrender in its real meaning.

May Bhagavan’s grace ever shine upon all who open these pages. May He bless every reader with the courage to inquire ‘Who am I?’ and with the humility to Surrender completely into the Heart.

S.Nagarajan, Bangalore, November 2025

**

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