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

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

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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

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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.

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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 8th 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).

Please visit my blogs: swamiindology.blogspot.com and tamilandvedas.wordpress.com.

Send comments and feedback to swami_48@yahoo.com.

–subham—

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

HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 65; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-65 (Post.15,785)

Madurai Mariamman Tank near the temple.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,785

Date uploaded in London –25 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 

Tamil version will be posted tomorrow

Bangkok Mariamman Temple

MARIYAMMAN

Hindu Goddess worshipped in Tamil Nadu. She is the goddess of rain, prosperity, and healing. Mariamman is a manifestation of the goddess – Parvati, an incarnation embodying Mother Earth with all her terrifying force. She protects her devotees from unholy or demonic events. Hindu migrant workers have erected her temples around the world, particularly in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa and other countries. Even in UK, there are three temples dedicated to her. When ever there is an outbreak of diseases such as small pox devotees vow to offer her body parts in silver or walk on fire in Fire Walking Ceremonies. Neem tree leaves are hung around the fire pots the devotees carry during festivals. Madurai Mari Amman temple is one of the famous temples with a big tank opposite it.

In some towns devotees suspend themselves in ropes and an iron hook through the flesh of the back and whirled around a pole. Villagers believe she can cause diseases and eradicate diseases. They offer her Rice Pongal or Rice Gruel. High caste Hindus offer her Maa Vilakku= sweet flour with ghee lamp in the middle. In each village same ceremonies are done to local goddesses with different names. Some local anecdotes or incidents are linked to her.

Foreigners who could not understand the ceremonies have used wrong words to describe her.

***

MARMA STHANA

Marma sthaana refers to vital points in the body that are crucial for health and well-being, as detailed in Shilpashastra, Ayurveda, and scientific perspectives. These locations, often associated with critical biological functions, are marked by their vulnerability; injury to them can lead to serious consequences such as deformity or death. Marma sthaana also means excretory organs in common parlour.

***

Marichi

A spark of fire; मरीच्य इव निष्पेतु- रग्नेर्धूमाकुलार्चिषः (marīcya iva niṣpetu- ragnerdhūmākulārciṣaḥ) Rām.1.56.18.

-ciḥ 1 Name of a Prajāpati, one of the ten patriarchs created by the first Manu, or one of the ten mindborn sons of Brahman; he was father of Kaśyapa.

He married Kala , the daughter of Kardama rishi by Devahuti . Kashyapa was his son.

***

Markandeya with Siva; Yama is kicked away by Lord Siva.

Markandeya

Mārkaṇḍeya (मार्कण्डेय)  the son of Sage Mṛkaṇḍu was born to a couple when they propitiated Śiva with their prayers. At the time of granting them their wish, Shiva offered them two choices, a son who would be wealthy, powerful and long lived, but of ill character, or a son who would be virtuous, but who will die when he turns sixteen. The Brahmana asked for a son who would be virtuous. The Lord granted the boon and disappeared. The young Mārkaṇḍeya was not only extremely intelligent but also a great devotee of Śiva. When Yama, God of Death came to take his life at the age of sixteen, he was praying to Shiva as usual. He hugged Shiva Linga when he saw Yama with terrible appearance. When Yama tried to pull him away from Shiva’s statue, Lord Shiva himself came out and kicked Yama away. Lord Shiva told Yama that he will remain Sixteen for ever. There is a Purana called Markandeya Purana detaining the story.

Pronunciation- maarkandeya.

***

Marut

Vedic God of storm. Vedas say that Maruts are sons of Rudra.

The storm gods hold a very prominent place in the Vedas and they are represented as friends and allies of Indra. Various origins are assigned to them. They are sons of Rudra, brothers of Indra and and sons of ocean and earth. They are armed with lightnings and thunderbolts, and ride on the whirlwind and direct the storm. The number of them is said in one place to be thrice sixty and in another only 27.

In Ramayana, they are represented to have their origin in an unborn son of Diti, whom Indra dashed into 49 pieces with his thunderbolt and in compassion converted them into Maruts. They have obtained their name from the words maa roadih , weep not, which Indra addressed to them.

One more view is Siva and Parvati beheld them in great affliction and Parvati asked Siva to transform the lumps into boys; he accordingly made them boys of like form, like age, and similarly accounted, and gave them to Parvati as her sons, whence they are called the sons of Rudra.

The world of the Maruts, called Maaruta, is the appointed heaven of Vaisyas. The god of the wind, and regent of the north west quarter. Maruti , Anjaneya is related to the word Wind/Marut

Puranic Story:  Marut (मरुत्).—Fortynine in number, born of Diti and Kaśyapa; seven in each of the seven vātaskandhas; brothers of Indra and participators in sacrifices;1 when Diti conceived a son to be the slayer of Indra, the latter began to serve her throughout her pregnancy. Once finding that she did not keep to her vows he entered her womb and cut the foetus into 49 pieces, when they cried. He said to them mā ruda and hence māruta: being divine, were born as 49 sons: at the request of their mother Indra made them a Devagaṇa, called Marutgaṇa

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Maruti– Another name of Anjaneya/ Hanuman. Son of Vayu Deva.

See Hanuman and Anjaneya

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MARUTHAM MANTHA/ CHANDA

Maarutham is wind or Breeze. Mantha Marutham is the southern breeze coming from Malaya Mountain (part of Western Ghats/ Sahyadri. Chanda Marutham is gale fore wind.

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Matali – maatali

Charioteer of Indra. World’s first pilot of Space Shuttle.

He came down to earth to escort Arjuna to Swarga/heaven and then return him to earth after five years. He is the first pilot of space shuttle in literature. During Arjuna’s stay in swarga/heaven  it was Matali who showed him celestial places. Arjuna’s space travel is in Vana Parva of Mahabharata.

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MATHA/ MUTT

Religious centres where the head of a particular sect lives. Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt in Tamil Nadu and Sringeri Mutt in Karnataka and Ahobilam Mutt in Andhra Pradesh are very famous. In Tamil Nadu, Adeenams are Mutts of Saivite saints . Vaishnavites have Jeeyar Mutts. All these Mutts have branches in different parts of the country. Pujas and worship happen everyday in the popular Mutts. In Tamil they are called Matam.

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Matsya Avatara

Matsyāvatāra (मत्स्यावतार).—the first of the ten incarnations of Viṣṇu; (during the reign of the seventh Manu, the whole earth, which, had become corrupt was swept away by a flood, and all living beings perished except the pious Manu and the seven sages who were saved by Viṣṇu in the form of a fish.

Matsya means Fish; in Tamilized form it is Machcha. Lord Vishnu’s first Avatar/incarnation. This story is in various religions as Nova or Flood Story etc.

Name of a country as well in ancient India.

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Matsya purana

It gives the story of fish incarnation of lord Vishnu. it has about 15,000 slokas/couplets. Many of its chapters are same as the parts of Vishnu and Padma Puranas.

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Maya

A Daitya  who was the architect of the Asuras and as Viswakarma as the architect of the Devas.

Maya was the son of Viprachitti and father of Vajra karma and Mandodari, wife of Ravana.The Mahabharata speaks of a palace he built for the Pandavas. In Hari-vamsa he appears frequently both as victor and vanquished in contests with the Gods.

Story in Mahabharata

When Khandava forest was being burnt by Arjuna and Krishna with the help of  Agni, Maya sought and received protection from Arjuna.  To show his gratitude he built the central court of Yudhisthira’s new capital Indraprastha; the court was unparalleled in beauty and architectural skill. It was to this court Duryodhana was invited later at the time of Yudhithira’s Rajasuya Yajna and where Duryodhana mistook  the highly polished marble floors for water and vice versa bringing ridicule upon himself. Draupadi with her companions, watched it from the balcony , laughed, which hurt Duryodhana very much. He revenged upon her by disrobing her IN public assembly when Pandavas lost everything including her in the gambling.

