Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,847

Date uploaded in London –8 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

NAMES OF ARYAN HUSBANDS???? AND DRAVIDIAN!!!! WIVES (White men Interpretation)

Rig Vedic seer Deergatamas- Married Dasa caste woman Mamata;

Rishi Kavacha Ailusar – married Dasa caste woman;

Sudasa is a famous king in Rig Veda supported by Rishis;

Satyakama kama Jabala- son of  servant maid Jabala.

Rama’s son Kusa- married Naga Princess Kumudavati;

Rama’s son Lava – Naga Princess Kanjajana;

Brahmin Ravana – married Asura kula Mandodari;

Shantanu- Fisher woman Matsyagandha; Son- Veda Vyasa

Matsyagandha means Fish Smell; She was called Yojanagandha, so smelly, her bad smell will go up to one Yojana= eight miles!

Bhima – married Demoness Hidimba; their son- Kadothkajan;

Arjuna- married Naga woman Ulupi; Pandyan Girl Alli (Chitrangatha)- their Son Aravan of Mahabharat;

Lord Muruga- Huntress Valli;

King Yayati- Brahmin Devayani;

Krishna’s son Pradyumna- married Asura Kula Prabhvati;

Vidharpa Desa Princess Maya – married Narakasura; their son Bagatdatta supported Kauravas)

Asura Guru – Brahmin Sukra!

Deva Guru- Brihaspati (These Gurus are in Sangam Tamil Literature)!

Brahmin Asura Vrtrasura was killed by Indra in Rig Veda ;

Brahmin Asura Trisiras was killed by Indra in Rig Veda;

Brahmin Asura Namuchi was killed by Indra in Rig Veda;

(In Bhutan and Nepal Namuchi is used as names of people even today)

Varuna is praised as ASURA in Rig Veda;

Rig Vedic Indra and Varuna are praised as Gods of Tamil Lands by the oldest Tamil book Tolkappiam;

Siva is praised as ARYAN by great Saivite saints who lived around 600 CE or before

No DRAVIDIAN is found anywhere in ancient Tamil literature

All ASURAS prayed to Lord Shiva and Brahma and received boons. Asuras also were practising Hindus.

The above facts explode the myth of foreign writers who said Demons, Asuras, Black skinned men are Dravidians.

Even the Asura names are in Sanskrit!

***

Toda woman in Nilgris

Cousin Marriage

Cousin marriage is followed in Tamil Nadu until this day and it is in all Tamil films as well. But it is also followed in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Orissa. Arjuna married cousin Subhadra, Krishna’s son married cousin Rukmavati. Ther also Northern Aryan custom, Sothern Dravidian custom is exploded.

Whatever foreigners wrote about “Dravidian” and “Aryan” are proved false and mischievous.

***

According to British rulers of India and Christian preachers in India, Dravidians were black and Aryans were white; according to them Dravidians were driven to south by invading Aryans; according to them Dravidians were described as Asuras, Rakshasas and low caste by the Aryans. Look at the list above which explodes this view.

A gang of foreigners led by Max Muller, John Marshall Mortimer Wheeler, John Mackay misled the world by giving racial connotations to two words Aryan and Dravidian. Neither 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature nor 5000 year old Vedic literature has no evidence for it.

Arya is found in Rig Veda and the later Tamil Sangam literature. In Sanskrit it meant Cultured, educated, disciplined etc. In Tamil Sangam literature it meant Rishis in the Himalayas, People living in the North. No where Arya meant a race of people.

DRAVIDIAN IS NOT AT ALL FOUND IN TAMIL LITERATURE. Later when it is found in Jain literature it meant South. A reference about Dravida Sangam established by a Jain Muni is oft quoted without any detail. It is understood that there is nothing about Tamil or Tamil Nadu. This is the condition in fifth century CE. Three hundred years after this, Kumarila Bhatta mentioned Dravida Bhasa and refereed to Tamil word Soru (cooked rice). That is the only reference to connect this word DRAVIDA with Tamil. There also he meant a language spoken in the SOUTH. Because the ancient division of India as 56 Countries show Dravidian Desa out side Tamil Nadu. Chera Chola, Pandya desas have nothing to do with it.

Desa= country

One more reference from First Century BCE comes from the most famous Jain King Kharavela. He talks about breaking the Dramila Sanghatan which is 130 year old. Here is a controversy, only interesting to linguists. One group argued the very word TAMIL came from DRAVIDA:

Dravida=Dramila= Tamil.

Another group put it in reverse gear and argued:

Tamil=Dramila= Dravida.

It is true that M becomes V.

Most famous Saivite Saint Manikka vasagar changed Mirugam= Virugam (animal-Mrga)

Mandodari= Vandodari (Ravana’s wife and daughter of Demon Mayan, who married Brahmin Ravana)

Tamil Villagers use Muzi= Vizi (pupil in the eye).

Leaving this to linguists, if we move on to Indus Valley (Harappan or Sarasvati River Civilization), there is no Dravidian skeleton; all the skeletons discovered were of Aryan stature. The mischievous gang led by Jonhn Marshall, Mortimer Wheeler and John Mackay used the word Dravidian with racial tone and misled the world. Because  of this misleading, until this day the script remains undeciphered.

Max Muller after getting severe beatings and bricks from scholars like Goldstucker, changed his tone and said I used it without any racial connotation. When he started writing about Vedas he declared I am a German and so I am an Aryan. Germans are Aryans. Hitler used it in his auto biography and killed millions.

***

What did Hindus say about classification of People?

Before foreign Christian preachers and foreign rulers misused and abused the word DRAVIDIANS, Hindus knew nothing about the word.

They divided the mankind into 18 groups of people. It is in Tamil commentaries on Sangam literature. It is also in Sanskrit literature.

One important point is man kind moved from one place to another place in the past 5000 years. But the big question is whether they moved from West to East or East to West. Tamil literature never know there is a river called Indus/Sindhu! But they sang about the Himalayas and Ganges. Since Vedic God Indra was assigned direct East and Rig Vedic rivers list started from Ganga Hindus believe that Hindus originated in this land. Nowhere in Sangam Tamil literature or in Vedic literature there is evidence. Only linguists said look at Matha=Mother, Bratha= Brother, Hora=Hour; this shows you came fromoutside India. But Hindus argue millions of words spoken by Indians are not found outside India, so there is no connection linguistically. They also pointed out thousands of ancient customs of Hindus are not found anywhere in the world. What the Christian foreigners showed so far is HORSE. Even that argument was exploded because Rig Veda mentioned the number of Ribs which is not same in the European horses.

Th Hindus believed in mixed marriages; all the famous Hindus had black skin which exploded the Aryan White Skin and Dravidian Black Skin.

Veda Vyasa= utter  black= born to fisherwoman.

Krishna = utter black= Yadava caste;  now a backward  caste claiming benefits from Government!

Draupadi/ Krishnaaa= Black Woman

Rig Vedic Rishis Dirgatamas (Long Darkness), Kavacha Ailusha, Satyakama Jabala and many others were from Dasa caste!

So called low caste people like meat vendor Dharmavyadha, cart driver Raivak taught Vedic wisdom to great kings according to Upanishads.

The list of Mixed marriages is given in the beginning is only a short list, mostly from ancient literature. If we look into history we get hundreds of examples.

***

Naga Mystery

Over 20 Sangam poets are Naga poets; even Gupta inscriptions have names like Ganapati Nagan. Tamil epic Manimekalai described Sri Lanka as naga island. It said those Naga women used to entice sailors and devour them according to Mahavamsa. Only Buddha civilised them according to Sri Lankan chronicles.

