Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,152

Date uploaded in London – 1 September 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 106

T words continued……………..

Turvasu

Younger son of Yayati and Devayani. Like his elder brother Yadu, he too declined to exchange his youth for his father’s pre mature old age caused by the curse of Shukracharya. For not obeying him, Yayati cursed that his descendants would rule over sinful population and would be annihilated completely.

***

Twashta

A virtuous Brahmana who created a three headed son called Vishwaroopa who was killed by Indra out of envy.  Twashta then created another son Vritrasura to take revenge against Indra. That Brahmin was also killed by Indra;  because he killed a Brahmin, Indra went to many shrines for purification which is in Sanskrit Puranas and Tamil Temple Puranas called Sthala Puranas (sthala= holy spot). Vritrasura has another interpretation; it is the drought which Indra/rain killed.

This episode exposes foreign “scholars” who hide that Vritra was a Brahmin or completely ignore this incident as it had not happened. The same “scholars” create mountain out of a mole in the episode of Krishna denying food meant for Indra in the Govardhana Hill Lifting Episode.

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Tyagaraja (1767-1847)

Great musician and composer who was born in Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. His Kritis/compositions in Telugu and Sanskrit are sung in all Carnatic Music Concerts until this day. His compositions are mostly on Lord Rama. He is regarded as one of the “trinities” of Carnatic music composers, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. He was a devotee of Rama. Tyagaraja started his musical training under Sri Sonti Venkataramanayya at an early age. He started his musical career at the age of 13. His Samadhi is in Thiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu. To this day, a commemorative music festival called the Tyagaraja Aaradhana is held at Thiruvaiyaru in the months of January to February every year. Scholars and musicians generally agree that roughly 700 to 730 songs have survived and are sung or documented today. Legend suggests Tyagaraja composed 24,000 songs (matching the number of verses in the Valmiki Ramayana). He is believed to have recited the Rama Nama 96 crore (960 million) times. Saint Tyagaraja experienced visions of Lord Rama through his intense devotion, spiritual penance, and musical compositions.

Gems from Tyagaraja:

Pancharatna Kritis: The “Five Gems” set in master Ghana ragas (Nata, Arabhi, Varali, Sri, and Gowla) stand as monumental pillars of Carnatic composition. Musical Operas: He wrote groundbreaking narrative works like [Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam and Nauka Charitram] using a rich sequence of ragas. He composed accessible, choral, and devotional pieces meant for group singing and daily temple rituals. He pioneered anagata eduppu, writing songs where the lyrics start dynamically after the primary beat (sama) rather than directly on it. The Jagadanandakaraka kriti by Saint Tyagaraja contains 108 names of Lord Rama. Historical accounts and traditions state that Tyagaraja and Syama Sastri met. Syama Sastri was the oldest of the Trinity of Carnatic music. He often travelled to Thiruvaiyaru to visit Tyagaraja at his home, and the two masters discussed music and sang together. Syama Sastri also sent his son, Subbaraya Sastri, to study music under Tyagaraja. He explicitly signed his name—usually as “Tyagaraja” or variants like “Tyagarajuni”—typically in the final charanam (stanza) of his compositions

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Tulsi

Most scared plant for Vaishnavites like Bilva (vilvam in Tamil) for Saivites.

Tulsi [तुलसी] in the Hindi language is the name of a plant identified with Ocimum tenuiflorum  from the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. It is kept in a raised place called Mandap at the back of the house in open space. Hindus, particularly women worship it every day. The plant has good medicinal properties. Krishna is said to have great respect for this plant. There are many stories to show how Krishna valued it. Tulasi is also referred to as Vrinda, Brinda. The forested area of Tulasi plants where Krishna grew up has for this reason been called V/Brindavan. Tulsi refers to  the plant basil.

**

Tulsi Vivah

Tulasi Vivah festival is usually observed on the 11th Day after the Full Moon of the bright fortnight of the month of Karthika. Vivah means wedding, marriage.

Women clean the area around the Tulasi plant or place the pot on a decorated rangoli base. They construct a small wedding canopy (mandap) using sugarcane stalks, banana leaves, and marigold flowers. Tulasi plant is the Bride; women bathe the Tulasi plant and drape a red or yellow sari or red cloth around it. Adorn the plant with vermilion (kumkum), turmeric (haldi), bangles, and ornaments. Bridegroom is Vishnu and he is represented by a Shaligram (fossil with marks like Vishnu Chakra/wheel). So, a shaligram stone (representing Lord Vishnu) or an idol of Lord Krishna/Vishnu is placed next to the plant, dressing the idol in traditional yellow garments and a crown. After lighting oil lamps and incense sticks, Lord Ganesha is invoked to remove obstacles before starting the main worship. The Union: Tie a sacred cotton thread (mauli) or garland between the Tulasi plant and the Shaligram/Vishnu idol to symbolize the marital knot. Family members act as parents to perform the symbolic Kanyadaan (giving away the bride) while priests or participants chant Vedic mantras and wedding hymns. Shower flowers and vermilion-mixed rice over the divine couple, perform the Mangal Aarti, and offer seasonal fruits, sweets, and jaggery as bhog before distributing prasad to family and friends.  They celebrate it to quicken the marriages in the family. It signals the official opening of the auspicious Hindu wedding season.

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Tulsidhas

Goswami Tulsidas composed the epic poem Ramcharitmanas in the 16th century to retell the sacred story of Lord Rama in the vernacular Awadhi dialect of Hindi language. Goswami Tulsidas (1543?–1623), was a poet-saint and devoted follower of Rama. He spread bhakti movement across northern India by bringing the ancient story into the hearts and daily lives of ordinary households. Ramcharitmanas (Devanagari: रामचरितमानस rāmacaritamānasa), is an epic poem in seven cantos.The word Ramcharitmanas literally means “Lake of the deeds of Rama”. It is considered one of the greatest works of Hindu literature. Most scholars identify his birthplace as Rajapur, a village on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh . He died in Varanasi (specifically near Assi Ghat), Uttar Pradesh, India

The ‘Hanuman Chalisa was composed by the saint; the hymn is a timeless ode recited by millions of Hindus every day. It is believed that an ailing Tulsidas composed it and  helped Tulsidas regain his health. It has 40 verses.