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Maya- mayaa

Illusion, deception.

Illusion personified as a female form of celestial origin, created fro the beguiling some individual. Goddess Durga is also called Mahaa Maayaa or Maayaa Devi. The name shows that she is capable of destabilising even people of wisdom, if they do even a single mistake.

Om jñānināmapi cetāṁsi devī bhagavatī hi sā
balādākr̥ṣya mohāya mahāmāyā prayacchati

Meaning:
“Even the minds of the wise are forcibly drawn by the Goddess Bhagavati—the Great Maya—and led into delusion.”- says Durga Saptasati/ Devi Mahatmya.

Adi Shankara frequently used this word in his propagation oof Advaita. He said seeing a rope as a snake is Maayaa/illusion.

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Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat, located on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi, India, is one of the oldest and holiest cremation grounds in Hinduism. It operates 24/7, with hundreds of pyres burning continuously as families gather to cremate their deceased with the belief that it grants eternal liberation (Moksha).

  • Location: Situated in the Kashi region of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Operation: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Visitors typically observe the process from a boat on the Ganges River or from designated safe vantage points onshore.

Costs: For those arranging a cremation, costs range from ₹4,000 to ₹20,000 depending on wood quality and specific rituals.

The ghat is named after Sati’s (a Hindu goddess) earring, which is believed to have fallen there.

The Eternal Flame: According to tradition, the main funeral pyre has been continuously burning for over 3,000 years.

The Dom Community: The cremation rituals are traditionally overseen and managed by the local Dom community, who prepare the bodies and maintain the sacred fires

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Mayadevi – maayaadevi-

Māyādevī (मायादेवी).—Name of the mother of Buddha.

The Maya Devi Temple refers to one of the sacred or popular destinations of Lumbini (Rupandehi District, Nepal).—Description of the Maya Devi Temple: This UNESCO world heritage site is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha), the son of King Suddhodhana, the once ruler of the ancient kingdom of Kapilvastu, and his Queen Maya Devi. The queen gave birth here in the garden of Lumbini Park, while on her way home, holding onto a branch of a Sal tree. Today, this site is where the Maya Devi temple stands. There is an older temple structure under the current building. A few years ago, ancient tree roots dating to the 6th century BCE were found in the temple, which correlates to the story of how Queen Maya gave birth to Buddha.

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Mayavati- maayaavati

Māyāvatī (मायावती).—An incarnation of Ratidevī. An asura named Śambara made her his wife. But Pradyumna, son of Kṛṣṇa, carried her away to Dvārakā.

Māyāvatī (मायावती).—Rati in her former birth: when her husband was burnt by śiva, she was reborn as the superintendent of Śambara’s kitchen. Hearing from Nārada that Pradyumna was Kāma and that he was thrown into sea by Śambara and swallowed by a fish and was brought to her kitchen, she nursed him lovingly and when he came of age, she spoke the truth and taught him mahāmāyā vidyā with which he killed Śambara: She took him by air to Kṛṣṇa and was rejoiced to become the daughter-in-law of Kṛṣṇa and Rukmiṇī.*

To be continued……………………

Tags—Mayadevi, Mayavati, Manikarnika, Markandeya, Mariamman, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 65; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-65

HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 63; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-63 (Post No.15,755)

Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,755

Date uploaded in London –18 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 

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

My Research Articles on Dreams (Post No.15,742)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,742

Date uploaded in London –15 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

PDF Dream article is from the  Ludwik Sternbach Felicitation Volume.

Lord Vishnu “sleeping” in Nepal

Recently I read an article about dreams in Milinda panha (Questions of Indo Greek King Menander/Milinda). I have translated it into Tamil and uploaded in these blogs. I am attaching the PDF English version here.  Please see the attachments.

Hindus’ interpretation of dreams varies from Westerners like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung  (pronunciation Karl Young).

Tamils said that animals too dream in Sangam literature dated 2000 years ago. Sanskrit literature has prophetic dreams. Saivite literature like Periya Puranam has a lot of prophetic dreams. I post here the contents of My Book on Dreams to help research scholars.

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Hindu tradition interprets dreams as significant, often prophetic messages derived from ancient literature like the Vedas and Tamil Sangam texts. These sources indicate that dreams are viewed as divine communication, omens for the future, and, as noted in 2000-year-old Tamil texts, experiences shared by animals.

MY ENGLISH BOOK ON DREAMS

Contents

First Part: Dreams in Hindu Literature

1.Dreams in Kalidasa Kavyas and Sangam Tamil Literature- 1

2.Dreams in Kalidasa Kavyas and Sangam Tamil Literature- Part 2

3.Tamil Hindus Explode Freudian Theory on Dreams

4. Dreams in Tamil Epic Silappadikaram

5.Dreams in Valmiki Ramayana

6. Role of Dreams in Tamil Saivite Literature

7.Ten “Inauspicious Deams”; Dreams in Vedas and Upanishads!

8.Vedic Echo in Sumer and Egyptian Concept of Dreams

9.More ( Dream) Secrets from Vishnu Sahasranama

10.Tamil Discovery! Do Animals Dream?

11.Do our Dreams Have Meaning?

12.Strange Dreams

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Second Part: Animals in Hinduism

1.One More Frog Wedding, Now in Telangana

2.Ants in Hinduism- Part One

3.Ants in Hinduism – Part Two

4.What can Parrots teach You?

5.Tamil View on Biting Dogs and Barking Dogs!

6.You will be born as a Dog Tamil Saint Tirumular Warns!

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Book cover shows a painting of British painter Frederic Leighton. The painting of the sleeping beauty is in the Sydney Art Gallery.

*****

Foreword

Hindus and western scholars view dreams differently. Hindus believe that dreams come true under certain circumstances. They also find meaning in the dreams. Moreover, they believe that they foretell good or bad things. Vast literature in Hinduism supports these views. Western psycho analysts and psychologists think that they have no meaning, and they can’t predict future events. In their opinion dream is the reflection of suppressed desires or jumbled thoughts. Hindus were first in saying that no one can avoid dreams. So, they included a verse in their daily prayer to stop bad dreams.

Here is a collection of articles that I wrote in my two blogs in the past few years. I also believe that Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud are wrong in their conclusions. I have given reasons for this in my articles.

The second part of the book deals with Animals in Hindu literature. I have already published a few books in Tamil and English with many true animal stories and myths from Tamil and Sanskrit literature. These articles will be useful to researchers and religious believers

I welcome your comments on these topics.

S Swaminathan

(Pen Name- London Swaminathan)

May 2025

swami_48@yahoo.com

swaminathan.santanam@gmail.com

—subham—

Tags- Dreams, Milinda panga, my book on dreams, Ludwik Sternbach Felicitation Volume, Part two

HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 61; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-61 (Post.15,720)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,720

Date uploaded in London –10 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 

M words continued………………………………

Snake or Rope illusion = Maayaa 

Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.

***

Mangalasanam 

Twelve Tamil Vaishnavite Saints known as Alvars, have sung the glory of Vishnu in 108 divine shrines spread over India and beyond. Those temples which are sung by an Alvar or more Alvars are said to have Mangalaasanam of this Alvar or these Alvars. The 108 Divine Shrines are called Divya Desam. The 4000 compositions of Alvars in praise ofVishnu shrines are in a Tamil book known as Divya Prabandham.

***

Madayanthi

Madayanti (or Madayanthi) is a virtuous queen of King Saudasa (Kalmashapada) in the Mahabharata and Puranas. Known for her loyalty, she aided her husband in overcoming a curse from Sage Vashishtha and is associated with the birth of their son, Ashmaka. 