My conclusion is that there were no Dravidians according to Tamil and Sanskrit literature, but black skinned and white skinned people lived together. Asuras followed certain customs like eating human flesh which others detested Even according to Eight Types of marriages in Tolkappiam and Manu Smriti, Asura marriage is violent abduction of brides. It shows Asuras believed in uncontrolled violence. Bhagavad Gita and other scripture also described the qualities of good and bad people. People with balanced mind wont quote one or two slokas from scriptures, but look at the whole picture and judge.

–subham—

Tags- Aryan, Dravidian, Asura, Demon, Devas, marriage, white skin, Black skin, Naga mystery, mixed marriage, Cousin Marriage

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,846

Date uploaded in London –8 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

N  Words

Nabhaga / naabhaaga

Many characters in the Puranas have this name; a bit confusing!

Nabhaga (नभग):—

One of the ten sons of Śrāddhadeva  and Śraddhā. This name is not to be confused with Nābhāga (another son of Manu whose name is sometimes replaced with Kavi). (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.1.11-12)

Nābhāga (नाभाग).—Naabhaaga-

A brother of Ikṣvāku. The famous Ambarīṣa was Nābhāga’s son. After conquering all the worlds, he ruled the kingdom strictly along the path of truth and righteousness. (Vana Parva, Chapter 25, Verse 12). In the evening of his life Nābhāga gifted away the whole land to Brahmins. Since she could not leave Nābhāga, Bhūmidevī herself assumed physical form and went to him on the occasion. This emperor never consumed meat. He lives in Brahmaloka according to Chapter 115, Anuśāsana Parva. (Śānti Parva, Chapter 96, Verse 124).

Another story

 Nābhāga (नाभाग).—A son of Vaivasvata Manu and father of Ambarīṣa.^*

The last son of Nabhaga and a bachelor; saw his father’s property divided among his other brothers and himself left with nothing; on his father’s advice he went to the sacrifice of Angīra’s descendants and explained the sixth day rituals relating to Viśvedevas. When the sacrificers went to Heaven their unspent wealth was presented to him. At this time appeared a person of dark complexion who was Rudra and who claimed all the property as his own; when Nabhaga was consulted he said that on a certain occasion, all the remainder in a sacrificial hall was left to Rudra. So Nābhāga apologised and gave away all that wealth. With this Rudra was pleased and initiated him into the knowledge of the Brahman. After making a present of all that wealth to the prince, he disappeared.

***

Naga, Naaga, Naaga loka/ Naaga kanya

Naga (नग) is synonymous with Mountain (śaila).

A mysterious name in Indian History and Tamil Sangam Literature; over twenty Tamil poets have this name. Naga lokam is located in the middle of rivers or seas. Arjuna married Naga Kanya Ulupi. Manimekalai, Tamil epic, described Nagaloka. It says Sri Lanka was full of Naga Kanyas.All the river side beauties and sea side beauties are described as Naga Kanyas (snake nymphs). The very word SNAKE is derived from Sanskrit S+naka!

In Sangam Tamil literature Naaka lokam is heaven/Swarga.

Gupta inscriptions talk about Ganapati Naga etc.

Wisdomlib.org gives more on Nagas:

1) Nāga (नाग).—An asura (demon). (See under Nāgāstra).

2) Nāga (नाग).—A class of serpents. It is stated in Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Araṇya Kāṇḍa, Sarga 14, that of the ten daughters of Kaśyapa, from Surasā, the nāgas and from Kadrū, the Uragas (both are serpents) came into the world.

Nāga (नाग) refers to a group of inhabitants of ancient Kaśmīra (Kashmir valley) according to the Nīlamatapurāṇa.—The Nāga deities of the Nīlamata have power over rain, storm and snow, and dwell generally in lakes, pools and springs.

Creatures born with human forms above the naval and of snakes below; born of Kaśyapa and Kadru; their capital was Bhogavatī; their chief was Ananta;¹ came to Dvārakā with the gods;² attacked the chariot of the Lord;³ residents of the Naiṣadha Hill, of all talams and especially Pātalam; capital Māhiṣmatī, renowned for Karkoṭaka sabhā; worship Pitṛs;⁴ Vāsuki, as their overlord;⁵ when milking the cow-earth Takṣaka was the calf;⁶ celebrated the marriage of Śiva and Umā;⁷ to be worshipped in Palace buildings.

Nāga (नाग) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.34, I.35, I.31.6, I.35, I.60.66) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places.

From Kashmir Ananta nag to Kanyakumari Nagerkoil ,we have hundreds of names with Naga

***

Nagara

In Sangam Tamil literature Nagar means Temple (in Madurai).

Nāgara (नागर, “townsmen”):—The Sanskrit name for a group of Prāsādas (‘town buildings’), according to the 11th-century Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra (chapter 63). This work, authored by Bhojadeva, is an encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the Vāstuśāstra.āsāda

Nāgara (नागर) refers to one of the six types of Temples, according to chapter 4 of the Puruṣottamasaṃhitā

Nagara (नगर) refers to a “city”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.23

Nagara (नगर) refers to a “city” (suitable for the householder to settle down as a citizen), according to chapter 1.4 of Vātsyāyana’s Kāmasūtra:

***

Nachiketa

Son of Rishi Uddalaka Aruni.

The story of Nachiketas appeared first in the Rig Veda. Later Taitriya Brahmana  and Katha Upanishad dealt with it. Vajra sravasva or Uddalaka Aruni, father of Nachiketa, desirous of attaining heaven, performed great sacrifices and was profuse in his gifts to the Brahmins. Nachiketa, as a boy, noted that his father had given only old and barren cows to them.

Nachiketa told his father that he had not given all and asked him ‘To whom I shall be given?’ On repeating the question three times, father angrily replied, ‘To Death’ (Mrtyu).

Thereupon he fell down as though dead and found himself in the presence of Yama, abode of Death. After staying there for three nights, Yama was forced to offer him a boon. He prayed to see his father again and he reconciled. This boon was granted and another one was offered.  All kinds of blessings were proposed but the boy refused to be contented with anything but a true knowledge of the soul. Yama then proceeded to instruct him.

In Mahabharata , it is told that Nachiketa expressed a desire to see some great persons there. Yama then arranged Nachiketa to see some of the great persons who had given away cows to Brahmanas. Bhishma related this episode to Yudhisthira to stress the importance of gifting cows to Brahmana.

***

Nahusha

An ancestor of Kuru Dynasty; son of Ayu and father of Yayati. Once in the temporary absence of Indra, he became the king of Swarga/heaven. There he became intoxicated with power and began to behave like a tyrant. He even entertained a desire that Indrani (Sachi) wife of Indra, should submit to him. Indrani had to seek the help of Brahma and together they devised a plan to topple him

Sachidevi (Indrani) went to Nahusha’s palace. There, she said, “O mighty king of the gods! Before I become your wife, I have a request to make. I wish you to come majestically to my house in a grander style than the Lord Vishnu or Shiva. Let the seven rishis bear your palanquin.” Nahusha, already riding high in his pride, instantly fell into the trap.

Seven revered rishis carried him in a palanquin on the dreadful day of Nahusha’s supposed meeting. Engulfed in lust, Nahusha was impatient to reach Sachidevi soon.  Agastya, shortest of the Rishis, also joined the seven Rishis. Because he was too short the palanquin had wobbled. So Nahusa began goading the rishis to go faster and, out of mad wickedness, kicked the pious sage Agastya, saying “sarpa, sarpa.” Sanskrit has two meanings of ‘sarpa’- one is ‘‘to move’, and the other is ‘serpent’. Agastya cried out loud in anger, “O wicked Nahusha, you out of pride had made us the rishis bearer of your palanquin. On top of it, you are also goading us and saying sarpa, sarpa constantly. I curse you now and here that thou shall fall from heaven and become a sarpa on earth.”