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Tolkappiar and Tolkappiam (kaappiyam)

Tolkappiyam (or Tolkaappiam) is the most ancient extant Tamil grammar text and the oldest surviving Tamil book. Authored by the sage Tolkaappiyar, it serves not only as a comprehensive manual on linguistics but also as a unique guide to the social, cultural life of ancient Tamil Nadu. The text is composed of approximately 1,612 condensed aphoristic verses called Sutras. It is systematically divided into three major sections (adhikarams), each containing exactly nine chapters: Ezhuthadhikaram (Phonology and Orthography). Solladhikaram (Morphology and Syntax), Poruladhikaram splits literature and life into two distinct categories:Akam (Interior): Deals with the subjective emotions of love, courtship, and marital life. Puram (Exterior): Focuses on objective public virtues, heroism, governance, social conduct, and warfare.

Controversies

The exact age remains a subject of heavy debate among scholars. Traditional views tie it to the mythical Second Sangam period (ranging from 1st millennium BCE or earlier), while modern consensus places its earliest layers between the 3rd century BCE and 1st century BCE, with updates settling around the 5th century CE. But the last section called Porul Adhikaram is a alter addition.

The Author: Tradition identifies Tolkappiyar as one of the twelve core disciples of the legendary Sage Agastya.. Only two things are known about the book and the author. The Paayiram (Intro) says it was approved by a Brahmin teacher of Athankodu who was well versed in Four Vedas. Paayiram was composed by his classmate Panamparanaar.  Next information comes from most famous Tamil commentator Nacchinarkiniyar of Madurai, a Brahmin of Bharadvaja Gotra. He says Tolkappiar’s name was Trunadumagni Rishi and he clashed  with his Guru Agastya and was cursed by him. In turn Tolkappiar also cursed him and his grammar Agastyam disappeared because of this. The clash was on a stupid  matter. Agastya asked his disciple Tolkappiar to bring his wife Lopamudra (both names are in the last section of Rig Veda) from Vidharba in modern Madhya Pradesh. When they approached Madurai, river Vaigai was in floods. Just to cross the river safely Tolkappiar took a pole and asked Lopamudra to hold one end of the pole. Tolkappiar brought her safely across the river by holding the other end. When Agastya came to know about it he was angry and cursed him.

If one believes in this story ,it is a proof that Tamil existed at the time of Rig Veda.

Controversy about the book

Tolkappiar and modern version of Tolkappaim (his book) existed in different times. The modern version is from Fifth Century CE which is proved by the word Adhikaaram; this word is used throughout Tirukkural and Tamil epic SilappaDIKAARAM. So, we can conclude all these books were reacted at the same time by Tamil Academy (Sanagam or by a team of Tamil Scholars.

The book is not the original version is known by his expressions, ‘They say’, ‘It is said’ by  at least 300 times. This journalistic cliché shows it is a compilation and not his original.

Strangely, Tolkappiam mentioned Vedic Gods Indra and Varuna as Tamil Gods. Thouh, he mentioned Vishnu, Skanda/Muruga, Kali/Kotravai, Balarama etc. he never mentioned Lord Siva!

Other facts like Tolkappiar using Manu Smriti’s Eight Types of Marriages and Bharata Muni’s Eight Types of Sentiments or moods, reference to Vedic pronunciation etc show the book was compiled later. No reference to book or the author is in 2000 year old Sangam Literature. Some contents of Tolkappiam may be older than Sangam literature. Even the word KAAPPIYA in the name of the book and the name of the author is still debated without an agreeable solution. Kaappiya is the name of the most famous Gotra in the Rig Veda. Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita also praised the Usanas Rishi of Kappiya Gotra. Words like Kavi, Kavithai, Kaavya (poet, poem) are derived from the mysterious poet of Rig Veda Ucanas Kavi.

**

Tiruvasagam 

Saivite hymn authored by mysterious saint Manikavasagar (maanikka vaasagar); his date is still debated; why he was not included in the great list of 63 Saivite Saints, absence of his reference to other three Tevara Moovar, vice versa the absence of their reference to Manikavasagar etc remain unsolved mysteries in Tamil Devotional literature. But his superb hymns, 658 verses under 51 chapters (3295 lines), will move anyone. Even Reverend Dr G U Pope who came to spread Christianity in Tamil Nadu was so moved that he spent his life in Translating this hymn, and Tirukkural and other ancient Tamil poem. Author Manikavasagar’s life was full of clashes with the Pandya king and the Buddhist scholars from Sri Lanka. My long research placed him before the time of Tevara Moovar. He must have lived around fifth century CE.

His hymns, full of compassion, on Lord Shiva are sung in Mohana Raga. It is said that even stones will melt when one sings his hymns.

***

Tirumurai – Please see Tevaram

***

Tiru mular and Tiru Manthiram

Great Saivite saint. He is one of the 63 Nayanamars (naayanmaaras) sung in Periya Puranam and one of the 18 Siddhas (Tamil Mystics). His work TIRUMANTHIRAM in Tamil consists of 3000 poems dealing with Saiva Siddhanta, Sakta and Vedanta- a rare combination. The contents of the book dealing with Devi, Tantras, Mantras and Yantras, reference to Siva Linga (which is absent in Tevaram & Tiruvasagam etc), and  his Non-Tamil expressions, his style, use of Sanskrit words – all place him in 8^th or ninth century CE. He travelled from Kashmir and saw a dead body of a cow herd and the cows longing for him. Immediately he used one of the Eight Mystic Powers called Ashta Maa Siddhi, and entered the body of the cowherd to the delight of the cows. This happened in Aaduthurai in Tamil Nadu. The samadhi of the saint is located within the ancient temple in Thiruvavaduthurai, Tamil Nadu

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Tiru Valluvar and Tirukkural

london swaminathan with Valluvar statue in London University.

