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this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
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Hanuman , monkey faced God is a great devotee of Rama , one of the ten Avatars/ incarnation of Vishnu. He is a popular god throughout India, particularly in the north. Almost all villages have a shrine for hanuman also known as Anjaneya .
He is the son of wind god Vayu and Anjana and so called Maruti , Vayu putra and Anjaneya ; and being the messenger of Lord Rama , he is also known as Rama duta.
Valmiki in Sanskrit and Kamban in Tamil describe his adventures and heroic acts in three cantos from Kishkinda Kaanda to Yuddha kaanda of Ramayana.
Valmiki illustrated him as a person with two hands folded together and raised above head. This means I bow and worship you from head to foot, Sirasaa namaami .
***
Hanu means jaw and his jaw was deformed in an incident and so he is called Hanuman
There are two scientific explanations,
The vaanara – vana + nara= Vaanara= forest men shows that they deformed their jaw as a custom ; this type of body or mouth or ear alteration is seen around the world in certain tribes.
Second explanation is they wore monkey emblem or monkey masks. He is shown as a normal man when he met Rama and Lakshmana for the first time. More over Ramayana has bear people,eagle people as well showing more totem symbols. In paintings they were shown with animal face just to explain it to common people.
Even Sangam Tamil literature describes a painting in Tirupparankundram where Indra is shown as a cat in the Ahalya episode. It is written 2000 years ago.
When Hanuman saw his master Rama and his brother Lakshmana faint with fatigue on the battle field of Lanka, he flew in an amazingly short time to the Himalaya. He uprooted the whole hill with rare herbs that have power to raise a dead man to life and returned to Lanka to revive Rama and Lakshmana and with them also thousands of monkeys.
His heroism, strength and devotion are always admired, and these characteristics are shown in his statues and idols. Kings erected hanuman shrines at the gates of their forts to infuse into the hearts of their fighting men the spirit of heroism.
Sometimes he is represented with hands showing the Abhaya and Varadha postures. He is Brahmachari
Hanuman in Ramayana had super human powers. He was able to fly with tremendous speed. He jumped from India to Ceylon/ Sri Lanka in one bound; he tore up trees, carried away big rocks, even hills and performed many other wonderful tasks.
He tackled all hurdles on the way to Lanka in different ways; this served as a management lesson in solving problems.
In one of his fights with the rakshasas /demons they greased his tail and set it on fire, but to their own destruction, for with it Hanuman burnt down their capital city.
Along with his army of monkeys, he built a bridge to Lanka so that his army could march towards Lanka. He killed several demons in the battle.
When he met Rama in Kishkinda he made Rama and Sugriva, King of Kishkinda to sign a friendship treaty. As a result of which, Vali, sugriva’s brother was killed by Rama.
After Rama killed Ravana, demon king of Lanka, Hanuman accompanied Rama and Sita to Ayodhya and there he received from him the reward of perpetual youth and life. So he is one of the SEVEN CHIRANJEEVIS, never dying seven. This means his service will be remembered for generations.
Hanuman was well versed in grammar according to Valmiki and Kamban
Tulsidas attributes great powers like Ashtama Siddhis (Eight Types of Superhuman powers) to Anjaneya in his Hanuman chaalisaa. Millions of Hindus recite it every day
to be continued……………….
Hinduism through 500 Pictures, in Tamil and English, படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-6, Part Six, Hanuman, Anjaneya
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
Village Gods and Goddesses are found all over India. There are three types of village Gods and Goddesses:
1.Gods and Goddesses of Vedic Origin
2.Local Heroes and Heroines with Memorial Stones
3.Persons who self- sacrificed in Sati and Navakandam.
Since it is a vast subject we will look at Village Gods and Goddesses only. All such Gods and Goddesses have Sanskrit names such as Sastha/Ayyanar, Rakkaayee/Vedic Goddess Raka, Kaththaayee/ Kathyayani, Makamaayee /Mahaa Maayaa., Mookkaayee/Mukambhika etc
Kanchi Paramacharya (1894-1994) dispelled the wrong notion that these Gods are of local origin.
The only difference from the big temples and the shelter less, open spaced Village gods is that they are maintained by Non Brahmins. Moreover, they don’t have daily pujas or rituals. During summertime they are celebrated on a grand scale. Lot of Brahmin families hold such Gods and Goddesses as their family deities. Every year, particularly during weddings, birth of new babies they go there and give offerings.
Another difference is offering flesh and wine. This is also over blown by half baked foreigners and Dravidians. They offer meat, fish and wine because they consume it every day. Even Cigarettes, Cigars and Beedies were offered to the village Gods for the same reason.
Sati Stones (Following Parvati’s self -sacrifice in to her father’s Yaga Kundam chaste women also do that; Sati means Parvati), Nava Kandam (Cutting his own body into nine different parts as in Mahabharata) memorials are found all over India. Because Muslim invaders destroyed them in the North, we see a smaller number of monuments in North India. Unfortunately, this topic has not been dealt with on Pan Indian basis.
Kanchi Paramacharya mentioned this type of worship in his lectures. Dr R Nagaswamy, world famous archaeologist and historian, has contributed much on this topic. Local villagers raise a memorial for a hero and in course of time, it became temples. In and around Madurai we see such temples.