Immediately, Nahusha fell headlong from heaven and became a python in the jungle. There, he had to wait for long period for deliverance. His progeny, Yudhisthira, came to rescue him in Dwapara Yuga.

When Nahusha got his deliverance from the curse, he told Yudhisthira:

सुप्रज्ञमपि चेच्छूरमृद्धिर्मोहयते नरम् ⁠।

वर्तमानः सुखे सर्वो मुह्यतीति मतिर्मम ⁠।⁠।⁠

suprajñamapi cecchūramṛddhir mohayate naram

vartamānaḥ sukhe sarvo muhyatīti matir mama

“O righteous king Yudhisthira! The wealth and opulence fascinate even the most intelligent and brave man. I believe that everyone immersed in pleasure is disillusioned by it and subjected to the great fall as I did.”

Goswami Tulasidas ji also said in Ramcharitmanas:

नहिं कोउ अस जनमा जग माहीं,

प्रभुता पाई जाहि मद नाहीं ⁠।

nahim kou asa janama jaga māhī,

prabhutā pā’ī jāhi mada nāhī

“Never has a creature born in this world who doesn’t get intoxicated with pride when exalted with power and opulence.”

The story of Nahusha proves that excessive fame and power lead to pride, and pride leads to the ultimate downfall. So, one must always be conscious of one’s surroundings and not allow pride to take over.

***

Nakula

Youngest of the five Pandava brothers, he was the son of Madri and twin brother of Sahadeva. He was an extremely handsome youth renowned for his mastery in sword fighting. As he was an expert rider, he had no difficulty in obtaining a post as the keeper of royal stable of King Virata of Matsya Desa during the thirteenth year of banishment. Under the name of Granthika, he spent one year without anyone recognising him. At the end, just before revealing his identity,  he fought along with the Matsya forces against the invading army of Susharma of Trigarta desa and earned the respect of King Virata.

Mythologically he was the son of Aswins, also known as Nasatya in the Vedas. He had a son named Niramitra by his wife Karenu-mati, a princess of Chedi desa.

In Indonesia, Nakula is a highly prominent name in Bali. It is a major street in the upscale resort town of Seminyak (Jalan Nakula) and the namesake of Nakula, a leading Bali-based hospitality and private villa management company

***

Nala and Damayanthi

This interesting love story of Nala and Damayanthi is in the third chapter, Vana Parva, of Mahabharata. The story was adapted into Tamil by two poets Pukazenthi and Athi Veera Rama Pandyan.  Other poets of Tamil epic Silappadikaram and Thevaram made passing references to it. Because the story is so moving, a lot of other important things in the story are missed by many.

Following subjects are dealt within the story:-

1.Extra Terrestrials

Art of Disguise

Eight Paranormal Powers

4.Bird Migration and Training Birds for communication

5.Art of Cookery

6.Art of Charioting

7.Magic Numbers

8.Art of Gambling and Manipulation

9.invisible Cloaking

10.Toxicology

11.Moral Teaching and Psychology

12.Letter Writing by Kings

13.Truth alone Triumphs

14.Necessity of cleanliness

15.Role of Poetry

16.Brahmin Ambassadors/ Role of Ambassadors

17.Travellers’ Tale & Business Travel & Robbers

18.Geography

19.History

20.Role of Saints/Psychologists

21.Child care

22.Unusual Freedom of Indian Women

23.Body marks

24.Science of Horses

25.Tree Science

NALA DAMAYANTI story was translated into Latin by Bopp and into English verse by Dean Milman. 

DAMAYANTHI was the only daughter of King Bhima of Vidarbha (Nagpur region in Maharashtra). She was very beautiful and clever. Nala, King of Nishada, was a brave and handsome person. He was learned in Vedas and virtuous. He had great skills in arms, management of horses and cooking. His only weakness was addiction to gambling (which we see later in Yudhishthira of Mahabharata as well). Nala and Damayanti loved each other, though they have never met. Nala sent a message using swans.

(This shows the use of animals for human communication; it is in Sangam literature Purananuru verse as well.)

Bhima determined that his daughter should hold a swayamvara. The warrior class Hindu women of India had the highest freedom in the world. They chose the bravest and the cleverest prince or a king as their husband. This explodes the theory of Aryan immigration and Aryan-Dravidian division. Since it was not practised anywhere in the world except Hindus

Bhima sent letters to all the kings inviting them to Swayamvara (princess choosing her own partner).

Kings flocked to Damayanti’s Swayamvara and among them was Nala. Having heard the beauty of Damayanti through the Inter Galactic traveller Narada, even the Vedic Gods Indra, Varuna, Agni and Yama came to it. Nala who met them on the way, without knowing their intention, promised them to help. Even when they asked his help in marrying Damayanti, he did not go back on his words.

Nala reluctantly performed the promised task, but his presence perfected his conquest, and the maiden announced her resolve to pay due homage to Four Vedic Gods, but choose him for her lord. Nala entered the harem of Damayanti by becoming invisible with the power given by the Vedic gods. Now we read in science magazines about ‘Invisible cloaks’. We had such facilities thousands of years ago!

During the Swayamvara (princess freely choosing her own lord), all the four gods looked like Nala (art of disguise), but Damayanti was able to see the features of Extra Terrestrials in the Four heavenly Gods. Their feet never touched the ground (floating), they never winked (no beating of brows) and their garlands never withered.

When Damayanti chose Nala as her husband, they got married formally and lived happily for some time. Kali, the symbol of bad age- Iron Age- also came for the Swayamvara, but very late. When he heard that everything was over, he decided that he would separate the couple in future. One day when Nala did not wash his hands and feet before worshipping God, Kali entered him and made him an addict to gambling. Hindus always quote this event to emphasize cleanliness

At Kali’s instigation Pushkara, younger brother of Nala challenged him to come for a game of dice. Nala lost everything and his brother Pushkara became king. Both Nala and Damayanthi were forced to leave the country

As he lost even his clothes, he shared the cloth of Damayanti and decided at one stage that he should leave her alone. While she was sleeping, he slipped out leaving her in great distress. When she came to forest she wisely sent her two children Indrasena and Indrasenaa (long vowel is used for females in Sanskrit; Krishna is lord; Krishnaa is Draupadi).

This shows the importance of child care. A woman worries more about the safety and welfare of her children than her life.

Damayanti joined the caravan that was passing through the forest. We find such caravans going through forest in Tamil literature as well. The caravan of merchants was attacked by an elephant, and the chaotic scene is described vividly in the Mahabharata. Even Brahmins joined the group of tradesmen passing through the forest.

When the queen mother of Chedi Kingdom saw a beautiful woman with all the features of a queen, walking with the traders, she called her and gave her refuge.

Nala was bitten by the king of serpents Karkotaka in the forest, who was under a curse from which Nala was to deliver him. The serpent bit Nala and the poison should work upon him till the evil spirit (Kali) was gone out of him, and then he should restore his original handsome form. The serpent’s poison made him ugly and deformed. Here we learn about toxicology.

Later, Nala entered the service of King Rituparna of Ayodhya, as a trainer of horses and an accomplished cook, under the name of Bahuka.

Damayanti was sent to her father’s kingdom of Vidarbha where he found her children. Then she devised a clever plan to bring back Nala. She announced a second swayamvara.

In those days Brahmins were used as ambassadors, and Damayanti also employed a Brahmin to find Nala with all the available information. One Brahmin identified and informed Damayanti about his whereabouts.

