Lord Vishnu (Kalla Azakar) entering Vaigai River in Madurai (Chitra Festival)
Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 15,673
Date uploaded in London –29 April 2026
Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
The Hindu festival going by the name Chitra Pournami is observed on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai or Chaitra corresponding to the English month April – may , when the asterism/star Chitra holds sway.
In Madurai Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) weds Lord Siva called Sundaresan just before the full moon day. It is followed by a Rath Yatra in the streets of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. On the Chitra full moon day Lord Vishnu enters Vaigai River in Madurai and spends several days in the city. Lord Vishnu temple is in Alagarkoil and his local name is Kalla Azakar which is Sundara Rajan in Sanskrit. This festival attracts lakhs of people from surrounding villages and towns.
Four hundred years ago the great Nayak King renovated and rebuilt several towers of the temple and made it one of the 100 wonders of the world.
All the full moon days are Hindu Festival days. Chitra Full moon day tops the list because it is happening in the summer ; people travel everywhere without fear.
Around Tiruvannamalai Shiva Shrine several thousand do Giri Pradakshina which means Going round the hill. In villages Grama devatas are worshipped with Fire Walking ceremonies. In fact, there is no Tamil temple without something special during this season.
Chitra Gupta, accountant of Yama, God of Death.
Kanchipuram has scores of Siva and Vishnu Temples. In addition, it has a temple for Chitra Gupta, accountant of Yama, God of death. He is worshipped on this day.
Chitra gupta in Sanskrit means hidden picture ;the meaning is all our deeds, words and thoughts (Mano Vak Kayam- mano vaak kaayam–) make pictures around us. It is a hidden picture=Gupta Chitram). Hindu saints can see it; on the day of our death Chitra Gupta who is like a Super Computer- present our Audio- Video recordings in a USB pen drive to Yama. Hindu God of Death’s popular name is Dharma Raja. Brahmins worship him with this name thrice a day in their Sandhya Vandana. He is called Dharma Raja, because he shows no favours for a king nor hatred towards the poor. He gives us rewards or punishments according to the recordings in the USB pen drive. Since we could not see during our existence on earth it is called Gupta Chitra= Chitra Gupta= Hidden Pictures. Hindu saints can see it if they want to.
He has one temple in Kanchipuram and another in Kodangipatti near Theni in Tamil Nadu.
Chitra Gupta idol in Kanchipuram temple, holds a styli and notebook in his hands to record our Mano Vaak Kaaya activities, i.e. Thoughts, Words and Deeds. Those who always think good gets pass mark and Visa free direct ticket to paradise; others go to hell.
Inscriptions on Chitra Festival
On a pillar in the upper rock cut cave on the hill at Trichy is a record of the Choza king Rajakesarivarman 985-1013 CE dated in his sixteenth year relating to a gift of land to feed brahmins and devotees in the nine days of Chitra Festival .
On the west wall of the Ganesh shrine in the temple of
Nedungalanathar in Tiru Nedungulam in Trichy district is another inscription of the same king Rajakesarivarman recording a gift of land for feeding 500 Sivayogins during the Chitra Festival.
Siva and Parvati (Meenakshi Sundareswarar)
Story behind Chitra Festival
Brihaspati, spiritual guru of devas, threw up his appointment since Indra, king of devas, failed to show proper respect to him. In the absence of advice from his preceptor, Indra became a great sinner by his commissions and omissions. After sometime Brihaspati relented and returned to duty. He forgave Indra and pointed out to him how he may be purged of all his sins by visiting holy places. Indra acted accordingly came to a forest where he found that all was well with him and felt that all his sins removed. Looking about to him to find out the cause of his happy deliverance, he found a lingam near a tank. Being convinced that the influence radiating from it was the cause of the joy of his heart, he at once sent for Visvakarma, the celestial architect, and with his aid a splendid shrine for Siva linga erected. He also caused another shrine erected near containing Siva’s wife .
Indra then wanted to worship the god and goddess but found no flowers. He then prayed to them and there suddenly appeared beautiful golden lotuses on the surface of a pond. Indra did worship with those golden flowers. All this happened on the full moon day of Chitra month. Even now people believe that Indra visits the place every Chitra Pournami day.
The story of Indra worshipping the Linga is in Tiru Vilaiyadal Purana as well. When a businessman, by name Dhanapathy Chettiyar, crossed the forest after sunset saw brilliant lights and he saw Indra worshipping with his paraphernalia. Very next day he reported the wonder that he saw in the forest to the pandya king of Madurai. He built the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple for Siva and his wife Meenakshi/Parvati.
The miracle boy saint Tiru Gnan Sambandar visited Madura around 600 CE and cured the disease of a Pandya king with the Vibhuti (holy ash) of the Siva Temple. The detailed story is in Periya Purana. His Tevaram poems praise Siva and his consort Meenakshi whose Tamil name is Angayakanni. His poems clearly say that he could see the towers of the Madurai Temple from a long distance. Lord Siva is called Chokkar (handsome) in Tamil.
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Ratha Yatra in Madurai.
Following is from my earlier post:
Tamil calendar is solar calendar, i.e. based on the movement of sun. When it enters a zodiac sign the months begin. But other South Indians calculate the beginning of the month from the New Moon day called Amavasyai. When Sun enters the first Zodiac sign, first Tamil month begins. That is the Tamil New Year Day
Strangely the names of the months are lunar based. When the full moon is seen with a prominent star in Zodiac, then the month is named after it. Chitra is named after Star Chitra. That means the full moon happens in star Chitra.
(though stars are thousands of light years away from moon or earth, one can easily see the star and the moon together in the sky)
Tamils have some beliefs about each month; may be they were correct 2000 years ago, when transport facilities, medical facilities and communication facilities were scarce; and the weather condition was also different. If we go through each belief, we can easily find the scientific reason behind it.
Tamils believe that if a male child is born in this month, the father of the child will suffer a lot and there will be clashes between father and child. Unless we get some statistics to prove this belief, we may ignore it. This is my opinion.
For instance, if a person gets married in a month the woman may become pregnant immediately. Then they calculate her delivery time and see what facilities would be available at that time in her area. Then they form a common opinion and that becomes a belief or a proverb. In short all are based on experience. Now that the world has changed, all types of facilities are available in most parts of the world, the beliefs may be considered irrelevant.
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1.Chitra (Tamil Month Chiththirai)
The first sign in the zodiac chart is Aries- Mesha Rasi. The travelling period of sun in this sign is called the month of Chiththirai. This is the first month of Tamil year. First day of this month falls on 14th of April. That is the New Year Day for the Tamils. Many communities celebrate that day in India and South East Asia.
All full moon days are festival days for Hindus. Full moon days during non -rainy season are more important. Electric lights were not there in the world a few hundred years ago. So Hindus used natural light of sun and moon to celebrate big festivals.
Chitra Pournami or Purnima is one of the famous festival days in Hindu calendar. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple Chitra festival attracts million people. Many temples in Tamil Nadu have their important festivals during Chithrai.
Sri Shankara Jayanthi, birth day of the greatest Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara, Rama Navami, Narasimha Jayanthi and Ramanuja Jayanthi are celebrated in this month.
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
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LA Words continued…………. Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.
LAKSHANAM
Lakshanam (Sanskrit: लक्षण) denotes a sign, mark, characteristic, or attribute used to define an entity. The term serves as a foundational concept in Hindu philosophy, Ayurveda, and linguistics, indicating symptoms, unique features, or indirect meanings.
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LAKSHYAM
lakṣya (or lakshya) generally refers to a target, goal, aim, or objective within Hindu, Sanskrit, and Yoga literature. The term encompasses both physical targets used in contexts like the Arthashastra and the metaphorical focus of meditation
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LASYAM
Lāsya refers to a graceful, delicate form of dance, often representing the feminine counterpart to the vigorous Tāṇḍava dance of Shiva. Rooted in the term for playing or frolicking, this style is characterized by its gentle movements and is associated with emotional expression. For more details.
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Lalita Vistara
A work in Sanskrit verse on the doctrine and life of Buddha.
Lalitavistara (Sanskrit: ललितविस्तर) is a sacred Mahāyāna Buddhist text detailing the life of Gautama Buddha, often translated as “The Exhaustive Story of the Sport of the Buddha”. It presents the Buddha’s life—from descending from Tusita heaven to his first sermon—as a playful act of a superhuman being.
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LAVANGA/M
Used in Puja along with Cardamom
Lavanga in Sanskrit is the name of a plant identified with Syzygium caryophyllatum from having the following synonyms: Myrtus caryophyllata, Syzygium caryophyllaeum, Eugenia corymbosa.
Lavaṅga (लवङ्ग) or Lavaṭha refers to the medicinal plant Syzygium aromaticum L. Syn. Eugenia aromaticum Merril & Perry. Syn. Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb., and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter (it belongs to the Myrtaceae (Bottlebrush) family).
It is used in the Ayurvedic formulation known as Cyavanaprāśa: an Ayurvedic health product that helps in boosting immunity
The flower-buds are used. It is fragrant, bitter, pungent, cold, pacifies pitta and kapha and restores vāyu to its normal course.
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LE, LI words
LEMURIA
A fake and imaginary land like Utopia. May be compared with Atlantis of Greek literature. Tamils try to identify it with the lost Kumari Kandam/continent.
It is a fact that two Tsunamis devoured southern most parts of Tamil Nadu 2000 ++ years ago. But imaginary Lemuria has no scientific proof and nothing to do with the lost Tamil lands.. During continental drift, a lot of geological changes happened. But human beings did not exist at that time. The Indian Ocean map produced by National Geographic magazine shows NO such land mass near the southernmost tip of India. But millions of years ago, before civilizations appeared on earth, massive geological changes happened. In short Lemuria is misunderstood and misused by politicians.
Lemuria is a 19th-century scientific hypothesis named by English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1864, derived from “lemur” (the primate) and the suffix “-ia” (land). It was coined to describe a hypothetical sunken continent in the Indian Ocean, bridging Madagascar and India, intended to explain the geographical distribution of lemur fossils.
Origins and Evolution of the Name:
Scientific Origin (1864): Philip Lutley Sclater proposed the name in a paper titled “The Mammals of Madagascar” to suggest a former landmass connecting Africa, Madagascar, and India.
Etymological Basis: The name is derived from lemur (referring to the nocturnal, bug-eyed lemur primates) and the suffix -ia (Latin/Greek suffix denoting a land or country).
The “Lemur” Link: The concept arose because fossils of similar creatures were found in Madagascar and India, but not in Africa, suggesting they migrated across a “land bridge” that later san
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LINGA/M
Formless aspect of God, particularly Siva. Though the linga form is absent in the Vedas, from Mahabharata it received distinct notice.
Sangam Tamil literature mentioned Siva’s names but not Lingam. It is refered very late in Bhakti literature.
In a passage of the Saurapurāṇa, Nārada asks Brahmā as to what is called liṅga; then Brahma gives the definition of liṅga:
“That form of Mahādeva which is Unmanifest (avvakta) is called liṅga; it is bliss (ānanda) and beyond all nescience (tamasaḥ paraṃ). By the liṅga Śaṃkara is Liṅgī”
Liṅga (लिङ्ग).—The worship of Liṅga is found in a quarrel between Brahmā and Viṣhṇu.
