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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 50; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-50 (Post.15,608)


Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,608

Date uploaded in London –11 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 

Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.

Kurukshetram

Kurukṣetra (कुरुक्षेत्र).—Name of an extensive plain near Delhi, the scene of the great war between the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas; Kurukshetra is the city located in Haryana.

Hindus’ most famous scripture Bhagavad Gita begins with these words: धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः (dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.1; Manusmṛti 2.19.

Wisdomlib.org website adds,

Kurukṣetra (कुरुक्षेत्र).—Founded by Kuru and sacred to Harī.1 Watered by the river Sarasvatī.2 Capital city of the Kurus.3 Sages of Kurukṣetra visited Dvāraka. At Kurukṣetra Kṛṣṇa performed sacrifices for twelve years.4 The battlefield where the Pāṇḍavas fought with the Kurus led by Duryodhana.5 Here Paraśurāma dug a lake called Syamantapañcaka.6 On the occasion of a sacrifice Sūta narrated the br. purāṇa here.7 Purūravas met Urvaśī after their separation at; the residence of Sanatkumāra and Dharmarāja fit for śrāddha offerings, and sacred to Pitṛs. Founded by Kuru, son of Samvaraṇa;8 residence of sage Kauśika, and sacrifice of Adhisīmakṛṣṇa for 2 years at; sacred in Dvāpara;9 Dharmakṣetra where a great sacrifice was performed.10 Residence at, leads to mukti; no shaving or upavāsa required here.11 Noted for ambhojasaras or lotus tank.12 R. Sarasvatī flows here: noted for a temple of Vāmana.13

***

Kuvalayapeedam

Kuvalayāpīḍa (कुवलयापीड).—Name of the elephant posted at the gates of Mathurāpurī to kill Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balabhadrarāma, who went there to witness the dhanuryajña. But, they killed the elephant.Kuvalayāpīḍa (कुवलयापीड).—The state elephant of Kaṃsā. When Kṛṣṇa came to the mallaraṅga or the wrestlers’ arena, it was ordered that this elephant should be stationed at the gate of the arena to attack him. When Kṛṣṇa entered the araṅga, the mahout Ambaṣṭha led the animal against him, when Kṛṣṇa took hold of its tail, and whirling it round and round, hit its front when it died with the keeper. He seized its tusks and entered the enclosure in glee. At this Kaṃsā was perturbed; its keeper was killed by Rāma.*

***

Kubera

Kubera (कुबेर) Kubera is the lord of the Yakṣas, he is known also by two other names Vaiśravaṇa and Dhanada, and is regarded as the giver of wealth.  He is a friend of Śiva and the Nāga Nīla. Kubera is the son of Viśravas by Iḍaviḍā  He is mythologised as having three legs and eight teeth. His name Ku-bera or Ku-vera signifies his deformed body having three legs and eight teeth. He is married to Yakṣī, the daughter of the Dānava Mura. As friend of Śiva he is called Śiva-sakhā. His capital Alakā on the Himālaya mountain is mentioned also in the Ṛig veda.

Lord of Alaka and son of Pulastya and resident of Kailāsa; vanquished by Rāvaṇa; wife Ṛddhi and son Nalakūbera. Man is his vahana.

Kubera (कुबेर) refers to one of the eight guardians of the quarters, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.22.

Navanidhi (नवनिधि).—m. (pl.) the nine treasures of Kubera. i. e. महापद्मश्च पद्मश्च शङ्खो मकरकच्छपौ । मुकुन्दकुन्द- नीलाश्च खर्वश्च निधयो नव (mahāpadmaśca padmaśca śaṅkho makarakacchapau | mukundakunda- nīlāśca kharvaśca nidhayo nava) ||

The nine treasures of Kubēra, are [padma, mahapadma, shamkha, makara, kacchapa, mukamda, kumda, nila] and  kharva).

In the Hindu palaces and now in Chettiar houses in Tamil Nadu, the main door has Sankha and Padma, Conch and the Lotus, representing Nine Treasures.

***

Kunti

 Kuntī (कुन्ती).—(PṚTHĀ). Wife of King Pāṇḍu and the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, Kuntī is a noble heroine in the Mahābhārata. Kuntī was the sister of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s father Vasudeva. Her real name was Pṛthā. Vasudeva and Pṛthā were the children of King Śūrasena of the Yādava dynasty. King Kuntibhoja was the son of Śūrasena’s sister. He had no issues. Śūrasena had promised to give the daughter first born to him as the adopted daughter of Kuntibhoja, and accordingly his first-born daughter Pṛthā was given to Kuntibhoja, and Kuntī was brought up in his palace. From that day onwards Pṛthā came to be known as Kuntī. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 111).

Queen Kunti, had in her youth been granted the power to invoke the Devas by Rishi Durvasa. Each god, when invoked, would place a child in her lap. Urged by Pandu to use her invocations, Kunti gave birth to Yudhisthira by invoking the Lord of Righteousness, Yama. 

She was the first wife of Pāṇḍu. As he was prevented by a curse from having progeny, he allowed his wife to make use of a charm she had acquired from the sage Durvāsas, by means of which she was to have a son by any god she liked to invoke. She invoked Dharma, Vāyu and Indra, and had from them Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma and Arjuna respectively. She was also mother of Karna by the deity Sun whom she invoked in her virginhood to test her charm. Being an unmarried girl, she abandoned her first son Karna in a box, and this was discovered by Adhiratha who brought him up.

Other two Pandavas Nakula and Sahadeva were born to Madri (maadri), second wife of Pandu Kunti died in a forest fire.

***

Kuni/ Kooni

Kooni, or Manthara, was a hunchbacked nursemaid and close confidante to Kaikeyi. Manthara was not just a maid, but a loyal caretaker who accompanied Kaikeyi from her home kingdom (Kekeya) to Ayodhya.

 As a child, Rama once hit her on her hunched back with a clay ball when he was practicing archery, fostering a lasting bitterness.

 Upon hearing of Rama’s upcoming coronation, she feared for her own status and manipulated Kaikeyi by claiming that if Rama became king, Kaikeyi would be treated as a slave by Kausalya.

She reminded Kaikeyi of the two boons granted by King Dasharatha, instructing her to demand Bharata’s coronation and Rama’s 14-year exile.

In some versions of the story, particularly Tulasidas’s Ramcharitmanas, she is guided or possessed by Goddess Saraswati to ensure Rama leaves the city to fulfil his destiny of destroying evil, such as Ravana.

Often referred to as “Kooni” in Tamil, which means “hunchback”. This word is related Sanskrit word Kuni which means crippled.

 *****

Kurma Avatar /Kurma Purana

Kūrmāvatāra (कूर्मावतार) refers to the “tortoise incarnation” of Viṣhṇu.

Kūrmāvatāra (कूर्मावतार) is found depicted at the Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai. The god Kūrmāvatāra is represented with the lower part as tortoise’s feet and the upper part in the usual form of the god. The god in this form is found with four arms where the upper hands hold the discus and the conch, and the other two right and left hands are in abhaya and dolā-hasta respectively.

During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Vishnu assumed this form to support Mount Mandara on his back, acting as a pivot to prevent it from sinking, allowing gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality. Srikurmam temple in Andhra Pradesh is one of the temples representing this avatar.

The Kurma Purana (कूर्म पुराण) is one of the eighteen Mahapurana. It is believed to have been directly narrated by the Lord Vishnu to the sage Narada, and it contains the details about the Kurma Avatar. Narada is believed to have stated the contents of this Puranas to Suta, who narrated this Purana to an assembly of great sages.

The printed editions of this text are divided into two bhāgas (parts),

The Pūrvabhāga has 53 chapters and the Uttarabhāga has 46 chapters.

***

Kumbha mela

Kumbhamela is a major 5,000-year-old Hindu pilgrimage and religious fair, occurring every twelve years at Prayag in Uttar Pradesh, India.

 Prayag is the city where rivers Ganga Yamuna and Saraswati meet. It is the largest religious gathering in the world. The most recent major gathering happened from January 13 to February 26, 2025. 400 million devotees took holy bath in the rivers. The place is called Triveni Sangam because three rivers meet there. Nowadays Saraswati River is not visible. It dried long ago but Hindus believe it runs underground.

Held every 12 years (with a Mahakumbh occurring every 144 years), it is the world’s largest religious gathering, featuring extensive security, tent cities, and UNESCO-recognized spiritual traditions.

Location: Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati).

Significance: It is the most sacred of Kumbh Melas, commemorating where drops of the immortal nectar (Amrit) fell during the Samudra Manthan.

The festival spans 45 days, featuring intense spiritual activities including Shahi Snan (royal baths) by Naga Sadhus. They are naked saints living in the Himalayas.: The event attracts millions of holy men (sadhus) who travel from across India, including naked Naga sadhus who lead the dawn bathing rituals.

Apart from this every four years Mini Kumbh mela is held in Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik in rotation.

·         Maha Kumbh: Every 144 years (Prayagraj).

·         Purna Kumbh: Every 12 years (Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain).

·         Ardh Kumbh: Every 6 years (Haridwar, Prayagraj).

·         Magh Mela (Mini Kumbh): Every year.

***

Kumbakonam

This town is known for its temples, Maths/monasteries, Archaeological monuments (Darasuram), betel leaves and coffee. Nine Planets temples are near by this place.

There are more than 100 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam. Apart from these, thereare  hundreds of temples around the town thereby giving the town the sobriquets “Temple Town” and “City of temples”.

Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is the oldest Shiva shrine in the town, constructed by the Cholas in the 7th century.