In the meantime, Rituparna, having heard the second swayamwara of Damayanti, decided to attend it. Since he knew that Nala was a great driver of chariots, he employed the service of him to travel 800 miles in 24 hours (100 yojanas in the original).

On their way Rituparna taught Nala the science of numbers and the rule of chances and learnt from Nala, the science of horses. This shows the Exchange of Knowledge and Sharing Information. As soon as Nala acquired this knowledge, the evil spirit (Kali which means Dark) went out of him.

Damayanti convinced that it was her husband Nala by the flavour of a dish he cooked. Here comes the art of cooking.

Afterwards Nala and Damayanti met and Nala resumed his form. Now that he knew the science of numbers, he challenged Pushkara for a game of dice and won the game. Rituparna’s teaching helped him. Nala got back his kingdom and lived happily with his wife.

—Subham—

Tags-HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 71; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-71 (Post No.15,846), Nahusa, Nala, Nachiketa, Naga

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,814

Date uploaded in London –1 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Part 67

Mātaṅga (Sanskrit: मातंग) literally means an elephant.

MATANGA. ‘An elephant.’ A man who was brought up as a Brahman but was the son of a Chandala. His story, as told in the Mahabharata, relates that he was mercilessly goading an ass’s foal which he was driving. The mother ass, seeing this, tells her foal that she could expect no better, for her driver was no Brahman but a Chandala. Matanga, addressing the ass as ” most intelligent,” begged to know how this was, and was informed that his mother when intoxicated had received the embraces of a low-born barber, and that he, the offspring, was a Chandala and no Brahman. In order to obtain elevation to the position of a Brahman, he went through such a course of austerities as alarmed the gods. Indra refused to admit him. He persevered again for a hundred years, but still Indra persistently refused such an impossible request, and advised him to seek some other boon. Nothing daunted, he went on a thousand years longer, with the same result. Though dejected he did not despair but proceeded to balance himself on his great toe. He continued to do this for a hundred years, when he was reduced to mere skin and bone, and was on the point of falling. Indra went to support him, but inexorably refused his request, and, when further importuned, “gave him the power of moving about like a bird, and changing his shape at will, and of being honoured and renowned.” In the Ramayana, Rama and Sita visited the hermitage of Matanga near Rishyamukha mountain

***

ME Words

Medathithi

Name of a Vedic seer in Kanwa clan. There is a legend in one of the Upanishads that he was carried up to heaven by Indra in the form of a ram, because the god had been pleased with his austerities.

He is compared with Ganymede of Greece who was abducted by the eagle of Zeus. His Phrygian cap denoting an eastern origin, and a river god.

***

Medhavi

Son of rishi Baladhi. As a result of his father’s severe penances, he had obtained a boon that he wouldn’t die as long as the mountain remain standing. Thinking that he was immortal he became arrogant and illtreated other brahmana. At last rishi Dhanusaksha caused a ram to be born and this ram destroyed the mountain with its horns and thus brought an end to Medhavi’s life. This episode was related by Bharadwaja to his son Yavakrita to impress upon him that he who became arrogant came to grief in the end.

***

Menaka

A beautiful apsaras whom Indra sent to earth to entice Vishwamitra rishi and distract him from his severe penances because Indra became concerned at the thought that Vishwamitra may accumulate too much merit and thus threaten his own security. Menaka appeared before him and seduced him. He lived with her for long and Menaka gave birth to Shakuntala .

***

Mena

In the rig Veda Mena was the daughter of Vrishanaswa. Indra fell in love with here. In the puranas, wife of Himavat and mother of Uma and ganga and of a son named Mainaka .

***

Meru

A fabulous mountain  in the centre of the earth, on which is situated swarga, the heaven of Indra. It is north of Himalaya. It is depicted as north pole in some descriptions. Other names are Sumeru, Hemadri Ratnasaanu, Karnikaachala, Amaraadri, Deva Parvata .

***

Mithila

Capital city of Videha, north Bihar. It was the country of king Janaka and the name of his capital Janakapura, now called Janakpur. Since Sita devi was born here she was called Mythili.

***

Mlechcha

Foreigners, barbarians, people who came from out side india. Sangam tamil books also referred to them as people of harsh words “incomprehensible speech” or unintelligible accents; During medieval times, the term was frequently used to refer to Arab, Persian, and Muslim invaders who came into the subcontinent.

Mlecha in Mullaippattu:

In the200 year old  Sangam Tamil literature we come across the word Mlecha in Mullaippaattu (line 66). Poet Napputhanar called the Yavanas as Mlechas. He described them as dumb who used only sign language. Lot of Roman or Greek bodyguards were used by the Tamil kings. Tamils called the Yavanas (Romans) ‘mlechas’ because they did not speak Tamil and they were from foreign soil.

Mlecha in Mahabharata: In the Adiparavam and Drona Parvam we come across the word Mlecha referring to an engineer (Purochana) who constructed the lac house and kings who fought in the Great Bharata War. They were all from the North West of India. Vidura was said to have spoken to him in the Mlecha language

Nigel Lewis observation on Mlecha in his book ‘The Book of Babel’ is very interesting. He says “the Greek equivalent of barbarians was Aglossoi, the speechless, while the Poles  had the same idea about Germans, whom they called ‘niemiec’, the dumb people. The Turks got this word from the Poles and used it for the Austrians. Even Coleridge used it as nimiety with regard to Germans”.

“Commenting on the word vealh, oe wealh, the Barbarian British, or Welsh, Max Muller writes it is supposed to be the same as the Sanskrit mlekkha, and, if so,  it meant originally a person who talks indistinctly. Mlekkah has also been identified with ‘Beluchi’: a strange area of probable common ground between Beluchistan and the principality of Wales, whose very name was an Anglo Saxon insult”.

“Also insulting was the now defunct nickname for the Jamaican Jabbering crow, it was called the Welshman because according to Edward Long ‘with their strange , noisy gabble of guttural sounds’… they are thought to have much  the confused vociferation of a party of Welsh people”

-from ‘ The Book of Babel’

Mleccha (म्लेच्छ).—A tribe of people of ancient India. This tribe was born from the tail of the celestial cow Nandinī, kept by Vasiṣṭha for sacrificial purposes when there was a fight between Viśvāmitra and Vasiṣṭha. Mahābhārata gives the following information regarding them.

The mlecchas who sprang up from the tail of the celestial cow Nandinī sent the army of Viśvāmitra flying in terror. (Śloka 38, Chapter 174, Ādi Parva)

***

Meganatha

Eldest Son of Ravana ; his epithet is Indrajit, one who conquered indra. His heroic acts were described in Ramayana.

***

Meghaduta

Cloud messenger is the meaning. It is a celebrated work by Kalidasa. It is the oldest travelogue describing the beauty of central india and north India; it is the oldest meteorological work I Sanskrit about the progress of South West Monsoon. A banished yaksha implores the monsoon cloud to covey his message to his wife

***

Mitra (Varuna)

Vedic god Mitra meant sun, positive energy and light. He is associated with Varuna in the Vedic hymns; there Varuna meant sea, darkness and negative energy. They were like positive and negative nodes in a battery. Both are required to produce heat or light or energy. Mitra was the ruler of the day and Varuna was the ruler of night. They together uphold and rule the earth and sky, guard the world, encourage religion, and chastise sin. Mitra was one of the Adityas or sons of Aditi. One more example for link is sun/Mtra draws sea water/Varuna and pours down as rain/ Indra that goes to Sea/Varuna.

Mitra is a Vedic god. He is associated with the Sun. Mitra is another name of Sun as well. This Vedic god was worshipped throughout the Roman empire 2000 years ago. At one time there were 700 temples for Mitra in Rome. The worship reached Rome from Iran in a degenerated form. Wherever the rule of the Romans was extended there the cult of Mitra was also practised. Even in London they have excavated one Mitra temple sixty years ago.

