Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,915

Date uploaded in London –25 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Part 73

N words continued…………………….

Nakkirar

A controversial and challenging Tamil poet of Sangam age. His clashes with Lord Shiva and others are in the stories of Tiru Vilaiyatal Purana and Tiru Murugatruppadai in Tamil . Tiru Murugu. Is a Sangam age work, that is 2000 years old. His poems are in Purananuru in praise of Hindu Gods. His controversy was documented by Appar (600 CE) in one of his poems, and so he must have lived at least 300 or 400 years before Appar.

***

Nalangu

A Tamil Post Wedding Ceremony to reduce the stress and strain of a wedding ceremony. It is full of fun and frolicks.

Both the bride and bridegroom are asked to take part in various competitive games. One example: a ring is placed in a pot full of water. When they are asked to GO, both dip their hands into the water pot; whoever takes the ring first is the winner; the winner’s family and friends jump with joy making big noise.

Both of them are asked to roll a coconut, powder a few Pappads in the air with both hands; both parties tease or mock at the other group with  some songs; they are like song caricatures of the bride or bride groom family.

An example : bride groom has Hitler moustache or pot belly; bride has a fake plait; hair is not long enough.

Nalangu is a traditional South Indian and Tamil post-wedding ceremony involving the application of sacred pastes and the playing of games to help the couple relax. As documented in ancient texts, this ritual aims to reduce stress and foster bonding between families.

In some communities it is done before the wedding. The bride and others are applied with turmeric paste. Participants also, particularly women, apply the turmeric paste on their feet and hands..

Something similar to North Indian Hindu ceremonies like Mehandi and Sangeet ceremonies.

***

Naalvar – The Four

The Great Four Saivite Saints; Naalvar means The Four persons; they are Appar alias Tirunavukkarasar, Sambandar (Tiru Gnana Sambanthar), Sundarar and Manikkavasagar (maanikkavaasakar); latest research shows that the last one lived at least 100 years before Appar, a contemporary of Mahendra varman, the greatest Pallava king (600 CE).

***

Namam ( naamam )

It is a symbol on the forehead of Vishnu devotees. They are three vertical lines in the shape of English letter Y or U. between the thick white lines a straight red line is drawn in the middle. Tamil Vaishnavites wear Dvaadasa Naamams on 12 places in the body that is comparable to Saivite Brahmins 12 placed Vibhuti (holy ash).

Y shaped Naamam- symbol of Tenkalai sect of Tamil Viashnavites; those who sing Tamil hymns of Alvars (Tamil Vaishnavite Saints)

U shaped Naamam- symbol of Vadakalai sect of Tamil Viashnavites; those who sing Sanskrit hymns of Vedanta Desikan.

Then= south ; Vada = north .

Even the Naamam on temple elephants will show one to which sect the temple belongs.

But when it comes to big temples like Titupati Balaji temple or Srirangam Ranganatha Temple, common devotees don’t bother about the sectorial divisions. But there are extremists in both sects who take the symbol cases up to the highest court in the country.

Vaishnavite Gurus/Acharyas called Jeeyars are very ardent followers of their respective sects and its practices.

***

Nammazvaar

One of the greatest Vaishnavite saints known in Tamil as Alvars (aazvaar).

Tamil Vishnu devotees believe that he composed Vedas in Tamil; his poems are great and meaningful. He was born in Alvar Titunagari in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. Like Buddha attained wisdom under the Peepal/Bodhi tree, Nammalvar  (nammaazvaar) attained wisdom under a Tamarind tree. Like Tansen’s tamarind tree, this tamarind also attained fame and worshipped until this day.

Following Thirumangai Alvar who composed 1,361 verses, Nammalvar is the second most prolific contributor, having composed exactly 1,296 verses across four works (most notably the Tiruvaymoli). They are part of Naalayira Divya Prabandham (the canonical collection of 4,000 Alvar hymns).

***

Nayanmar or Nayanar (naayanmaar or Naayanaar)

Sixty three Tamil saints and mystics are called Nayanmar or Nayanars. They were ardent followers of Lord Siva. Their stories are sung by Sekkizar in Periya Puranam in Tamil. They revived and spread Bhakti movement between fifth and ninth centuries. They belong to all castes. Of them three are women.