Certain liṅgas are called Jyotirliṅgas and they are said to be twelve in number such as Viśveśvara, Ratneśvara at Vārāṇasī, Mahākāla at Ujjayinī etc
In olden days, in the period of Satyayuga, Mahāviṣṇu did penance in Śvetadvīpa (the island Śveta) to obtain Eternal Bliss, being deeply engaged in the study of Brahmavidyā. Brahmā also went to another place and began to do penance for the suppression of passions. Both were doing severe penance. So they began to walk in order to take rest from the penance. On the way they met each other. One asked “who are you?” The other also asked the same question. The talk ended in a contest as to who was the greater of the two. Each claimed himself to be the supreme power of the world. Neither of them was prepared to recognize the claims of the other. In the midst of this contest, a LINGA appeared before them and an ethereal voice said from the sky: “You need not quarrel as to who is superior. He who reaches the extremity of this Lingam is the superior person. So both of you proceed, one upwards and the other downwards and find out the end.” Hearing this Viṣhṇu went downwards to find out the bottom and Brahmā, upwards to the top. Viṣhṇu travelled for a long time and finding no end thought the attempt futile and returned to the starting point with disappointment and sat down.
Brahmā travelled upwards for a long time and found no end. On the way he saw the petal of a paṇḍānus flower, coming down from the sky. Brahmā took it and joyfully returned and said haughtily to Viṣṇu: “See, I have taken this flower from the head of the Lingam. I have brought this to convince you. You have been defeated. So can you not admit that I am the superior?” Mahāviṣhṇu did not believe the words of Brahmā. So he called the Paṇḍānus flower to him and questioned it. The Paṇḍānus flower took false oath and witnessed in favour of Brahmā, who had asked the flower beforehand to be on his side. Mahāviṣṇu did not believe this either and said, “Let Śiva be witness to this flower”. Śiva at these words appeared before them and revealed the deceit played by Brahmā and the flower and then cursed the Paṇḍānus flower that thenceforward it should not have a place among the flowers of oblation to Śiva. Then Śiva got angry and plucked off a head of Brahmā. That is the skull Śiva uses for receiving alms. (Devī Bhāgavata, Śkandha 5.)
General meaning:
Liṅga (लिङ्ग)
1) A mark, sign, token, an emblem, a badge, symbol, distinguishing mark, characteristic; यतिपार्थिवलिङ्गधारिणौ (yatipārthivaliṅgadhāriṇau) R.8.16; अथवा प्रावृषेण्यैरेव लिङ्गै- र्मम राजोपचारः संप्रति (athavā prāvṛṣeṇyaireva liṅgai- rmama rājopacāraḥ saṃprati) V.4; मुनिर्दोहदलिङ्गदर्शी (munirdohadaliṅgadarśī) 14.71; Manusmṛti 1. 3;8.25,252.The sign of gender
2) Liṅga.—Proof, evidence (प्रमाण (pramāṇa)); the word is often used in the Paribhāșendușekhara and other works in connection with a rule or part of a rule quoted as an evidence to deduce some general dictum or Paribhāșā;
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Lilavati (leelaavati)
Charming- the fanciful title of that chapter of Bhaskara’s Siddhanta Sironmani which treats of arithmetic and geometry
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LO words
LOPAMUDRA
Daughter of king of Vidarbha. Agastya’s wife.
Sage Agastya, not being able to find a suitable wife , created her through the synthesis of best organs of various living beings and caused her to be born as the daughter of king of Vidarbha. She grew up to be a supremely beautiful woman, and her father was reluctant to give her in marriage to Agastya when he asked for her hand. The king was afraid to refuse the great sage for fear of earning his wrath. Lopamudra, realizing this predicament, willingly marred Agastya and discarding her royal robes and regal ways of living , she followed the sage in his ascetic wanderings.
When Agastya expressed his desire to produce a child, her only request was that he come to her dressed in a rich princely attire and find her on a jewel encrusted bed in a palace such as the one she was used to in her father’s house. When Agastya needed the amassed wealth and fulfilled her wishes, she gave birth to a son, Dadhasyu This is in Mahabharata .
Most famous Tamil commentator Nachchinarkiniyar , who lived 700 years ago, gives interesting story about the clash between Agastya and Trunadumagni who Tamils called Tolkappiar. Full account will be given under ‘T.’
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LOKALOKA PARVATA
Lokāloka (लोकालोक).—There is a mountain between Loka and Aloka. This is called Lokālokaparvata and the land beside it is called Lokāloka. The mountain is as long as the distance between Mānasottara and Mahāmeru. This place is golden in colour and as smooth as glass. Not a single being lives there. God has created this as a boundary to the three worlds. All the planets like the Sun get light from the brilliance of this mountain. Brahmā has posted four diggajas named Vṛṣabha, Puṣpacūḍa, Vāmana and Aparājita in the four corners of this mountain. (8th Skandha, Devī Bhāgavata).
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LOMASHA RISHI
A great rishi, who on a visit to swarga/heaven, was surprised to see Arjuna sitting beside Indra on a throne. Indra read his mind and acquainted him about Arjuna’s birth and his mission on earth. In accordance with Indra’s wishes , Lomasha then returned to earth and assured Yudhishthira about the welfare of Arjuna . He then accompanied the Pandavas to various places of pilgrimage and at each place he told them about the great sages who had lived there in earlier times. This is in Mahabharata .
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LOMAPADA
An ancient king of Anga desa who had displeased some Brahmanas and therefore they cursed that his kingdom would undergo a prolonged draught. He therefore arranged to bring to his kingdom the sage Rishyasinga through trickery so that rain would fall on his parched and famine stricken land. Later he gave his adopted daughter Shantaa in marriage to Rishyashringa .This is in Mahabharata .
To be continued……………………..
Tags- Rishyashringa, Lopamudra, Lakshana, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 54; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-54
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
Hindu Vedas describe the Vedic gods in detail but the archaeological proofs of images come only from Harappan /Indus Valley Civilization. We see beautiful figures of Goddesses, Pasupati, a strange tiger goddess, ghosts and Saptamatas on Indus seals. In the Saptamata seal of Harappa/Mohanjadaro, a devotee offers severed human head (Nara bali) to a goddess and we know about self-sacrifices called Navakandam till later Pandya/ Choza periods.
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Tamils in Tamil Nadu worshipped Hindu gods and goddesses in their houses and temples as well. Tamil poets of Sangam Age give us enough proof for this in their poems composed 2000 years ago. Poets show us that Tamils were well versed in Puranas and two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
No where Buddha or Mahavira is mentioned. Tamils worshipped Seven Stars in Saptarishi Constellation (Ursa Major), sun and moon too. Even Asura Guru Sukra/Venus and Deva Guru Brihaspati/Jupiter are mentioned as Iru Perum Deivangal/ Two Great Deities.
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Picture of Siva, Uma on Bull
Before Sangam Age, we get more evidence from Patanjali’s Mahabhashya commentary and Chanakya’s Arthasastra. Chanakya advised the Mauryan government to produce Gods’ figures in large scale and sell them to increase the revenue of the government.
Patanjali in his Mahabhashya commentary on world’s first grammar book Ashtadhyayi written by Panini , provide us interesting details. Patanjali lived 2200 years ago and Panini lived 2800 years ago according to Goldstucker.
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Arcaa and Pratikruti
Picture of Lord Siva drinking poison.
Patanjali has termed the ordinary images Pratikriti and gods’ images Arcaas. The pratikriti of a horse is named asvaka and a camel ustraka. Suffix ka was added to denote the pratikriti of an object. Pratikritis of animals were used on flags as drawings. The author of the Kaasikaa has mentioned the pictures of the horses of Arjuna, Duryodhana etc. Garuda figures of Lord Vishnu were on pillars and flags. Rock edicts bearing inscriptions describing the Garuda dwaja (Eagle Flag) have been found at Mehrauli and Sisunia.
The idols of gods were made, and they were called arcas ( arcaas) . Two types of them were described by him, one for priests and the other for householders. Idols of Siva, Skanda and Vishaka are mentioned by him. The idols made for sale mentioned with the suffix ka. Thus we get
Siva ka
Skanda ka
Vishaka ka
Kasyapa ka
Kasyapa is a name of Varuna and Vishnu. Also Kasyapi devi for earth.
Rama, Kesava, Dhanapati and Vaisravana were also worshipped during Patanjali’s time.
Skanda and Vishaka pairs were also sold 2200 years ago. These details were provided by him on the commentary on following Paninian sutras,
(P D Agnihotri of Bhopal has given the above information in his article in the volume Recent studies in Sanskrit and Indology, Ajanta publications, 1982.
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Sangam Tamil Literature
Picture of Lord Skanda on peacock.
Tamils in ancient Tamil Nadu worshipped idols in Temples and in their residences. But the residences had the gods’ pictures on the walls. We guess they were drawings on the walls or cloths. Doors of palaces and big houses had figures of Gaja Lakshmi and Conch and Lotus representing two of the Nine Treasures of Kubera. Kubera was also called Dhanapati, Vaisnavara, Siva sakha and Kuvera.
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Long list of temples is available in Silappdikaram, a Tamil epic of Post Sangam period.
Gatha Sapta Sati (GSS), Prakrit language anthology of love poems, also mentioned a painting of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita on a wall in a house. When the younger brother of a householder looked at the wife of his elder brother with bad intention, she politely refused by pointing out at Lakshmana picture on the wall. Lakshmana was famous for his loyalty to his elder brother Rama and he never looked at Sita, Rama’s wife; he was said to have looked at her feet only. GSS also belonged to Sangam Age.
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We have hundreds of references to epic and Puranic anecdotes, flags, vahanas of Gods and symbols of all Gods in ancient Tamil poems.
Following references in Sangam literature confirm Image Worship:
Hero Stones and Sati Stones are available in South India from fifth century CE. Their worship is mentioned in many Sangam poems another Mysterious word Kandazi in Tolkappiamகந்தழிவழிபாடு and later poems points out to worship of Linga (Siva) or post.
Very clear proof comes from Tamil epic Silappadikaram. Senguttuvan, a Chera king of Sangam Age, went all the way to the Holy Himalayas and took a stone, bathed it in the holy Ganga river and carved out Kannaki’s statue for worship. It spread to Sri Lanka as Patni (Chaste Woman) worship. Chaste women were more powerful than gods according to Tiru Valluvar.
Chenguttuvan made the statue only because of the popularity of image worship in his time.
We know the popularity of clay figures of Goddess Durga in Bengal, Lord Ganesh in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and Village Goddess figures of Tamil towns. Even today they are made for worship and dissolved in the river water on the third day. Such figures might have existed during Sangam Age. The word PAAVAI (doll) is mentioned in Sangam books as a worshipful figure.
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Picture of Nara bali in Harapa/ Mohanjadaro
Madurai Kanchi, one of the Sangam books, mentioned the deities taken around town in line 164. And in lines 577/8 more information about deities living in prosperous houses.