The most famous poet of Tamil Nadu who authored TIRUKKURAL which consists of 1330 couplets dealing with Dharma Artha Kama (Virtue, Wealth and Sex). In the contents he also deals with asceticism and Moksha (liberation of soul). He was a staunch Hindu and summarised all the Hindu thoughts in the briefest poems called Kural. His reference to Hindu Gods Indra, Yama, Vamana Avatar, Krishna Avatar, Lakshmi, her elder siter, Brahma, Siva (indirectly) show him as a master of Hindu scriptures. His knowledge in Sanskrit is also evident in his indirect references to Bhagavad Gita, Manu smriti, Artha Shastra and Pancha Tantra. In addition to reference to Hindu Gods, he ued Sanskrit words in about 600 couplets out of 1330. Tiru Valluvar was a staunch supporter Vegetarianism

Tamils placed his book in the post Sangam group of 18 Minor poems. He belonged to Fifth Century CE, but Tamil fanatics gave him a new date 31 BCE to shut the mouth of Christians who started comparing his couplets with Bible. Hundred year old Tirukkural books show him as a man born to high and low class woman and man  with six siblings. Modern books wiped out those facts and portrayed him differently.  Political Tamils are doing it to every ancient Tamil author including Tolkappiar..

Tirukkural is one of the greatest contributions of India to the world.  Though he begins with ten couplets on God with Feet and Head (God with a form). Most of what he said is applicable to honest human beings in any part of the world. Still it is not out of controversy. He refers to slavish wife and attributes supernatural powers to such women. Like Kalidasa he also portrayed Kings as Gods and attributed supernatural harvest happening in his kingdom.  English people who saw the third part of his book on Love and Sex were appaleed in the beginning and hid it from the light of the world. They did not realise that sex was not a taboo to Hindus.

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Trayambhaka (Three Eyed)

God with Three Eyes is Lord Siva. This Vedic reference to Lord Siva is in the earliest part of Sangam tamil Literature. But oldest book Tolkaappiam completely ignored him. Traymabaka is the name of one of the 12 Jyotir Linga shrines in India, located from Rameswaram to Himalayas. Lord Siva used his Laser Eye to burn Manmatha  (God of Love) and three hanging Space Stations of three demons. Siva’s attributes are put in Tamil by Appar and Sambndar around 600 CE

 Tamils proved Siva and Rudra are one and the same, countering foreign mischiefs.

Trayambakeswar /Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple (श्री त्र्यंबकेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग मंदिर) in Nashik district of Maharashtra. It is 28 kilometres from Nashik city.

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Tri siras- see Twasta.

***

Turaga /Turkey

Turaga means horse. Turkey was the land of horses in Vedic days. All the best kind of horses were brought to Turkey by Vedic Hindus and trained by them. This is proved by the Kikkuli manual with Sanskrit instructions found in Turkey. The manual is dated around 1400 BCE.

A Brief Introduction to the Kikkuli Text

The Kikkuli Text is a Late Bronze Age (ca. 1350 B.C.) set of instructions for training and conditioning horses. It is connected to Kikkuli, who identifies himself as a Mitannian “master horse trainer.” The text survives on clay tablets written in Hittite cuneiform and found at the Hittite capital of Ḫattuša (modern Boğazköy, Turkey). While the main language of the tablets is Hittite, the text also preserves specialized technical terms, including numbers and training vocabulary, that reflect knowledge transferred from the Mitanni and Hurrian world into the Hittite court.

Mitannian was a Hindu Kingdom ruling areas in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran . All the names of the kings were in pure Sanskrit. There we have Dasaratha, Pratardhana etc. found Iin Ramayana and Vishnu Sahasra namam.

Horse manual with Sanskrit words in cuneiform clay tablets in Turkey.

To be continued………………………

Tags – Kikkuli, , Turvasu, Twashta, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL, part 106; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-106

 Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,135

Date uploaded in London – 27 August 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 

Tevaram (tevaaram)

Book of Tamil poems on Lord Siva. Three great saints Tiru Gnana Sambandar, Tiru Navukkarasar (Appar) and Sundarar composed these poems. Senior most of the three, Appar, was a contemporary of  great king Mahendra Pallava (600 CE) and Sambandar (640 CE). There are about 9000 poems grouped in seven books.

Tevaram means garland of divine songs or poems.

• Thiru gnana Sambandar: A child prodigy whose lively verses make up the first three volumes.
• Appar (Tirunavukkarasar): Known for deeply emotional and humble hymns that form volumes four, five, and six.
• Sundarar (Sundaramoorthy Nayanar): Composed the seventh volume, expressing a personal, close bond with Shiva.

•  
• Paadal Petra Sthalams: The Tevaram praises 275 specific Shiva temples (mostly in Tamil Nadu, plus two in Sri Lanka), which are sacred pilgrimage sites known as Paadal Petra Sthalams prefixed with Tiru, equivalent to Sri or Holy.
• Musical Tradition: The poems are set to ancient Tamil musical modes called Pann, which correspond closely to Carnatic ragas. They are still chanted daily as a living tradition in many South Indian Shiva temples.

Like Vedic pundits learn Vedas from their teachers, Othuvars learn the poems from their seniors. They sing them in the temples every day. Tamil kings provided them grants.

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Thayumanavar (thaayumaanavar)

Thayumanavar was a distinguished Tamil poet-saint who lived in the first half of the eighteenth century, from 1705 to 1744 CE. His devotional poetry was frequently cited by Sri Ramana Maharishi. Thayumanavar was brought up in the Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu in the coastal town of Vedaranyam. His father, Kediliappa, came from an agricultural background but progressed from being a farmer to being the administrator of the local Vedapureeswarar Temple. He carried out this responsibility so well, he was subsequently offered the job of palace manager and royal advisor by Vijayaranga Chokkalinga Naicker, the reigning Prince of Tiruchirapalli. When Thayumanavar was born, his father named him after Thayumaneswarar, the presiding deity in the temple of Siragiri, which is nowadays known as the Tiruchirapalli Fort Temple.