Wife of King Saudasa of the Ikshwaku dynasty. She is depicted as a virtuous queen who, along with her husband, survived a difficult curse.

When her husband was cursed to be a cannibal, she remained by his side. Later, she was involved in a complex narrative involving the sage Vashishtha to obtain a son.

The name is sometimes spelled Madayanti and should not be confused with Madayantika, which is the botanical name for henna (Lawsonia inermis). 

It is a plant with medicinal properties known for treating skin diseases, jaundice, and as a natural hair dye.

 ***

MADURAI

A big city in Tamil Nadu known for its big and beautiful Siva temple called Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. About 2000 years ago, there was a Tamil Academy called Tamil Sangam here with 49 poets. Madurai is synonymous with Tamil language because of this Tamil Sangam. Sangam Tamil literature has more than 40 poets with the prefix Madurai. Chitra festival celebrated here every year attracts lakhs of people.

***

Malayalam

It is the name of a language and the land where it is spoken. The place is called Kerala now. It is adjacent to Tamil Nadu. As a language it is junior to Tamil language. Kerala is also known for its temples and natural beauty. In the olden days it was called Chera Nadu.

***

Malaya Parvata

Common name of Western Ghats also known as Sahyadri. Pothikai hill is part of this mountain chain Where sage Agastya lived and wrote the first grammar book for Tamil. The mountain chain runs for over 1000 miles from the land’s tip up to Maharashtra.

***

Mathura

One of the Seven Sacred Cities in India. Lord Krishna was born here, and his playing field is called Brindavan It is in modern Uttar Pradesh with a beautiful Krishna temple.

***

Mahabharata & War

Mahabharata is one of the two Hindu epics; the other epic is Ramayana. Mahabharata is the longest religious book in the world with one hundred thousand Slokas/couplets describing the history of Pandavas and Kauravas. It has 18 chapters and the most popular Bhagavad Gita is in one of the 18 Chapters.

The 18 day war between the five Pandavas and their 100 cousins Kauravas was fought in Kurukshetra, now in Haryana. Hindus believe that the war was fought just before Kali Yuga began, that is before 3102 BCE. Majority of the modern historians believe that it should have happened around 1500 BCE.

Apart from the conflict, the epic has lot of sub stories ad a lot of didactic materials. And it is said thus in a famous quote:

“यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित्”Yad ihāsti tad anyatra, yan nehāsti na tat kvacit “What is here [in the Mahabharata] is found elsewhere, but what is not here is nowhere else”. The epic covers all aspects of human life.

***

Mahabhasyam

Mahabhayasam is the celebrated commentary on grammar given to the world by Maharshi Patanjali based on Ashtadhyayi of Maharshi Panini. It  deals with the theory of language from Bharatiya perspective. The siddhantas behind the origin and development of sound, syllable, word, sentence and context and their interrelated features are discussed in this commentary. It consists of nine ahnikas (Units) .

***

Mahamakam

Mahamaham is a major Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, often referred to as the Kumbh Mela of South India. It occurs during the Tamil month of Masi (Feb–Mar) when Jupiter passes through Simha Rasi, drawing millions for a holy dip in the sacred Mahamaham tank, which is surrounded by 16 small mandapams. It is very near the famous Siva temple- Kumbeswarar.

The next Mahamaham festival in Kumbakonam is scheduled to take place on March 9, 2028

 The Mahamaham tank is a massive, historic pond located in the heart of Kumbakonam town, featuring 20 “theerthams” (holy wells) on its banks, each associated with specific deities or blessings. During the festival all the nearby temples take part in it. 500 years ago, famous king Krishnadeva Raya travelled all the way from Vijayanagara to take part in it.

***

Maya, Mahamayi. Mahamaya

Maya is illusion.

Mahamaya (“Great Illusion”) is a multifaceted term in Indian philosophy and religion, primarily referring to the divine, all-encompassing, and bewildering creative energy of the Supreme Goddess (Shaktism) or the material world’s illusory nature (Vedanta). It represents the power that creates, maintains, and veils reality, often associated with Goddess Durga and the material world’s distracting, worldly attachments. 

In Tamil, Mahamayi is the goddess of small pox. If some one is sick with any type of pox, they hang Neem leaves outside the house to avoid spreading the disease. After recovering, they go to Marai Amman Goddess temple and offer Maa Vilakku. It is a flour and jaggery dish with ghee lamps lighted in the middle. They consume it after the lamp is extinguished

Mahamaya (or Yoga-maya) is the divine energy of illusion and Vishnu’s potency who facilitated Krishna’s birth to destroy the tyrant King Kamsa. She transferred Krishna from Kamsa’s prison to Gokul and replaced him with her own form, ultimately warning Kamsa that his killer had already been born, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Kamsa’s downfall. When Kamsa tried to strike her with his sword it flew into sky and disappeared.

To be continued………………

Tags-  Maya, Madurai,  Mangalasanam, Divya desam, mahamaham,

Damirica and Limirica in South India (Post No.15,717)

Subhashini of Tamil Heritage Foundation has posted (in Facebook) the Map of Damirica as displayed in a museum in Vienna, Capital of Austria.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,717

Date uploaded in London –9 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 

Periplus of the Erythraean Sea- Around 60 CE.

Claudius Ptolemy- 150 CE (Geographer and astronomer)

***

Interesting references to South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, are available from Roman and Greek writers of early centuries. K A Nilakanta Sastri and others have done some research and published their works long ago. But nothing is proved beyond doubt. So, we must do more research with the help of newly discovered inscriptions, Sanskrit works and Linguistics. For instance, world famous poet Kalidas mentioned Uragapura under Pandya rule. Some interpreted it as Nagappattinam, Uraiyur and Madurai. According to my research it fits very well with the name of Madurai.  Like Nagapattinam , Madurai is also called Snake city. In Tamil it is Aalavaay. Gnana Sambandar of Pallava- Pandya period (650 CE) used the word snake/ aalavaay city to mention Madurai.

The Kalinga king Kharavela makes two interesting statements regarding the Far South in his Hathikhumba cave inscription:

1

“and (he) thoroughly breaks up the confederacy of Tramira (Dramira) countries of one hundred and thirteen years which has been source of danger to (his) country (Janapada)”

2

“and a wonderful and marvellous enclosure of stockade for driving in the elephants (he)……..and horses, elephants, jewels and rubies as well as numerous pearls in hundreds (he) causes to be brought here from the Pandya king.

But is Sangam Tamil literature there is no reference to the 113 year joint front of the Tamil Kings. We have one reference to Rajasuya Yagam performed by a Choza King which was attended by the other two, Pandya and Chera kings. But we can’t place it in the first or second century BCE.

The second statement is also not clear. We don’t know whether he defeated the Pandya king or got all these as presents from the Pandya king. Pearls of Pandya kingdom were mentioned in the Arthasastra of Kautilya as Pandya Kavaatam.

****

Who is Kharavela?

Kharavela was the emperor of Kalinga (present-day eastern coast of India) in the 2nd or 1st century BC. The primary source for Kharavela is his rock-cut Hathigumpha inscription. The inscription is undated, only four of its 17 lines are completely legible, others unclear, variously interpreted and disputed by scholars. The inscription is written in Brahmi script with Jainism-related phrases recites a year by year record of his reign. He was a follower of Jainism. Much of the available information about Kharavela comes from the undated, much damaged Hathigumpha inscription and several minor inscriptions found in the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in present-day Odisha. According to the Hathigumpha inscription, Kharavela spent his first 24 years on education and sports, a period when he mastered the fields of writing, coinage, accounting, administration and procedures of law. He was the prince to the throne (yuvaraja) at 16, and crowned King of Kalinga at age 24. The Hathigumpha inscription details his first 13 years of his reign.