In London an inscription dated to 310 CE was discovered. It said, “For the salvation of our Lords, the four emperors and the Caesar, and to the God Mithras the invincible sun from the east to the west”. Most of the British Christian churches were built in the model of Mithraeums.

Mithra in Germany, Picture by Subhashini, THF

To be continued……………………..

Tags- HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 67; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-67 ,Mitra, Menaka, Medathithi

Bhagavad Gita and Brahmins’ Big Role! Purananuru wonders-30, Tamil Encyclopedia-70  (Post.15,807)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,807

Date uploaded in London –30 May 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-30, Tamil Encyclopedia-70; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 70

***

Item 553 Kural Echo in Puram verse 92

Here the Yaaz music and prattle of children are compared; Commentators say that shows the relationship between the poetess Avvai and chieftain Athiyaman. Valluvar’s Kural also says about this. But Valluvar says prattle of children is sweeter (only for their parents!) than instrumental music.

Kural 66

66.‘The flute is sweet, the lute is sweet’ say those who have never heard the pretty prattle of their little ones

***

Puranānūru 92, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji,

Little children’s babbling words are
no match for yāzh music.  Their tenses
do not match, and they cannot be
understood.  Yet their fathers shower
their graces on them.

O Nedumān Anji who has seized
many enemy fortresses, their walls
well-guarded!
The words out of my mouth are just
like that, because of your graces.

***

புறநானூறு 92, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: இயன் மொழி

யாழொடும் கொள்ளா, பொழுதொடும் புணரா,
பொருள் அறிவாராயினும் தந்தையர்க்கு
அருள் வந்தனவால் புதல்வர் தம் மழலை,
என் வாய்ச் சொல்லும் அன்ன, ஒன்னார்
கடி மதில் அரண் பல கடந்து  5
நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, நீ அருளல்மாறே.

***

Item 554 Brahmin’s Big Role

Throughout Sangam Tamil literature we see the big role played by the Brahmins. Brahmin (braahmana) poets contributed more than the poets from other castes (See Kapilar, Paranar, Nakkeerar, Rudrankannan, Perum Kausikan etc).

Here in Puram verse 93, a strange custom is referred to. Those kings who meet death by natural causes were also cut (symbolically) and then laid to rest, because they did not die in battle fields. This was done by the Brahmins who were well versed in Four Vedas. They spread the holy Darbha grass and placed the body of the kings and then did the ceremony. They recited the mantras and sent the king to heaven. Those who die in battlefield go to heaven directly according to Bhagavad Gita. Being ardent Hindus , Tamil kings also believed in it.  In Puram verse 74 Chera King Kanaikkal Irumporai also mentioned it. We see Tamil kings performing Yagas like Rajasuyam, Asvamedam etc. We come across Yupam (Yaga Pole) in Purananuru poems.

Here are the Bhagavad Gita slokas for comparison

In Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains that a warrior (Kshatriya) who fights righteously fulfils their duty. He states that if you fall in battle, you will attain heaven (swarga), and if you are victorious, you will enjoy the earthly kingdom.

Krishna highlights this path in two specific verses:

• Verse 2-32: Krishna describes the battlefield as an unsought opportunity that opens the doors to heaven.
• Verse 2-37: Krishna directly tells Arjuna: “If you fight, you will either be slain on the battlefield and go to the celestial abodes [swarga], or you will gain victory and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise with determination…

यदृच्छया चोपपन्नं स्वर्गद्वारमपावृतम्।
सुखिनः क्षत्रियाः पार्थ लभन्ते युद्धमीदृशम्।। 2-32

yadṛcchayā copapannaṁ svarga-dvāram apāvṛtam
sukhinaḥ kṣatriyāḥ pārtha labhante yuddham īdṛśam 2-32

“O Partha (Arjuna), happy are the Kshatriyas (warriors) to whom such fighting opportunities come unsought, opening for them the doors of the heavenly planet

हतो वा प्राप्स्यसि स्वर्गं जित्वा वा भोक्ष्यसे महीम् |
तस्मादुत्तिष्ठ कौन्तेय युद्धाय कृतनिश्चय: ||2- 37||

hato vā prāpsyasi swargaṁ jitvā vā bhokṣhyase mahīm
tasmād uttiṣhṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛita-niśhchayaḥ2-37

 If you fight, you will either be slain on the battlefield and go to the celestial abodes, or you will gain victory and enjoy the kingdom on earth. Therefore arise with determination, O son of Kunti, and be prepared to fight.2-37

***

Puranānūru 93, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji,

With tightly strapped battle drums roaring,
how can there be more victories to be won?
Enemy kings who came could not stand against
your foot soldiers.  They scattered and ran.

The kings without pride killed by you
avoided what would have been done to
them, had they died naturally of disease,
their bodies laid out on fine green grass
by Brahmins who desire righteousness, who
know the four Vedas, who chant, “Go where
the great warriors with splendid war anklets
go, those who have died in battles with bravery
as their crutch,” and forgetting any love
they had for them,
they would have cut their bodies with swords
to escape the dishonor of being buried.

But you are a great man who fights harsh
battles, shattering the battlefield around you,
as noble elephants fall down, the juices of
their musth flowing into their mouths where
bees hum, and you have good battle wounds!

***

புறநானூறு 93, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
திண்பிணி முரசம் இழுமென முழங்கச்
சென்று அமர் கடத்தல் யாவது? வந்தோர்
தார் தாங்குதலும் ஆற்றார், வெடிபட்டு,
ஓடல் மரீஇய பீடு இல் மன்னர்
நோய்ப்பால் விளிந்த யாக்கை தழீஇக்,  5
காதல் மறந்து அவர் தீது மருங்கு அறுமார்,
அறம் புரி கொள்கை நான்மறை முதல்வர்
திறம் புரி பசும் புல் பரப்பினர் கிடப்பி,
“மறம் கந்து ஆக நல் அமர் வீழ்ந்த
நீள் கழல் மறவர் செல்வுழிச் செல்க” என  10
வாள் போழ்ந்து அடக்கலும் உய்ந்தனர் மாதோ,
வரி ஞிமிறு ஆர்க்கும் வாய் புகு கடாஅத்து
அண்ணல் யானை அடு களத்து ஒழிய,
அருஞ்சமம் ததைய நூறி, நீ
பெருந்தகை விழுப்புண் பட்டமாறே.  15

****

Item 555 Elephant Simile

 Here in Puram verse 94 poetess Avvai compared the king to an elephant in rut and an elephant not in rut.

This contrast is seen by us  in Rudra and Siva, Uma and Kali.

Two sides of every one of us. When a father is happy the child plays on his back. When the same dad is angry, the child runs away and hides behind its mother.

***

Puranānūru 94, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji,

To us, you are sweet, O Greatness,
like a huge bull elephant that relaxes
in the town’s bathing port since
children wash its white tusks!

But to your enemies, you are harsh,
like the harshness of that elephant
which is unapproachable when it is
in rut!

***

புறநானூறு 94, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
ஊர்க் குறுமாக்கள் வெண்கோடு கழாஅலின்,
நீர்த் துறை படியும் பெருங்களிறு போல,
இனியை பெரும எமக்கே, மற்று அதன்
துன் அருங்கடாஅம் போல,
இன்னாய் பெரும நின் ஒன்னாதோர்க்கே.  5

****

Item 556 Sarcasm 

Ancient Tamil poets were bold like Vedic Rishis (seers). They can go to any country; they can praise or criticise a king without fear. They were very bold and used sarcastic remarks too. Here in poem 95, we see poetess Avvai making sarcastic remarks to Chieftain Thondaiman who showed her, his brand new ,shining weapons beautifully decorated inside the armoury. Avvai said your enemy’s weapons are blunt because he fought many wars. Thondaiman had no such battle experience!