அணங்கு வழங்கும் அகல் அங்கண்
கொழுங்குடிச் செல்வரும் பிறரும் மேவிய,
மணம் புணர்ந்து ஓங்கிய , அணங்குடை நல் இல் – மதுரைக் காஞ்சி 577-578
And Tamils worshipped the deities living in the doors of the houses with Ghee and Aiyavi/white mustard.
More refence comes from another Sangam work called Nedunalvaadai says that women worshipped with flowers by lighting lamps.
Women who Worship in the Evening Hours
Tender, naive women with bamboo-like arms, delicate looks, teeth resembling pearls, white conch-shell bangles on their tight forearms, and moist, pretty eyes that matched their beautiful earrings, carried long, green-stemmed jasmine buds in trays. The flower buds opened their pretty petals and blossomed, their spreading fragrance announcing the arrival of evening time.
They lit the oil-dipped wicks of iron lamps, pressed their palms together and worshipped, tossing offerings of rice paddy and flowers, and celebrated evenings in the prosperous market.
நெடுநல்வாடை வரிகள்
வெள்ளி வள்ளி வீங்கு இறைப் பணைத் தோள்,
மெத்தென் சாயல், முத்து உறழ் முறுவல்,
பூங்குழைக்கு அமர்ந்த ஏந்து எழில் மழைக்கண்,
மடவரல் மகளிர் பிடகைப் பெய்த
செவ்வி அரும்பின் பைங்கால் பித்திகத்து,
அவ்இதழ் அவிழ் பதம் கமழ, பொழுது அறிந்து,
இரும்பு செய் விளக்கின் ஈர்ந்திரி கொளீஇ,
நெல்லும் மலரும் தூஉய், கை தொழுது,
மல்லல் ஆவணம் மாலை அயர (36 – 44)
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Image of Agni
Friend of a would be bride says Come on, Let us worship the God in the house with proper Bali/offering for your quick marriage- Akananuru 282
Another Akam poem 369 talks about the painted Gods on the wall of a house.
(Vaidehi Herberts Translation is used; thanks.)
Akanānūru 369, Nakkeerar – What the foster mother said to the heroine’s friend, after the heroine eloped
Look at this, my daughter! What is the use of our close relationship?
The pet parrot with red neck band refuses to drink sweet milk, even when young women hold it on their forearms with bright bangles, in the proper manner uttering praises. Her friends with beautiful jewels and peacock nature do not play games anymore. The big urn does not have any flowers, and the goddess image decorated with pearl strands on the sturdy wall does not get any offerings.
Akanānūru 282, What the heroine’s friend said to her as the hero listened nearby, or what the heroine said to her friend ……………………………………………………
Let us hold our delicate fingers with fine joints and give offerings to our house gods so that the wedding day will happen soon!
”வல்லே வருக, வரைந்த நாள்!” என,
நல் இறை மெல் விரல் கூப்பி,
இல் உறை கடவுட்கு ஆக்குதும், பலியே! -அகநானூறு 282
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Picture of Parvati
Tirupparankundram Painting of Indra- Ahalya anecdote
A villager’s wife who was wondering about a painting on the wall asked her husband and he explained to her the Ahalya anecdote according to commentators:
The Splendor of Thirupparankundram Paripaadal verse 19
In auspicious Thirupparankundram with perfect
bamboo and wide boulders,
there is a pavilion in the temple of Murukan,
nephew of Thirumāl, decorated with paintings that
are admired by devotees. Some try to figure the
positions of the heavenly bodies that cause summer
heat. Some in love say, ‘This is Rathi. This is Kāman,
the god of love’. Some say, ‘This is Indiran as a cat’.
Some say, ‘This is Akalikai who was desired by Indiran’.
Some say, ‘This is her husband Gauthaman, the sage
who left, tricked by Indiran’. Some say, ‘This rock is
the hapless Akalikai cursed by her angry husband’.
There are some who give food to many monkeys.
There are some who give sugarcane to black-faced
monkeys. Some play the divine veenai. Some play
flutes closing the holes with their fingers. Some play
pālai tunes in even tones on the yāzh. Some praise
the beauty of rituals. Some create drum sounds
according to tradition.
மலைச் சிறப்பு குரங்கு அருந்து பண்ணியம் கொடுப்போரும், கரும்பு கருமுகக் கணக்கு அளிப்போரும், தெய்வப் பிரமம் செய்குவோரும், 40
கை வைத்து இமிர்பு குழல் காண்குவோரும், யாழின் இளி குரல் சமம் கொள்வோரும், வேள்வியின் அழகு இயல் விளம்புவோரும், கூர நாண் குரல் கொம்மென ஒலிப்ப, ஊழ் உற முரசின் ஒலி செய்வோரும், 45
என்றூழ் உறவரும் இரு சுடர் நேமி ஒன்றிய சுடர் நிலை உள்படுவோரும், “இரதி காமன் இவள் இவன்” எனாஅ, விரகியர் வினவ வினா இறுப்போரும், “இந்திரன் பூசை; இவள் அகலிகை; இவன் 50
சென்ற கவுதமன்; சினன் உறக் கல் உரு ஒன்றியபடி இது” என்று உரை செய்வோரும், இன்ன பல பல எழுத்து நிலை மண்டபம், துன்னுநர் சுட்டவும், சுட்டு அறிவுறுத்தவும், நேர் வரை விரி அறை வியல் இடத்து இழைக்கச் 55
சோபன நிலையது துணி பரங்குன்றத்து மாஅல் முருகன் மாட மருங்கு.
In addition to these quotes, many religious festivals are reported when Gods’ processions take place. Just two hundred years after the Sangam Age comes the literature of devotional period where we get thousands of examples for image worship.
—subham—
Tags- Image Worship , Sangam Tamil Literature, idols, Pavai dolls, wall paintings, Arca, Patanjali, Mahabhasya, Artha sastra, Indus Valley, Harappa images, Tamil poets, Akanauru, Paripadal , clay figures
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 -22 Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 62; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 62
For English versions I Used Vaidehi Herbert’s translation; For most of the Sanskrit words I used Wisdomlib.org
Item 477
सामुद्रिकलक्षण (Sāmudrikalakṣaṇa)-
In Puranānūru verse 59, Poet Mathurai Koolavānikan Cheethalai Sāthanār used the opt repeated Sanskrit words AAJAANU BAAHUதாள் தோய் தடக்கை large hands that touch your legs.
This is not the only place the Sanskrit cliché is used. Eyes are described as lotus petals or fish like in Tamil and Sanskrit literature.
Ajanubahu (Sanskrit: आजानुबाहु) is a term describing a person whose arms are long enough to reach their knees when standing erect. It signifies a physical ideal in Indian culture, representing immense strength, divine stature, and high character, often used to describe gods, saints, and heroes like Rama or Krishna.
Etymology: Derived from a (up to), jānu (knee), and bāhu (arm), meaning “one
A famous sloka said by all devotees of Lord Ram is
SHRI-RAGHAVAM DASHARATHATMAJAM APRAMEYAM
SITA-PATIM RAGHUKULANVAYA-RATNADIPAM
AJANU-BAHUM ARAVINDA-DALAYATAKSHAM
RAMAM NISHACARA-VINASHAKARAM NAMAMI
It is famous Tamil film Lava Kusa as well.
In Indian culture, persons with such physical characteristics are either gods, saints, kings or great warriors. The idols of Hindu gods like Rama, Lakshmana, Krishna when shown in standing position are depicted as ajanu bahu feature. Even idols of Jain Tirthankars are shown as ajanbahu. The great saints like, Sai Baba of Shirdi, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Samartha and Gajanan Maharaj were said to have ajanu bahu characteristic.
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Item 478 Painting and Sanskrit word
This about a Pandya king who died in Chitra madam- a place with paintings in Madurai. Two things are notable. Sanskrit word Chitra and painting.
***
Item 479 Two Different Authors with the same name
Silappadikaram by Ilango and Manimekalai by this poet Mathurai Koolavānikan Cheethalai Sāthanār differ greatly with Sangam poets in language and style.
Both these Tamil epics do not fit in Sangam age Tamil. Linguists must do more research.
I placed Tolkappiam Porul Adhikaram- Third Adhikaram , Silappadikaram and Tirukkural 133 adikarams in Fifth century CE
Sanskrit Word ADIKARAM is common to these three books.
Manimekalai followed Silappadikaram and its last three chapters are full of Sanskrit/Prakrit words.
My conclusion is the author of Manimekalai and this Puram verse are two different poets, though with the same name.
***
Item 480 Sun and Moon
In Kalidasa’s works and Manu Smriti kings are compared with Five Elements- Pancha Bhuta –and Sun and Moon.
In this verse poet says
You are like the sun that rises from the ocean, never relenting in your fierce rage toward your enemies, but like the moon to people like me!
ஞாயிறு அனையை நின் பகைவர்க்குத், திங்கள் அனையை எம்மனோர்க்கே.
***
Puranānūru 59, Poet Mathurai Koolavānikan Cheethalai Sāthanār sang to Pandiyan Chithiramādathu Thunjiya Nanmāran,
1 O greatly esteemed Vazhuthi wearing garlands on your handsome chest, with large hands that touch your legs! You certainly give with love, Lord! You do not accept lies.
2
You are like the sun that rises from the ocean, never relenting in your fierce rage toward your enemies, but like the moon to people like me!
***
புறநானூறு59, பாடியவர்: மதுரைக் கூலவாணிகன் சீத்தலைச் சாத்தனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் சித்திரமாடத்துத் துஞ்சிய நன்மாறன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பூவை நிலை
1 ஆரம் தாழ்ந்த அணி கிளர் மார்பின், தாள் தோய் தடக்கைத் தகை மாண் வழுதி! வல்லை மன்ற நீ நயந்து அளித்தல், தேற்றாய் பெரும பொய்யே, என்றும் காய் சினம் தவிராது கடல் ஊர்பு எழுதரும்
2 ஞாயிறு அனையை நின் பகைவர்க்குத், திங்கள் அனையை எம்மனோர்க்கே.
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Item 481 Dr.Damodaran
In Puram verse 60, Poet’s name is Lord Krishna’s famous name.
Brahmins recite this name at least three times a day when they do Sandhyavandana.
Poet was a doctor!
Meaning of Damodaran is “one who is tied with a rope around his belly” (dama = rope, udara = belly). This signifies a divine pastime where Krishna was bound by his mother, symbolizing his accessibility and control, and is the 367th name of Vishnu in Sahsranama.உறையூர் மருத்துவன் தாமோதரனார்
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Item 482 Tamil’s Great Discovery
Tamils only called Ocean S Three Waters. முந்நீர் Mun Neer.
Ocean or sea has River Water, Rain Water and Spring Water. Because of these three types of waters it is called Mun=Three, Neer= Waters.
My interpretation is No spring water mingles directly into sea because it is part of river water. So it must be the springs under the ocean. Oceanographers reported such under water hot springs in the last century only. But Hindus knew it long long ago. It is confirmed by another reference Vada Mukhagni or Badavagni or Vadavai Anal in Tamil. That is submarine fire which we see in Hawai Island on all days.