Kharavela is known for his military campaigns in Northern and Southern India. He has led victorious expeditions against Magadha, Satavahana and Tamil confederacy (lead by Pandya dynasty) and other kingdoms such as Rashtrikas and Bhojakas of Berar and Maharastra regions during his reign. He was not only a great military general but also a good administrator. He undertook public works for the benefit of his people and in order to please them he remitted taxes and provided them with the occasions for merrymakings. The Hathigumpha inscription also mentions his public works such as repairing of the gates and buildings of his capital Kalinganagara, which was destroyed by a storm. These repairs and some other public works in the same year cost him thirty-five hundred thousand coins.

****

Periplus of the Erythraean Sea says, “from Comari toward the south this region extends to Colchi (Korkai), where the pearl fisheries are; (they were worked by the condemned criminals); and it belongs to the Pandyan kingdom”.

K A N Sastri pointed out that Pan Kou, a very early Chinese writer, mentioned commercial contacts between China and South India in Han period, beginning from the second century BCE.

Strabo said that a Pandyan embassy was sent to the court of Roman emperor Augustus. It is stated that the embassy was accompanied by an Indian sophist who committed himself to the flames at Athens, like Kalanos, who had exhibited a similar spectacle in the presence of Alexander.

Reference to the western side of India is available from the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, composed by an anonymous sailor between 60 and 80 CE. He divides peninsular India into two divisions : Dachinebades (Dakshinapatha) and Damirika (Tamilakam) , country of the Tamils. Damirika on the other hand was parcelled into three kingdoms, Cerobothra, the Pandian kingdom and the coast country.

He gives the following place names:

Naura (identified with Cannanore)

Tyndis (Ponnani)

Muziris (Cranganore)

Nelcynda (near Kottayam).

He adds Muziris abounds in ships with cargoes from Arabia and by the Greeks .

Nelcynda is part of Pandian Kingdom.

According to Sangam literature Chera king Imayavaramban Neduncheral Adan (155 CE) captured the Yavanas, poured oil on their heads, bound their hands behind them and did not release them until they paid him a huge ransom.

***

Choza KIngdom

According to Periplus it extended toward north from Colchi (Korkai). Places mentioned by him are as follows:

Argaru- Uraiyur;

Camara- Kaveripatnam or Puhar;

Poduca – Puducherry?

Sopatma – Markanam

Chryse- Burma?

***

Limirica

Ptolemy in his Geography mentions Limirica, identical with Damirica of the Periplus and speaks of the following political units:

The Kingdom of Karorura ruled by Kerobothra (Kerala Putra)

Pounatta ( S W Mysore)

The Kingdom of Aioi, with capital at Kothiara, usually located at south Travancore

The Kingdom of Pandioi with capital at Madura .

The Kingdom of Kareoi, possibly in the valley of the river Tamraparni

The Kingdom of Batoi, with capital at Nikama

The Kingdom of Orthoura, ruled by Soringoi possibly Choza country

The Kingdom of Malanga ruled by Basaranagas.

The Kingdom of Sora ruled by Arkatos .

From the above account, it is clear at the time of Ptolemy, the far south was divided into at least eight smaller kingdoms, leaving out of course Pounatta the political status of which is not clearly stated.

There is another reference to the mountains,

Between Mount Bettigo and Adeisathros  are the Sorai nomads , with these towns

Sangamarta (Sangam Madurai?)

Sora , the capital of Arkatos .

The Mount Bettigo is the same as tamil Pothikai, i.e. the Malaya ranges, while the Adeisthros refers to the Sahyadri or the Western Ghats.

***

Some guesses

Sora – Cola/ Choza

Arkatos – Arcot region

Arourarnoi –  Aruanadu

Though great scholars like K A Nilakanta Sastri have written about all these things after deep research, there is further scope for new research with the help of newly found inscriptions.

***

My comments

Look at the corruption of Tamil names by Greek and Roman writers. Even 300 years ago the English, French and the Dutch corrupted our names which are being corrected now by the rulers.

Damirica= Tamilaka is correct, because R=L changes are in Sanskrit Grammar.

But Limirica raises some questions. How D is Changed to L is a question. Indian linguistics show D =L changes through out the country in middle letters but not in initial letters.

My research shows

Cola= Coda in Asoka inscriptions; Coro in English; Coromandel coast = Choza Mandala Katarkarai

Ramadan= Ramalan = Ramzan (Muslim festival)

Utkala = Orissa= Odisah

Initial  L=D letter change is not known. Even Lemuria was used just a few hundreds years ago to mention the Land of Lemurs (animals found in Madagascar)

Even in Madagascar we see D=L change only in the middle letter.

The island country Madagascar is now called Malagasy  (D=L).

Map of Madagascar near Africa

–subham-

Tags – Damirica, Limirica, Ptolemy, Periplus, Kharavela

Tirukkural Encyclopaedia- Chapter Three (Kural 21 to 25) Post 15,688

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,688

Date uploaded in London –2 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 

Valluvar is a pukka Hindu is proved by his reference to Indra. There are two interpretations to Kural 25. Manakkudavar, S M Diaz take it as a praise to Indra. Parimelazakar and others have taken it as an insult to Indra because of his immoral approach to Ahalya, wife of Gautama Rishi. Buddha also praised Indra for his great control over five senses. I also pointed out the blunder of Parimel Azakar in one of my articles.

Whatever the interpretation, it shows that Tamils were great Hindus and they are well versed in Puranic Stories.

Another point to be noted is his reference to heaven.

Lost in Translation: in couplet 24, there is a beautiful imagery; Five senses are compared with five elephants in rut and the goad to control them is compared with the will power of a man. All the translators missed elephant and goad that is available in Tamil commentaries. In Upanishads, Horses are used for five senses; five cows are used for five senses in Tirumular’s Tirumanthiram.

***

Following Translations are used:

1.A Aranganatha Mudaliyar – ANM+2 and B.L. Aranganatha iyer and R. Srinivasa Desikan. Year 1933

2.S M Diaz, I G of Police- SMD Year 2000

3.GU Pope – GUP. Year 1886

4.Suddhananda Bharathiyar- SB

5.EVS Publishers, Singapore- EVS. Year 1986

6.Himalayan Academy- HA

7.H A Popley – HAP (not full book) Year 1931

8.Tamil Original

****

21.All the scriptures of the world rapturously sing with one voice, beyond every other blessing, the praise of those who have renounced all and stand true to their rule of conduct in scorn of consequence —ANM+2

***

1.1.3. The Greatness of Ascetics G U Pope

21.All scriptures uphold the fame of householders, who after a full and faultless life,

Renounce active part in it, to become detached, objective and benevolent —SMD

***

21.
The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good,
Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood.
The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire.-GUP

***
3. 
நீத்தார் பெருமை – The merit of Ascetics


No merit can be held so high
As theirs who sense and self deny.         21– SB
***

 21.All the scriptures emphasize, above all other excellence the greatness of those who, having lived according to the injunctions peculiar to their caste and creed, have renounced the worldly life -EVS

***
Greatness of Renunciates Himalayan Academy (HA)

Verse 21 The scriptures exalt above every other good The greatness of virtuous renunciates. HA

***

21.Tis the aim of the holy scripture to reveal

The greatness of those men who all have left for

Virtue’s sake- HAP

***

நீத்தார் பெருமை

ஒழுக்கத்து நீத்தார் பெருமை விழுப்பத்து

வேண்டும் பனுவல் துணிவு.     21

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22.The greatness of an ascetic baffles one’s understanding ; you may as well count the number of the innumerable dead. —ANM+2