We know the date of Sambandar, the greatest of the 63 saints. He lived around 650 CE. Kannappa Nayanar who was a hunter gave his eye to Lord Siva and attained Mukti/liberation. Woman saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar became famous and worshipped in southeast Asian countries too. Of the Four Great Saivite Saints, Manikkaavasagar is left out and not included in the list of 63. This problem has been debated until this day without a definite conclusion. But his poems are included in the Saivite Tirumurais (Scriptures or Hymns on Lord Siva). Indirect references show that he lived before 600 CE.

****

Narada

A great rishi who undertook frequent trips between heaven and earth.

Narada Muni is portrayed as the quintessential traveller, a supreme devotee of Vishnu, and the “first investigative journalist” of the cosmos. He was a messenger of divine wisdom, an Inter Galactic Traveller. He delivered essential philosophical lessons and stories of devotion to many.

He visited the Pandavas a number of times specially during the period of their banishment in the forest and gave them good advice. About righteous conduct and harmonious living. He illustrated his points by appropriate anecdotes  from past history/puranas. He also tried to persuade Dhritarashtra  to keep his son Duryodhana  in check and make peace with the Pandavas.

Nārada (नारद) was one of the twelve, who knew the dharma ordained by Hari; a celibate; an attendant of Hari; was taught the bhāgavata by the father; and he gave it in his turn to Vyāsa. Wherever he  goes he will create a problem and that will bring something good; end justifies means was his policy.

He was in the company of Bharata when he recited the Nāṭyaveda, according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 35.

He was a celebrated Devarṣi (deified saint or divine sage). He is one of the ten mind-born sons of Brahmā, being supposed to have sprung from his thigh (Manusmṛti 1. 35). He is represented as a messenger from the gods to men and vice versa and as being very fond of promoting discords among gods and men; hence his epithet of Kalipriya or kalahapriya. He is said to have been the inventor of the lute or Vīṇā. He is also the author of a code of laws which goes by his name.

In Tamil literature, he was referred to in Tamil epic Silppadikaram as Naradar Veenai (Veena of Narada). He always travelled with his Veena singing the glory of Vishnu.

Many people born later also had his name. So we find many books in his name. But the original Narada is attributed with one famous book, Narada Bhakti Sutra.

Narada Bhakti Sutra has 84 aphorisms on the nature of Bhakti and the condition of Bhaktas/devotees. Swami Vivekananda has explained it in good English. (see my blogs for more details).

***

Narakasura

Asura killed by Lord Krishna and that day is celebrated as Deepavali (Diwali) in Tamil Nadu.

Narakasura was the son of Goddess earth, (referred to as Dharthi), by Lord Vishnu himself during his Varaha (boar) avatar. It was foretold that he would be destroyed by a later incarnation of Vishnu. His mother, the earth, sought the boon from Vishnu that her son should have a long life, and that he should be all powerful. Vishnu readily granted these boons.

Narakasura became evil, in association with another Asura named Bana. Drunk with power, as he knew himself to be unrivalled in prowess, he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control. Next he turned his eyes towards Swargaloka/ heaven. Even the mighty Indra could not withstand the assault of this son of Vishnu and had to flee the heavens. Now Narakasura had become the overlord of both the heavens and earth. His reign of oppression was in full swing. His capital was in modern Assam

Once granted immense power, he built a seemingly impregnable fortress, terrorized the three worlds, stole divine treasures (such as the earrings of Aditi), and imprisoned 16,000 celestial princesses

Divine Intervention: The tormented devas sought the help of Lord Krishna to defeat Narakasura.

The Battle: Accompanied by his wife Satyabhama—who was the earthly incarnation of Bhudevi—Lord Krishna rode to Pragjyotishapura to confront the demon.

The Final Blow: Because of the boon that only his mother could kill him, Satyabhama took the bow and struck the decisive blow, paving the way for Krishna to sever Narakasura’s head with his Sudarshana chakra.

Liberation: Following Narakasura’s defeat, Krishna liberated the 16,000 captive women and married them to restore their societal honour.

Festival of Lights: The triumph of good over evil that day is spiritually commemorated as Deepavali (Diwali), specifically the day of Naraka Chaturdashi

Sanskrit phrase 60,000 0r 16,000 means a lot, uncountable, innumerable. Even in English we use a million dollar question etc

***

Nikhumba

Several rakshasas had this name. one of them is referred to in Ramayana .

According to Mahabharata, Nikhumba was the father of demons Sunda and Upasunda who killed each other in an intoxicated fight to get hold of apsara

Tilottama . he was a descendent of Hiranyakasipu.

According to Ramayana,

Nikumbha (निकुम्भ).—A very mighty Rākṣasa. Son of Kumbhakarṇa (Rāvaṇa’s brother) by his wife Vajramālā. He had an elder brother called Kumbha.