I wanted to add one more interpretation.
Mun Neer also mean First Water. Only ocean water was there in the beginning; life evolved in it and spread to land and sky. So, it is called First, Mun in Tamil.
***
Item 483 Planet Mars செம்மீன்
செம்மீன்Sem Meen is literally Red Star. Planet Mars which looks blood red in the sky was rightly named Sev Vay or Sem Meen செம்மீன் in Tamil.
Ancient Tamils were keen observers of sky and so add the heavenly objects wherever possible.
In Sanskrit also, it is called a red planet:
The primary Sanskrit name for the planet Mars is Maṅgala (मङ्गल), meaning “auspicious” or “fortunate”. It is recognized as one of the Navagraha (nine celestial bodies) and is strongly associated with the color red and fiery energy. Tuesday is named Mangalavāra (मंगलवार) after this planet.
Other common Sanskrit names for Mars include:
Kuja (कुज): Meaning “son of the Earth” (born from Bhoomi).
Angāraka (अङ्गारक): Meaning “the burning coal” or “the red planet” (referring to its color).
Bhauma (भौम): Meaning “son of Bhumi” (Earth).
Raktavarna (रक्तवर्ण): Meaning “blood-colored” or “red-bodied”.
Lohitāṅga (लोहिताङ्ग): Meaning “red-bodied” or “iron-bodied”.
***
Item 484 White Umbrella வெண்குடை
Hindu Kings were protected by White Umbrellas வெண்குடை VEN KUDAI It is used throughout Sanskrit literature and always compared to Moon. Both signify Coolness.
***
Item 485 Strength of a Bull பகட்டு
King’s strength is compared to that of a Bull.
In Tamil even youths are called KAALAI, word for Bull in Tamil
***
Puranānūru 60, Poet Uraiyur Maruthuvan Thāmōtharanār sang for Chozhan Kurāpalli Thunjiya Perunthirumāvalavan,
1 Like a lantern on a boat in the middle of the THREE WATERS/ocean, there was the Red Planet high above us in the sky,
and we saw the full moon that was high above. On seeing it, did I not, along with my dancer with few bangles, like a peacock in the wasteland, bow to it many times?
2
It was because it resembled the white umbrella that protects us, pretty and fearsome, hiding the sun, decorated with garlands, belonging to my king Valavan with a victory drum and a sword 3
that never fails, his strength like that of a bull that pulls a wagon with salt from salt pans near the ocean, up toward the mountain,
***
புறநானூறு60, பாடியவர்: உறையூர் மருத்துவன் தாமோதரனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குராப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சிய பெருந்திருமாவளவன்,
உச்சி நின்ற உவவுமதி கண்டு, கட்சி மஞ்ஞையின் சுர முதல் சேர்ந்த, சில் வளை விறலியும் யானும் வல் விரைந்து, 5 தொழுதனம் அல்லமோ, பலவே, கானல் கழி உப்பு முகந்து கல் நாடு மடுக்கும் ஆரைச் சாகாட்டு ஆழ்ச்சி போக்கும் உரனுடை நோன் பகட்டு அன்ன எங்கோன், வலன் இரங்கு முரசின் வாய்வாள் வளவன், 10 வெயில் மறைக் கொண்ட உருகெழு சிறப்பின் மாலை வெண்குடை ஒக்குமால் எனவே?
***
Item 486Description of a Village
Ploughing the land and eating Valai fish with rice is described. At the same time, their children are climbing the hay stacks to pluck the palmyra fruits. Nature’s gifts make the land prosperous of the Choza kingdoms, say the poet in Verse 61.
Choza king’s strong chest and shoulders are also praised.
***
Puranānūru 61, Erichalūr Mādalan Mathurai Kumaranār sang for Chozhan Ilavanthikaippalli Thunjiya Nalankilli Chētchenni,
In the land of Chenni carrying a gleaming spear in his powerful hand and owning elegant chariots, in the fields where eels roll, women donning hair knots and cool leaves remove small patches of blue and white waterlilies where the harrows have passed and cut up vālai fish, and labourers with strong arms take the fat pieces and eat with white rice from new paddy to their full as their ribs stick out, become confused, and are unable to leave the long sheaves with grains, and their youngsters with parched heads who hate large coconuts, climb on the tall haystacks of their fathers to pluck the fruits of palmyra palms. There is abundant prosperity every day.
If there are men who oppose the king wearing a bow-like garland on his chest, they should know what will happen to them. We have not seen anybody succeed against his shoulders that are like fortress gate bolts! More than that, we have not seen sorrow in those who take refuge in his handsome feet without delay!
****
புறநானூறு61, பாடியவர்: கோனாட்டு எறிச்சலூர் மாடலன் மதுரைக் குமரனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்:சோழன் இலவந்திகைப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சியநலங்கிள்ளி சேட்சென்னி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை கொண்டைக் கூழைத் தண்டழைக் கடைசியர் சிறு மாண் நெய்தல் ஆம்பலொடு கட்கும், மலங்கு மிளிர் செறுவின் தளம்பு தடிந்திட்ட பழன வாளைப் பரூஉக்கண் துணியல் புது நெல் வெண்சோற்றுக் கண்ணுறை ஆக, 5 விலாப் புடை மருங்கு விசிப்ப மாந்தி நீடு கதிர்க் கழனிச் சூடு தடுமாறும் வன் கை வினைஞர் புன்தலைச் சிறாஅர் தெங்குபடு வியன் பழம் முனையின், தந்தையர் குறைக்கண் நெடுபோர் ஏறி விசைத்து எழுந்து 10 செழுங்கோட் பெண்ணைப் பழந்தொட முயலும், வைகல் யாணர் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருநன், எஃகு விளங்கு தடக்கை இயல் தேர்ச் சென்னி, சிலைத் தார் அகலம் மலைக்குநர் உளர் எனின் தாம் அறிகுவர் தமக்கு உறுதி, யாம் அவன் 15 எழு உறழ் திணி தோள் வழுவின்றி மலைந்தோர் வாழக் கண்டன்றும் இலமே தாழாது, திருந்து அடி பொருந்த வல்லோர் வருந்தக் காண்டல் அதனினும் இலமே.
***
Item 487
SATI IN SANGAM AGE
Following lines show that they died wih their husbnads in funeral pyre. They did not live like widows.
Widows of warriors do not eat keerai or bathe in cold ponds. They are there, embracing the chests of their fallen husbands.
Another poem by Bhutapandyan Devi also shows that Sati was followed by Tamil queens. Strangely Sati is not in Manu Smriti or Rig Veda.
***
Item 488 Aliens and ETs
Throughout Sanskrit literature we find the descriptions of ALIENS and EXTRA TERRESTRIALS (ET). Those things are repeated in Puram Verse 62 and many other Tamil poems.
Celestials who get food offerings, wear flowers that don’t fade, do not blink, guide the new arrivals in the other world that is so hard to obtain. May the glory of both of you glow!
More references to ETs:
பெரும்பாணாற்றுப்படை 429 – பொ. வே. சோமசுந்தரனார் உரை – இமைத்தல் இல்லாத இமையினையுடைய தேவர்கள். இமய மலையின் உச்சியில் தேவர்கள் உறைவர் என்பது மரபு. மதுரைக்காஞ்சி 457-458 – வாடாப் பூவின் இமையா நாட்டத்து நாற்ற உணவின் உருகெழு பெரியோர்க்கு. அனந்தல் (5) – ஒளவை துரைசாமி உரை –
Manu Smrti and our Puranas speak about various time zones for Devas and Brahma. When we hear about Extra Terrestrial Civilizations in distant planetary system we will understand such descriptions better.
We read that Devas can’t have sex in the Devaloka, can’t stand on their feet, can’t blink, their garlands never wither away , they can travel from one place to another place and appear intact, sages like Narada can do inter galactic travel (Tri Loka Sanchari) etc.
Atharva Veda Bhumi Sukta Mantra 7/ 63
Here the earth is praised as sweet hearted. Sweet honey MADHU is referred here and HEART (hrudaya) is mentioned in the 8th stanza.
Here we come across the word UNSLEEPING Devas. This is reference to Extra Terrestrials (ET). Throughout Hindu spics and Puranas/mythologies, we have following qualities attributed to ETs.
1.They are in the form of Light; Devas meaning Light Emitting.
2.They don’t wink their eyes; like fish they don’t close their eyes. Even Tamil poet Tiru Valluvar compared Devas with Thieves ; he humorously refers to thieves as Devas because thieves also never sleep during night (Kural 1073) This is my interpretation of Kural. Other old interpreters said both are same because they can do whatever they want to do; It doesn’t look right to me. Moreover, Valluvar used the Sanskrit word Devas instead of God (Iraivan).
3.They can’t have sex in the heaven. (they come to earth for it). Parvati cursed that they cant have sex in heaven according to Puranas.
4.They can travel to Earth with the speed of Mind (faster than Light; Einstein is only 50 % right)
6.Their garlands never wither away (because of metals like gold?)
7.They are always happy
8.They enjoy Dance and Music of Gandharvas and Apsaras
9.Even the Indus/Harappan symbol of Fish is compared to Devas by some scholars because both ‘Shine’ and both ‘never close their eyes’.
The seventh mantra says Devas protect earth without erring. That means aliens are always watching us. Intergalactic traveller NARADA visits earth now and then. Poet prays to earth to shower sweets on us. Madhu used here is Honey; also used in all poems on Asvins in the RV. Name of Narada appears for the first time in AV.
***
Puranānūru 62, Poet Kazhāthalaiyār sang for Cheraman Kudakkō Neduncheralathan and Chozhan Verpahradakkai Peruviral Killi,
1
How can they be victorious over the advancing foot soldiers? Female ghouls in bright coloured forms, plunge their hands into the wounds of dead warriors, smear their hair red with blood and dance to the soft, rhythmic beat of parai drums. Kites are feasting on the army, and the two kings have also perished along with their soldiers, kings with righteousness on their sides who fought a valiant war. Their royal umbrellas have drooped and their drums of renown stand ruined.
In that vast battle camp, hundreds of men from different lands have gathered together with no space left, and there is nobody with strength to take the field, and the combat has stopped suddenly causing fear.
2
Widows of warriors do not eat keerai or bathe in cold ponds. They are there, embracing the chests of their fallen husbands.
3
Celestials who get food offerings, wear flowers that don’t fade, do not blink, guide the new arrivals in the other world that is so hard to obtain. May the glory of both of you glow!
Notes: The poet wrote this after watching the two kings and their armies perish in battle. Puranānūru poems 62, 63 and 368 were written for Cheraman Kudakkō Neduncheralathan. Puranānūru poems 62 and 63 were written for Chozhan Verpahradakkai Peruviral Killi. Poet Kazhāthalaiyār wrote Puranānūru 62, 65, 270, 288, 289 and 368.