Thayumanavar received a good education at court in which he ended up acquiring an outstanding knowledge of both Sanskrit and Tamil language and literature. He lost his father when he was still in his teens, and he was considered qualified to take over his job. Later he showed more interest in spiritualism than worldly affairs.

Thayumanavar articulated the Saiva Siddhanta philosophy. he wrote several tamil hymns of which 1454 are available. Thayumanavar’s key teaching is to discipline the mind, control desires and meditate peacefully. He went on to say that “it is easy to control an elephant, catch hold of the tiger’s tail, grab the snake and dance, dictate the angels, transmigrate into another body, walk on water or sit on the sea; but it is more difficult to control the mind and remain quiet”. He met Mouna Guru Desigar, the head of a Saiva mutt in Tiruchi. Thayumanavar got married and became a father. His son was Kanagasabhapathy. When he lost his wife  he became a wandering saint. Finally he went to Ramanathapuram and attained Samadhi in 1744. He is known for his unceasing emphasis on the unity of all paths to God and of all religions, and, in particular, on the unity of the Shaiva Siddhanta and Vedanta.

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Thillai (Chidambaram)

Most sacred Shrine for Tamil Saivites; for them temple means Chidambaram like Sri Rangam for Tamil Vasihavites. Thillai Nataraja temple has been in worship for at least 2000 years. Since Lord Siva as Nataraja (King of Dance) is the patron saint of dancers, they always pay tributes to him in dancing events. Choza and Pallava kings put golden roof for the temple. The unique feature of the temple is that it is maintained by Thillai 3000 Priests (Brahmins) unlike other temples. Thillai Vazh Anthaanar: Also known as the Dikshitars, this is an exclusive community of Vedic priests who serve as the hereditary trustees and archakas (priests) of the Nataraja temple.

Chidambara Rahasyam: The temple houses a famous mystical secret representing the formless, invisible aspect of Shiva as pure space or emptiness behind a draped curtain. Thillai Kali Temple: Located on the outskirts of Chidambaram, this historic temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali.  The town is 229 kilometres, south of Chennai and can be reached within five hours.

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Tilakam/ tilak

Tilak is a sacred mark or symbol applied to the forehead or other parts of the body in Hindu tradition. Though both men and wear Tilaka it is a must for married women. They have to wear it throughout their lives, i.e. as long as their husbands live . But people living in western countries don’t follow it strictly fearing racial discrimination.

• Sacred Mark: Derived from Sanskrit, a tilaka is a paste made of sandalwood, ash, vermillion, clay, or turmeric.
• Energy Center: It is placed on the Ajna chakra (the third-eye point between the eyebrows) to help calm the different types of Tilak are used by different Hindu sects.

Even ancient statues of Budddha show it prominently.

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Tilak B G

Bala Gangadhara Tilak was a freedom fighter and a great scholar. He kindled nationalist spirit in Maharashtra through Ganesh Chaturthy/Jayanti. Now it is the national festival of Maharashtrians. He is known for his research in the Rig Veda. He dated it around 4000 BCE through astronomical calculations. A strange coincidence was that German Sanskrit scholar Herman Jacobi also arrived at the same date  both of them did the research independently.

Buddha with Tilak on his forehead

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Tilottama

A beautiful Apsaras, divine damsel, created by  Brahma through synthesis of best elements  available in the three worlds.  She was sent down to earth in order to cause mutual destruction of the rakshasa brothers s

Sunda and Upa sunda. She made her seductive appearance in front of the two brothers when they were intoxicated and in their fight for her possession, they killed each other. Narada tod this episode to Yuthisthira.

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Trasadasyu

A king whom rishi Agastya, accompanied by king Shrutarva and Bragnashwa, went to ask for wealth in order to please his wife Lopamudra.  Trasadasyu expressed his inability to provide any wealth but agreed to accompany the visitors  to demon Ilvala who was wealthy.

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Trijata

Trijata is a compassionate demoness (rakshasi) in the Ramayana who protects and comforts Sita while she is held captive in Sri Lanka by Ravana. Unlike the other demonic guards who threaten and torment Sita, Trijata shows her deep kindness, empathy, and respect. Trijata dreams of Ravana’s total destruction, Lanka burning in red flames, and Lord Rama’s ultimate victory. She uses this vision to stop the other demonesses from harassing Sita and to give Sita hope. Lineage: She is often described as the daughter of Vibhishana, Ravana’s righteous brother who aids Rama Following Rama’s victory, both Rama and Sita shower Trijata with rich rewards and praise for her loyalty and care.

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Tri loka

Tri-loka literally means “three worlds” in Sanskrit and refers to the threefold division of the universe in Indian religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Triloka (त्रिलोक).—The Sanskrit term tri-loka is often found in Vedic scriptures. Tri-loka means three worlds. The universe is divided into three worlds, or realms of consciousness: bhūr, bhuvaḥ and svaḥ (the gross region, the subtle region and the celestial region).

Triloka (त्रिलोक).—The conception of the triloka—earth, mid-space and heaven, or nether-world, earth and heaven—has been depicted in the figure of Viṣṇu Trivikrama.

Narada, Deva Rishi, is often called Tri Loka Sanchari, meaning that he is an Inter Galactic Traveller and travels faster than light.

Bhurloka: The Earth or the human realm. Bhuvarloka / Svarga: The atmosphere or celestial heaven of the gods. Naraka / Patala: The netherworld or underworld.

Consciousness: These worlds also represent physical, subtle, and celestial planes of existence.

Brahmins use these lokas along with four more lokas in their thrice a day Sandhyavandana.