When Kumbha was killed in the Rāma-Rāvaṇa war Nikumbha rushed to the front line and fought fiercely, and he was killed by Hanūmān. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Yuddha Kāṇḍa, Canto 77).

Nikumbha (निकुम्‍भ): One of Ravana’s generals who led the rakshasas against the host of monkeys and was slain

When Indrajit, son of Ravana tried to do an all powerful Yaga to destroy Rama, timely intervention of Lakshmana spoiled it

According to Puranas

the “dreadful cave of Shatpura” is a foreboding site of deception and imprisonment famously linked to the powerful being Nikumbha.

According to ancient texts, Nikumbha—a powerful figure and lord of the Pisacas—used this cave to harbour captives. Its mythological significance centres around a few key details:

The Standoff: Nikumbha emerged from the dreadful cave wielding a thorn-covered club.

The Conflict: Upon stepping out, he was confronted in combat by Dhananjaya (Arjuna), who shot arrows from his Gandiva bow to block the thoroughfare.

Symbolism: The cave serves as an ominous backdrop for themes of entrapment and trickery during pivotal battles.

***

Nimi

Son of Dattatreya. He grieved greatly at the death of his son Shrimana and then he undertook various ritual for the eternal good of his son. It is said that this constituted the beginning of thee “Shraddha” ceremonies relating to death.

***

Nivatakavacha, Nivātakavacha

These innumerable Danavas/demons occupied a city which previously belonged  to Devas. Not being able to defeat the Nivatakavacha danavas, Indra sought the help of Brahma who said that Indra himself in another form would be able to defeat them. Thus it was when Arjuna  had come to the end of his five years stay in Swarga/heaven and was preparing to return to earth, Indra asked as a parting gift he should get rid of his enemies the Nivatkvachas.  Arjuna went to the abode of the Danavas with Matali as his charioteer and using various divine weapons obtained from heaven he defeated the  Nivatkvacha demons.

More  details

The nivatakavachas (Sanskrit: निवातकवच, romanized: Nivātakavaca, lit. ‘the impenetrable armoured ones’) are a sect of daityas, the children of Kashyapa and Diti, classified under the race of asuras in Hindu mythology. They are best known for their battles against Ravana and Arjuna, the latter of which caused their annihilation.[1]

Thirty million nivatakavachas were born in the daitya clan. Allied with the kalakeyas, they triumphed over the devas in battle. They are described to have been skilled in magic and warfare, wielding powerful weapons to defeat their foes.

From Ramayana

The nivatakavachas are said to have terrorised the world, living deep beneath the ocean, and residing in the city of Maṇimatī after securing boons from Brahma. In the Ramayana, Ravaṇa with his sons Meghanada, Atikaya, and with his army attacked these daityas, but found himself unable to defeat the sect after centuries of battle. The two sides finally formed an alliance after Brahma intervened.

From Mahabharata

In the Mahabharata, Indra sought the destruction of the nivatakavachas from his son, Arjuna, as his dakshina (honorarium). Describing the sect as his foes, he stated that the nivatakavachas lived in a fortress under the ocean, numbered thirty million, and were alike in shape, size, and prowess. To achieve this task, Indra sent his own charioteer, Matali, to drive Arjuna to the location of his foes. The devas offered Arjuna a conch named Devadatta, and Matali offered him ornaments that resembled his own. When the two reached the city of the daityas, they closed their gates, fearing that Indra himself had appeared to slay them. When Arjuna blew his conch, the nivatakavachas attacked him, loosing tridents, spears, and arrows upon him. Arjuna released arrows from his Gandiva, slaying the daityas in the thousands. The nivatakavachas rendered themselves invisible, and showered elemental attacks on Arjuna. The prince grew disheartened when he realised that he was unable to manoeuvre their attacks due to the intensity of their barrage.

Matali urged him to employ the thunderbolt missiles he had brought with him, which devastated the daityas, and defeated them. The daitya women sought shelter in their houses as Arjuna entered Maṇimatī, thinking that it looked better than the city of the devas. The charioteer explained that the city had previously belonged to the devas, but had been captured by the daityas following a boon granted to them by Brahma. Brahma assured Indra that the latter himself, in another form, would defeat the daityas, which had just transpired. He encouraged Arjuna to also lay waste to Hiranyapura, a neighbouring city of the danavas who opposed his father as well, which the prince achieved.