புறநானூறு62, பாடியவர்: கழாத்தலையார், பாடப்பட்டோர்: சேரமான் குடக்கோ நெடுஞ்சேரலாதன், சோழன் வேற்பஃறடக் கைப் பெருவிறற் கிள்ளி
1
வருதார் தாங்கி அமர் மிகல் யாவது? பொருது ஆண்டு ஒழிந்த மைந்தர் புண் தொட்டுக், குருதிச் செங்கைக் கூந்தல் தீட்டி, நிறம் கிளர் உருவின் பேஎய்ப் பெண்டிர் எடுத்து எறி அனந்தல் பறைச் சீர் தூங்கப், 5 பருந்து அருந்துற்ற தானையொடு செரு முனிந்து அறத்தின் மண்டிய மறப்போர் வேந்தர் தாம் மாய்ந்தனரே, குடை துளங்கினவே, உரை சால் சிறப்பின் முரைசு ஒழிந்தனவே பன் நூறு அடுக்கிய வேறுபடு பைஞ்ஞிலம் 10 இடம் கெட ஈண்டிய வியன் கண் பாசறைக், களம் கொளற்கு உரியோர் இன்றித் தெறுவர உடன் வீழ்ந்தன்றால் அமரே,
2
பெண்டிரும் பாசடகு மிசையார் பனி நீர் மூழ்கார் மார்பகம் பொருந்தி ஆங்கு அமைந்தன்றே,
3
வாடாப் பூவின் இமையா நாட்டத்து நாற்ற உணவினோரும் ஆற்ற அரும் பெறல் உலகம் நிறைய விருந்து பெற்றனரால், பொலிக நும் புகழே!
–subham—
Tags- Purananuru wonders-22, Tamil Encyclopedia-62, Aliens, ETs, Tamil Sangam Literature, Samudrika Lakshana, Tamil Poems,SATI IN SANGAM AGE, Item 488
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Purananuru Wonders -21 Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 61; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 61
Item 458 Puranas in Sangam Tamil Literature
Tamils living during Sangam age (100 BCE to 300 CE) were ardent Hindus. We did not have the name of Gautama Buddha or Mahavira in the 30,000 lines in 2500+ Sangam poems sung by 450++ poets. Only Hindu Gods are praised in those poems.
Purananuru verse 56 composed by famous and controversial poet Nakkirar (nakkeerar) shows Hinduism in full colour. Here we see Lord Siva, Lord Skanda/Kartikeya/Muruga, Lord Vishnu and Balarama along with their flags or Vahanas.
Since all the Puranic details and stories are in Sangam poems, Puranas must be dated in the BCE period. We know Hindus were keen in updating everything, which they did up to Gupta period and so foreigners dated them wrongly. When it came to writing, the updating slowed down. We will deal with the details in verse 56 one by one.
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Item 459 Lord Siva on Bull
“Sivan has a victory flag with a bull, flame-like bright matted braids, axe that is hard to avoid and a sapphire blue neck”.
Lord Siva is shown as we see in Siva Purana and later Tevaram and Tiruvasagam hymns.
Name Siva is not in the Rig Veda as well as 34,000 lines of Tolkappiam and Sangam literature. But He is described in other ways. Here Nakkirar says Siva rides on Bull with red coloured matted hair. The matted hair is in Yajur Veda (see Rudram Chamakam Mantras).
This shows Tamils were well versed in the Vedas and Puranas. This is confirmed by various other Sangam poets (Even Indra’s molestation of Ahalya is in Paripaatal poems).
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Item 460 Balarama
“Balarāman has a white body as white as whorled conch growing in the ocean, kills with his murderous plough and carries a palmyra palm on his flag”.
Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama were household names in Tamil Nadu. It has been there for at least 2500 years. Even today children are named after them. Film songs praise Krishna or use Him as a simile.
Here the poet described his flag with Palmyra tree emblem, his skin colour, his picture with a plough on his shoulder. During Mahabharata war, he differed with Krishna and went on a pilgrimage to the South and he spread agriculture through out India. The plough symbol mentioned by the poet confirms it.
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Item 461
“Thirumāl who is the colour of lovely, blue, washed sapphire, longs for triumph, and has a bird is on his flag which towers high into the sky”.
In the same way Lord Vishnu (Tirumaal) is portrayed with his Eagle Flag (Garuda) ; Pul means bird, but in Tamil this word is sued to mention Garuda Vahana of Vishnu). His skin colour was Bluish Black. Krishna means Black.
Black colour was very much appreciated and even most beautiful Draupadi was called Krishnaa (aa—long sound)
Tamil were thorough with all the Vishnu, Siva, Devi Puranas.
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Item 462 “Murukan who has never been defeated, glows, has a peacock on his flag and rides a peacock.”
Lord Skanda was always victorious and he was riding on a peacock. He is the most popular god among village folk in Tamil Nadu. In the Puranas he is shown as Deva Senaapati- Commander in Chief of the Divine Army.
In other poems we see Tiruchendur , one of His Six Abodes, where he became victorious after killing the demon Sura Padman (suura Padman).
The same poet has written another work called Tiru Murukaatruppadai in praise of Lord Skanda/Muruga.
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Item 463 Kings are Gods
In Tamil the same word is used for King and God (iraivan in Tamil) and for the place where they reside (Ko il in Tamil).
Here the poet explains in what way the king is like Hindu Gods (described above). Manu smriti and other Sanskrit scriptures also describe the king in this way. This is a Hindu concept; kings are gods.
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Item 464 Yavana Ships
“wearing bright bangles serve you fragrant and cool wine brought in fine ships by the Yavanas, pouring from finely made pitchers made of gold. O Māran whose sword is raised high!”
In the Sangam Tamil literature Yavanas are mentioned at least six time. They wee not Greeks but Romans. The contact between Rome and South Indian ports 2000 years ago is confirmed by the Roman coins unearthed in a lot of places in South India. Coins from Augustus Ceasar period confirmed the Age of Sangam Literature as well.
Tamil kings liked Roman wine.
Dr R Nagaswamy, world famous historian and archaeologist of Tamil Nadu, ha given full details in his book Roman Karur.
Yavana/Roman ships came to Tamil Nadu ports with gold and exchanged it with pearls, black pepper, spices, ivory, Indigo etc
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Item 465 Long Live like Sun and Moon
“May you live in this earth for long, like the sun with hot rays that drives away darkness in the sky, and like the cool moon that spreads its rays from the west!”
Hindus were great astronomers even 2000 years ago. They named famous constellations after Hindu Puranic figures. They used strs and heavenly bodies as similes. They knew Sun and Moon are eternal (in human years) and compared them with the kings or one’s life span. They used to sing this Ramayan story will be sung on earth as long as Sun and Moon exist. The inscriptions also used the cliché As long as the Sun and Moon exist. Manu Smriti and epics also use the Sun and Moon with regard to kings.
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Puranānūru 56, Poet Mathurai Kanakkāyanār Makanār Nakkeeranār sang to Pandiyan Ilavanthikaipalli Thunjiya Nanmāran
1
Sivan has a victory flag with a bull, flame-like bright matted braids, axe that is hard to avoid and a sapphire blue neck.
2
Balarāman has a white body as white as whorled conch growing in the ocean, kills with his murderous plough and carries a palmyra palm on his flag.
3 Thirumāl who is the colour of lovely, blue, washed sapphire, longs for triumph, and has a bird is on his flag which towers high into the sky.
4
Murukan who has never been defeated, glows, has a peacock on his flag and rides a peacock.
5
You are to be placed among these four gods who protect the earth and bring on destruction, whose fame cannot be ruined. With your anger that cannot be opposed, you are like Kootruvan in his killing. You are like Balarāman in might. In your great fame, you are like Thirumāl who kills enemies. You are like Murukan who has the might to create the end of time, because you finish tasks that you set out to do. There is nothing that you cannot perform, since you resemble these gods.
6
May you live sweetly, giving away precious ornaments to those who come in need and never run out of them, while you enjoy life every day as women
7 wearing bright bangles serve you fragrant and cool wine brought in fine ships by the Yavanas, pouring from finely made pitchers made of gold. O Māran whose sword is raised high!
8
May you live in this earth for long, like the sun with hot rays that drives away darkness in the sky, and like the cool moon that spreads its rays from the west!
ஏற்று வலன் உயரிய எரி மருள் அவிர் சடை, மாற்று அருங் கணிச்சி மணி மிடற்றோனும், கடல் வளர் புரி வளை புரையும் மேனி, அடல் வெந்நாஞ்சில் பனைக்கொடியோனும், மண்ணுறு திருமணி புரையும் மேனி, 5 விண் உயர் புள் கொடி விறல் வெய்யோனும், மணி மயில் உயரிய மாறா வென்றிப் பிணிமுக ஊர்தி ஒண் செய்யோனும், என ஞாலங் காக்கும் கால முன்பின், தோலா நல் இசை நால்வர் உள்ளும், 10 கூற்று ஒத்தீயே மாற்று அருஞ் சீற்றம், வலி ஒத்தீயே வாலியோனைப், புகழ் ஒத்தீயே இகழுநர் அடுநனை, முருகு ஒத்தீயே முன்னியது முடித்தலின், ஆங்கு ஆங்கு அவரவர் ஒத்தலின் யாங்கும் 15 அரியவும் உளவோ நினக்கே அதனால், இரவலர்க்கு அருங்கலம் அருகாது ஈயா யவனர் நன்கலம் தந்த தண் கமழ் தேறல் பொன் செய் புனை கலத்து ஏந்தி நாளும் ஒண்தொடி மகளிர் மடுப்ப, மகிழ் சிறந்து, 20 ஆங்கு இனிது ஒழுகுமதி ஓங்கு வாள் மாற அங்கண் விசும்பின் ஆரிருள் அகற்றும் வெங்கதிர்ச் செல்வன் போலவும், குடதிசைத் தண் கதிர் மதியம் போலவும் நின்று நிலைஇயர், உலகமோடு உடனே! 25
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Item 466 Lord Vishnu Again
“Whether they have talent or not, you give gifts to them like Thirumāl, O King Māran with fame and greatness fit for words! Let me tell you something!”
Like Nakkirar in Puram verse 56, poet Kaarik Kannanaar , also compared the king with Lord Vishnu for his generosity. All the Tamils knew the story of Kuchela/Sudama, where Krishna made his hut into a palace in a second.
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Item 467 Tamil atrocities
Tamils were ferocious and aggressive in wars. The plundered enemy lands and they set fire to big towns. Even today we hear about such atrocities in the Middle East War.
The surprising thing is Tami poets praised it!
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Item 468 Don’t cut trees
Here is an irony. The same poet supported burning cities of enemies, but he was against cutting trees. But it is ironical statement. We don’t know whether the poet was a Tree lover, an environmentalist or advising the king to occupy the land permanently and tie his war elephants there.
May be the poet was an environmental warrior and supporter of the trees.
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Item 469 Bhagavad Gita reference
Poet says,
“Whoever it is you give them ADVICE like Vishnu”.
These lines are interpreted as Krishna’s advice given to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita and to Kunti, Draupadi and others.
Whether they have talent or not, you give ADVICE to them like Thirumāl, O King Māran with fame and greatness fit for words
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Puranānūru 57, Poet Kāviripoompattinathu Kārikannanār sang to Pandiyan Ilavanthikaipalli Thunjiya Nanmāran,
1 Whether they have talent or not, you give ADVICE to them like Thirumāl, O King Māran with fame and greatness fit for words! Let me tell you something!