**

22. The greatness of ‘neethar’ is infinite, as is the number,

Of those who have departed from the world—SMD

***

22
As counting those that from the earth have passed away,
‘Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say.
To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead. –GUP

***
To con ascetic glory here
Is to count the dead upon the sphere.         22– SB

***

22. To attempt to estimatethe greatness of ascetics is as absurd as to seek the dead in the world – EVS

***

Verse 22 Attempting to speak of the renunciate’s magnitude Is akin to measuring the human multitudes who have ever died. HA

***

22.To tell their greatness who have left their all

Is just like counting up the whole world’s dead  -HAP

***

துறந்தார் பெருமை துணைக்கூறின் வையத்து

இறந்தாரை எண்ணிக்கொண் டற்று.   22

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23.The greatness of those who weighed this passing empty life  with one eternal beyond the grave and have renounced this world, shines forth on earth. (beyond all others). —ANM+2

**

23.Those who, having experienced  the paths of both householder and  neethar,

Thereafter preach and practise virtue, will be held in high esteem —SMD

***
23.
Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed,
In this world take their stand, in virtue’s robe arrayed.
The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others). –GUP

***

No lustre can with theirs compare
Who know the right and virtue wear.         23– SB

***

23.The greatness of those who renounced the world, having discovered its miseries and the happiness of heavenly life, is really the foremost in the world. – EVS

***

Verse 23 Behold those who have weighed the dual nature of things and followed the renunciate’s way. Their greatness illumines the world. HA

***

23.Their greatness shine throughout the world

Who know both states, and virtue here have donned -HAP

***

இருமை வகைதெரிந்து ஈண்டுஅறம் பூண்டார்

பெருமை பிறங்கிற்று உலகு.    23

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24.Verily he is a seed that can flourish in the soil of heaven who has subdued his rebellious senses with the titanic force of his will. —ANM+2

**

24.The one who has the strength to control his five senses

Prepares the way for a higher place in life—SMD

***

24.
He, who with firmness, curb the five restrains,
Is seed for soil of yonder happy plains.
He who guides his five senses by the hook of wisdom will be a seed in the world of heaven. –GUP
***
With hook of firmness to restrain
The senses five, is heaven to gain.         24– SB

***

24.He who controls his five senses by his will gains heavenly bliss – – EVS

***

Verse 24 He whose firm will, wisdom’s goading hook, controls his five senses Is a seed that will flourish in the fields of heaven. HA

***

24.He, in the best states, a seed will be

Who rules the senses five with firmness goad -HAP

***

உரனென்னும் தோட்டியான் ஓரைந்தும் காப்பான்

வரனென்னும் வைப்பிற்கோர் வித்து.  24

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25.Indra , the lord of the gods on high is himself a witness to the might of him that has burnt away his five senses–ANM+2

**

25.The lord indra himself is an effective witness to the prowess of a sage

Who has really conquered his five senses—SMD

***
25.
Their might who have destroyed ‘the five’, shall soothly tell
Indra, the lord of those in heaven’s wide realms that dwell.
Indra, the king of the inhabitants of the spacious heaven, is himself, a sufficient proof of the strength of him who has subdued his five senses. –GUP
***
Indra himself has cause to say
How great the power ascetics’ sway.         25– SB
***

25.Indra , the king of the devas himself, will bear testimony to the  will power of those who curbed the desires of the five senses. – EVS

***

Verse 25 So great is the power of those who subdue the five senses, even Indra, Sovereign of spacious heaven’s celestials, suffered their curse. HA

***

25.Indra himself, heavens king, is witness sure

To the might of him who senses five subdues -HAP

***

ஐந்தவித்தான் ஆற்றல் அகல்விசும்பு ளார்கோமான்

இந்திரனே சாலுங் கரி.     25

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To be continued……………………………………

Tags- Tirukkural Encyclopaedia- Chapter Three (Kural 21 to 25), Tiru Valluvar, Pukka Hindu, Indra, Elephant, goad, lost in translation, images of ascetics

HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 57; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-57 (Post .15,687)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,687

Date uploaded in London –2 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 

Words beginning with English letter M

MA words

***

Madalasa

Madalasa is a revered figure from the Markandeya Purana known for her supreme wisdom and as an exemplar of motherhood, who taught her children detachment (Vairagya) and self-realization from infancy via spiritual lullabies. She emphasized that the soul is pure and the body is merely a combination of elements, raising three sons to be Rishis before influencing her fourth son, Alarka, to be a righteous king who eventually attained enlightenment.

Madalasa is seen as a Brahmavadini (a woman who speaks of Brahman) and a yogini capable of initiating her children into high philosophical truths.

Daughter of a Gandharva (celestial musician) named Vishvavasu, she was married to King Ritadhvaja. Her teachings were so effective that her first three sons (Vikranta, Subahu, and Shatrumardana) renounced the world to become ascetics immediately upon adulthood.

***

Madhavi

Madhavi, daughter of King Yayati in the Mahabharata, is a princess gifted to the sage Galava to help him pay his Guru Dakshina. Blessed with the ability to regain her virginity and bear emperor sons, she was married to three kings and sage Vishwamitra, producing four sons to secure 800 celestial horses, ultimately choosing to leave her royal life to live in the forest.   To acquire 800 horses (600 in some versions) for Galava, she bore one son for each of three kings—Haryasva of Ayodhya, Divodasa of Kashi, and Usinara of Bhoja—and one for Sage Vishwamitra, with each union yielding 200 horses. Her sons (Vasumanas, Pratardana, Sibi, and Ashtaka) all grew up to be famous emperors.

After her vows were fulfilled, her father organized a swayamvara (groom choice). However, having experienced the transactional nature of life, she refused to marry and chose to live in the forest as an ascetic, departing from the worldly life of her family.

***

Madhavi ( in Tamil Epic Silappadikaram and Manimekalai)

Madhavi is a prominent character in the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram, written by poet Ilango Adigal who lived around the 5th century CE. she is depicted as a skilled courtesan and dancer from the Chola city of Puhar. whose beauty and talents lead to a passionate but destructive affair with the protagonist Kovalan.

Born to the courtesan Citrapati, Madhavi and trained from young age presented a beautiful dance at the Indra Festival. Kovalan, who was married to fell in love and lived with her, separating from his legal wife Kannaki. Both were born to leading nerchants in Poompuhar. After Kovalan abandons her due to a misunderstanding and subsequently executed by Pandya King in Madurai, Madhavi is heartbroken. She abandons her artistic life, her wealth, and her status as a courtesan.She adopts a monastic, religious life, heavily influenced by Buddhist teachings, and wears her hair short as a sign of her renunciation.She returns all the wealth that Kovalan had given her to his father.She raises her daughter with Kovalan, named Manimekalai, to also follow the path of renunciation, who becomes the protagonist of the sequel epic, Manimekalai.

Madhavi renounces her life as a courtesan and dancer to live as a Buddhist ascetic.

***

Madra desa

Madra Desa (or Madra) was an ancient Hindu Kingdom located in north-western India (modern-day Punjab, Pakistan/India) which was inhabited by the Madra tribe. Key associations include King Shalya (a prominent Kaurava ally) and Madri, the

Ruled by King Shalya, who was tricked by Duryodhana into joining the Kaurava side during the Kurukshetra war despite his affinity for the Pandavas. Madri, the second wife of Pandu, was a princess from Madra, who gave birth to Nakula and Sahadeva,

***

Madri

Second wife of king Pandu – paandu. Sister of king Shalya of Madra. She lived happily with with Pandu’s elder wife Kunti. She learnt the divine mantra from kunti , Madri – maadri–invoked twin gods Ashvini kumaras and through their grace gave birth to the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, the last two of the five pandava – paandava—brothers.