***

Nara Narayana

Nara-Narayana are twin sages and a twin-brother avatar of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism, representing the eternal connection between humanity (Nara) and divinity (Narayana). Together, they represent human effort and divine grace working in harmony to uphold righteousness (dharma

The Name: In Sanskrit, Nara means “human being” or “eternal spirit,” while Narayana refers to the Supreme Being (Vishnu).

Divine Origins: They were born as the sons of Dharma (the god of righteousness) and Murti (the daughter of Daksha).

Life of Penance: The twins famously traveled to the Badari hermitage (modern-day Badrinath) in the Himalayas. They engaged in severe austerities and deep meditation to defeat evil and preserve world order.

Mahabharata Connection: Hindus believe Nara and Narayana reincarnated as the heroes Arjuna (human) and Krishna (divine guide) during the events of the Mahabharata.

Iconography: In traditional art, Nara is usually depicted with two hands and wearing deer skin, while Narayana is portrayed with four hands, holding a mace, discus, conch, and lotus.

***

Narasimha

Narasimha is the fourth, half-man and half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu, manifesting in the Satya Yuga to protect the devotee Prahlada by destroying the demon king Hiranyakashipu. By overcoming Hiranyakashipu’s invincibility boon at twilight on a threshold, this form symbolizes divine intervention that transcends conventional limitations to uphold dharma.

***

Nalanda

Nalanda was an acclaimed university, a large Buddhist monastery in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar) in India. The site is located about 95 kilometres southeast of Patna near the town of Bihar Sharif, and was a centre of learning from the fifth century CE to1200 CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 The highly formalized methods of Vedic learning helped inspire the establishment of large teaching institutions such as Taxila, Nalanda, and Vikramashila which are often characterised as India’s early universities. Nalanda flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under Harsha, the emperor of Kannauj.The liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age resulted in a period of growth and prosperity until the ninth century. 

Muslims burnt the library

Historical consensus and primary records attribute the final destruction and burning of the Nalanda Mahavihara to a Turko-Afghan military general Bakhtiyar Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate in the late 12th century.

The Sacking (c. 1200 CE): During his conquests in northern and eastern India, Khilji famously led a marauding army that attacked and plundered several major Buddhist centers, including Nalanda, Vikramashila, and Odantapuri.

The Library Burning: Nalanda boasted a colossal collection of manuscripts housed in multi-story libraries known as Ratnasagara, Ratnadadhi, and Ratnaranjaka. The attackers set fire to the institution, with historical accounts stating the massive fires burned for three months.

While Khilji is widely cited for the fatal sacking and mass slaughter of the monks, historians and researchers point out that the destruction was not a one-time total evaporation:

Eyewitness Accounts: Tibetan monk Dharmasvamin visited the site in 1234 CE, nearly 40 years after Khilji’s campaign. He found the institution heavily ruined but still functioning, with a small fraction of about 70 monks being taught by a 90-year-old abbot.

Continuous Raids: Surviving monks and local patrons attempted to revive the university, but persistent raids by subsequent groups of Turkish soldiers over the following decades ultimately forced the permanent abandonment of the site

Tags- Nakkirar, Nalangu, Namam, Nalanda, Narasimha, Nivatakavacha, Narakasura, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 73; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி- 73

To be continued……………………

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,847

Date uploaded in London –8 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

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

Rig Vedic seer Deergatamas- Married Dasa caste woman Mamata;

Rishi Kavacha Ailusar – married Dasa caste woman;

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

Satyakama kama Jabala- son of  servant maid Jabala.

Rama’s son Kusa- married Naga Princess Kumudavati;

Rama’s son Lava – Naga Princess Kanjajana;

Brahmin Ravana – married Asura kula Mandodari;

Shantanu- Fisher woman Matsyagandha; Son- Veda Vyasa

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

Bhima – married Demoness Hidimba; their son- Kadothkajan;

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

Lord Muruga- Huntress Valli;

King Yayati- Brahmin Devayani;

Krishna’s son Pradyumna- married Asura Kula Prabhvati;

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

Asura Guru – Brahmin Sukra!

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

Brahmin Asura Vrtrasura was killed by Indra in Rig Veda ;

Brahmin Asura Trisiras was killed by Indra in Rig Veda;

Brahmin Asura Namuchi was killed by Indra in Rig Veda;

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

Varuna is praised as ASURA in Rig Veda;

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

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

No DRAVIDIAN is found anywhere in ancient Tamil literature

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

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

Even the Asura names are in Sanskrit!