The Seven Higher Lokas

• Bhurloka: The physical earth and the realm of human action and karma.
• Bhuvarloka: The atmospheric intermediate region between earth and the sun, home to semi-divine beings.
• Svarloka (Svargaloka): The celestial heaven ruled by Indra and inhabited by the devas.
• Maharloka: The abode of great enlightened sages and rishis.
• Janaloka: The realm where the pure-minded spiritual sons of Brahma reside.
• Tapoloka: The sphere of intense penance and ascetics.
• Satyaloka (Brahmaloka): The highest realm of ultimate truth and the residence of Lord Brahma

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Tri sankhu

A prince of olden times who was expelled by his father from the kingdom of Ayodhya. He then became a disciple of sage/king vishwamitra with whose blessings he regained the throne. At the end of his life he wanted to ascend to heaven/ swarga with his human body. First he approached Vasishta  to perform an appropriate yagna. When he said that he could not do it he insisted that he must do it. At once Vasishta’s son cursed him to become a low caste chandala. In this form he went to Vishwamitra and he did the yagna as requested by him. When he went up to swarga he was denied entry and pushed back  to earth. When he sought Vishwamitra’s help again he arrested his fall and caused him to remind suspended in mid-air. This episode was related to Pandavas to illustrate the rishi’s powers.

Trisankhu is in the form of stars in the southern heaven which the westerners named the Southern Cross. This constellation is in the flags of five countries: Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa.

In Sangam Tamil literature a Chera king helped a poet and his wife to ascend to heaven through Yagna. It is in Sangam book Pathitruppaththu.

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Trita

Trita – a great rishi/seer of ancient times who was well verse in the Vedas and Vedic fire sacrifices. Trita means Mr Three. He had two brothers Ekata and Dwita. They mean Mr One and Mr Two.  They were also learned and accompanied Trita to various yagnas /fire sacrifices and collected a lot of cattle between them. Once while out in a forest, both Ekata and Dwita planned to take all the cattle for themselves and abandon Trita. They were then attacked by a wolf and all of them ran in different directions. Trita hid himself in a deep well and shouted for help. Ekata and Dwita did not go for his rescue, though they heard his cries.

Trita being unable to get out of the well by himself, decided to perform a yagna to please the gods; by sheer mental force he imagined all the essential articles for the yagna and conducted it. Gods were very pleased and got him out of the well. Trita then cursed his two wicked brothers to be turned into two wolves.  The well where Trita performed mental yagna became a holy spot. During Mahabharata war, Krishna’s brother Balarama remained neutral and went on a pilgrimage. When he visited this holy well, the history of the well was recalled. It is in the ninth parva of Mahabharata.

This story can be compared with great Tamil Saivite saint Poosalaar Nayanar who built a temple mentally and invited god Siva for the consecration. A Choza king fixed the same date for his real Siva temple. When God went to the imaginary mental temple of Poosalar Nayanar, the king came to know about the great Nayanar. There are many stories in Hindu scriptures to show the power of mind.

To be continued…………………

Tags -Trita, Poosalar, Trisanku, Southern Star, Tevaram, Thayumanavar, 104HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 104; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-104

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,071

Date uploaded in London – 9 August 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 

Sarayu

Sarayu most prominently refers to a sacred river in Hinduism featured in the Ramayana, flowing through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh past the city of Ayodhya. It is also a female given name and a common reference for notable public figures. [1, 2, 3, 4]

• Location: Originates in the Kumaon Himalayas (Uttarakhand) and flows into the Ghaghara or Sharda river.
• Significance: Deeply tied to the epic Ramayana and the city of Ayodhya; holy baths in its waters are believed to wash away sins.

Girls are named after this river until this day.

1) Sarayū (सरयू).—A river very famous in the Purāṇas. The most important things associated with the river are given below:

(i) Seven tributaries of Gaṅgā originate from the golden peaks of the Himālayas and Sarayū is one of them. Those who bathe in the river will be absolved from sins. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 169, Verse 20)

(ii) The river exists in Varuṇa’s court worshipping him. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 8).

(iii) Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna and Bhīma, on their way to Girivraja from Indraprastha crossed this river. (Sabhā Parva, Chapter 20, Verse 28).

(iv) It was at Gotāra (or Gopratara) in this river that Śrī Rāma drowned himself to death and attained Viṣṇupāda. (Vana Parva, Chapter 84, Verse 70).

(v) This river is the source of Agni (fire). (Vana Parva, Chapter 222, Verse 22).

(vi) Vasiṣṭha once blocked the course of Gaṅgā on its way to Kailāsa at Mānasasarovara. But, Gaṅgā broke the obstruction and flowed on, and Sarayū is the stream that started from there. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 155, Verse 23).

(vii) It is one of the rivers to be remembered both at dawn and dusk. (Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 165, Verse 21).

(viii) The city of Ayodhyā is situated on the banks of Sarayū. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bālakāṇḍa, Canto 5, Verse 5).

2) Sarayū (सरयू).—Wife of the Agni Vīra. The couple had a son called Siddhi. (Vana Parva, Chapter 219, Verse

***

Sankaradeva

Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1568 CE), the founder of the Vaishnavite order Eka Sarana Nāma Dharmawas a multi-faceted person whose works had different dimensions

He  was an important personality in the annals of Indian history. He was not only a religious preceptor, but also a social reformer, who had sanskritized the ethnic groups of the volatile North East India and assimilated them with the national main-stream. He is considered as the father of the modern Assamese race.

Srimanta Sankaradeva was a cultural maestro too. He created a classical dance form known both as Sankari dance and Satriya dance. The Sangeet Nâtak Akâdemi of India recognized it as a classical dance form in 2000 CE. Srimanta Sankaradeva also evolved a school of classical music, which is named after him. He created as many as 25 Râgas of his own. He was also the first playright in all modern Indian languages. Above all these, he was the first prose writer. He introduced dro Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva is considered by his followers as an incarnation of God because of his multi-faceted contribution to the mankind as well as his perfect life. He strides over the national life of Assam like a giant colossus even five centuries after passing away. He went on pilgrimage twice, the first time touring the entire length and breadth of the country for long twelve years. He gave up his royal power as a king in middle Assam and came down to the level of the commoners. He founded the Eka Sharana Nâma Dharma, which preached devotion to a single God, lord Krishna.. He was also a fine artist. His art works have been preserved in the Albert Museum of London.