Pandu had a curse from Kindama rishi that he could not have sex . but one day he approached Madri and died of the curse. Madri felt guilty and gave up her life in the funeral pyre of Pandu

(My interpretation: because of his weak heart condition doctors warned him that sexual intercourse will be fatal. Despite this he tried to have sex, and he died of heart attack.)

***

Madhwa, Founder of Dwaita Philosophy

Sri Madhwacharya regarded as an incarnation of Vayu, the Wind-God was born in the year 1238 A.D. He was born of Madhya Geha a Tulu Barhmin and Vedavati at Paajaka near Udipi in South Kanara district of Karnataka. The father gave him the name Vasudeva.

Madhwa took to the study of the Vedas and the Vedandas and became a Sanyasi in his 11th year.  

Achyutaparajnyaacharya initiated him and put Madhwa as head of the Mutt in his place. Madhwa received the name of Ananda Tirtha now. He went on an extensive tour in Southern and Northern India to preach his gospel of Bhakti. He had written thirty-seven grandhas like Geetha Bhasyam, Suthra Bhasyam, Anuubhasyam. Anuvyakyam. It is believed in pronouncing the names of those thirty-seven grandas itself one gets sanctified.

On one another occasion he was on the beach of Malpe composing a hymn. He sighted a ship that was caught in the storm and by waving his hand, saved it from being capsized. The captain of the ship had offered him a lump of Sandal paste as a gift, which the Sri Madhwacharya took.

When the Sandal paste was broken, he found an idol of Lord Krishna. He installed the idol at Udipi. He had established the eight mutts in Udipi to spread the Dvaita philososhy and to worship of the Lord Krishna in Udipi.

According to tradition and hagiography, Madhvacharya (1238–1317) disappeared in 1317 AD at the age of 79. [

Where: He disappeared from the Anantheshwara Temple in Udupi, Karnataka, India.

How: While teaching his commentary on the Aitareya Upanishad to his disciples, he is said to have vanished and returned to Badarikashrama to reside with Vedavyasa.

When (Specific Day): His disappearance is commemorated annually on Madhwa Navami, which falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Hindu month of Magha (corresponding to January–FebruaryWhile some sources suggest alternate dates such as 1276-1278, 1317 is the date commonly recognized by his followers.

–subham—

Tags- Madalasa , Madhwa, Hindu Dictionary, English and Tamil, Part 57.

Ancient Tamil Poets Copied Kalidasa -Purananuru wonders-23, Tamil Encyclopedia-63 (Post No.15,684)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,684

Date uploaded in London –1 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 

Item 489 Ratha Gaja Thuruga Pathaathi

In Puram verse 63 composed by Paranar, we see the four- fold army division which is repeated  from Mahabharata days; Tamils divided the army into four divisions like ancient Hindus in the north. It is used in Chess game invented by the Hindus thousands of years ago.

Many elephants died attacked by arrows, unable to perform
their war duties!  Many fine horses of renown have died
along with warriors of martial courage.  All the wise warriors
who came in chariots have died, shields covering their eyes.

Before Sangam poets, Kalidasa also used it- Raghuvamsam 7-37

पत्तिः पदातिम् रथिनम् रथेशस्तुरंगसादी तुरगाधिरूढम्।

यन्ता गजस्याभ्यपतद्गजस्थम् तुल्यप्रतिद्वन्द्वि बभूव युद्धम्॥ 7-37 Raghu.

pattiḥ padātim rathinam ratheśas

turaṁgasādī turagādhirūḍham |

yantā gajasyābhyapatadgajastham

tulyapratidvandvi babhūva yuddham || 7-37

The foot soldiers charging foot soldiers, chariot-warriors attacking chariot-warriors, cavalrymen aggressing on cavalrymen, elephantary assailing elephantary, there started a battle between equally matching opponents. [7-37]

This is Dharma Yuddha. Fighting according to rules without affecting common man.

In Purananuru we come across it in 72,55,197, 239, 345,351,368, 377 etc

Rathagajathuragapathathi is a Sanskrit term representing the traditional four-fold division of an army, comprising chariots (ratha), elephants (gaja), horses (thuraga), and infantry (pathathi). Frequently appearing in Indian epics, this compound describes a complete and majestic army.

***

Item 490 Anti War Propaganda

Look what happened. War has spoiled the life of women. War has destroyed the life of men points out the poet.

***

Item 491 Life of Widows

Husbands died in war and so widows are eating Flattened rice. They wear bracelet made with Aamabal, a water plant. This was the condition of Tamil Hindu widows.

***

Puranānūru 63, Poet Paranar sang for Cheraman Kudakkō Neduncheralathan and Chozhan Verpahratakkai Peruviral Killi,

1
Many elephants died attacked by arrows, unable to perform
their war duties!  Many fine horses of renown have died
along with warriors of martial courage.  All the wise warriors
who came in chariots have died, shields covering their eyes.

 2
The respected drums of kings, tied tightly with straps,
hair on the eyes, lay ruined with no one to carry them.
Chests of kings smeared with sandal paste have been pierced
by long spears as they fought and died in the battlefield.

What will happen to their vast countries with beautiful
settlements and rich towns which used to have endless
prosperity,

3

where women pluck white waterlilies and wear
them as bracelets, and eat fresh flattened rice and plunge into cool streams?

***

புறநானூறு 63, பாடியவர்: பரணர், பாடப்பட்டோர்: சோழன் வேற்பஃறடக்கைப் பெருவிறற் கிள்ளி, சேரமான் குடக்கோ நெடுஞ்சேரலாதன், 

1

எனைப் பல் யானையும் அம்பொடு துளங்கி,
விளைக்கும் வினையின்றிப் படை ஒழிந்தனவே,
விறல் புகழ் மாண்ட புரவி எல்லாம்
மறத் தகை மைந்தரொடு ஆண்டுப் பட்டனவே,
தேர் தர வந்த சான்றோர் எல்லாம்  5

2


தோல் கண் மறைப்ப ஒருங்கு மாய்ந்தனரே,
விசித்து வினை மாண்ட மயிர்க் கண் முரசம்
பொறுக்குநர் இன்மையின் இருந்து விளிந்தனவே,
சாந்தமை மார்பின் நெடுவேல் பாய்ந்தென
வேந்தரும் பொருது களத்து ஒழிந்தனர், இனியே  10

3
என்னாவது கொல் தானே, கழனி
ஆம்பல் வள்ளித் தொடிக் கை மகளிர்

பாசவல் முக்கித் தண் புனல் பாயும்,
யாணர் அறாஅ வைப்பின்
காமர் கிடக்கை அவர் அகன்றலை நாடே?  15

***

Item 492 Interesting name of Poet Nedumpalliyathanār

What is Palliam? Year 1935 Ananda Vikatan dictionary says Music, Musical instruments. Great Tamil scholar U Ve Sa Iyer says that we come across Kurum Palliam in another Sangam work Tiru Murugatruppadai. So there might have been Nedum Palliyam. Poet’s name is Nedumpaaliathanar.

My comment

Through out Sangam literature we come across names of Kings and poets describing their body features, particularly, handicapped condition. For example, Mudath Thirumaran, Perum Kannan etc. So, it may be due to his long and protruded teeth he was called Nedumpalliyathanār

Another meaning is Lord Narasimha with Nedum Pal=long Teeth

The phrase “Chatur-Damshtrah” (चतुर्दंष्ट्रः) appears in the 82nd Sloka of the Vishnu Sahasranama, specifically in the 15th line of the main hymn, highlighting one of the attributes of Lord Vishnu.

Meaning: “Chatur” means four, and “Damstra” means fangs or teeth. It refers to Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha Avatar (the man-lion incarnation), specifically referencing the four prominent fangs that accentuate his fierce form. He had a face of a lion.