2
When you seize lands of others, let your young warriors plunder fields where stalks are bent with heavy grains, let fires eat large towns, and let your tall spear, bright like lightning flashes, kill enemies.
3
But do not cut down their protected trees, for they will serve as posts to tie your tall, fine elephant!
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புறநானூறு57, பாடியவர்: காவிரிப்பூம்பட்டினத்துக் காரிக்கண்ணனார், பாடப்பட்டோர்: பாண்டியன் இலவந்திகைப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சிய நன்மாறன்,
வல்லார் ஆயினும், வல்லுநர் ஆயினும், புகழ்தல் உற்றோர்க்கு மாயோன் அன்ன, உரை சால் சிறப்பின் புகழ் சால் மாற! நின்னொன்று கூறுவது உடையேன், என் எனின், நீயே பிறர் நாடு கொள்ளுங் காலை, அவர் நாட்டு 5 இறங்கு கதிர் கழனி நின் இளையரும் கவர்க, நனந்தலைப் பேரூர் எரியும் நைக்க, மின்னு நிமிர்ந்தன்ன நின் ஒளிறு இலங்கு நெடுவேல் ஒன்னார்ச் செகுப்பினும் செகுக்க, என்னதூஉம் கடிமரம் தடிதல் ஓம்பு, நின் 10 நெடுநல் யானைக்குக் கந்து ஆற்றாவே.
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Item 470
Velliampalam Silver Stage in Madurai
Poet Karikkannan (kaarikkannanaar) in verse 58 refers to Choza and Pandya kings with the places where they died. It is seen only in Tamil literature. Here Velliampalam throws more light on the history of Madurai. Chidambaram has Pon Ambalam- Golden Stage where Nataraja/ Siva danced. Madurai temple has Silver Stage where Nataraja danced. Probably Pandya king died of heart attack while he was worshipping in the temple.
Velli/ Silver Ambalam has more stories in Tiru Vilaiyadal Puranam.
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Item 471
Poet mentioned what made them great and advised them to be united. Kaveri river is great in Choza country and Pandya lost his father and he is a young ruler; but yet he supports all like Banyan roots.
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Item 472
Poet used the cliché in Tamil literature. They believed that thunder and lightning destroy snakes. That simile is used here for the destruction of his enemies.
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Item 473
Then the poet says what is special about two capitals. Choza capital Uranthai (Uraiyur near Trichy) was famous for the Justice Court there. Pandya capital Madurai was famous for Tamil Sangam.
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Item 474
Kings are compared to Lord Vishnu and Lord Balarama. This is in previous poem as well.
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Item 475
Tamil poets always supported unity among three Tamil Kingdoms. They always praised whenever two or three kings sitting together in a place or in an event. Poets knew Tamils always fought with one another.
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Item 476 Tamil Emblems
Modern Tamils are more inclined towards erecting statues for their leaders. But ancient Tamils were keen to carve their symbols on peaks, particularly the northern Himalayas. Pandya symbol Fish and Choza Symbol Tiger are referred to. We have the history of Tamils for over 1500 years. They never changed their symbols or Flags.
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Puranānūru 58, Poet Kāviripoompattinathu Kāri Kannanār sang to Chozhan Kurāpalli Thunjiya Perunthirumāvalavan and Pandiyan Velliampalathu Thunjiya Peruvazhuthi,
1
You are the ruler of Kāviri River with cool waters! He is born of great lineage of an ancient Pandiyan clan, and because his ancestors have vanished, he is the support, like a hanging root from a non-flowering banyan tree that supports a long branch that offers dense shade, after the thick trunk has died.
2
Even though he is young, he is a bull among Pandiyars with war wisdom. Like white lightning and thunder that attacks snakes and their families, he will not tolerate his enemies.
3
You are lord of Uranthai where justice resides. He is the king of Koodal where Thamizh flourishes, where he rules with his cool, just scepter and he commands three royal drums with resounding voices, in a city that gets sandalwood from the mountains, pearls from the ocean waves, and water and paddy is easily available for all.
4
You two are like the great gods – Balaraman with a palmyra flag whose skin is white as milk and Thirumal who is blue, and wields a discus, glowing together and causing terror. Is there anything sweeter?
5
Listen to more! May your fame flourish forever! If you help each other and do not ruin this unity, you will win this beneficial world that is surrounded by oceans. So, be good and fair to each other.
Paying attention to the path that your ancestors took, may your unity continue with caring hearts like it is today, while paying no attention to strangers who come between you! May your spears see victory after victory in murderous battlefields! In the lands of others, where mountains rise high,
6 may the peaks be incised with the signs of the tiger with curved stripes and of the carp from the deep waters!
***
புறநானூறு58, பாடியவர்: காவிரிப்பூம்பட்டினத்துக் காரிக்கண்ணனார், பாடப்பட்டோர்: சோழன் குராப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சிய பெருந்திருமாவளவனும் பாண்டியன் வெள்ளியம்பலத்துத் துஞ்சிய பெருவழுதியும், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: உடன்நிலை
நீயே தண் புனல் காவிரிக் கிழவனை, இவனே, முழு முதல் தொலைந்த கோளி ஆலத்துக் கொழு நிழல் நெடுஞ்சினை வீழ் பொறுத்தாங்குத், தொல்லோர் மாய்ந்தெனத் துளங்கல் செல்லாது, நல்லிசை முதுகுடி நடுக்குஅறத் தழீஇ, 5 இளையது ஆயினும் கிளை அரா எறியும் அரு நரை உருமின் பொருநரைப் பொறாஅச் செரு மாண் பஞ்சவர் ஏறே, நீயே, அறந்துஞ்சு உறந்தைப் பொருநனை, இவனே, நெல்லும் நீரும் எல்லார்க்கும் எளியவென 10 வரைய சாந்தமும் திரைய முத்தமும், இமிழ் குரல் முரசம் மூன்றுடன் ஆளும் தமிழ் கெழு கூடல் தண் கோல் வேந்தே, பால் நிற உருவின் பனைக்கொடியோனும், நீல் நிற உருவின் நேமியோனும், என்று 15 இரு பெருந்தெய்வமும் உடன் நின்றாஅங்கு, உருகெழு தோற்றமொடு உட்குவர விளங்கி, இந்நீர் ஆகலின் இனியவும் உளவோ? இன்னும் கேண்மின்! நும் இசை வாழியவே! ஒருவீர் ஒருவீர்க்கு ஆற்றுதிர், இருவீரும் 20 உடனிலை திரியீர் ஆயின், இமிழ் திரைப் பெளவம் உடுத்தஇப் பயங்கெழு மாநிலம் கையகப்படுவது பொய்யாகாதே, அதனால் நல்ல போலவும் நயவ போலவும், தொல்லோர் சென்ற நெறிய போலவும் 25 காதல் நெஞ்சின் நும் இடை புகற்கு அலமரும் ஏதில் மாக்கள் பொதுமொழி கொள்ளாது, இன்றே போல்க நும் புணர்ச்சி வென்று வென்று அடு களத்து உயர்க நும் வேலே, கொடுவரிக் கோள் மாக் குயின்ற சேண் விளங்கு தொடு பொறி 30 நெடுநீர்க் கெண்டையொடு பொறித்த குடுமிய ஆக, பிறர் குன்று கெழு நாடே.
-subham—
Tags- – Purananuru Wonders -21, Full-fledged Hinduism , Tamil Sangam Literature, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 61, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 61, Hindu flags, Hindu Vahanas, Hindu Gods,
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 -20 Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 60; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 60
***
Item 450 Notable similes
Two similes are notable in Puram verse 54.
“He gives to everybody who comes to him, without limits and without stopping, shaming the generosity of clouds”,
King’s generosity is compared to rainy clouds. This is a common simile in Tamil and Sanskrit. The meaning is that both did not expect anything in return.
Another simile is
“are like a whistling goat herder who wears soiled clothes and a dirty garland, who is unable to go near a vast place where a tiger lives, with his goats with small heads”
Enemy kings are like small headed goats; our king Kothai is like a tiger.
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Item 451 Whistling
Another interesting thing about the cowherd or goatherd. When the day comes to an end they whistle to bring back all the goats into the shed. They use the dogs to round up the goats and sheep to drive them back into the shed. Even Scottish shepherds whistle to do this. It is strange that all over the world they whistle using their mouth to do this.
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Item 452 Appearance
The description of the goat herd or shepherd is notable. In other poems in the Sangam literature, they add the word Kallaa- uneducated, illiterate–.to cowherders. Even Andal in Tiruppavai repeated that. So we know they never go to school for basic education; there may be one or two exceptions. Here the poet says,
“like a whistling goat herder who wears soiled clothes and a dirty garland”.
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Item 453 No Visa Entry
In the ancient India, poets and saints did not have any restriction or hurdle in entering a palace or an assembly. They never needed a visa to enter another country or territory. This can be seen in all the Puranas. They simply inform the gatekeeper and immediately the king comes to the gate to receive them or give them immediate audience. Here also the bard or the poet makes it clear.
****
Puranānūru 54, Poet Kōnāttu Erichalūr Mādalan Mathurai Kumaranār sang for Cheraman Kuttuvan Kōthai,
In the ancient, uproarious town where my king is, those like me can enter his great day assembly with our heads held high! It is easy for those like me to approach him. Not just that. He gives to everybody who comes to him, without limits and without stopping, shaming the generosity of clouds, Kōthai with charitable hands and fast horses.
The mighty kings who have risen up against our lord with great strength, are like a whistling goat herder who wears soiled clothes and a dirty garland, who is unable to go near a vast place where a tiger lives, with his goats with small heads. His country is not approachable by enemy kings.
Notes: This is the only poem written for this king. He was a contemporary of Chozhan Ilavanthikai Palli Thunjiya Nalankilli and Chozhan Kurāpalli Thunjiya Perunthirumāvalavan. This poet wrote Puranānūru poems 54, 61, 167, 180, 197 and 394.
எங்கோன் இருந்த கம்பலை மூதூர் உடையோர் போல இடையின்று குறுகிச், செம்மல் நாள் அவை அண்ணாந்து புகுதல் எம்மன வாழ்க்கை இரவலர்க்கு எளிதே, இரவலர்க்கு எண்மை அல்லது புரவு எதிர்ந்து, 5
2
வானம் நாண, வரையாது சென்றோர்க்கு ஆனாது ஈயும் கவிகை வண்மைக் கடுமான் கோதை துப்பு எதிர்ந்து எழுந்த நெடுமொழி மன்னர் நினைக்குங் காலைப்,
4 சிறுதலை ஆயமொடு குறுகல் செல்லாப் புலி துஞ்சு வியன் புலத்து அற்றே, வலி துஞ்சு தடக்கை அவனுடை நாடே.
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Item 454
“O Māran donning a flower garland! You are like the god with a blue throat, a glowing eye, and a crescent moon on his head, who used the soaring mountain as a large bow, and a snake as a string, and with one arrow ruined three forts and brought victory to the celestials”.