Sarangapani temple is the largest Vishnu temple. The present structure of the temple having a twelve storey high tower was constructed by Nayak kings in the 15th century. It is one of the “Divya Desams”, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 Alvar saint-poets.

Around this town are Navagraha Nine Planets shrines dedicated to Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Rahu, Ketu.

Like Kumbha mela in the north, Mahamakam (mahaa makam) festival is heled once in 12 years which attracts lakhs of people to the tank called Mahamakam tank in front of the main Shiva temple.

***

Kuraip /Koorai pudavai /saree

Koorai silk saree, also referred to as Koorai  Pudavai,  is a traditional nine-yard saree originating from Koranad in Mayiladuthurai;   Traditionally worn by brides during Hindu wedding ceremonies, the saree is recognized for its unique weaving patterns and cultural significance. It is produced by the Sāliyan weaving community using a blend of silk and cotton in red colour. The saree was originally woven from cotton. By the early 20th century, it transitioned to silk and became a prominent bridal garment.  Original Red colour is also changed now. Red means Mangalam/ auspicious like Red Kunkum of Hindu women.

–subham—

Tags- HINDU DICTIONARY, ENGLISH AND TAMIL 50, இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-50, Kurukshetra, Kumbhamela, Kumbakonam, Kuraip pudavai,  Koorai saree, Kurma

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Image Worship in Sangam Tamil Literature! – Part 59 (Post No.15,604)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,604

Date uploaded in London –10 April 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

Purananuru Wonders -19  Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 59; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 59

***

Item 442


There are at least three interesting points in the Purananuru verse 51. Five elements are used to compare the greatness of the king. We see this in Kalidasa who lived in the second century BCE. Comparing a king with the Five Elements is a Hindu concept which is also in Manu Smriti of Second century BCE or earlier. Poet Iyur Mudavaanar must be a great Sanskrit scholar. But we see such a comparison in the poems of other Sangam poets as well. (see Puram 2)

Kalidasa in Raghuvamsam 1-29; 4-11 (five elements and king)

Manusmriti – 1-20;1-76 12-12 to 21 five elements )

***

Item 443 Concept Five Elements/ Pancha Bhuta

The concept of Five Elements, known as Pancha Bhuta in Indian languages, is found in Greek and Babylonian cultures. But they borrowed it from India. Greeks left one of the elements, Sky, and used the other four elements i.e. water, fire, earth and wind. Empedocles of Greece mentioned the four elements.

In the Babylonian myth, Enuma Elis, the elements are mentioned. But the hymn is like the creation hymn in the Rig Veda

Following hymn in Taiittiriya Upanishad:

From – divine – soul, verily,

space arose;

from space wind;

from wind fire;

from fire water;

from water the earth;

from earth the herbs and food;

from food semen and from semen the person/purusa

—-Taittiriya Upanishad, Brahmavalli, Anuvak.1

Kalidasa used the five elements in Raghuvamsa and his other works.

Raghuvamsa 1-29

Brahma created Dilipan with five elements. This is true indeed because all his virtues are useful to others (like five elements).

Raghuvamsa 4-11

As soon as Raghu became king, even the Pancha bhutas attained new vigour.

Raghuvamsa 3-4

Dilipan’s wife Sudakshina who was pregnant, ate sand out of craving .

Sangam Tamil Puram verse 20 by Kurungkoliyur kizar said the same thing.

Kings were called “Bhubuk” i.e. eaters of land (of other kings)

***

More Pancha Bhuta references in Sangam Tamil Books:

Pari. 3-4; 3-66; 3-77. Pari.13-18; 24-15

Mathur. -line 453; Puram-2- 1; 20-1; 51-1;55-15

Pathitr- 14-1; Kurun.3-1.

Tol -305; Murukku. Line 254

The strange coincidence is, all the poets use the Pancha Bhuta matter in the very beginning of the poems.

Post Sangam book – Tiruk Kural 271

***

Item 444 Science

Life span of white ants is known to all Tamils . Some die in a day or two other ants live for long. Another meaning is the termite mounds are demolished in a minute or two by bears or human beings. They are compared to king’s enemies.

***

Item 445 Tamil arrogance or war mongering

From Asokan times, from Kharavela times, we see the Tamil front consisting of Chera Choza Pandya. But they fought among themselves continuously for 1500 years. Here the king thinks Tamil Nadu does not belong to all the three kings but his own. This infighting was not seen in any other race. But yet Chera Choza Pandyas ruled for 1500 years which is also unique in the world. One language, one religion one culture ; but ruled for- 1500 years; unique in world history.

***

Item 445 Koodakārathu Thunjiya Māran Vazhuthi

What is Koodaagaaram ? What is Thunjiya?

Tamils were unique in affixing the place of death of a king to his name. We don’t see such naming in any other parts of the world. We see Thunjiya/ Death in other Tamil poems as well. To identify or differentiate one king from another they say where the king died/Thunjiya mening who had died…

***

Item 446

Koodaagaaram கூடாகாரம் mystery!

Commentators skip this word Koodaagaaram கூடாகாரம். 1935 Ananda Vikatan dictionary gives two meanings: Nilavarai- underground shelter or dungeon or Upper part of a house. We don’t see this word much in Tamil. Some people tried to identify this with salt cotar.

“Kottaram” (Koṭṭāram கொட்டாரம்) meaning a granary or “godown” is still used. So I would guess this Pandya king died in the underground. He might have been imprisoned or murdered there? No one dared to explain this word. If there is any explanation by some people, that is only a guess work not authenticated.

***

Please see my earlier posts:

1

Purananuru (Tamil Sangam Book) wonders -2; Upanishad and Kalidasa in verse Two! (Post.15,278)

2

Tamil Hindu Encyclopaedia -10 பஞ்சபூதம் (Pancha Bhuta)—Post No.11,359

3

Cosmology in Appar, Nammalvar, Puram Poems (Post No.15,196)

***

Puranānūru 51, Poet Aiyur Mudavanār sang for Pandiyan Koodakārathu Thunjiya Māran Vazhuthi,

1
When water overflows, there is no dam to contain it!
When fire exceeds, there is no shadow that can shade
the living!  When there is too much wind, no strength
can resist it!  Vazhuthi, radiant and fierce in battle
is like all these.

2 

He will not tolerate if they say that
cool Thamizh Nadu is common, and undertakes wars.
If he requests tributes, kings who say, “take it” and
give willingly, do not tremble.

Those who are very pitiable are those who have lost his
graces. 

3

Like the termites from red mounds built with
difficulty by tiny termites, they whirl around just for a day.

Notes:  Puranānūru poems 51 and 52 were written for this king.   He hailed from a town called Koodakāram.   He was a contemporary of Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan.  His successor was Pandiyan Ilavanthikai Palli Thunjiya Nanmāran.Aiyur Mudavanār wrote Puranānūru 51, 228, 314 and 399.

***

புறநானூறு 51, பாடியவர்: ஐயூர் முடவனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் கூடகாரத்துத் துஞ்சிய மாறன் வழுதி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை

1


நீர் மிகின் சிறையும் இல்லை, தீ மிகின்
மன்னுயிர் நிழற்றும் நிழலும் இல்லை,
வளி மிகின் வலியும் இல்லை, ஒளி மிக்கு
அவற்றோர் அன்ன சினப்போர் வழுதி!

2
தண் தமிழ் பொது எனப் பொறாஅன், போர் எதிர்ந்து  5
கொண்டி வேண்டுவன் ஆயின், கொள்க எனக்
கொடுத்த மன்னர் நடுக்கற்றனரே,
அளியரோ அளியர் அவன் அளி இழந்தோரே,

3
நுண் பல் சிதலை அரிது முயன்று எடுத்த
செம்புற்று ஈயல் போல,  10
ஒரு பகல் வாழ்க்கைக்கு உலமருவோரே.

****

Item 447

Two things in Puram 52 are important. It is about Image worship.

அணங்குடை நெடுங்கோட்டு அளையகம் முனைஇ,
முணங்கு நிமிர் வயமான் முழு வலி ஒருத்தல்,

Tamil Hindus like their counterparts in North India believed that spirits are dwelling in the mountains, lakes, forests, gardens, and trees. Here the mountain cave is described as Spirit living place. Anangu in Tamil meant the spirit that is terrifying or ghost

***

Item 448

Tamils worshipped images like their North Indian brothers. We get coins from second century BCE showing Hindu Gods. Here Maruthan Ilanakanar, a late poet, who mostly imitate his predecessors, talk about

“where offerings with uproar are not given to
the gods who have abandoned their pillars”.

It is made clear that Tamils made offerings to Gods in the pillars. Even today the offerings are made in the temple Bali Peedam near the Dwajasthamba/pillar. Moreover, Brahmins also erected venerable Yupa Stambha when they performed Yagas/fire ceremonies. Purananuru used the Sanskrit Yupa in a few poems. So the poet might have mean Yupa pillars or Dwajasthambas or Nadukal/herostones. Tamils worshipped Hero Stones too.

***

Puranānūru 52, Poet Maruthan Ilanākanār sang to Pandiyan Koodakārathu Thunjiya Māran Vazhuthi,

A male tiger in a cave on a terrifying, tall peak,
hating to stay in, rises and stretches, full of strength,
and goaded by desire for meat, takes whatever direction he may wish.