Srimanta Sankaradeva founded a whole new school of art. He initiated a new form of painting with his epoch-making drama-festival Chihna-Yâtrâ held in 1468 CE, where he drew the imaginary pictures of heaven to be used as backdrop. authored ten plays in his life. These were Chihna Yâtrâ, Patni Prasâda, Kâliya Damana, Keli Gopâla, Rukmini Harana, Pârijât Harana, Janma Yâtrâ, Gopi Uddhava Sambâda, Kangsa Badha and Sri Râma Vijaya. The first of these, Chihna Yâtrâ had been staged in 1468 CE. The second play Patni Prasâda was written while the saint was living at Gajalasuti temporarily.

He always advised his disciples to be very cautious about where and what they ate. He said that food offered by a pious man could liberate one while the food offered by an unmeritorious person destroyed one’s merits. During pilgrimage, he guided his disciples to proper places and proper hosts only. The Eka Sharana Nâma Dharma preached by Srimanta Sankaradeva gradually received wide acceptance in the entire Brahmaputra valley. Even the administrative officials of the Ahom kingdom were gradually won over to this egalitarian religion. The Ahoms earlier had their own traditional religion, which was akin to the Shakti worship of the Hindus. Sacrifice of animals to appease their deities was a common thing in the Ahom religion.

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Sarpa

Means snake; English words serpent snake are derived from Sanskrit. Sarpa worships is found in Rig Veda, later in Indus Valley sites. Now snakes are worshipped in most of the South Indian Temples. Thousands of stone snakes are installed in temples including Kuke Subrahmanya temple in Karnataka. In Kerala there are special shrines. Hindus believe that if they kill snakes, they wont have children. Naga Panchami is a special annual festival when live snakes are worshipped, particularly in Maharashtra. In the East India Snake goddess Manasa Devi is worshipped. Lord Vishnu is shown lying on a bed of snake, usually shown in statues with five, seven, nine heads.

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Satakratu

Śatakratu (शतक्रतु).— Indra.  śata a hundred, kratu sacrifice; a hundred Ashwa-Medhas or sacrifices of a horse, elevating the sacrificer to the place and title of Indra. This name is in the Rig Veda. More about him is under INDRA.

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Satarudriya

Śatarudrīya (शतरुद्रीय):—It is  said that gods are satiated if Śrī Rudram is chanted . Śatarudrīya means extolling one hundred ways of glorifying Rudra.

The Rudra-Adhyaya, known also as the Satarudriya, occurring in the Yajur Veda, is a soul-stirring hymn offered to the all-pervading Almighty, designated as Rudra-Siva. He is present in auspicious, benign forms by way of sustenance of all things created, and also as terrible forms which He assumes at the time of the dissolution and destruction of the cosmos at the end of time. A very intriguing aspect of God presented in this wondrous hymn is that God is both the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the right and the wrong, the positive and the negative, the high and the low, the conceivable and the inconceivable, the mortal and the immortal, existence and non-existence—every blessed notion of God and its correlative, or we may say the counter-correlative, the opposite, which also is included in the existence of God.

More about RUDRA and RUDRA HOMAM is under Rudra.

***

Sati

Sati  has two primary meanings: the mythological goddess (or a virtuous wife) who immolated herself due to grief or insult, and the historical socio-religious custom where a widow burned on her husband’s funeral pyre,

Goddess Sati: The consort of Lord Shiva who cast her body into the fire because her father Daksha insulted Shiva.

Virtuous Woman: The literal Sanskrit root meaning a pure, chaste, and devoted wife who embodies supreme loyalty.

It is not mentioned in Rig Veda and Manu Smriti. It is optional and not compulsory. From Ramayana and Mahabharata we see not all queens died when their husbands died.

Evil people used this custom with bad motives to inherit the property. Later it was banned.  Christian preachers who burnt millions of women including Joan of Arc branding them witches, used Sati pictures abroad to hide their criminal acts.

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Satva guna

Sattva guna is the quality of purity, harmony, and balance. It is one of the three fundamental forces of nature (the trigunas) in Indian philosophy, alongside rajas (activity) and tamas (inertia). Sattva represents mental clarity, peace, truth, and inner goodness.

Characteristics of Sattva Guna

Purity: Cleanliness of body, speech, and mind.Clarity: Calm awareness, sharp focus, and truthfulness.Peace: Emotional stability, contentment, and lack of anger. Compassion: Selfless service, empathy, and love for all beings.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Sattva Guna (the mode of goodness, purity, and harmony) is primarily detailed in Chapter 14 (verses 5–18) and further categorized by daily habits like food, faith, and action in Chapter 17. Lord Krishna explains that Sattva illuminates the mind, brings deep inner peace, and creates a thirst for wisdom.Core Slokas on Sattva Guna (Chapter 14)Verse 14.5: Introduction to the three material modes (gunas), noting how Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas bind the eternal soul to the body.Verse 14.6: Defines Sattva as pure, illuminating, and healthy, noting that it binds the soul through attachment to happiness and knowledge.Verse 14.11: Describes the physical/mental symptom of Sattva: “When the light of wisdom shines through all the gates of the body, then know that sattva is predominant.”Verse 14.14: Explains the afterlife result: dying in dominant Sattva leads to the pure, stainless realms of the wise.Verse 14.18: Summarizes the trajectory: those in Sattva rise upward into higher states of spiritual evolution. Sattvik Expressions in Daily Life (Chapter 17)Faith (Verse 17.2–3): A person’s faith reflects their inner nature; a Sāttvik mind naturally leans toward divine and harmonious truths.Food (Verse 17.8): Sāttvik food increases life duration, purity, strength, health, joy, and satisfaction. It is juicy, smooth, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.Worship, Sacrifice, and Charity (Verses 17.11, 17.17, 17.20): Sāttvik actions are done according to scripture, with a steadfast mind, without selfish desire, and strictly as a matter of duty without expecting rewards.

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Satyam Sivam Sundaram

Truth ; truth alone triumphs is the motto of India written in the national emblem of India. It is from the VUpanishads.

The first lesson in Vedic School is Satayam Vada- Speak Truth.

No where in the world we can see this syllabus.

Truth is God is the saying in India.

  Taittiriya Upanishad (2.1.1): States “Satyam jnanam anantam brahma“—meaning Brahman is Truth, Knowledge, and Infinite.

  Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.3.6): Calls Brahman “Satyasya Satyam”—the Truth of truth, meaning the absolute base behind life forces.

  Mundaka Upanishad (3.1.6): Famously states “Satyam eva jayate nanritam“—Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood.

In Tamil Nadu State Government emblem “Satyam eva jayate is translated as VAAYMAIYE VELLUM.

No culture in the world has given SATYAM that much importance.

Whether it is Tamil Tirukkural or Sanskrit Niti Satakam of Bhartruhari, Truth occupies important place.

“Satyam Shivam Sundaram” is a profound philosophical Sanskrit phrase meaning “Truth, Goodness (Auspiciousness), and Beauty”. Shivam also means Lord Siva.

Satyam Shivam Sundram

which means Shiva is the truth, Shiva is

the divine joy and Shiva is beauty.

This phrase and Satyan Jnanam Anantham Brahma were popularised by Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Before that only Vedanti students knew these dictums.

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Shyamantaka

The Syamantaka Diamond handled by Lord Krishna and his relatives led to violence and several murders. The full story is in the Bhagavad Purana. My view is that Syamantaka corrupted into Diamantaka. My second view is that the murderous Syamantaka changed hundreds of hands and got the name Hope Diamond which is in an American museum now. Hope diamond became Hopeless diamond during the course of time and at last landed in America.

S=T interchangeability is seen in hundreds of English words we use everyday

Some examples :

condition, education, ambition- in hundreds of words with TION, the pronunciation is SION.

So Syamantaka + Tiamanthaka= DIAMOND is linguistically possible.

Story of Syamanataka:

Satrajit was a Yadava leader. He was a worshipper of Sun God. Sun God gave him a powerful diamond called Syamantaka (The hidden meaning is that he found it on the ground when he went to worship in the Sun Temple). It will emit red light and dazzle like sun. A lot of people eyed this diamond and conspired to get it. When Krishna asked him to give it to Ugrasena, he refused and gave it to his own brother Prasen. When Prasen went on a hunting expedition he was killed by a lion and the diamond was taken by a tribal group known as Jambhavans. They were called Bear people because they wore the bear (Jambhavan) symbol.

Everybody suspected Krishna and thought he stole the diamond from Prasen and disposed him off. Krishna wanted to clear his name and so went in search of Prasen. He found his mauled body in the forest and traced the footsteps. When he saw Jambhavan’s children playing with the diamond, he tried to get it from them, but ended in a fight. The fight with Jambhavan went for a month and at last he reached an agreement with Jambhavan, the tribal leader and got his daughter Jambhavati  in marriage. As a marriage gift he got the diamond.

Krishna returned to his kingdom and gave Syamantaka back to Satrajit. Satrajit thanked Krishna wholeheartedly and gave his daughter Satyabhama in marriage to Krishna. When Krishna made an urgent visit to Hastinapura , another person by name Satadhanwa killed Satrajit and took the diamond. So far the diamond caused two murders and two marriages !! It did not stop there.

When Krishna returned to Dwaraka ,his wife told him that his father was murdered for the diamond. Krishna and Balarama went on a mission to get the diamond.  They chased Satadhanwa for nearly a thousand mile and killed him near Mithila in Bihar. A dangerous diamond caused three deaths and three fights and thousand mile trip from Gujarat to Bihar!! But only after killing him, they came to know the diamond was given to Akrura for safe custody by Satadhanwa.

Akrura had already escaped with the diamond to Kasi. He ran away for a thousand mile just because of the diamond. Krishna brought him back and Akrura returned the diamond to Krishna. Knowing that it was a murderous diamond, Krishna gave it back to Akrura and asked him to stay in Dwaraka. The diamond was attributed with magical qualities like bringing lot of gold like the  goose that lays golden eggs.

This is the end of the Syamantaka story in our Hindu scriptures. My research shows that it caused more fights and murders and went to USA after passing several hands in India, France and Britain. 

Syamantaka went to foreign countries in the name of HOPE diamond. Knowing that it was a HOPELESS diamond, at last it was sent to a museum in the USA.

To be continued……………………

Tags- Sarayu, Sankaradeva, Sati, Satarudriya, Satyam , Syamantaka, Diamond, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 95; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-95

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,041

Date uploaded in London – 1 August 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 90

Sakuntala and Saakuntalam

Śakuntalā (शकुन्तला).—The daughter of Viśvāmitra and Menakā; was brought up in Kaṇva’s āśrama with nīvāra food; Duṣyanta who came there was entertained and was accepted as her Lord by Gāndharva vidhi. Gave birth to the future Bharata and came to the king’s palace with the child; was refused admission by the king who had forgotten her. A voice in the air urged the king to accept her and he did so;¹ a queen of Duṣyanta and mother of Bharata.  Bharata  became a universal monarch, and gave his name to India which came to be called Bharatavarsa.

The Abhijnana Shakuntalam

The Abhijnana Shakuntalam is a renowned Sanskrit play by Kalidasa, depicting the story of Sakuntala from the Mahabharata. The play chronicles the love between King Dushyanta and Shakuntala, who faces trials due to a curse that makes the king forget her. After losing a ring that signifies their union, fate ultimately leads to their reunion and the birth of their son Bharata, an ancestor of the Kauravas and Pandavas. The play has inspired numerous translations and adaptations globally. William Jones translated the play into English and published it in 1792 under the title

Sacontalá; : or, The fatal ring: an Indian drama By 

CÁLIDÁS.

Sir William Jones: Translated the play into English in 1789 as Sacontalá or The Fatal Ring and famously compared Kālidāsa to Shakespeare, calling him the “Shakespeare of India” for his deep insight into human nature.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: Wrote an ecstatic epigram stating that Śākuntalā combines the early blossoms of spring and late fruits of autumn, encompassing earth and heaven in a single name. He was also inspired by its prologue for his own Faust.

Alexander von Humboldt: Praised Kālidāsa as a masterly describer of nature who combined creative fancy with delicate expressions of feeling, giving the playwright a lofty rank among global poets.