Lord Shiva destroyed three hanging castles in the sky occupied by three demons. This anecdote is in the ancient Puranas and all the devotional songs sung by Saivite as well as Vaishnavite saints, Naayanmaars and Aalvaars.
Though Sangam literature mentioned Lord Shiva in many other places, this specific story is more important ; many Puranic stories reached common man in Tamil Nadu 2000 years ago!
Let us look at the story/anecdote:
Story of Tripurantaka murti- Tripuraantaka—is connected to puranas. Siva killed three demons and reduced their magic cities to ashes. During this campaign the earth served Siva as a chariot and the sun and the moon as wheels. The four Vedas were the four horses and the Upanishads were the guiding reins; the mythic golden mountain Meru was the bow, the ocean was the quiver and god Vishnu was the arrow.
Images of Tripurantaka were made with right leg firmly placed on the pedestal and the left leg bent. The right forehand is in the simha karna posture holds the arrow and the left fore arm, the bow. The other hands hold the tanka or axe and the deer respectively. His locks are arranged in the form of a jatamakuta and the goddess Gauri stands on the left side.
In the chariot, at its front, is seated the four faced brahma and below him is a white bull.
The Demons: Tarakasura’s sons—Taarakaksha, Kamalaksha, and Vidyumaali—performed severe penance to Lord Brahma to gain immense power.
The Three Cities (Tripura): Brahma granted them three invincible, flying cities that could only be destroyed by a single arrow when they aligned, which happened once in a thousand years. The Asuras had three cities: the lowest was of iron, then there was one of silver, then one of gold
Symbolism: Shiva destroyed the cities with a single, flaming arrow. The story symbolizes Shiva’s role in destroying the three inner impurities—ignorance, ego, and negativity.
Shiva is often depicted as the “laughing” destroyer (Tripurantaka), holding a bow, and sometimes, in some versions, the cities were destroyed by a mere smile.
My interpretation
Hindus thought of creating even space stations thousands of years before the modern space stations of Russia and America. Moreover Siva must have burnt them in a second with his laser sword. And the metals used to build them are also important. If one has to burn them one needs immense heat that can be generated with lasers. Siva did this by lauging is recited throughout Tevaram songs.
Tripura Antaka Statues are in famous temples like Madurai and Chidambaram. An image of tripurantaka murti in the thousand pillared hall of Madurai temple shows an actual figure of Vishnu on the arrow held by Siva.
This is seen in many archaeological monuments too
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Item 455 Four fold Army
you own an army with these four divisions – murderous elephants with fierce rage, proud swift horses, tall chariots with rising flags, and foot soldiers with
Hindus invented the board game Chess and spread it throughout the world. We see the four- fold army there. It is in all our epics, inscriptions, Kalidas and other Sanskrit books. Being Pukka Hindu rulers, Tamils followed the same Six Seasons, Same Fourfold army, same Spy and Duta/ambassador system. (In my old articles I have given the relevant quotes)
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Item 456 Sun and Moon
Sun and Moon are compared with the qualities of a king in Raghuvamsam of Kalidasa and Manu smriti. Er see it here in the poem.
with bravery and manliness like the sun, coolness and tenderness like the moon and charity like the sky,
Raghuvamsam of Kalidasa – 4-12 and many more poems.
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Item 457 Sand particles, rain drops
Greatness! May your life be long with more days than the number of sands
King is greeted to have long life and the years in his life span are compared to the number of raindrops or sand particles on a beach. This is repeated by many Sangam poets.
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Item 457 Lord Muruga/ Skanda in Tiruchendur
roll from the deep waters in Senthil where Murukan rules!
Lord Skanda/ Kartikeya (Murugan in Tamil) is the subject of another Sangam book Tirumurukatruppadai. Lord Muruga is worshipped by millions of Hindus even today in his Six Abodes known as Aru Padai Veedukal. Tiruchendur on the eastern sea shore is one of the six abodes and the poet Maruthan Ilanaakan refers to it .
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Puranānūru 55, Poet Mathurai Maruthan Ilanākanār sang to Pandiyan Ilavanthikaipalli Thunjiya Nanmāran
1 O Māran donning a flower garland! You are like the god with a blue throat, a glowing eye, and a crescent moon on his head, who used the soaring mountain as a large bow, and a snake as a string, and with one arrow ruined three forts and brought victory to the celestials.
2
You are superior to all the other kings!
Even though you own an army with these four divisions – murderous elephants with fierce rage, proud swift horses, tall chariots with rising flags, and foot soldiers with strength in their hearts and desire for battles, esteemed righteousness is the foremost cause for real victory. So, not thinking that they are ‘ours’ and being unjust to favor them, and not hurting others because they are ‘not ours’, 3
with bravery and manliness like the sun, coolness and tenderness like the moon and charity like the sky, possessing these three great virtues, may you live a long life, so that there will not be people in need without anything!
4
Greatness! May your life be long with more days than the number of sands brought and heaped by powerful winds, with deep scars, on the lovely vast shores of the ocean where white-crested waves
5 roll from the deep waters in Senthil where Murukan rules!
***
புறநானூறு 55, பாடியவர்: மதுரை மருதன் இளநாகனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் இலவந்திகைப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சிய நன்மாறன்,
1 ஓங்கு மலைப் பெருவில் பாம்புஞாண் கொளீஇ, ஒரு கணை கொண்டு மூவெயில் உடற்றிப் பெரு விறல் அமரர்க்கு வெற்றி தந்த கறை மிடற்று அண்ணல் காமர் சென்னிப் பிறை நுதல் விளங்கும் ஒருகண் போல, 5 வேந்து மேம்பட்ட பூந்தார் மாற!
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.”
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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.
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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
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 -17, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 57; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 57
SAKUNA/OMENS AND SANSKRIT WORDS IN PURANANURU VERSE 41
(Vaidehi Herbert’s English Translation of Purananuru is used by me; thanks)
***
Item 416 Sanskrit words in Puram 41
Poet Kovur Kizar used lot of materials from Sanskrit books. In Puram 41 we see a number of Sanskrit words.
Kaala- Time; used in all Sangam works and Tirukkural
Kaalan- Yama, God of Death
Brahmins salute the Vedic Gods, Planets and Directions thrice a day in the Sandhyavandana. When they salute Yama, God of Death Facing South, they recite all the names of God of Death; and one of them is Kaala.
Disai=Dik= Direction
English word Direction and Tamil word Disaiare from Sanskrit Dik, Disaa.
Emam – Kshemam
Urkam- Ulka in Vedas
The most common Sanskrit word for meteor is ulkā (उल्का), which typically denotes a meteor, firebrand, or fiery appearance. It refers to shooting stars, often appearing in literature from the Rigveda onwards.
***
Item 417 Sakuna/Omens
Tamil commentators on Puram 41, list the omens without telling the readers that they are Bad Omens. Because Tamils already knew about bad omens and they follow this science in their life, commentators leave it without explaining.
Brhat Samhita of Varahamihira has one full chapter on Omens (Chapter 86)
Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata have lot of references to Omens.
Many of the things mentioned here are already in the epics.
shooting stars falling in all the eight directions, long branches of huge trees parched without any leaves, sun with its scorching rays burning, bird calls heard as terrifying sounds, teeth falling on the ground, pouring oil on hair, men riding on boars, people removing their clothes and silver hued mighty weapons falling from an overturned cot.
***
Puranānūru 41, Kōvūr Kizhār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan
1
O king who triumphs in battles! Even Kootruvan, the god of death, will wait for the due time. You do not wait, but kill, when you want, destroying fine men owing armies with many spears!
2
You invade the lands of enemies causing distress. In dreams and in reality, men see sights that are rare: shooting stars falling in all the eight directions, long branches of huge trees parched without any leaves, sun with its scorching rays burning, bird calls heard as terrifying sounds, teeth falling on the ground, pouring oil on hair, men riding on boars, people removing their clothes and silver hued mighty weapons falling from an overturned cot.
3
O King who is mighty in battles! You advance like fire combined with wind. When they see you, your enemies who enraged you, who do not have KSHEMAM/EMAM/protection, kiss the flower-like eyes of their children, and hide their sorrow from their wives!
Madurai Nayak Kings received it from Goddess Meenakshi and the ceremony is repeated every year even today in a symbolic ceremony.
Kerala King submit it in the temple of Padmanabha Swamy in Thiruvanathapuram, when they go out of the country with a request to the God to take care of it till he comes back.
There are many instances like this in Hindu History.
Recently Indian Parliament had such a ceremony.
***
Item 420 Good Simile
The king protects his people like a tiger protects its cubs.
Item 421
Tamils’ Hospitality and Tamil Food
In the following lines Tamil food and drink that is served to guests are explained
Your citizens are hospitable to their relatives from arid lands, and give them vālai fish that rice reapers remove from the lower sluices, tortoises overturned by the plow blades of those who plow, sweet juice that harvesters take from sugarcanes, and waterlilies plucked by women on the huge shores. Like the rivers
***
Item 422 Vedic Simile
Like the rivers that descend from the mountains, run on the land, and flow toward the ocean, all the poets come to you
The poet has translated a famous Sansskrit saying which Brahmins recite thrice a day in their Sandhayavandana. Moreover this simile is used in umpteen places in Sanskrit books. Hindus are very familiar with geography.
The phrase “Akashat patitam toyam, yatha gacchati sagaram, sarva deva namaskaram, Keshavam prati gacchati” means that just as rain water from the sky flows towards the sea, worship offered to any deity reaches Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Akl the T sounds are change into S sound in Tamil and English.
TION in English is pronounced as SION in English.
In Tamil Visham= Vitam; Basha= Paadai etc.
So Tamil is not a Dravidian language
Tamil and Sanskrit have come from the same root.
So Tamil and Sanskrit are Hindu /Indian languages; neither Aryan nor Dravidian.
***
Puranānūru 42, Poet Idaikkādanār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan,
1
You are endless in charity and a leader of murderous battles! Lord, your elephants appear like mountains! Your army roars like the ocean! Your spears gleam like lightning! You have the ability to make the kings of the world tremble! What you do is never wrong and this is not new to you!
2 With your righteousness and faultless scepter, you afford protection
3 as a tiger protects its cub, and your citizens listen only to the sounds of cool water even in dreams, and not those of warriors in your battlefields crying, “May you live long, Valavan! Remove our sorrows!”
4
You are the ruler of a fine and greatly prosperous country with rich towns with fields. Your citizens are hospitable to their relatives from arid lands, and give them vālai fish that rice reapers remove from the lower sluices, tortoises overturned by the plow blades of those who plow, sweet juice that harvesters take from sugarcanes, and waterlilies plucked by women on the huge shores.
5
Like the rivers that descend from the mountains, run on the land, and flow toward the ocean, all the poets come to you. When you glance at the countries of the two other kings, you are like Kootruvan with great might who is enraged, as he whirls his axe, for which there just suffering and no cure!