You are like him with your intent to kill the kings of the
north, O Vazhuthi with a well fashioned chariot, who fights ferocious battles.  Since you have willed war, the kings in this wide world are to be pitied, in whose lands long streamers
of smoke that smelled of flesh rose once from roasting fish in every town near fields and surrounded the curved branches
of marutham trees.  They used to be prosperous towns. That has changed.  Now, they are ruined, and turned to forests where forest hens with spots lay eggs in the depressions
caused by the gambling gadgets of white-haired old men in public places,

 where offerings with uproar are not given to
the gods who have abandoned their pillars.

***

புறநானூறு 52, பாடியவர்: மருதன் இளநாகனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் கூடகாரத்துத் துஞ்சிய மாறன் வழுதி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை

1


அணங்குடை நெடுங்கோட்டு அளையகம் முனைஇ,
முணங்கு நிமிர் வயமான் முழு வலி ஒருத்தல்,


ஊன் நசை உள்ளம் துரப்ப இரை குறித்துத்
தான் வேண்டு மருங்கின் வேட்டு எழுந்தாங்கு,
வட புல மன்னர் வாட, அடல் குறித்து,  5
இன்னா வெம்போர் இயல் தேர் வழுதி!
இது நீ கண்ணியது ஆயின், இரு நிலத்து
யார் கொல் அளியர் தாமே,  ஊர்தொறும்
மீன் சுடு புகையின் புலவு நாறு நெடுங்கொடி
வயல் உழை மருதின் வாங்கு சினை வலக்கும்  10
பெரு நல் யாணரின் ஒரீஇ, இனியே

2


கலிகெழு கடவுள் கந்தம் கைவிடப்
பலி கண் மாறிய பாழ்படு பொதியில்,


நரை மூதாளர் நாய் இடக் குழிந்த
வல்லின் நல்லகம் நிறையப் பல் பொறிக்  15
கான வாரணம் ஈனும்
காடாகி விளியும் நாடுடையோரே.

கந்துடை நிலை என்றது, இறைவன் அருட்குறியாகக் கல் தறி நட்டியிருக்கும் இடத்தை, பண்டைக் காலத்தே இறைவணக்கம் செய்தற்பொருட்டுக் கல்தறி நட்டு அதனை வணங்கி வந்தனர். .

அணங்கு உடை நெடுங்கோட்டு – in the fearful tall peak, in the tall peak with gods,

***

Item 449 Kudos to Brahmin Poet Kapilan

Here the great Brahmin poet Kapilan is praised. He wrote more poems than other poets. He was the only poet mentioned by more poets. 

Puranānūru 53, Poet Porunthil Ilankeeranār sang to Cheraman Māntharancheral Irumporai, Thinai: Vākai, Thurai: Arasa Vākai


To remove the anguish to Vilangil town,
……….where women wearing bright bangles play on
……….verandas of mansions with glittering gems
……….that awe eyes, that are on the long stretches
……….of sand spread like pearls from mature shells,
you took to battle with your fast horses and elephants.

O Poraiyan!  If I sing your praises in full, it will be too long.
If I sing in short, I will miss much.  Those like me with
bewildered hearts cannot sing your glory in full.  This is
the huge world in which we are born, and we cannot live
hating it.
We heard you say, “If only Kapilan were alive today, he whose
fame was radiant and knowledge immense, he with eloquent
tongue, could produce perfect verses in an instant and
how wonderful that would be!”  Yet, I will sing suitably of
your might in battle and how you overwhelmed your enemies.

***

புறநானூறு 53, பாடியவர்: பொருந்தில் இளங்கீரனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சேரமான் மாந்தரஞ்சேரல் இரும்பொறை, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை


முதிர் வார் இப்பி முத்த வார் மணல்,
கதிர் விடு மணியின் கண் பொரு மாடத்து,
இலங்கு வளை மகளிர் தெற்றி ஆடும்
விளங்கு சீர் விளங்கில் விழுமம் கொன்ற
களங்கொள் யானைக் கடுமான் பொறைய!  5


விரிப்பின் அகலும் தொகுப்பின் எஞ்சும்,
மம்மர் நெஞ்சத்து எம்மனோர்க்கு ஒருதலை
கைம்முற்றல நின் புகழே என்றும்
ஒளியோர் பிறந்த இம் மலர்தலை உலகத்து
வாழேம் என்றலும் அரிதே, தாழாது  10

செறுத்த செய்யுள் செய் செந்நாவின்
வெறுத்த கேள்வி விளங்கு புகழ்க் கபிலன்
இன்று உளன் ஆயின் நன்று மன், என்ற நின்
ஆடு கொள் வரிசைக்கு ஒப்பப்
பாடுவன் மன்னால், பகைவரைக் கடப்பே.  15

 தாழாது செறுத்த செய்யுள் செய் – created meaningful verses without delay, செந்நாவின் – with an eloquent tongue, வெறுத்த கேள்வி – dense learning, abundant learning (வெறுத்த – செறிந்த), விளங்கு புகழ்க் கபிலன் இன்று உளன் ஆயின் – if poet Kapilan with bright renown were alive today, நன்று  – it would be good,

 –subham—

Tags- Item 449, Kapilan, Purananuru wonders, Image Worship , Sangam Tamil Literature!- Part 59

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My visit to Pratyangira Devi Temple in Ayyavadi (Post No.15,593)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,593

Date uploaded in London –8 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  

I was lucky to visit Pratyangira Devi Temple in Ayyavadi ,very near Kumbakonam , in Tamil Nadu. Earlier I had visited Pratyangira Devi Temple in Raja Kilpauk near Tambaram, Chennai. Swami Santhanada of Pudukottai installed Sarabeswarar and Pratyangira Devi in Skandashram near Tambaram. I visited the temple twice in the past few years. In Skandashram,  the statues are huge. But in Ayyavadi it is of normal size.

Pratyangira Devi is another form of Bhadrakali or Durga. In Ayyavadi, it is part of a thousand year old Shiva temple known as Agastheewarar Temple. When I went there on March 12, 2026 main Shiva temple  was closed for renovation work. But I had good darshan of Pratyangira Devi  in the same temple compound. One can feel the divine atmosphere there.

People believe that worshipping Her, they can destroy the evil forces. Those who want to win in some cases or to defeat their enemies go there and do Puja or Yaga.

On New moon days special Yagas/fire ceremonies are organised. In this temple, there are idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Sarswathy placed nearby the idol of Goddess Pratyangira. Goddess Lakshmi is standing in her Pratyangira form and also in her normal form.

H Krishna Sastri in his book South Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses (year  1916) adds the following details:

Pratyangira has four arms and a face as terrible as that of a lion. Her hair stands erect on her head. In her hands she holds a skull, trident, kettledrum and the noose (naaga paasa). She is seated on a lion and by her power destroys all enemies.

He has published tow pictures and he says, “The lion vehicle is missing in the Tirupparaithurai bronze. The Tiruchengodu statue has the sword and shield in place of skull and noose. And a breast band like Durga. Both are called Bhadrakaali by the people”.

***

In the Skandasramam book, following information is given:

“Umapathi Sivam says in his Kunchithangiri stava:

Yukte Bhagnorukaayam Narahari vapusham khandaperundarupi

Bhhutwaa garjanta magre sarabha kaghapathi: yasya faalaagni kundaath.

Ugraprathyangiraakyaam  dasasatavadanaam  kaalikaam aasu srutwaa

tasyaaH jigvaahra vahnim sutaruvath anyat  kunchithaangrim Bhaje

Angiras and Prathyangiras were the two ascetics who found out the mantra of this deity. The potency of the mantra is so high that one should not have any ill feelings towards the one who chants it.

She had sent Veerabhdra to violently interrupt and break up the sacrificial fire performed by Daksha, accompanied by Pratyangira. The mantras tell us she is but the embodiment of the wrath of Parvathi.

As Indrajit (in Ramayana) felt that he could not defeat Rama and Lakshmana in the battle, he got up to a sacrificial fire with the chanting of the Pratyangira mantra in the Nigumbala. On knowing this Lakshmana went there and broke it up”.

The book gives also the Mantras for this deity in Sanskrit. Any one interested in it may go through the book. It is in Devanagari lipi. ( I have one copy of the book)

Chennai Sri Skandasramam

Splendour and Vision

Published by Swayamprakasa Awadhuta Trust, Pudukkottai.

Available in Chennai, Salem and Pudukottai where the trust have centres.

***

Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology published by Hamlyn has a colour picture of the goddess with the following caption:

“Durga Pratyangira: one of the terrifying forms assumed by Siva’s wife.The goddess is seated on a jewelled Padmasana holding her husband’s trident, sword and drum and a bowl for blood. Her name, in this south Indian representation, has Tantric associations while her form as Kaali is seen in the long teeth and the tongues of fire. Kali in Vedic times is the name of Fire God’s black terrifying flame.  (Tricinopoly Painting, Nineteenth Century A D)”

***

In the Shaiva tradition, Shiva assumed the form of Sharabha, a bird-lion hybrid form with two wings of Shakti in the form of Shulini Devi and Pratyangira Devi to calm down Narasimha. Seeing this, Narasimha created Gandaberunda, a powerful two-headed bird, to fight Sharabha. Seeing that the fight between Sharabha and Gandaberunda was terrorizing the world, Pratyangira in her ugra form was released from the third eye of Sharabha. The war ended with Pratyangira’s roar. Narasimha resumed his Satvik form, and thus Dharma in the world was restored.

***

Wisdom lib.org gives following information about the goddess:

Pratyangira is endowed with four arms and a face as terrible as that of a lion. Her head is that of a male lion and her body is that of a human-female. Her hair stands erect on her head. In her hands she holds a skull, trident, Damaru and the noose (nagapasa). She is seated on a lion and by her power destroys all enemies.