*** 

Puranānūru 95, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Thondaimān for Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Vāl Mangalam
Here,
these spears are adorned with peacock
feathers and decorated with garlands,
their strong, thick shafts anointed with
ghee and they are in perfect condition,
in this palace that is guarded.

There,
they are in the small blacksmith’s shed,
his sharp spears, their blade tips
broken by piercing enemies.  When he has
plenty, he gives food.  Even when he does
not have enough, he shares and eats what
he has, our noble king, a leader to those who
do not have.

****

புறநானூறு 95, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: வாள் மங்கலம்
இவ்வே பீலி அணிந்து, மாலை சூட்டிக்,
கண் திரள் நோன் காழ் திருத்தி, நெய் அணிந்து
கடி உடை வியன் நகர், அவ்வே அவ்வே,
பகைவர்க் குத்திக் கோடு நுதி சிதைந்து,
கொல் துறைக் குற்றில மாதோ, என்றும்  5
உண்டாயின் பதம் கொடுத்து,
இல்லாயின் உடன் உண்ணும்,
இல்லோர் ஒக்கல் தலைவன்,
அண்ணல் எம் கோமான், வைந்நுதி வேலே.

 ***

Item 557

In Puram verses 96,97,98 we see some usual praises on Athiyaman and his son Pokuttezini.  He looked very handsome. Athiyaman was compared to Yama, God of death, because he kept on killing his enemies. Using white mustard seed smoke to drive away the ghosts is also mentioned. 

*****

 Item 558

Athiyamans came from Noth India with Sugarcane.

Once again we come across some information about the ancestors of Athiyaman. They were Ikshvakus (Sanskrit word for sugarcane people)  who brought sugarcane cultivation to Tamil Nadu. They did Vedic ceremonie sand brought sugarcane cultivation to Tamil Nadu,according to Avvaiyar. Since Sugar cane is discovered in Harappa and Mohanja Daro, Ikshwakus must be older than Indus Valley people. Puranas give 140 ++ generations before Mauryas. Even if we give 20 years for a king we can place Ikshwakus around 3100 BCE corresponding to Hindu Kali Yuga. That shows Ikshwakus as part of Indus- Saraswati River Civilization.

Fifteen years ago, I posted this matter here in my two blogs Please see the attached article.

***

Puranānūru 99, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji, Thinai: Vākai, Thurai: Arasa Vākai
Like your ancestors of ancient tradition
who served the gods and offered oblations
to secure the gift that is hard to obtain,
sugarcane for this land,
and rolled the wheel of their power around
this world surrounded by ocean,
you inherited by right the beautiful gold
warrior anklets you wear on your legs,
the garland of dark palmyra, gardens with
abundance of flowers, tall spears with fresh
flesh, seven royal symbols,
and your rightful kingship to the land.

Not satisfied with these, you advanced
against seven kings with strength, their
battle drums roaring, and won.
Singers could not sing to you at that time.
Now Paranan has sung of you and about
your strong hands that held the discus that
destroyed forts and strong, hostile Kōvalūr.

***

புறநானூறு 99, பாடியவர்: ஔவையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: அதியமான் நெடுமான் அஞ்சி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
அமரர்ப் பேணியும், ஆவுதி அருத்தியும்,
அரும் பெறல் மரபின் கரும்பு இவண் தந்தும்,
நீர் அக இருக்கை ஆழி சூட்டிய
தொல் நிலை மரபின் நின் முன்னோர் போல,
ஈகை அம் கழற்கால் இரும் பனம் புடையல்,  5
பூ ஆர் காவின் புனிற்றுப் புலால் நெடுவேல்
எழு பொறி நாட்டத்து எழாஅத் தாயம்
வழு இன்று எய்தியும் அமையாய் செரு வேட்டு,
இமிழ் குரல் முரசின் எழுவரொடு முரணிச்
சென்று அமர் கடந்து நின் ஆற்றல் தோற்றிய  10
அன்றும் பாடுநர்க்கு அரியை, இன்றும்
பரணன் பாடினன் மற்கொல், மற்று நீ
முரண் மிகு கோவலூர் நூறி நின்
அரண் அடு திகிரி ஏந்திய தோளே.

***

The Sugarcane Mystery: Indus valley and the Ikshvaku 

Dynasty

Written by London Swaminathan

Posted date-November 19, 2011

Ikshvaku was the founder of the Solar Dynasty. Lord Sri Rama, Bhageeratha and other great kings of the solar dynasty are well known to the Hindus. What is interesting is that we get more and more evidence to link him with the Indus Valley Civilisation, first Jain Thirthankara, Rishabadeva, the Rik Veda and a Tamil king called Adhiyamaan.

Ikshvaku was mentioned in Rik Veda. The meaning of his name is SUGARCANE. The plant sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is mentioned in the Atharva Veda. Ayurvedic authors Charaka and Susruta mentioned the sugarcane in many places. The word ‘sugar’ and the words for sugar in other European languages came from the Sanskrit word ‘Sharkara’. Columbus introduced the sugarcane to the Americas in 1439. Arabs took it from India to other parts of Asia around 8^th century AD.

Encyclopaedias say that the people of New Guinea were the first to cultivate sugarcane around 6000 BC. But they did not extract sugar from it. They just chewed it to get the juice out of it. But King Ikshvaku was the first one to show the people of extracting sugar from the sugarcane. That is how he got this name Mr Sugarcane.

Who was Ikshvaku?

Ikshvaku was the son of Vaivasvata Manu who is equated with the King Satyavrata of Dravidian country in whose time the first avatar of Lord Vishnu- Matsyavatara (Fish incarnation) – took place. So all the facts lead us to the remotest period. Ikshvaku was more famous for his just rule rather than sugarcane juice.

Jains have another interesting story about the sugarcane. Their first Thirthankara Rishabadeva (Adi Nath) was the one who taught the people of extraction of sugarcane juice. So he was known as Ikshvaku. Another version is that he took sugarcane juice after a year of fasting. Both the Hindu and Jain Ikshvakus are probably one and the same.

Indus Valley civilisation has evidence to show that they knew sugarcane and sugar extraction. Crystallised sugar was used by the Indus Valley people. Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Lalitha (Ref. Lalitha Sahasranamam), Kamakshi, Tripura Sundari and the Hindu Cupid Manmatha are depicted holding a sugarcane in one hand. The Sanskrit word Sharkara and these Hindu goddesses prove that sugarcane was very much Hindu and Indian.

Tamil King Adhiyamaan Nedumaan Anji

Another interesting fact about sugarcane is in Tamil literature. The word for sugarcane in Tamil is ‘Karumbu’.The grand old lady of Tamil literature Avvaiyar praised chieftain Adhiyamaan  Nedumaan Anji of Thagadur (modern Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu)  for his philanthropy in Puranaanuru verse 99. Avvaiyar lived two thousand years ago. While praising him she made a passing remark. She said that the forefathers of Adhiyamaan were the one who introduced sugarcane to the people. If we get all these facts together we get a good picture of sugarcane cultivation in India. Ikshvaku or Rishabadeva was the one who taught people how to get the juice and make sugar. But if Indus valley had it by 3000 BC then we had to push the date of Ikshvaku dynasty or Rishabadeva to 3000 BC as well. Tamils also say indirectly that Adhiyamaan was related to him. The South Indian Tamils corroborate what their North Indian counterparts said about the sugarcane. The idea that it was ‘introduced’ by some king is undeniable. The sugarcane mystery pushes back the date of Ikshvaku dynasty and the Jain Thirthankara to the remotest periods of Indian history.