***

Toda woman in Nilgris

Cousin Marriage

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

Desa= country

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

Dravida=Dramila= Tamil.

Another group put it in reverse gear and argued:

Tamil=Dramila= Dravida.

It is true that M becomes V.

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

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

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

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

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

***

What did Hindus say about classification of People?

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

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

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

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

Veda Vyasa= utter  black= born to fisherwoman.

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

Draupadi/ Krishnaaa= Black Woman

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

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

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

***

Naga Mystery

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

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

–subham—

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

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,846

Date uploaded in London –8 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

N  Words

Nabhaga / naabhaaga

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

Nabhaga (नभग):—

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

Nābhāga (नाभाग).—Naabhaaga-

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

Another story

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

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

***

Naga, Naaga, Naaga loka/ Naaga kanya

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

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

In Sangam Tamil literature Naaka lokam is heaven/Swarga.

Gupta inscriptions talk about Ganapati Naga etc.

Wisdomlib.org gives more on Nagas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

Nagara

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

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

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

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

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

***

Nachiketa

Son of Rishi Uddalaka Aruni.

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

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

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

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

***

Nahusha

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

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

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

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

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

सुप्रज्ञमपि चेच्छूरमृद्धिर्मोहयते नरम् ⁠।

वर्तमानः सुखे सर्वो मुह्यतीति मतिर्मम ⁠।⁠।⁠

suprajñamapi cecchūramṛddhir mohayate naram

vartamānaḥ sukhe sarvo muhyatīti matir mama

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

Goswami Tulasidas ji also said in Ramcharitmanas:

नहिं कोउ अस जनमा जग माहीं,

प्रभुता पाई जाहि मद नाहीं ⁠।

nahim kou asa janama jaga māhī,

prabhutā pā’ī jāhi mada nāhī

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

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

***

Nakula

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

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

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

***

Nala and Damayanthi

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

Following subjects are dealt within the story:-

1.Extra Terrestrials

Art of Disguise

Eight Paranormal Powers

4.Bird Migration and Training Birds for communication

5.Art of Cookery

6.Art of Charioting

7.Magic Numbers

8.Art of Gambling and Manipulation

9.invisible Cloaking

10.Toxicology

11.Moral Teaching and Psychology

12.Letter Writing by Kings

13.Truth alone Triumphs

14.Necessity of cleanliness

15.Role of Poetry

16.Brahmin Ambassadors/ Role of Ambassadors

17.Travellers’ Tale & Business Travel & Robbers

18.Geography

19.History

20.Role of Saints/Psychologists

21.Child care

22.Unusual Freedom of Indian Women

23.Body marks

24.Science of Horses

25.Tree Science

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—Subham—

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

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,814

Date uploaded in London –1 June 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Part 67

Mātaṅga (Sanskrit: मातंग) literally means an elephant.

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

***

ME Words

Medathithi

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

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

***

Medhavi

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

***

Menaka

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

***

Mena

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

***

Meru

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

***

Mithila

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

***

Mlechcha

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

Mlecha in Mullaippattu:

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

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

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

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

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

-from ‘ The Book of Babel’

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

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

***

Meganatha

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

***

Meghaduta

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

***

Mitra (Varuna)

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

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

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

Mithra in Germany, Picture by Subhashini, THF

To be continued……………………..

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

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

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,807

Date uploaded in London –30 May 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Purananuru wonders-30, Tamil Encyclopedia-70; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 70

***

Item 553 Kural Echo in Puram verse 92

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

Kural 66

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

***

Puranānūru 92, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji,

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

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

***

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

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

***

Item 554 Brahmin’s Big Role

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

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

Here are the Bhagavad Gita slokas for comparison

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

Krishna highlights this path in two specific verses:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

Puranānūru 93, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji,

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

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

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

***

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

****

Item 555 Elephant Simile

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

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

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

***

Puranānūru 94, Poet Avvaiyār sang to Athiyamān Nedumān Anji,

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

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

***

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

****

Item 556 Sarcasm 

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

*** 

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

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

****

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

 ***

Item 557

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

*****

 Item 558

Athiyamans came from Noth India with Sugarcane.

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

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

***

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

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

***

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

***

The Sugarcane Mystery: Indus valley and the Ikshvaku 

Dynasty

Written by London Swaminathan

Posted date-November 19, 2011

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

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

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

Who was Ikshvaku?

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

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

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

Tamil King Adhiyamaan Nedumaan Anji

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

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

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