In Tantric worship, Pratyangira is shown with a dark complexion, ferocious in aspect, having a lion’s face with reddened eyes and riding a lion wearing black garments, she wears a garland of human skulls; her hair strands on end, and she holds a trident, a serpent in the form of a noose, a hand-drum and a skull in her four hands. She is also associated with Bhairava, as Atharvana-Bhadra-Kali.

Pratyaṅgirā (प्रत्यङ्गिरा) is a form of Kālī and identified with Goddess Tvaritā, according to the Kulakaulinīmata verse 3.310.—Tvaritā is also identified as Pratyaṅgirā, a form of Kālī.

–subham—

Tags- Pratyangira devi, Ayyavadi temple, Chennai Skandasram temple,  London swaminathan , images of Pratyangira

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 8, 2026  •  Permalink
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Tiruppavai in Pictures with English Translations- Part One (Post No.15,573)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,573

Date uploaded in London – 3 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 

When I went to the famous Uppliappan Vishnu temple near Kumbakonam on 12-3-2026, I had good and free darshan quickly. Since first two weeks in March are exam season in India, less crowd was seen in all the temples. I was very much impressed by the big wall paintings of 12 alvars, 10 Vishnu avatars and 108 Divya Kshetras of Vishnu. I took lot of pictures, yet I could not take all the shrines portrayed on the wall.

One of the 12 Alvars was Andal, the teenage poetess as well as a great saint. Her 30 Tamil verses known as Tiruppaavai used to echo in all the temple streets of Tamil Nadu in the month of Maarkazi (Margasirsa in Bhagavad Gita; Dec-January in English calendar) every year. As a person who lived Near Krishnan Kovil in North Masi Street, Madurai for quarter of a century, I knew most of the verses by heart, which were broadcast around 4-30 am. The pictures on the wall of Uppiliappan temple inspired me to go through the three different English translations of Tiruppaavai  by American Tamil Scholar Kausalya Hart, PR Ramachander and Dr Chenni Padmanabhan M D, a great devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. I have collected the translations from the Project Madurai website and books. Please read them together with the Tamil original and enjoy!

Kausalya Harts’ Translation from Project Madurai

Aṇḍal.: Thiruppāvai (474 -503 of Divya Prabandham)

 

1.

மார்கழித் திங்கள் மதிநிறைந்த நன்னாளால்!

நீராடப் போதுவீர் போதுமினோ நேரிழையீர்!

சீர்மல்கும் ஆய்ப்பாடிச் செல்வச் சிறுமீர்காள்!

கூர்வேல் கொடுந்தொழிலன் நந்தகோபன் குமரன்

ஏரார்ந்த கண்ணி யசோதை இளம்சிங்கம்

கார்மேனிச் செங்கண் கதிர் மதியம் போல்முகத்தான்

நாராயணனே நமக்கே பறை தருவான்

பாரோர் புகழப் படிந்தேலோர் எம்பாவாய்

Girls waking up their friends.

474. The girls come and wake up their friends. They say,
“Today is the auspicious full moon day of Markazhi month.
O you adorned with beautiful ornaments,
let us go bathe. Come!
We are the beloved young girls of the flourishing cowherd village.
Nārāyaṇan, the son of Nandagopan,
who looks after the cows with a sharp spear,
the young lion of lovely-eyed Yashoda
with a dark body, beautiful eyes
and a face bright as the shining moon
will give us the Paṛai.
Come and let us bathe and worship our Pāvai
as the world praises him.”

***

Mr P R Ramachander’s Translation

1

In this month of Marghazhi[1]
On this day filled with the light of moon,
Come for bathing,
Oh ladies who are richly dressed,
And Oh ladies in rich homes of cowherds,
For he with the sharp spear,
He who kills his enemies without mercy,
He who is the son of Nanda gopa[2]
He who is the darling son of Yasodha[3]
Who wore scented flower garlands,
He who is a lion cub,
He who is pretty in black colour,
He who has small red eyes,
He who has a face like the well-lit moon,
And He, who is our Lord Narayana[4]
Is going to give us big drums,
So that we bathe and worship Our Goddess Pavai,
In a way that the whole world sings about.

***

Dr Chenni Padmanabhan’s Translation

It’s Margali month, moon replete and the day is proper

We shall bathe, girls of Ayarpadi prosperous

Will you move out? You wealthy adorned fine jewels,

Narayana, son of relentless Nandagopala,

Whose job wielding a spike ever alert and

The lion cub of Yasoda with eye gracious

And the lad with dark complexion, handsome eye

And face sunny bright pleasant as moon

Sure shall grant us the desire soon

To the esteem of this earth as a boon

Oblige, involve, listen and consider, our damsel.

***

2

வையத்து வாழ்வீர்காள்! நாமும் நம் பாவைக்குச்

செய்யும் கிரிசைகள் கேளீரோ!

பாற்கடலுள் பையத் துயின்ற பரமன் அடிபாடி,

நெய்யுண்ணோம்; பாலுண்ணோம்; நாட்காலை நீராடி

மையிட்டெழுதோம்; மலரிட்டு நாம் முடியோம்;

செய்யாதன செய்யோம்; தீக்குறளைச் சென்றோதோம்;

ஐயமும் பிச்சையும் ஆந்தனையும் கைகாட்டி

உய்யுமா றெண்ணி உகந்தேலோர் எம் பாவாய். (2)

475. The girls come to wake up their friends. They say,
“O people of the world!
Hear how we worship our pāvai.
We worship the feet of the highest lord
resting on the milky ocean.
We don’t eat ghee, we don’t drink milk,
we bathe early in the morning,
we don’t put kohl to darken our eyes,
we don’t decorate our hair with flowers,
we don’t do evil things, we don’t gossip.
We give alms to all beggars and sages.
Come and let us be happy and worship our Pāvai.”

***

2

Oh, people of this world,
Be pleased to hear of those penances,
That we daily do for the worship of Pavai,
We will sing of those holy feet,
Of Him who sleeps in the ocean of milk[5]
We will not take the very tasty ghee,
We will avoid the health giving milk,
We will daily bathe before the dawn,
We will not wear any collyrium[6]
We will not tie flowers in our hair,
We will not do Any act that is banned,
We will not talk ill of any to any one else,
We will give alms and do charity,
As much as we can,
And do all those acts to make others free of sorrow,
And worship our Goddess Pavai.

***

You who enjoy life on earth, listen!

The rituals for deity go through we duteous.

Chant the foot of the Supremo who had

Reposed in stealth on the ocean milky;

Bathe we early; relish not ghee or milk

Nor would kemp, nor adorn with flower beauteous;

Grace not with eyeliner; nor bids forbidden.

Nor go around ear kiss tale or malicious gossip

Help the worthy and poor utmost by giftd or alms tossed

With mind pleasant, study the chores engrossed

Listen and consider our damsel.

***

3

ஓங்கி உலகளந்த உத்தமன் பேர்பாடி

நாங்கள் நம் பாவைக்குச் சாற்றி நீர் ஆடினால்,

தீங்கின்றி நாடெல்லாம் திங்கள் மும்மாரி பெய்து

ஓங்கு பெருஞ்செந்நெநெல் ஊடு கயல் உகளப்

பூங்குவளைப் போதில் பொறிவண்டு கண் படுப்பத்,

தேங்காதே புக்கிருந்து சீர்த்த முலைபற்றி வாங்கக்

குடம் நிறைக்கும் வள்ளல் பெரும் பசுக்கள்

நீங்காத செல்வம் நிறைந்தேலோர் எம் பாவாய். (3)

476. The girls come to wake up their friends. They say,
“Let us sing and praise the name of the virtuous lord
who measured the world with his tall form
and let us decorate our Pāvai and bathe it.
If we do that, rain will fall three times a month
without fail all over our land,
paddy in the fields will flourish,
fish will frolic in the fields,
bees will sleep on the buds of the kuvaḷai blossoms
and the cows will not hide their milk
but yield generously to fill up the pots
when the cowherds milk them.
Let riches be abundant!
Come and let us bathe and worship our Pāvai.”

If we sing the praise of Him,
Who grew big and measured the world[7]
And worship our Goddess Pavai,
Then would there be at least three rains a month,
And the red paddy plants would grow big,
And in their fields would the fish swim and play,
And the spotted bees after sipping honey,
To their hearts content,
Would sleep in the flower themselves
After having their fill,
And the cows with big udder
Would fill milk pots to the brim,
And healthy cows and never diminishing wealth,
Would fill the country,
And all this I assure by worship of our Goddess Pavai.

Should we sing the name of the magnanimous

Outgrown and meted the world and assent

To bathe for deity, rain it shall, pour country over

Thrice monthly with no despair;

Shall facilitate tall growth of paddy crop

Carp to jump amidst like aquatic feet,

Spotted bee to perch on lily fair and

Donor cows to stand still, with udders thick

Allow milking to fill vessels copious

To ordain never vanishing wealth bounteous;

Listen and consider our damsel.

To be continued…………………….

Tags- Andal, Tiruppavai, in Pictures, three English Translations, Kausalya Hart, PR Ramachander, Dr Chenni Padmanabhan, Project Madurai , Uppiliappan Temple, Part one

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 3, 2026  •  Permalink
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My Three Country Tour in January-March 2026 (Post.15,563)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,563

Date uploaded in London – 1 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 

By God’s grace I went to three countries with my wife between January and March 2025 and spent much of the time in visiting new and unseen temples.. I have written detailed articles in Tamil about most of these places; and more articles are in the line.