***

Item 493 Musical Instruments

It is interesting to note that the three musical instruments carried by the nomadic bards and dancers are not used anymore. If we say these words to anyone, they wouldn’t even know that they are musical instruments.

…..good yāzh, ākuli and pathalai drums and visit him

Yaaz (yaal) is replaced by Veena.

***
Item 494 Poverty in Ancient Tamil Nadu

The nomadic bards were suffering without proper food. Their food was watery gruel.

***

Puranānūru 64, Poet Nedumpalliyathanār sang for Pandiyan Palyākasalai Muthukudumi Peruvazhuthi

1
O virali wearing sparse bangles!  Shall we pack our
good yāzh, ākuli and pathalai drums and visit him

2
who spends time on the lands of his enemies,
after his herds of elephants have waged battles and
vultures in the sky hover over fresh flesh?  If we go
to see our king Kudumi who invades enemy lands,
we can eliminate our life of poverty eating watery gruel.

***

புறநானூறு 64, பாடியவர்: நெடும்பல்லியத்தனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் பல்யாகசாலை முதுகுடுமிப் பெருவழுதி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: விறலியாற்றுப்படை
நல் யாழ், ஆகுளி, பதலையொடு சுருக்கிச்,
செல்லாமோ தில் சில் வளை விறலி,
களிற்றுக் கணம் பொருத கண் அகன் பறந்தலை
விசும்பு ஆடு எருவை பசுந்தடி தடுப்பப்,
பகைப் புலம் மரீஇய தகைப் பெருஞ்சிறப்பின்  5
குடுமிக் கோமான் கண்டு,
நெடுநீர்ப் புற்கை நீத்தனம் வரற்கே?

***

In Puram verse 65 we come across a strange custom that was followed in Ancient India from epic period.

“ashamed for the wound in the back,– ruler with martial courage,– Cheraman Peruncheralathan -is sitting facing north near his sword to die.

Item 495 Facing North and Fast unto Death

since the ruler with martial courage is sitting facing north
with his sword, to die, embarrassed that he took a wound
on this back from a spear thrown to his front by a king,

This custom was practised from Ramayana, Mahabharata days. Tamils also followed their brother Hindus in the north. South is the direction of Yama, God of Death. But North is the holy direction. Pandavas in Mahabharata. walked towards North till they fell to the ground one after another.

Sitting facing North and fast unto death is called Praayopavesam in Ramayana.

Kailash, abode of Lord Siva, Holy Ganges and Holy Himalayas are in the North.

Kopperum Chozan and Pisir Anathaiyar did this and sacrificed their lives to honour the age-old principles.

Tolkappiya Vrddhi by Siva Gnana Munivar also praised North when he explained why Panamparanar in his Payiram to Tolkappiam said Vada Venkatam ( Northern Venkata Hills) first.

***

Item 496

What happens when such Prayopavesam is done in a city is beautifully described by the poet. The opposite of this will happen in any happy town.

Clay drums have been forgotten, yāzhs that play music
have been forgotten, huge pots are placed upside down
and butter churning has been forgotten, farmers have
forgotten their work, relatives have forgotten to drink
bee-swarming liquor, and small towns with
broad streets have forgotten to celebrate festivals,

 huge pots are placed upside down is a notable point.In funeral ceremonies, pots and vessels are placed upside down. This is practised by Brahmins even today.
***

Item 497 Two Kings= Sun and Moon

Poet Kazhāthalaiyār copied it from the greatest Indian poet Kalidasa.

Kalidasa in his works compared Rama and Parasurama in this way when they fought with each other. This is not the only place. More than 200 similes and imageries of Kalidasa were copied by the Sangam poets.

Kalidasa lived in the First or Second century BCE, just before the Sangam Age.

(Please see Kalidasa by Prof. Chandra Rajan, Penguin Publications)

Raghuvamsa- 11-82 and 8-15

प्रशमस्थितपूर्वपार्थिवम् कुलमभ्यद्यतनूतनेश्वरम्|

नभसा निभृतेन्दुना तुलामुदितार्केण समारुरोह तत्॥ ८-१५

praśamasthitapūrvapārthivam kulamabhyadyatanūtaneśvaram|

nabhasā nibhṛtendunā tulāmuditārkeṇa samāruroha tat || 8-15

That dynasty with the erstwhile king Raghu betaking to a life of spiritual tranquillity and the newly crowned king Aja just entering upon his regal career seemed like unto the sky with the moon almost gone down and the sun embarking onto it. [8-15]

***

तावुभावपि परस्परस्थितौ

वर्धमानपरिहीनतेजसौ।

पश्यति स्म जनता दिनात्यये

पार्वणौ शशिदिवाकराविव॥ ११-८२

tāvubhāvapi parasparasthitau

vardhamānaparihīnatejasau |

paśyati sma janatā dinātyaye

pārvaṇau śaśidivākarāviva || 11-82

The people saw them both standing face to face against each other, the one having his glory increased and that of the other proportionately decreased as if they were the moon and the sun on a conjunction day in the evening, where moon’s glow increases when sun decreases or vice versa, and where Dasharatha-Rama is analogous to the waxing moon, while Bhargava-Rama to fading Sun. [11-82] Raguvamsa

*** 

Puranānūru 65, Poet Kazhāthalaiyār sang for Cheraman Peruncheralathan, 

1
Clay drums have been forgotten, yāzhs that play music
have been forgotten, huge pots are placed upside down
and butter churning has been forgotten, farmers have
forgotten their work, relatives have forgotten to drink
bee-swarming liquor, and small towns with
broad streets have forgotten to celebrate festivals,

since the ruler with martial courage is sitting facing north
with his sword, to die, embarrassed that he took a wound
on this back from a spear thrown to his front by a king,
like the sun which hides behind the mountains in the
evening time when the full moon appears, after both orbs
in the sky look at each other.
Day time with the sun will not be the same as before for me!

***

புறநானூறு 65, பாடியவர்: கழாத்தலையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சேரமான் பெருஞ்சேரலாதன்,  திணை: பொதுவியல், துறை: கையறு நிலை


மண் முழா மறப்பப் பண் யாழ் மறப்ப,
இருங்கண் குழிசி கவிழ்ந்து இழுது மறப்பச்,
சுரும்பு ஆர் தேறல் சுற்றம் மறப்ப,
உழவர் ஓதை மறப்ப விழவும்
அகலுள் ஆங்கண் சீறூர் மறப்ப,  5

***
உவவுத் தலைவந்த பெருநாள் அமையத்து
இரு சுடர் தம்முள் நோக்கி, ஒரு சுடர்
புன்கண் மாலை மலை மறைந்தாங்குத்,
தன் போல் வேந்தன் முன்பு குறித்து எறிந்த

***
புறப்புண் நாணி மறத்தகை மன்னன்  10
வாள் வடக்கிருந்தனன், ஈங்கு
நாள் போல் கழியல ஞாயிற்றுப் பகலே.

***

 LIST OF TAMIL BATTLES 

 ‘Perumtholāthan’ was beaten by Karikālan at the Venni battlefield.  Poet Kazhāthalaiyār wrote Puranānūru 62, 65, 270, 288, 289 and 368.  This poet wrote poems for both this king and for his ancestor Kudako Neduncheralathan, who lived for only a short time since he died battling Chozhan Verpahradakkai Peruviral Killi.  Both kings died in battle (Puranānūru poem 62).  

Chozha king Karikālan beat a Pandiyan king, Cheraman Peruncheralathan and 11 Vēlirs at the Venni battlefield in the Chozha country.  There are references to this battle in Akanānūru 55, 246, Puranānūru 65, 66 and Porunarātruppadai 147.