Friedrich Schlegel: Noted that despite its exotic and foreign setting, the general structure of Śākuntalā bears a striking and favorable resemblance to European romantic drama. [1]

Modern Critics: View the text through comparative frameworks like ecocriticism, analyzing how the deep bond between Śākuntalā and the natural forest world anticipates modern environmental and ecofeminist thought.

***

Shalmali dwipa

Salmali Dwipa is one of the seven concentric insular continents (sapta-dwipa) described in ancient Hindu cosmology and Puranic texts. It derives its name from the large Shalmali (silk-cotton) tree that characterizes the land, and is traditionally said to be surrounded by an ocean of wine (Sura-samudra)

Australia Connection: Many modern alternative interpretations and independent researchers correlate Shalmali Dwipa with Australia, noting the presence of native silk-cotton (Shalmali) or similar kapok trees.

Eastern Europe, East Africa, or regions of Southeast Asia, because these cosmological descriptions use symbolic geography rather than literal modern borders.

My opinion

No two clocks agree; no two identifications agree. It is sheer waste of time to identify them with modern geographical locations. I still wonder why did they say it. Identifying such dwipas in America and Australia is also not wise. They were described as Patala loka. So, all the seven Dwipas must be within Asia, and  may be coastal East Africa .

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Salatura

Known historically as the birthplace of Pāṇini, the famous ancient linguist and grammarian who formalized Sanskrit. Documented by the 7th-century Chinese traveler Xuanzang, who noted a local memorial statue dedicated to Pāṇini.

Location: Near modern-day Lahore in Pakistan.

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Sama Veda

Samaveda is one of the four Vedas . It is known for its focus on melodies, chants, and musical aspects. Most of the hymns are from the Rigveda. This Veda plays a significant role in rituals and worship, with its hymns sung for ceremonial purposes. It is also associated with the development of Indian music. It must be as old as Rig Veda, that is 4000 BCE to 2000 BCE.

Rigvedic origin: 1,474 to 1,771 verses are sourced from the Rigveda (primarily books 8 and 9).

Original compositions: Only about 75 to 99 verses are uniquely native to the Samaveda itself

Ritual Timing: Performed during major sacrificial ceremonies, particularly when the juice of the Soma plant was mixed and offered as a drink to the gods.

Regional Schools (Sakhas): Preserved through oral traditions across different parts of India, notably the Kauthuma tradition in Gujarat, Ranayaniya in Maharashtra, and Jaiminiya in Southern India.

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Sambhu

Śaṃbhu (शंभु).—a. [śaṃ-bhū-ḍu] Causing happiness, granting prosperity.

 Name of Śiva. Sambhavi is goddess.

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Samiti – committee

English word Committee is derived from Rig Vedic word Samiti. English pronunciation is wrong; C=S. Committee should be pronounced SAMITI.

Samiti (समिति) denotes an ‘assembly’ of the Vedic tribe. It is already mentioned in the Rigveda, and  sometimes in connexion with Sabhā. Ludwig considers that the Samiti included all the people, primarily the viśaḥ, ‘subjects’, but also the Maghavans and Brahmins if they desired, though the Sabhā was their special assembly

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Samudrika lakshana

Samudrika Lakshana is an ancient Indian science of body features. It interprets physical marks, shapes, and structures to understand a person’s character, fortune, and life path.

• Samudrika Lakshanam (Agathiyar): Authored by the sage Agathiyar, this historic text focuses heavily on South Indian traditions, life histories, and the categorization of physical features.
• Rati Rahasya by Kokkoka: A medieval Sanskrit text that classifies bodily and psycho-physical traits, particularly detailing the physical classifications of women (such as Padmini, Chitrini, Shankini, and Hastini).
• Samudrikam / Samudrika Shastra Chapters: Found within broader ancient manuscripts, these texts systematically record face shapes, cranial structure, hair patterns, palm lines, and moles to interpret character and destiny.

Hindus have divided arts under 64 branches. An expert is expected to master all those subjects. A popular Tamil hymn is praising Goddess Saraswati as the one who bestows everyone with these 64 “arts”. One of them is the art of knowing the character of a man by studying his features. This is called Samudrika Lakshna.

Throughout Sanskrit scriptures like Ramayana and Sangam Tamil poems we come across Aajaanu Baahu, eyes like  lotus petal etc. So the science of body features must have existed even before the epics.

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Sandana/ Sandal wood

The sandana tree—more commonly known as the sandalwood tree (specifically Santalum album)—is a sacred evergreen tree famed for its heavy, yellow, highly aromatic wood and essential oils.

Sandal paste is used to decorate idols and statues of Gods and Goddesses in Indian Temples.

It is used by male and female for coolness.

It is considered an auspicious symbol and offered at the gates of Wedding Halls to the guests.

The pasted applied on Gods is valued very much. In Temples like Guruvayur they offer it on green leaves.

It is used in Ayurvedic medicines and treatment.

***

Santhaana Lakshmi

One of the Eight Lakshmi forms; bestower of good children.

Santānalakṣmī (सन्तानलक्ष्मी, “Progeny Lakṣmī”):—One of the eight primary forms of Lakṣmī (aṣṭalakṣmī) represented as the bestower of offspring. She has six arms, carries two kalashas (water pitcher with mango leaves and a coconut on it), sword, shield, a child on her lap, a hand in abhaya-mudra and th eo ther holding the child. The child holds a lotus.

  Adi Lakshmi: The first form, giving spiritual wealth and inner peace.

  Dhana Lakshmi: The giver of money, gold, and material riches.

  Dhanya Lakshmi: The goddess of food, crops, and farming.

  Gaja Lakshmi: The giver of animal wealth, power, and royal status.

  Santana Lakshmi: The protector of family, children, and future generations.

  Dhairya Lakshmi (Veera Lakshmi): The source of great courage, strength, and bravery.

  Vijaya Lakshmi: The bringer of success and victory in all tasks.

  Vidya Lakshmi: The provider of education, intellect, and arts knowledge.

To be continued…………………

Tags- santhana Lakshmi, sakuntala, part 90, Hindu Dictionary, Ashta Lakshmi.