During this trip, I visited Temples, archaeological monuments, gardens, Tourist spots, Shopping centres, libraries, museums and palaces.

Here is a brief tour plan I followed:

January 2, 2026- departure from London LHR.

January 2, 2026- stayed in Bengaluru.

January 3- stayed in Fortune JP Palace hotel in Mysuru.

Visited Melakote Vishnu temple, Sri Rangapatna Vishnu temple, Chamundeeswary Devi temple etc.

January 4- Mysore Palace, Somnathpur Kesava Temple/Archaeological Monument, Back to Bengaluru in the night.

January 5- Left Bengaluru for Bangkok in Thailand.

January 6, 2026- arrived in Bangkok and stayed in Villa de Kaoshanon Hotel; visited the Royal Palace.

January 7- Had darshan in Mariamman Temple in Bangkok. Did some shopping; also visited one of the oldest Buddhist temples very near out hotel.

January 8- Left for Sydney in Australia.

January 8- reached Sydney just before midnight.

Stay in Australia until 2 March 2026.

January 29- had darshan at Sri Karpaka Vinayakar Temple .

January 31- Sri Durga Kovil and Sri Shirdi Baba Mandir

March 2, 2026 – left for Chennai

March 3 – Chennai shopping

March 4- reached Sri vathsam Divine Inn hotel near Kumbakonam stayed there until 13-3-2026

March 5, 2026- Vaitheeswaran Siva temple,

Mayuranathar temple in Mayiladuthurai

Sivapuram Vedapatasala in Mayiladuthurai

Sarngapani temple, Kumbakonam

Chakrapani temple, Kumbakonam

Nageswarar temple, Kumbakonam

Kumbeswarar temple, Kumbakonam

March 6- Tiruchengattankudi Shiva/ Ganapathy temple

Tiruupugalur Appar/ Shiva temple

Srivanchiyam Shiva temple

March 9, 2026-Thiruvidaimarudur Shiva temple

Tirubhuvanam Shiva temple

Tiruvavaduthurai Shiva temple

Kanchanur Shiva temple/ sukran temple

March 10, 2026- Dharasuram Shiva temple/ Archaeological monument

Adivarahar Vishnu temple – Kumbakonam

March 12, 2026- Uppilappan Vishnu Temple

Ayyavadi Pratyankara/ Shiva temple

Tirunaraiyur Shiva temple / Sani graha shrine

Swarna akarshana Bhairava temple, Sembianvararampal near Ayyavadi

March 13, 2026- Veeranarayana Vishnu Temple, Kattumannar Koil,

Aravinda/Aurobindo Ashram at Puducherry

Manakkula Vinayakar Temple at Puducherry

Puducherry Museum

Back to Chennai in the night.

March 14- Chennai Shopping

March 15- Left Chennai by BA and reached LHR same day afternoon.

I took 500 to 600 pictures during my tour.

–subham-

Tags- My tour, Three countries, India, Australia, Thailand, Hindu temples, museums, palaces, London Swaminathan, January- March 2026., Buddhist temple

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 1, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamil and Vedas on April 1, 2026

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Purananuru Wonders -16, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 56; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 56 (Post.15,558)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,558

Date uploaded in London – 31 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Item 409

Sibi story from Hindu Puranas and epic is repeated here which shows Choza kings came from North West India. Even Buddhists stole this story and incorporated in the Jataka Tales which were older than Sangam Tamil  literature. But Buddhists showed Sibi as Buddha and not as Chozas.

The Sibi Chakravarthi story appears to have adopted by the Chozha kings as theirs.  It is referred to in Puranānūru 37, 39, 43 and 46. 

Chembian in Tamil is derived from Sanskrit Saibhya which is again derived from Sibi.

***

Item 410

Hanging Forts in the sky.

All Tamil interpreters skip this line without explaining.

In fact it is the story of Tripurantaka/Lord Siva.

தூங்கு எயில் எறிந்த நின் ஊங்கணோர் நினைப்பின்,
அடுதல் நின் புகழும் அன்றே; கெடுவின்று

The destruction of the three cities in the sky, known as Tripura or Tripurantaka, is a major mythological theme frequently referenced in Chola-era inscriptions and art to glorify Lord Shiva and, by extension, the Chola kings who claimed to rule under his grace. 

1. The Myth of Tripura in Chola Context

  • The Myth: Three demon sons of Taraka obtained a boon from Brahma to live in three powerful, movable aerial cities (gold, silver, and iron) created by Mayasura. They could only be destroyed when these cities aligned once every thousand years and were struck by a single arrow. Shiva (“Tripurantaka”) shot this arrow.
  • Chola Symbolism: The Chola kings identified with the strength and role of Shiva, projecting themselves as protectors of the cosmic order. The Tripurantaka form of Shiva (Destroyer of the Three Cities) was particularly popular in early Chola art and inscriptions.
  • Significance: It signifies the destruction of evil (“sins”) and the restoration of balance. 

2. Epigraphical and Artistic Evidence

  • Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram: 1500-year-old carvings show a colossal “Tripurantaka Murthi” figure. While early, this set the stage for Chola temple art.
  • Kamarathivalli Temple (Kamarasavalli): Inscriptions here highlight that the temple was heavily supported by monarchs like Rajaraja Chola I, Sundara Chola, and Vikrama Chola, who worshipped Shiva in his various forms.
  • Chola Bronzes: The Norton Simon Museum houses one of the earliest Chola bronzes depicting Shiva as Tripurantaka, highlighting the importance of this story during the early, middle, and late Chola periods. 

  • 3. Connection to Chola Rule
  • Rajaraja I and Gangaikonda Cholapuram: While building his capital, Rajaraja I was heavily influenced by Shaivite traditions. His successors, like Rajendra Chola I, adopted similar ideologies, and inscriptions often describe the king’s victory in terms of divine favor, drawing parallels to the destruction of the three forts (Tripura).
  • Kumbakonam Area: The “Thiruvanaikkaval” area (near Trichy), linked to the Kochengot Chola (a very early king), features Shiva-centered mythology, including stories of transformation and overcoming threats. 

In summary, the story of the “three cities in the sky” (Tripura) represents the triumph of divine justice and is a key ideological theme found in the inscriptions of the Chola dynasty, linking their victories directly to the prowess of Lord Shiva, particularly in his Tripurantaka form. 

***

Item 411 

Uranthai, now Uraiyur near iruchi was famous for the Justice Court that existed during Krikal Choza Time. Then it was destroyed in a sand storm.

My article written in year 2011 is reproduced here: 

Strange as it may look, British judges, magistrates and barristers follow a custom that was started by a Tamil king two thousand years ago. British judges and several others who preside over the courts of justice wear a white wig.

If we go to encyclopaedias they don’t explain why they wear it or when it was exactly started. Ancient Egyptians wore wigs for protecting their heads from the scorching sun. Then Romans and others wore different types of wigs as symbols of aristocracy.

 The British judiciary started wearing wigs from 17th century. Many of the commonwealth countries also followed it. Whenever the reason for the custom is asked many people say that it is the tradition or uniform for professional discipline or it shows experience. Actually it was started by the most famous Tamil king, Karikal Chola two thousand years ago. Crystal clear proof comes from the ancient Tamil Cankam (Sangam) literature.

Karikalan was the greatest of the Tamil kings for three reasons. He ruled vast areas of Tamil-speaking land, subjugating other Tamil kingdoms. He was the first Tamil king who went up to the Himalayas and carved his dynastic emblem there. Till today, there remains a Chola pass in the Himalayas. The second reason was he was a just king and his court of justice in Uraiyur became very famous. Tamil literature praises his justice and gives the story of wigs. And the third reason is the Grand Anaicut he built across the river Cauvery is one of the oldest dam s in the world. 

Though we did not have any historical records scholars have dated him around 1st century BC. He was a boy king – like the Egyptian Tutankhamen. He came to power while he was a teenager.

The Story of Wigs:

One day two elderly people came to his court seeking justice. They had a dispute among themselves. They decided that whatever the Uraiyur court says must be the final settlement. When they came in to court, they were shocked to see a boy sitting as the judge. They were greatly disappointed – which Karikalan felt immediately by looking at their faces. Indeed, the face is the index of the mind.

 Karikalan politely asked the elders to take seats and told them to wait for the ‘judge’ and he went in. The entire assembly was puzzled. Then came an elderly person and sat on the chair. After carefully listening to the arguments of both the sides he gave his judgement. Both of them were immensely happy to hear a fair settlement. Now the assembly wanted to know who the elderly judge was. King Karikalan removed his white hair wig (Narai Mudi in Tamil) and revealed himself.  All applauded the Wisdom of the ‘Solomon of India’.

The proof for the anecdote is in three Tamil books:

1.      Porunar Atruppadai –lines 187-188. Porunar Atruppadai is one of the ten long poems of Tamil Cankam literature dated  between 1st to 3rd century AD

2.      Manimekalai- This is one of the five Tamil epics dated 3rd century AD  

3.      Pazamozi – poem 25 translation:


Nobody can deny the fact that Karikalan was the first one to use white wig in judiciary matters.

*** 

Item 412 Himalayas

Himalayas was not only sacred to Hindus but also a symbol of victory. Chera Choza Pandya kings went up to the northern most and the highest mountain in the world to engrave their symbols. This Ws achieved with the help of Satakarnis, the mighty Satavahana kings. They were friends of the Tamil kings. Tamils of Sangam Age mentioned Himalayas, Ganga and Yamunai but never Indus River/Sindhu. It shows that they have no connection with the Harappan Civilization.