Other Sanskrit words for sugarcane are Mahashira, Mahapushpaka and for jaggery ‘Gur’ or ‘Gud’ (Tamil word Vellam).

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Tags- Athiyaman, Ikshwaku Dynasty, Sugarcane Cultivation, Avvaiyar, Bhagavad Gita and Brahmins’ Big Role! Purananuru wonders-30, Tamil Encyclopedia-70  

Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,755

Date uploaded in London –18 May 2026

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Maitreyi

Maitreyī (मैत्रेयी).—Wife of the sage Yājñavalkya. She was one of the most learned and virtuous women in ancient India. There are innumerable references to her in the Purāṇa.

This shows the status of women in Vedic days. About 3000 years ago, they competed with men in attaining spiritual glory. Gargi Vachaknavi was her contemporary. She questioned Yajnavalkya in the Philosophers conference.

Maitreyi and Yajnavalkya are significant characters from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad who engage in a philosophical dialogue. Maitreyi questions Yajnavalkya about the nature of immortality, prompting a profound exchange about the Self and reality. Their conversation highlights key teachings on love and renunciation, illustrating the depth of Vedantic philosophy. This interaction not only emphasizes the quest for knowledge but also the importance of understanding the essence of existence and the relationship between love and spiritual enlightenment.

Maitreyi and Katyayani, the two wives of Yajnavalkya, are significant figures in Vedanta and Dharmashastra. Maitreyi is renowned for her philosophical discussions about Brahman, embodying a deep intellectual engagement, while Katyayani represents a more traditional and feminine perspective. Together, they illustrate the dual aspects of Yajnavalkya’s life, blending his domestic responsibilities with profound philosophical inquiry, showcasing the complementary roles women play in both personal and spiritual realms.

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Malayadwaja Pandya / Meenakshi

Malayadhvaja Pandya (Tamil: மலயத்வஜ பாண்டியன் n), is a legendary king of Madurai and ruler of the Pandya Empire. He is mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana. His queen consort is Kanchanamalai. He is the father of the goddess and queen of Madurai, Meenakshi. Tiruvilaiyatal Puranam written by two different authors give his full story.

According to a legend found in the Tamil text Tiruvilaiyadal Puranam, the childless Malayadhvaja Pandya and his wife Kanchanamala perform ninety-nine ashvamedha yajnas to propitiate the gods, seeking a son for the succession. However, a three-year-old girl emerged from the yajna fire, bearing three breasts, upon the lap of the queen.

A heavenly voice stated that the royal couple should treat her like a son, and that she would lose the third middle breast when she met her future husband. The girl is named Taḍātakai, and she is renamed Meenakshi by Sage Agastya during her ascension of the throne. She won many kings in the battles and at last when she met Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva), Meenakshi’s third breast disapered, and she recognised him as her groom. Returning to Madurai, Meenakshi married Shiva, who adopted the title of Sundara Pandya, with Vishnu offering her hand in marriage.

During the Kurukshetra War, Malayadhvaja Pandya sided with the Pandavas and was killed by Ashwatthama .

Meenakshi’s Tamil name is Ankayarkanni (translation of Sanskrit Meena+ Akshi= Fish like eyes). The name is used by Tiru Gnana Sambandar who visited Madurai 1400 years ago.

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Malavikagnimitram

Kalidasa,the celebrated Sanskrit poet and dramatist, wrote three plays – Abhigyana Shakuntalam, Vikramovarshiyam and  Malavikagnimitram.

Malvikagnimitram is a 5 Act play about the love-story of King Agnimitra of Vidisha and Malavika, who is the maid to the chief Queen Dharini. He falls in love with her when he sees her portrait. His childhood friend Gautam (Vidushak – court entertainer) is his partner who helps him to get her. Gautam and Malavika’s friend, a fellow handmaiden Bakulavalika, help the couple avert the wrath of the queens Dharini and Iravati.

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Manas

English word Mind is derived from this Sanskrit word. Tamils used it from earliest times.

Manas (मनस्).—n. [manyate’nena man karaṇe asun]

1) The mind, heart, understanding, perception, intelligence; as in सुमनस्, दुमर्नस् (sumanas, dumarnas) &c.

2) (In phil.) The mind or internal organ of perception and cognition, the instrument by which objects of sense affect the soul; (in Nyāya phil. manas is regarded as a Dravya or substance, and is distinct from ātman or the soul); 

3) Conscience, the faculty of discrimination or judgment.

4) Thought, idea, fancy, imagination, conception; पश्यन्न- दूरान्मनसाप्यधृष्यम् (paśyanna- dūrānmanasāpyadhṛṣyam) Kumārasambhava 3.51; R.2.27; कायेन वाचा मनसापि शश्वत् (kāyena vācā manasāpi śaśvat) 5.5; 

5) Design, purpose, intention.

6) Will, wish, desire, inclination; in this sense मनस् (manas) is frequently used with the infinitive form with the final म् (m) dropped, and forms adjectives;  5.4; cf. काम (kāma).

7) Reflection (dhyāna); मनसा जपैः प्रणतिभिः प्रयतः समुपेयिवानधिपतिं स दिवः (manasā japaiḥ praṇatibhiḥ prayataḥ samupeyivānadhipatiṃ sa divaḥ) Kirātārjunīya 6.22.

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Mandilam/ mandalam

Maṇḍala (मण्डल).— Round, circular;  circular array of troops.

A division of the Ṛgveda (the whole collection being divided into 10 Maṇḍalas or eight Aṣṭakas). The halo round the sun or moon.

Timeor Period: While 41 days is standard, the duration can sometimes range from 40 to 48 days, depending on the specific tradition or astrological calculations. It is most famously observed as Mandala Vratham by devotees of Lord Ayyappa preparing for their pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Devotees observing a fasting period (Deeksha) for the Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada typically undertake a highly auspicious 41-day or 45-day yatra. This penance is generally performed in the lead-up to the grand Dasara (Navaratri) festival

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Mandhata

2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature says Choza kings were descendants of Sibi of Solar Dynasty. Later inscriptions clearly mentioned Mandata and Muchukunda.

King Mandhata (Sanskrit: Māndhātṛ) is a legendary Chakravarti emperor of the Solar Dynasty (Suryavamsa) and a direct ancestor of Lord Rama. Revered in Puranas like the Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana, he is celebrated for conquering the entire world and his unwavering devotion to Dharma.

The Puranas and the epic Mahabharata detail several fascinating legends about his extraordinary life and lineage: Miraculous Birth: His father, King Yuvanashva, was childless. After mistakenly drinking a magic potion meant to make his queen pregnant, Yuvanashva himself gave birth to the child through his side. Because the father had no milk, Lord Indra offered his thumb for the baby to suckle. The gods named him Mandhata, meaning “He shall suck me”. He married Bindumati, the daughter of the Yadava king Shashabindu. They had three famous sons—Purukutsa, Ambarisha, and Muchukunda—and fifty daughters who all married the sage Saubhari.  Muchukunda story is in Mahabarata.

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Mangaladevi/Kannaki Temple

The Mangaladevi Temple, located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Idukki, Kerala, opens to devotees once a year for the Chitra Pournami celebrations in April or May. This 1,000-year-old temple, built from granite and situated at an altitude of 1,337 meters, honours the deity Mangaladevi, also known as Kannaki.

Mangaladevi, the heroine of the Tamil epic Silapathikaram, symbolizes moral power and justice. The temple was established by the ancient Tamil king Cheran Chenguttuvan in her honour, commemorating her legendary act of burning the city of Madurai to avenge her husband’s wrongful death.