***
புறநானூறு42, பாடியவர்: இடைக்காடனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத்துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
ஆனா ஈகை அடு போர் அண்ணல்! நின் யானையும் மலையின் தோன்றும் பெரும! நின் தானையும் கடலென முழங்கும், கூர் நுனை வேலும் மின்னின் விளங்கும், உலகத்து அரைசு தலை பனிக்கும் ஆற்றலை ஆதலின், 5 புரை தீர்ந்தன்று, அது புதுவதோ அன்றே, தண் புனல் பூசல் அல்லது நொந்து, களைக வாழி வளவ என்று நின் முனைதரு பூசல் கனவினும் அறியாது, புலி புறங்காக்கும் குருளை போல 10 மெலிவு இல் செங்கோல் நீ புறங்காப்பப், பெருவிறல் யாணர்த்து ஆகி அரிநர் கீழ் மடைக் கொண்ட வாளையும், உழவர் படை மிளிர்ந்திட்ட யாமையும், அறைநர் கரும்பிற் கொண்ட தேனும், பெருந்துறை 15 நீர்தரு மகளிர் குற்ற குவளையும், வன்புலக் கேளிர்க்கு வருவிருந்து அயரும் மென்புல வைப்பின் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருந! மலையின் இழிந்து மாக் கடல் நோக்கி நிலவரை இழிதரும் பல் யாறு போலப் 20 புலவரெல்லாம் நின் நோக்கினரே, நீயே மருந்து இல் கணிச்சி வருந்த வட்டித்துக் கூற்று வெகுண்டன்ன முன்பொடு, மாற்று இரு வேந்தர் மண் நோக்கினையே.
***
Item 424 Narasimha in Puranauru
Puram verse 43 is composed by Poet Narasimha!
Thāmarpal Kannanār is Tamil Translation of Narasimha.
The reason for my interpretation is the subject he is dealing with- Vaalakilya Rishis
Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi Tanno Narasimhah
Meaning:
Om: The sound of the universe.
Vajranakhaya Vidmahe: “Let me contemplate on the Man-lion form of the Lord who has nails as strong as the Vajra (thunderbolt)”.
Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi: “Let me meditate on the one who has sharp teeth (which pierce the veil of ignorance)”.
Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat: “May that Lion god (Narasimha) be pleased to illuminate my intellect/mind and guide me”.
****
Item 425
Sibi Chakravarthy (Dove and Hawk) is story is repeated by this poet as well. Chozas came from Northwest of India. They are not Tamils.
Those who argue they ruled that part of India from Tamil Nadu have no historical or literary proof. Tamils didn’t even know Indus river.
***
Item 426 No one hurts Brahmins
Poet and the king were playing Chess. The king threw a coin on the poet. The poet became angry and said I doubt your birth (meaning you are a low born fellow). The king could have chopped poets head immediately. But he did not do it and felt ashamed about his behaviour. Immediately the poet praised him for not cutting off his head.
Here we know homw much respect Brahmins had in those days. It also shows the patience of the king
***
Item 427
The Poets praise
May your life be splendid for more days than the number of sands heaped in the dunes by River Kāviri with sweet abundant waters!
Is in Tamil and Sanskrit books. Poets wish someone’s life should be like the number of stars in the sky or the number of sand particles on the shore or the number of rain drops
Item 428 MOST IMPORTANT REFERENCE TO VALKHILYA RISHIS
to the amazement of sages with glowing hair who live with air as food and roam around absorbing the heat of the scorching rays of the sun, to end the sorrow of those who live on the land!
I have already written the following on Sec.31 ,2011 on the Munis:
Valakhilyas: 60,000 thumb-sized ascetics who protect Humanity
Jonathan Swift has taken the idea of Lilliputians for his novel Gulliver’s Travels from Valakhilyas!!
Valakhilyas are thumb sized ascetics accompanying the sun in its everyday travel in the sky. They are protecting the humanity by taking all the extra heat and act like the ozone layer. They are 60,000 in number they are shining like brilliant lights because of their severe penance. They used to hang upside down in the trees while doing penance—these are some of the interesting facts that are found in the Vedas, the epics and the mythologies. Tamil literature adds more details about these strange kinds of ascetics.
Valakhilya hymns, eleven in number, are the appendix of the eighth Mandala of the Rig Veda. But famous commentators like Sayana rejected them as interpolations. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata have a lot of references to the Valakhilya Rishis. They may be considered the forerunners of English folklore: ‘Tom Thumb’ and the Lilliputians of the famous satirical novel Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. English newspapers and magazines were publishing a lot of stories about India in the 1700s.
Ancient Sangam Tamil literature refers to Valakhilyas in Puranaanuru (verse 43), Tirumurugatrup patai (lines 16-109), post Sangam book Silappadikaram (Vettuvavari 15) and in the poems of middle age poet Arunagirinathar.
Valakhilyas were born to Kratu and Kriya. Once Kasyapa did a Yagna (fire sacrifice) to beget children. He invited all the Devas and Rishis to help him in the task. Everybody readily agreed. Mighty Indra, the King of Heaven, brought wood for the ceremony. Valakhilyas were emaciated due to severe penance. They were hardly able to lift anything but leaves. Even when they were moving leaves like ants, they fell into rainwater puddles, because they were so tiny. It amused Indra and he laughed loudly. Valakhilyas were very much offended. They made a vow to do a separate yagna to create another Indra. When Indra listened to their vows, he was afraid and ran to Kasyapa to explain what had happened.
Kasyapa lent a patient ear, but warned that he could not stop the powerful Valakhilyas. But he gave an assurance to Indra that he would find a compromise. When he met Valakhilyas he requested them to drop the yagna to create a new Indra. He also assured them that whoever they create will be the Indra of the birds and Valakhilyas agreed to this new plan.
After the yagna Valakhilya’s prasad (food offering) was given to Vinata, one of the two wives of Kasyapa. She gave birth to two children Aruna and the most powerful golden-hued eagle, Garuda. Long after this Garuda flew to Indraloka to get Amrita and defeated Indra. The Second wife of Kasyapa Kadru gave birth to the Nagas or the Snake race. Garuda on his way back sat on the tree where Valakhilyas were doing penance. The tree broke into many branches, but Garuda lifted all the ascetics with the branch and put them in a safe place.
The Rig Veda says that they sprang from the hairs of Prajapati Brahma. They are the guards of the Chariot of the Sun. They are also called the Kharwas. The Vishnu Purana describes them as pious, chaste and resplendent as the rays of the sun.
Tamil literature is very clear in saying that the main task of the short and smart ascetics is to prevent human beings from being scorched. So they absorb the excess heat from the sun by travelling in front of him. Tamil books also add they were in turn given energy by Lord Skanda and Goddess Durga. Even the hunters in the forest pray to Durga for this. Another Tamil poet compares the sacrifice of the Valakhilyas to the sacrifice of the Emperor Sibi who gave his flesh to an eagle to save a pigeon. The famous story of Sibi was referred to in four Sangam Tamil books. Sibi was praised as the forefather of the famous and powerful Tamil Chola dynasty. The food of Valakhilyas is only wind.
Another story in the Hindu mythology is that the sun has to fight a set of demons called Mandokarunar on a day-to-day basis for survival. Valakhilyas stand beside the Sun in battle. We don’t know whether there is scientific basis for this story. Mandokarunar maybe a reference to the dangers of solar flares or magnetic storms. In any case, it is crystal clear that the Valakhilyas act as the ozone layer to protect us from harmful ultraviolet rays. Too much ultraviolet rays will cause us skin cancer and other health problems.
We must be grateful to the authors of the Vedas, Puranas, Epics and Tamil commentators Nachinarkiniyar and Adiarrku Nallar for creating awareness about the dangers of ultra violet radiation. In western countries people are warned to use special creams whenever they sunbathe.
***
Puranānūru 43, Poet Thāmarpal Kannanār sang for Māvalathān, the younger brother of Chozhan Nalankilli,
1
O heir of a powerful man with endless generosity who saved a dove with small strides that came to him for protection, afraid that it might be killed by a kite with curved wings and sharp claws, and entered a scale,
2
to the amazement of sages with glowing hair who live with air as food and roam around absorbing the heat of the scorching rays of the sun, to end the sorrow of those who live on the land!
3
O younger brother of Killivalavan with chariots and great wealth! O Lord of warriors with long arrows and curved bows! O leader with strong hands and swift horses! I said this making you hate me,
4 “I have doubts about your ancestry. Your ancestors who wore mountain ebony garlands did not hurt Brahmins. How can you?” I had wronged you and was mistaken, but you did not take offense. You were very embarrassed as if the fault was entirely yours.
5
O Lord who tolerates mistakes of those who have hurt you! O Lord who has admirable strength worthy of your clan! I survived because of you!
6 May your life be splendid for more days than the number of sands heaped in the dunes by River Kāviri with sweet abundant waters!
***
புறநானூறு43, பாடியவர்: தாமற்பல் கண்ணனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளி தம்பி மாவளத்தான், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
1
நில மிசை வாழ்நர் அலமரல் தீரத், தெறு கதிர்க் கனலி வெம்மை தாங்கிக், கால் உணவாகச் சுடரொடு கொட்கும், அவிர் சடை முனிவரும் மருளக்,
பார்ப்பார் நோவன செய்யலர் – they did not hurt Brahmins, றக்க நின் ஆயுள் மிக்கு வரும் இன்னீர்க் காவிரி எக்கர் இட்ட மணலினும் பலவே – may your life flourish for more days than the sands brought and heaped by Kāviri with sweet waters .
-Subham—
Tags- Purananuru Wonders -17, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 57, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 57, Sakuna, Omens, Valakhilya muni, Hurting Brahmins, Item 428
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.
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.
வாடாவஞ்சி 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?
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;
பாண்டியநாடு (முத்துடைத்து): Pandya country is famous for pearls;
சேரநாடு (வேழமுடைத்து): Chera country is famous for elephants;
தொண்டைநாடு (சான்றோருடைத்து):Thondai country is famous for Scholars
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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!
நீயே பிறர் ஓம்புறு மறமன் எயில் ஓம்பாது கடந்து அட்டு, அவர் முடிபுனைந்தபசும்பொன்னின் அடிபொலியக்கழல்தைஇய வல்லாளனை, வய வேந்தே! 5 யாமே நின் இகழ் பாடுவோர் எருத்து அடங்கப், புகழ் பாடுவோர் பொலிவு தோன்ற, இன்று கண்டாங்குக் காண்குவம், என்றும் இன் சொல் எண் பதத்தை ஆகுமதி பெரும! ஒருபிடிபடியுஞ்சீறிடம் 10 எழுகளிறுபுரக்கும்நாடுகிழவோயே!
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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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).
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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.
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Amavasyai-17; Purnima-2; Ekaadasi Fasting Days 13,27
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Muhurta/ Auspiscious Days
April 20, 23, 30;
(also 6, 12, 13, 16)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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April 4 Saturday
The Vedas indeed constitute the apex of our law books.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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April 10 Friday
The second is, to ensure after our death we will live happily in the world of the celestials.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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April 22 Wednesday
In the Puranas the Vedic truths are illustrated in the form of stories.
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April 23 Thursday
We speak of three worlds: Deva loka/ world of celestials, Manushyaloka (world of ours) and Naraka (hell)
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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