 ***

Item 413 Vanji 

Play on words. Vanji has three meanings: A plant, modern Karur town in Tamil Nadu and a girl who is slim like Vanji creeper.

Here in Puram 39, poetess used it for Vanji city, that is Karur. But she used it by saying Vanji that which will not whither. This is the style of Kalidas, the greatest of the Indian poets. He used to play on words like this.

For instance if he wants to mention the bird Chakravaka, he would saythe bird with the name of a wheel/Chakra. 

வாடா வஞ்சி வாட்டும் – you hurt strong Vanji city which is not the vanji flower that fades (வாடா வஞ்சி – வஞ்சிநகருக்கு வெளிப்படை,  வஞ்சி – இன்றைய கரூர்),

***

Puranānūru 39, Poet Mārōkkathu Nappasalaiyār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan 

1
O heir of Chempiyan who removed the pain of a dove by climbing
on a scale with a pointer made of white tusk of an elephant with
dark legs!  Generosity is not the reason for your fame!  

2

If we
think about your ancestors who ruined forts that are hanging high
that are strong and difficult to approach, killing in battles is
not the reason for your fame! 

3

Righteousness has been established
in the court of Uranthai of the Chozhas with martial courage, and
reigning with justice cannot increase your fame!

O Valavan who wins battles with great might, whose arms are like
the crossbars of forts, whose garland is blinding, who owns proud
horses! 

4

How can I describe you, since you have made strong Vanji
wither, and destroyed the Chera king owning tall, well-built chariots,

5

who had placed his protective bow symbol on the Himalayas
with many towering summits with gold?  How can I sing of your great acts?

**** 

புறநானூறு 39, பாடியவர்: மாறோக்கத்து நப்பசலையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: இயன் மொழி 

1

புறவின் அல்லல் சொல்லிய கறையடி
யானை வான் மருப்பு எறிந்த வெண்கடைக்
கோல் நிறை துலாஅம் புக்கோன் மருக!
ஈதல் நின் புகழும் அன்றே; 

2 

 சார்தல்
ஒன்னார் உட்கும் துன்னரும் கடுந்திறல்  5
தூங்கு எயில் எறிந்த நின் ஊங்கணோர் நினைப்பின்,
அடுதல் நின் புகழும் அன்றே; கெடுவின்று

3

மறங்கெழு சோழர் உறந்தை அவையத்து,
அறம் நின்று நிலையிற்று ஆகலின், அதனால்
முறைமை நின் புகழும் அன்றே; மறம் மிக்கு  10
எழு சமம் கடந்த எழு உறழ் திணி தோள்,
கண்ணார் கண்ணிக் கலிமான் வளவ!

4

யாங்கனம் மொழிகோ யானே, ஓங்கிய
வரை அளந்து அறியாப் பொன்படு நெடுங்கோட்டு
இமையம் சூட்டிய ஏம விற்பொறி,  15
மாண் வினை நெடுந்தேர் வானவன் தொலைய,

5
வாடா வஞ்சி வாட்டும் நின்
பீடுகெழு நோன் தாள் பாடுங்காலே.

****

Item 414 Enemy Kings’ Crowns

Two interesting points are her in Puram verse 40.

Ancient Hindu kings melted the golden crown of the enemy kings and made them their anklets (leg ornaments) or foot stools . Here the anklets are mentioned by the poet. Here we come to know more about the jewellery of ancient Tamil Nadu.

“You have made glittering warrior anklets with the
fine gold crowns of your enemies that you wear on your legs”

Item 415 

A very good description about the paddy Production is revealed in the following lines:

“country where a small space fit for a female elephant produces
food for seven male elephants!”

In fact there is a well known saying

சோழநாடு (சோறுடைத்து): Choza country is famous for rice;

பாண்டிய நாடு (முத்துடைத்து): Pandya country is famous for pearls;

சேர நாடு (வேழமுடைத்து): Chera country is famous for elephants;

தொண்டை நாடு (சான்றோருடைத்து):Thondai country is famous for Scholars

***

Puranānūru 40, Poet Āvūr Moolankizhār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan,

You do not respect the fortresses of your enemies who protect
them with martial courage.  You wage wars with them and ruin
them.  You have made glittering warrior anklets with the
fine gold crowns of your enemies that you wear on your legs.

O Mighty King!  We have seen you today and we wish we can
see you always.  May those who sing ill of you bow their necks
and those who sing your praises flourish!   O greatness!
May you, with sweet words be easy to approach, O lord of the
country where a small space fit for a female elephant produces
food for seven male elephants!

புறநானூறு 40, பாடியவர்: ஆவூர் மூலங்கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், 


நீயே பிறர் ஓம்புறு மறமன் எயில்
ஓம்பாது கடந்து அட்டு, அவர்
முடி புனைந்த பசும் பொன்னின்
அடி பொலியக் கழல் தைஇய
வல்லாளனை, வய வேந்தே!  5
யாமே நின் இகழ் பாடுவோர் எருத்து அடங்கப்,
புகழ் பாடுவோர் பொலிவு தோன்ற,
இன்று கண்டாங்குக் காண்குவம், என்றும்
இன் சொல் எண் பதத்தை ஆகுமதி பெரும!
ஒரு பிடி படியுஞ் சீறிடம்  10
எழு களிறு புரக்கும் நாடு கிழவோயே!

அவர் முடி புனைந்த பசும் பொன்னின் – with their crowns made of gold, அடி பொலிய – feet to be beautiful, feet to glow, கழல் தைஇய – made war anklets out of them

O Greatness, ஒரு பிடி படியும் சீறிடம் எழு களிறு புரக்கும் நாடு கிழவோயே – O lord of the country where a small space necessary for a female elephant protects (grows food for) seven male elephants .

To be continued………………..

Tags- Puranaanuru Wonders -16, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 56, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 56 , Sibi, Karikalan, Wigs, Uraiyur, Tamil jewellery, item 415, hanging forts, hanging cities

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

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,557

Date uploaded in London – 31 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

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

***

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

***

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

***

Muhurta/ Auspiscious Days

April 20,  23,  30;

(also 6, 12, 13, 16)

***

April 1 Wednesday

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

***

April 2 Thursday

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

***

April 3 Friday

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

***

April 4 Saturday

The Vedas indeed constitute the apex of our law books.

***

April 5 Sunday

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

***

 April 6 Monday

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

***

April 7 Monday

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

***

April 8 Wednesday

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

***

April 9 Thursday

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

***

April 10 Friday

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

***

April 11 Saturday

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

***

April 12 Sunday

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

***

 April 13 Monday

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

***

April 14 Monday

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

***

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

April 15 Wednesday

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

***

April 16 Thursday

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

***

April 17 Friday

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

***

April 18 Saturday

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

***

April 19 Sunday

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

***

 April 20 Monday

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

***

April 21 Monday

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

***

April 22 Wednesday

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

***

April 23 Thursday

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

***

April 24 Friday

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

***

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

April 25 Saturday

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

***

April 26 Sunday

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

***

 April 27 Monday

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

***

April 28 Monday

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

***

April 29 Wednesday

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

***

April 30 Thursday

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

–subham—

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

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

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,554

Date uploaded in London – 30 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

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

Tamil version will be posted tomorrow

***

Kanishka

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

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Kanva Maharishi

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

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

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Kartikeya

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

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

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

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Kartavirya

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

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Kapila

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

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

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

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

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Kasi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Katopanishad

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

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

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Kaurava

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

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

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

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Kaushika

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

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

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

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Kausalya

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

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

To be continued………….

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

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Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English 47; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-47 (Post.15,545)

Budha/ Mercury

Sukra/ Venus

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,545

Date uploaded in London – 28 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

Chandra and other Grahas/Planets / Thingal in Tamil

The moon is regarded as one of the grahas surrounding the sun and going round and round the mountain Meru. He is born of the sea and of sage Atri. He is said to have only face and hands , but no body. He turns towards the sun and holds white lotuses in his hands or sometimes a club and the boon conferring hand- Abhaya hasta.  He rides on a two wheeled chariot drawn by ten horses. His caste is Vaisya.

***

Mars/ Kuja/ Mangal / Sevvay in Tamil

Kuja is the son of the earth and of sage Bharadwaja; his country is Avanti. His caste is Kshatriya . He wears red garments and a crown and has four arms holding weapons Sakti and club, and the postures Abhaya and Varada hastas. He faces the sun and rides on a ram.

He is called Angaaraka, Bhauma ,Bhuumii putra and

Mahiisuta. He is also called Siva- gharmaja/born of the sweat of Siva,Gaganolmuka- the torch of the sky,

Lohita – the red, Navaarchi- the nine rayed,Chara- the spy, Rinaantaka- the ender of the debts or the patron of the debtors.

Mangala / Mars/Angaaraka

The planet Mars, is identified with Kaartikeya , the god of war. He was the son of Siva and the earth/bhu

***

Budha / Mercury / Budhan in Tamil

Budha , the son of moon is a Vaisya of the Magadha country born in the lineage of Atri. He has four arms, a yellow body and the lion vehicle. He shows in his hands the shield, club, Varada mudra and the sword. He also faces the sun.

Budha /Mercury

Wise, intelligent ; buddhisaali- brainy.

The planet mercury, is son of soma, the moon, by Rohini or by Taaraa , wife of Brihaspati. He married Ilaa, daughter of Manu Vivasvata, and ha da  son, Puruuruva. Budha was an author of a hymn in the Rig Veda. From his parents he is called Saumya and Rauhineya. He is also called Praharshana, Rodhana, Tunga, and Syaamaanga, black bodied.