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Mangala sutra

The auspicious strig worn by the bride at her wedding. In the south it is called Thaali.  A married woman prizes it more than any other ornament and is divested of it only on the death of her husband.

Tamil women also had it according to Sangam Tamil literature. It is called Seyizai or Aniyizai in Tamil.

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Mangalyadharana

Wearing of the Mangala Sutra or maangalya suutra  during the marriage ceremony .

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Manipallavam

Identified with an island in Sri Lanka. Nainativu (Tamil: நயினாதீவு ) is a small but notable island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. The name of the island alludes to the inhabitants, the Naga people. It is home to the Hindu Nagapooshani Amman Temple.

Historians note the island is mentioned in the ancient Tamil epic Manimekalai where it was mentioned as Manipallavam (Tamil: மணிபல்லவம்). Ptolemy, a Greek cartographer, described the islands around the Jaffna Peninsula Nagadiba (Naga Dwipa) in the first century CE.

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Manisapanchakam

Manisha Panchakam is a set of five profound verses composed by the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. It distils the core principles of Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism)—teaching that the same divine consciousness exists in all beings, regardless of social standing, caste, or creed.

While walking to the Vishwanatha temple, in Kasi/Varanasi, Shankaracharya—who strictly upheld traditional caste structures at the time—asked a passing chandala (an outcast/sweeper) to move out of his path. The outcaste responded by profoundly questioning Shankaracharya: How can one physical body tell another to move away when the same universal consciousness resides equally in both? Stung and awakened by this wisdom, Shankaracharya realized the sweeper was Lord Shiva in disguise. He bowedto the outcaste and composed these five verses in response.

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Manmatha / Madana/ Maran

1) Cupid, the god of love; मन्मथो मां मथ्नन्निजनाम सान्वयं करोति (manmatho māṃ mathnannijanāma sānvayaṃ karoti) Daśakumāracarita 1; Meghadūta 75;

2) Love, passion; प्रबोध्यते सुप्त इवाद्य मान्मथः (prabodhyate supta ivādya mānmathaḥ) Ṛtusaṃhāra 1.8; so परोक्षमन्मथः जनः (parokṣamanmathaḥ janaḥ) Ś.2.19.

Long ago an Asura named Tāraka, who was proud of his invincible might, was causing much havoc and terror in the whole world. Even the gods were afraid of him because he had received a boon that Śiva’s son alone was capable of killing him. It was the time when Pārvatī, the daughter of Himavān, was performing a penance praying that Parameśvara should become her husband. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Indra sent Kāma to rouse the passion of love in Śiva’s mind. Kāma reached Śiva’s seat and tried to stir up his passions. Śiva who was enraged at this, opened his third eye blazing with fire. Kāma was. burnt to ashes in that fire. The place where Kāma’s body (Aṅga) fell, came to be called “Aṅgarājya”. Since he lost his body, Kāmadeva got another name “Anaṅga”. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa. Bāla Kāṇḍa, Chapter 23).

His wife was Rathi and his flag was Makaradwaja. Ancient Tamil literature also mentioned him. Other names- Makaraketanan, Makatradwajan, Maran

Also,Manmatha (मन्मथ) refers to the twenty-ninth of the sixty-year cycle of Jupiter, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 8).

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Mantra

A mantra is a sacred sound, word, or phrase repeated to aid concentration in meditation, calm the mind, or shift your mindset. The word originates from Sanskrit, combining manas (mind) and tra (tool)—literally translating to a “tool for the mind”.

Sacred sounds or phrases (like the Hindu syllable Om) believed to carry spiritual power and vibrational energy. Words repeated to boost motivation or shift mental states (e.g., “I am capable,” “This too shall pass”).

Most Popular mantra found in all the four Vedas is Gayatri Mantra.

Modern usage: A core principle, watchword, or phrase frequently repeated by organizations or individuals (e.g., “Quality first”)

Jaggi Vasudev explains: Mantra means a sound. Today, modern science sees the whole existence as a vibration. Where there is a vibration, there is bound to be a sound. So that means, the whole existence is a kind of sound, or a complex amalgamation of sounds – the whole existence is an amalgamation of multiple mantras. Of these, a few mantras or a few sounds have been identified, which could be like keys. If you use them in a certain way, they become a key to open up a different dimension of life and experience within you.

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Mantra Akshata

Unbroken rice grains that are imbued with the power of mantras are called Mantraaksata. Such rice grains mixed with turmeric powder and kunkuma are received with the blessings of Vedic scholars to the chanting of mantras.

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Mantra pushpa

There are sixteen different constituents in the worship of any deity: these are called sodosopacara. The fifteenth upacara is Mantra pushpa. In this, flowers are offered to the God with the chanting of Mantras. There is also a mantra pushpa associated with the honouring of an ascetic.

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Mantravadin/ Mantrika

One who recites mantras; one who tries to cure diseases with the chanting of mantras; an exorcist or a sorcerer. Maantrika means the same

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Manvantara

The regnal period of a Manu.

Manvantara (मन्वन्तर).—Kalpa, Manvantara and Caturyuga. The Prapañca (universe) is perishable. At one time, it takes its origin, at another time it perishes. Brahmā, the creator of the universe has birth and death. The period between the birth and death of a Brahmā is known as a “Mahākalpa”. The flood that comes at the death of a Brahmā is called “Mahāpralaya”. One day of Brahmā is called Kalpakāla. In the Purāṇas one Kalpa or one day of Brahmā is divided into fourteen parts. The master or ruler of each of these divisions is a Manu. There are fourteen Manus. The life span of each Manu is called a “Manvantaram”.

One thousand Mahayuga constitute the regnal period of the 14 Manus put together.

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Manu

Manu (मनु) refers to:—Universal rulers, lawgivers, and progenitors. Fourteen Manus appear in each day of Brahmā. The present Manu is Vaivasvata Manu. 

A generic name for any of the fourteen universal rulers also known as Manvantara-avataras, who appear in each day of Lord Brahmā.

Their names are

1.     Svāyambhuva;

2.     Svārociṣa;

3.     Uttama;

4.     Tāmasa;

5.     Raivata;

6.     Cākṣusa;

7.     Vaivasvata;

8.     Savarṇi;

9.     Dakṣasāvarṇi;

10.Brahmasāvarṇi;

11.Dharmasāvarṇi;

12.Rudrasāvarṇi;

13.Devasāvarni;

14.Indrasāvarṇi.

We have lot of references to Manu from the Rig Vedic times. It is no the name of a single individual.

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Manu Smriti

The Manusmriti contains exactly 2,684 verses (slokas) distributed across 12 chapters.

Manusmṛti (मनुस्मृति).is a  code of conduct written by Manu; he was the father of man-kind . The book contains twelve chapters. The first chapter deals with the origin of the Smṛti and the origin of the world. No other

Certain historians believe it to have been written down around 200 C.E. under the reign of Pushymitra Sunga of Sangha clan.

Over fifty manuscripts of the Manusmriti are now known, but the earliest discovered, most translated, and presumed authentic version since the 18th century is the Calcutta manuscript with Kulluka Bhatta commentary”.Modern scholarship states this presumed authenticity is false, and that the various manuscripts of Manusmriti discovered in India are inconsistent with each other. The smriti praises women sky-high. It says if a woman is made to cry the whole family will be rooted out by God. It also adds brothers must buy them jewels and dress. It adds women must always be protected by father, brother or husband. Anti Shudra slokas were interpolations that were added during Sunga period.

To be continued……………………………….

Tags- Maitreyi , Manu, Manu Smriti, Status of Women, Mangaladevi, Kannaki, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 63; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-63