–Subham—

Tags- Ancient Tamil Poets Copied Kalidasa -Purananuru wonders-23, Tamil Encyclopedia-63, Item 497 ,  LIST OF TAMIL BATTLES

Madurai Chitra Purnima Festival and Kanchipuram Chitra Gupta Temple (Post.15,673)

Lord Vishnu (Kalla Azakar) entering Vaigai River in Madurai (Chitra Festival)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,673

Date uploaded in London –29 April 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

The Hindu festival going by the name Chitra Pournami is observed on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai or Chaitra corresponding to the English month April – may , when the asterism/star Chitra holds sway.

In Madurai Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) weds Lord Siva called Sundaresan just before the full moon day. It is followed by a Rath Yatra in the streets of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. On the Chitra full moon day Lord Vishnu enters Vaigai River in Madurai  and spends several days in the city. Lord Vishnu temple  is in Alagarkoil and his local name is Kalla Azakar which is Sundara Rajan in Sanskrit. This festival attracts lakhs of people from surrounding villages and towns.

Four hundred years ago the great Nayak King renovated and rebuilt several towers of the temple and made it one of the 100 wonders of the world.

All the full moon days are Hindu Festival days. Chitra Full moon day tops the list because it is happening in the summer ; people travel everywhere without fear.

Around Tiruvannamalai Shiva Shrine several thousand do Giri Pradakshina which means Going round the hill. In villages Grama devatas are worshipped with Fire Walking ceremonies. In fact, there is no Tamil temple without something special during this season.

Chitra Gupta, accountant of Yama, God of Death.

Kanchipuram has scores of Siva and Vishnu Temples. In addition, it has a temple for Chitra Gupta, accountant of Yama, God of death. He is worshipped on this day.

Chitra gupta in Sanskrit means hidden picture ;the meaning is all our deeds, words and thoughts (Mano Vak Kayam- mano vaak kaayam–) make pictures around us. It is a hidden picture=Gupta Chitram). Hindu saints can see it; on the day of our death Chitra Gupta who is like a Super Computer- present our Audio- Video recordings in a USB pen drive to Yama. Hindu God of Death’s popular name is Dharma Raja. Brahmins worship him with this name thrice a day in their Sandhya Vandana. He is called Dharma Raja, because he shows no favours for a king nor hatred towards the poor. He gives us  rewards or punishments according to the recordings in the USB pen drive. Since we could not see during our existence on earth it is called Gupta Chitra= Chitra Gupta= Hidden Pictures.  Hindu saints can see it if they want to.

He has one temple in Kanchipuram and another in Kodangipatti near Theni in Tamil Nadu.

Chitra Gupta idol in Kanchipuram temple, holds a styli and notebook in his hands to record our Mano Vaak Kaaya activities, i.e. Thoughts, Words and Deeds. Those who always think good gets pass mark and Visa free direct ticket to paradise; others go to hell.

Inscriptions on Chitra Festival

On a pillar in the upper rock cut cave on the hill at Trichy is a record of the Choza king Rajakesarivarman 985-1013 CE dated in his sixteenth year relating to a gift of land to feed brahmins and devotees in the nine days of Chitra Festival .

On the west wall of the Ganesh shrine in the temple of

Nedungalanathar in Tiru Nedungulam in Trichy district is another inscription of the same king Rajakesarivarman recording a gift of land for feeding 500 Sivayogins during the Chitra Festival.

Siva and Parvati (Meenakshi Sundareswarar)

Story behind Chitra Festival

Brihaspati, spiritual guru of devas, threw up his appointment since Indra, king of devas,  failed to show proper respect to him. In the absence of advice from his preceptor, Indra became a great sinner by his commissions and omissions. After sometime Brihaspati relented and returned to duty. He forgave Indra and pointed out to him how he may be purged of all his sins by visiting holy places. Indra acted accordingly came to a forest where he found that all was well with him and felt that all his sins removed. Looking about to him to find out the cause of his happy deliverance, he found a lingam near a tank. Being convinced that the influence radiating from it was the cause of the joy of his heart, he at once sent for Visvakarma, the celestial architect, and with his aid a splendid shrine for Siva linga erected. He also caused another shrine erected near containing Siva’s wife .

Indra then wanted to worship the god and goddess but found no flowers. He then prayed to them and there suddenly appeared beautiful golden lotuses on the surface of a pond. Indra did worship with those golden flowers. All this happened on the full moon day of Chitra month. Even now people believe that Indra visits the place every Chitra Pournami day.

The story of Indra worshipping the Linga is in Tiru Vilaiyadal Purana as well. When a businessman, by name Dhanapathy Chettiyar, crossed the forest after sunset saw brilliant lights and he saw Indra worshipping with his paraphernalia. Very next day he reported the wonder that he saw in the forest to the pandya king of Madurai. He built the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple for Siva and his wife Meenakshi/Parvati.

The miracle boy saint Tiru Gnan Sambandar visited Madura around 600 CE and cured the disease of a Pandya king with the Vibhuti (holy ash) of the Siva Temple. The detailed story is in Periya Purana. His Tevaram poems praise Siva and his consort Meenakshi whose Tamil name is Angayakanni. His poems clearly say that he could see the towers of the Madurai Temple from a long distance. Lord Siva is called Chokkar (handsome)  in Tamil.

***

Ratha Yatra in Madurai.

Following is from my earlier post:

Tamil calendar is solar calendar, i.e. based on the movement of sun. When it enters a zodiac sign the months begin. But other South Indians calculate the beginning of the month from the New Moon day called Amavasyai. When Sun enters the first Zodiac sign, first Tamil month begins. That is the Tamil New Year Day

Strangely the names of the months are lunar based. When the full moon is seen with a prominent star in Zodiac, then the month is named after it. Chitra is named after Star Chitra. That means the full moon happens in star Chitra.

(though stars are thousands of light years away from moon or earth, one can easily see the star and the moon together in the sky)

Tamils have some beliefs about each month; may be they were correct 2000 years ago, when transport facilities, medical facilities and communication facilities were scarce; and the weather condition was also different. If we go through each belief, we can easily find the scientific reason behind it.

Tamils believe that if a male child is born in this month, the father of the child will suffer a lot and there will be clashes between father and child. Unless we get some statistics to prove this belief, we may ignore it. This is my opinion.

For instance, if a person gets married in a month the woman may become pregnant immediately. Then they calculate her delivery time and see what facilities would be available at that time in her area. Then they form a common opinion and that becomes a belief or a proverb. In short all are based on experience. Now that the world has changed, all types of facilities are available in most parts of the world, the beliefs may be considered irrelevant.

xxx

1.Chitra (Tamil Month Chiththirai)

The first sign in the zodiac chart is Aries- Mesha Rasi. The travelling period of sun in this sign is called the month of Chiththirai. This is the first month of Tamil year. First day of this month falls on 14th of April. That is the New Year Day for the Tamils. Many communities celebrate that day in India and South East Asia.

All full moon days are festival days for Hindus. Full moon days during non -rainy season are more important. Electric lights were not there in the world a few hundred years ago. So Hindus used natural light of sun and moon to celebrate big festivals.

Chitra Pournami or Purnima is one of the famous festival days in Hindu calendar. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple Chitra festival attracts million people. Many temples in Tamil Nadu have their important festivals during Chithrai.

Sri Shankara Jayanthi, birth day of the greatest Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara, Rama Navami, Narasimha Jayanthi and Ramanuja Jayanthi are celebrated in this month.

Jayanthi or Thiru Nakshatram means birth day.

–subham—

Tags- Tamil month Chithirai, Chitra Festival, Chitra Gupta temple, Madura, Kanchipuram Alaga Koil, Tirumalai Nayak, Indra, Pournami, Poornima , Rajakesari Varman, Choza, Pandya, Sambandar