The intrigue of Soma with Taaraa was the cause of a great quarrel, in which the Gods/Devas and Asuras/demons fought against each other. Brahma compelled Soma to give up Taaraa and when she was returned to her husband she was pregnant.  A son was born, who was handsome that Brihaspati and Soma both claimed him. Taaraa for long refused to tell his paternity, and so excited the wrath and nearly incurred the curse of her son. At length, upon the command of Brahma, she declared Soma to be the father, and she gave the boy name Budha.

 ***

Brihaspati /Guru /Jupiter/ Viyaazan in Tamil

Brihaspati is a Brahmana and the Guru of Devas. Born of Angiras he comes from the Sindhu country. He has either two or four arms holding the book and the rosary. He also faces the sun.

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Kanjanur Sukra Shrine

Sukra /Venus /Velli in Tamil

He is also a Brahmana, born of Bhrigu  and a native of Bhojakata. He is the teacher/ guru of Asuras/ demons. He is seated in a golden chariot drawn by eight horses or in a silver chariot yoked to ten horses. He has two hands one of which holds a Nidhi/treasure and in the other a book. According to other authorities, he has four arms in which are seen the staff, rosary, water pot and the Varada hasta.

Sukra

The planet Sukra/ Venus is the son of Bhrigu and the priest of daityas/demons. He is also called the son of Kavi. His wife’s name was Susumaa or Sataparwa. His daughter Devayaani married Yayaati of the lunar race/ Chandra vamsa and her husband’s infidelity induced Sukra to curse him.

Sukra is identified with Ushanas, and is author of a code of law- Sukra Niti.

The Harivamsa relates that he went to god Siva  and asked for means of protecting the asuras/demons against the gods. , and for obtaining his object, he performed a painful rite, inhibiting the smoke of chaff with his head downwards for a thousand years. In his absence, the gods attacked the asuras and Vishnu killed his mother, for which deed he cursed him to be born seven times in the world of men.

Sukra restored his mother to life, and the gods being alarmed lest sukra’s penance should be accomplished, indra sent his daughter Jayanti to lure him from it. She waited upon him and soothed him, but he accomplished his penance and afterwards married her.

Sukra is known by his patronymic Bhargava and also Bhrigu. He is also called Kavi, Kaavya, the poet.

Sukra/ Venus is called

Asphujit and

Maghaabhava- son of maghaa

Shodasaansu- having sixteen rays;

Sweta- the white.

***

Sani /Sanaischara /Saturn / Sani in Tamil

Sani is a Shudra from the Saurashtra country and a descendent of Kasyapa Rishi , also facing the sun.

He is supposed to be born of the sun, to have blue garments  and to ride on a crow or vulture or in an iron chariot drawn by eight horses. He is represented with two or four arms and stands on a lotus pedestal, but is more  often found  seated with four arms., his weapons  being the arrow, trident and the bow. 

Sani

The planet Saturn/ Sani is represented as a black man in black garments. Sani was the son of sun and Chaayaa, but another statement is that he was the offspring of Balarama and Revati. He is also known as

Aara ,Kona,Kroda  and by the patronymic  Saura

His influence is evil and hence he is called Kruura-dris

Kruura lochana- the evil eyed one. He is also

Manda- the slow moving, Pangu- the lame, Sanais chara- the slow moving , Saptaarchi- seven rayed and

Asita- the dark.

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Rahu and Ketu

Rahu and Ketu are the ascending and descending nodes , but also represented as images. Rahu is a Shudra. He is of fearful face, wears black clothes and four arms holding the sword, trident and the shield. He rides on a black lion and faces the sun.

Ketu

Ketu is also a Shudra, comes from Kusadwipa  and is born in the lineage of Jaimini. He has an ugly face , rides on a vulture and exhibits in his two arms the club and the Varada posture.

Rahu Ketu

Rahu and Ketu are in astronomy the ascending and descending node. Rahu is the cause of eclipses, and the term is used to designate the eclipse itself. He is also considered one of the Nava Grahas, as king of meteors and the guardian of the south west quarter.

Mythologically Rahu is a Daitya/demon, who is supposed to seize the sun and moon and swallow them. It is described in literature as a snake devouring sun and moon. Since it is in Sangam Tamil literature as well, the belief has been there for at least 2000 years from south to north of India.

Rahu was son of Vipachitti   and Simhika, and is called by metronymic Sainhikeya. He had four arms and his lower part ended in a tail. He was a great mischief maker, and when the gods produced amrita by churning the ocean, he assumed a disguise, and insinuating amongst them, drank some of it. The sun and moon detected him and informed Vishnu, who cut off his head and two of his arms, but as he had secured immortality, his body was placed in the stellar sphere, the upper parts, represented by a dragon’s tail, being  Ketu the descending node.

Vishnu purana says eight black horses draw the dusky chariot of Rahu .  He is called  Abhra pisacha- the demon of the sky; Bharani- bhuu- born from the asterism Bharani; Graha- the seizer; And Kabandha – the headless.

Ketu

The descending node in astronomy, represented by a dragon’s tail; also a comet or meteor .

Dhumaketu is comet. He is said to be a daanava and son of Vipachitti and Cimhikaa. He is also calle

A-kacha- hairless

Asleshaa- bhava- born of asterism aaslesha;

Munda- bald

—subham—

Tags- Nine planets, Chandra, Mangal, Budha, Guru, Sukra, Rahu, Ketu, Navagraha, Sani, Sanaischara

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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 42; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-42 (Post No15.516)

Rama slaying Kabandha

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,516

Date uploaded in London – 20 March 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx  

Last post in this series was posted on 1/3/2026

HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 41; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-41(Post.15,468) 1/3/26

Words beginning with letter K continues…………………………….Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.

***

Kabandha

Name of a mighty demon mentioned in the Rāmāyana. [While Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa lived in the Dandkā forest, Kabandha attacked them and was slain by them. It is said that, though at first a heavenly being, he was cursed by Indra to assume the form of a demon and to be in that state till killed by Rāma and Laksmaṇa. He advised Rāma to form friendship with Sugrīva; see Rām.3.69.27 ff.; वधनिर्धूतशापस्य कबन्धस्योपदेशतः । मुमूर्छ सख्यं रामस्य समानव्यसने हरौ (vadhanirdhūtaśāpasya kabandhasyopadeśataḥ | mumūrcha sakhyaṃ rāmasya samānavyasane harau) || R.12.57].

In Hindu Astronomy

1) Kabandha (कबन्ध) refers to a “headless human body”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 3), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “The dark spots, also known as ketus, the sons of Rāhu are Tāmasa, Kīlaka and the like, and are 33 in number. How they affect the earth depends upon their color, position and shape. If these spots should appear on the solar disc, mankind will suffer miseries; if on the lunar disc mankind will be happy; but if they take the shape of a crow, a headless human body [i.e., kabandha], or a weapon, mankind will suffer even though the spots should appear on the moon”.

2) Kabandha (कबन्ध) or Kabandhaketu refers to certain types of Ketus (i.e., luminous bodies such as comets and meteors), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 11).—Accordingly, “The comets that resemble a headless trunk are named Kabandha Ketus

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Kacha

Please go to Devayani in part 24.

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Kadru

Kadru (कद्रु) and Vinatā, daughters of Dakṣa Prajāpati, are married to sage Kaśyapa. Once, Kaśyapa tells them to ask for a boon. Kadru asks for a thousand sons in the form of nāga, snakes, having equal extraordinary force. Vinatā asks for only two children whose parākrama “prowess” should be equal to that of the thousand snakes of Kadru. Kadru did not appreciate it.

 Kadrū and Vinatā had a dispute in the course of a conversation which they were carrying on. The former said that the Sun’s horses were black, the latter that they were white, and they made an agreement that the one that was wrong should become a slave to the other”.

Kadrū, the mother of the snakes, conquered Vinatā, the mother of Garuḍa, in a treacherous wager, and made her a slave. Through enmity caused thereby, the mighty Garuḍa, though he had delivered his mother, began to eat the snakes of the sons of Kadrū”.

***

Kaikeyi

Kaikeyī (कैकेयी): She was the youngest of King Dasaratha’s three wives and a queen of Ayodhya. She was the mother of Bharata.

Daśaratha had three wives, Kausalyā, Kaikeyī and Sumitrā. It is mentioned in Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Sarga 70, Stanza 28 that Kaikeyī was the sister of Yudhājit, the King of Kekaya. Kekaya was seven days’ journey away from Ayodhyā.

She carefully tended Daśaratha when he was wounded in a battle, and in gratitude he promised to give any two requests she might make. Urged by the malignant counsels of manthara, a hunch backed female attendant , she made use of this promise to send rama to the forest for 14 years and to promote his son Bharata as king of Ayodhya. As a result of this Daśaratha died of heart attack.

***

Kailash

Kailasa , a mountain in the Himalayas, south of the manasa sarovar lake. Siva is said to be on mount kailash with his family. It is the abode of Kubera , god of wealth. It is also called Rajataadri , the silver mountain.

Kailāsh (कैलास) is a peak in the Gangdisê mountains, the source of rivers in Asia—the Indus River, the Sutlej River, and the Brahmaputra River—and is considered as a sacred place in four religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bön faith. The mountain lies near Lake Manasarowar and Lake Rakshastal in Tibet. It is under China’s control now.

In the Tamil Tevaram hymns, Ravana’s attempt to lift the mountain is described. He cried loudly when Lord Siva pressed it hard to crush his hands. Later he praised Lord Siva  by reciting Sama Veda and pacified Siva.

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Kala

Kaala – General meaning- Death or Time. Ancient Tamil literature use this Sanskrit word  in the sense of Time.

Kāla (काल)—One of the eleven other names of Rudra, according to the Bhāgavata Purāṇa 3.12.12.

1) Kalā (कला).—A measure of time.

2) Kāla (काल).—(yama) * The god of Death. When the life span of each living being allotted by Brahmā is at an end Yama sends his agents and takes the soul to Yamapurī (the city of Yama). From there, the holy souls are sent to Vaikuṇṭha (Heaven, the abode of Viṣṇu) and the sinful souls to Hell. Genealogy and birth of Yama. From Mahāviṣṇu were descended in the following order—Brahmā, Marīci, Kaśyapa, Sūrya (Sun), Yama (Kāla).

3) Kāla (काल).—A Maharṣi. Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 7, Verse 14, refers to this sage as offering worship to Indra, in Indra’s assembly.

4) Kālā (काला).—A daughter of Dakṣaprajāpati. (See under Kālikā).

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Kalanemi

Kālanemi (कालनेमि).—A great Asura. In later years he was born as Kaṃsa, the son of Ugrasena.1) the rim of the wheel of time.

2) Name of a demon, uncle of Rāvaṇa, deputed by him to kill Hanūmat.

3) Name of a demon with 1 hands killed by Viṣṇu. °अरिः, रिपुः, हरः, हन् (ariḥ, ripuḥ, haraḥ, han) m. epithets of Kṛṣṇa.

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Kalayavana- kaalayavana

Kālayavana (कालयवन).—a kind of yavanas and enemy of Kṛṣṇa and an invincible foe of the Yādavas. Kṛṣṇa, finding it impossible to vanquish him on the field of battle, cunningly decoyed him to the cave where Muchakunda was sleeping who burnt him down.

Lord Krishna was chased by a Kala yavana and Krishna entered the cave where Mucukunda was sleeping. When Mucukunda became tired he got a boon from God to sleep undisturbed for a long time in a cave. Kalayavana also entered the cave and slapped on Mucukundan thinking that it was Krishna pretending to sleep. When Mucukunda opened his eyes, Kalayavana was burnt to ashes. Tricky Krishna came out of his hiding and blessed Mucukunda. He advised him to go to Badrinath.

***

Kalhana

Kalhana was a  12th-century Kashmirian historian.

IKalhana was a 12th-century Sanskrit poet and historian, likely a Brahmin, who lived in Kashmir. He wrote the Rajatarangini (River of Kings) between 1148 and 1150 CE, an epic poem in Sanskrit consisting of nearly 8,000 verses over eight books. He is noted for using critical research methods, drawing on earlier sources like the Nilamata Purana, as well as epigraphy (inscriptions), coins, and sculpture to reconstruct history.

Kalhana mentions “Dravidian” magicians in his book in three places, specifically a story about a Dravidian magician during the reign of Jayapida in 751 CE.

Quotations and Wisdom: The blog features hundreds of quotations from the Rajatarangini that cover wisdom on fortune, fear, and fate, often comparing Kalhana’s insights with Tamil literature, such as the Tirukkural by Valluvar.

“Kalhana’s Blunder”: in his Kaliyuga calculations, he miscalculated the dates of some kings, creating a large, arguably inaccurate, “dark period” or kingless period. He is lauded for preserving the history of Kashmir from the legendary kings through the 12th century.

Kalhana recorded a fatal disease called Luta (meaning spider) in Kashmir.

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Kalki avatar

Hindus believe that the last Avatar of Lord Vishnu will be Kalki Avatar, that is the incarnation of god. Kalki is expected to come on a white horse with a lightning sword. Many religions believe that their prophets will come back. Zoroastrian/ Parsi religion also believes in a or many future prophets.Great Sanskrit poet Jayadeva of tenth century in his Gita Govinda says,

“O Keshava, at the destruction of the multitude of the Mlechas, you will wield the dreadful sword, which is like a COMET.

O Hari, lord of the world, may you be successful having got the body of Kalki.”

Jayadeva used the Sanskrit words:

Dhumaketumiva ‘comet like sword’.

Now we see such sword fights in the imaginary Star War episodes. It looks like Lord Vishnu will also use modern weaponry like Laser swords. Probably you may not need Nuclear bombs or Hydrogen Bombs. With laser light you may be able to destabilise foreign military power.

Dhumaketu is Comet in Sanskrit. We may take it some sword like it. Lord Kalki is shown riding White Horse in Puranic descriptions.

***

Kamboja

Kaambojas- a race or tribe always associated with the tribes living to the north west ,and famous for their horses. They were among the tribes conquered by king sagara, king Krishna etc

1) Kāmboja (काम्बोज).—Sudakṣiṇa, the King of the country, Kāmboja. He was present at Draupadī’s svayaṃvara. In Mahābhārata, Karṇa Parva, Chapter 156 we read that his younger brother was killed by Arjuna. The Kings of Kāmboja were all known as Kāmbojas. Long ago, this country was ruled by a King named Kāmboja. In Mahābhārata, Śānti Parva, Chapter 166, Verse 77, we see that this Kāmboja was given a sword by the King Dhundhumāra. Perhaps it was from this King Kāmboja that the country came to be called ‘Kāmboja’.

2) Kāmboja (काम्बोज).—This kingdom was situated in the north western part of India. It is the modern Kabul. We get the following information from Mahābhārata.

From Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Chapter 27, Verse 23, we see that Arjuna had subdued this Kingdom.

The horses which were tied to Yudhiṣṭhira’s chariot were brought from Kāmboja. (Mahābhārata Sabhā Parva, Chapter 52, Verse 5).

The Mlecchas (a tribe of low-class people) of Kāmboja will become Kings in Kaliyuga. (Mahābhārata Vana Parva, Chapter 188, Verse 36).

There were Kāmbojas in Duryodhana’s army. (Mahābhārata Udyoga Parva, Chapter 160, Verse 130).

At the time of Mahābhārata the King of Kāmboja was the brave and heroic Sudakṣiṇa. (Mahābhārata Udyoga Parva, Chapter 166, Verses 1-3).

In the battle between Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas, the Kāmbojas took their position in some places in the “Garuḍa Vyūha”, a phalanx in the shape of an eagle made by Bhīṣma. (Mahābhārata Bhīṣma parva, Chapter 56, Verse 7).

The horses of Kāmboja were beautiful in appearance and of the colour of parrots. The horses which were tied to Nakula’s chariot, were of this kind. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 23, Verse 7).

When the horses of Kāmboja ran, their tails and ears remained motionless. (Mahābhārata Droṇa Parva, Chapter 36, Verse 36).

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Kamsa

A tyrannical king of Mathura. Maternal uncle of Krishna . son of ugrasena and father of Devaki, mother of krishna. He married twin daughters of Jarasandha named asti and prapti, king of Magadha. He deposed his father ugrasena. It was foretold that a son born of Devaki should kill him. So he killed all children born to her except two. Balarama, her seventh son was smuggled out to Gokula and was brought up by rohini. When krishna was born as the eight child his parents fled with him. The tyrant then gave orders to kill all vigorous male children . kamsa persecuted krishna and at the end krishna killed him. Because of this he earned the enmity of jarasandha. Kamsa was also called kalaankura, the crane.

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Kanchipuram / Conjeevaram

Once Capital of Pallava Kings; now a Temple city in Tamil Nadu with 108 temples

Kāñcīpuram  is one of the 108 Vaishnava Divya Desam  located in the Toṇṭaināṭu (“Northern Tamil Nadu”).

Kāñcipuram or Kanchipuram, the Golden City, was the capital of the Pallava dynasty from the sixth to the eight century. Kāñcipuram was ruled subsequently by the Chola, Vijayanagara and Nayaka kings until the 17th century. The Kāmākṣī Amman Temple at Kāñcīpuram (the ancient city of temples) is one of the leading centers of Śakti-worship in Tamilnadu. It is situated to the south east of the Ekāmbaranāthar Temple. Kāñcīpuram is divided into two parts–the Big and the Small or the Śivakāñcī and the Viṣṇukāñcī respectively. Śivakāñci is dedicated to Ekāmbaranāthar and Viṣṇu Kāñci to Varadarāja Perumāl. Jain monuments are also in the city.

Kanchi Sankaracharya’s Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham attracts a huge crowd.

It is one of the Seven Sacre Cities of India:

The seven sacred cities in Hinduism (Sapta Puri) that bestow liberation (moksha) are mentioned in the Garuda Purana and other scriptures, notably: Ayodhyā Mathurā Māyā Kāśī Kāñcī Avantikā, Purī Dvārāvatī caiva saptaitā mokṣadāyikāḥ.

The “Nagareshu Kanchi” sloka is a famous Sanskrit verse attributed to the poet Kalidasa, praising Kanchipuram as the most magnificent city among all cities. It is often recited to highlight the spiritual and cultural importance of Kanchi, one of the seven holy cities (Sapta Puri).

“Pushpeshu Jati, Purusheshu Vishnu,

Nareeshu Rambha, Nagareshu Kanchi.”

To be continued……………………

Tags- Kalki Avatara, Kanchi, Kamsa, Kamboja, HINDU DICTIONARY, IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 42; இந்து மத, கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-42, Kabandha, Kalhana

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by Tamil and Vedas on March 20, 2026  •  Permalink
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