(author who lived in Madurai visited Peacchi Amman, Chellath Amman, Sittuk Kuruvi Kali Aaththaa temples very often in Madurai. Just before entering Meenakshi temple used to worship Muniswaran in the northern entrance, and Madurai Veeran in the Eastern entrance. He used to go to Mari Amman temple with his mother outside the town and offer silver replicas of Body parts to avoid small pox. His mother used to offer Maa Vilakku/ lighted wicks in the midst of sweet flour. This is to show that Brahmin families worship village Goddesses. Every year during summer, street aster street celebrate their Goddesses and march to Vaigai River to dissolve/immerse the Goddesses they made with clay. Very big crowd with all the music and dance march to the river bank)
Even big temples have village Gods at the entrance or in front of them. Mostly they are outside villages or towns are in the border of a town.
Each festival of such Gods has different customs. Fire Walking is one of them; offering hair, making Gruel or Sweet Pongal for distribution, taking the clay model of goddesses in procession, making temporary Urchava Murtis with clay and paint, immersion on the third day of festival, carrying Umbrellas (Kudai Eduththal) men dressing themselves like females, wearing only neem leaves to hide their private parts etc are found throughout Tamil Nadu.
Dr Nagaswamy has written one article about the references in Raurava Agama about erecting memorials for the departed heroes or saints. Brahmins used to bury the stones under the earth in their gardens.
Orthodox Hindus bury the dead saints and erect Tulsi Plant Brindhavanams for Vaishnavie saints , Adhistanam with Lingas for Saivite saints. Such Samadhis are seen from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
After Gajabhahu visited the erection of Patni Goddess Stone for Kannaki in Kerala around 132 CE, Patni cult spread all over Ceylon/Sri Lanka. This shows creation of new gods in Hinduism.
Now Samadis of Shirdi Baba, Sathya Sai Baba, Ragavendra, Ma Ananda mayi, Dhargas of Muslim saints, Gurudwaras of departed Sikh Gurus, Maharashtra Hindu sains, Samadhis of great composers are visied by millions. They are all considered Gods and regular pujas are offered. This is to show that hero worship is not new to Hindus.
Renula Devi, Draupati temples are in several places.
Not only villages, even cities have their Goddesses according to Valmiki Ramayana, Silappadikaaram, Manimekali and several other Hindu books.
Greatest of the ancient Tamil poets, Tiru Valluvar justified it in his Kural couplet:
Making bangles, making pounded rice (pohaa),Salt making, Salt selling, Boiling rice for making parboiled rice, Spying work?, Chasing elephants with Sling shots,
Protecting crops from birds and animals, harvesting, cross border attacks to steal cows, recovering stolen cows (this is how ancient Hindus indicate battle readiness; it is in Mahabharata as well), diving for pearls, diving for rare conches called Valampuri Sangu, Fishing, drying fish, selling fish, catching elephant calf etc
தொழில்கள்
அரத்தால் வலைபோழ்தல் , அவள் இடித்தல், உப்பு விற்றால், ஊன்புழுக்கையர்த்தல், ஒற்றுச் செல்லுதல் கவண் கல்லால் யானையை எறிதல், கொழுப்பானவெறிதல், சாத்தெறிதல், சேக் கொள்ளத் தண்ணுமை கொட்டல், தினை காவல் செய்தல், தினை அறுத்தல், நிரை கவர்தல், மீட்டல் , நெல் அரியுணர் தண்ணுமை கொட்டல் மீன் உவத்தல், மீன் விற்றால், முத்துக் குளித்தல், முதைப்புனஞ் சுடுதல், யானைக்கன்றைப் பிடித்தல், வலம்புரி மூழ்குதல்
***
104
Famous assemblies or Judicial Courts
Uranthai Sabha, Kalloor Sabha.
சபைகள்/ அவைகள்
உறந்தை அவை, கள்ளூர் அவை
Some interesting tit bits
In Sangam literature we see B=V
Sabha in Rig Veda changed to Avai because in Tamil , initial letter SA is banned by Tolkappiam.
So, Tamils dropped SA and inserted vowel A+vai/bai
Thi schange is seen in Avestan language which is extinct now.
The Rig Vedic ASVA is changed to ASPA (V=P) in Avestan. We see it in all words in Bengal nowadays. Vangam is pronounced as Bengal. Vandematarm= Bandemataram
No linguist has explained this change linking Tamil, Avestan and Sanskrit.
Now the question is who directed them to change V=B or B=V.
This is a Vedic rule; Paninian rule followed all over the world. It is seen even in Inca culture and Melanesian (Pacific Ocean Islands) languages.
Unless one studies Sanskrit, no one can understand linguistics. I have already shown how letter “J” migrated from India. If we study the route of J around the world one will understand Yaaz= Jazz, Yazpaanam= Jaffna, Yesu=Jesus, Yusuf= Joseph, Yuudha= Jew. Hindus spread the culture and language around the world. Oxford and Cambridge Linguists give ridiculous reasons for this J=Y change, because they don’t know this change is in Sangam Tamil Literature.
புறநானூற்றுப் புலவர் முடி/ நாக/ ராயர் = முடி/ நாக/ ரா ஜர் (ய= ஜ) Poet name is MR NAGARAJAN.
Oldest Tamil poet in Purananuru is MUDI NAAGA RAAYAR; his real name is Mudi NaagaraaJAr. So the J = Y change is seen even in Sangam Tamil Literature. Regal= Royal are derived from Sanskrit RAJA (J=Y). that is why they say Raja= Roya/l. in my previous research paper, I have given examples from more languages.
Those who don’t know Tamil and Sanskrit can’t be linguists!
J sound is found only in ancient Sanskrit; not even in Greek; Jason of Homer is actually Esan (Shiva’s name)
To be continued……………..
Tags- Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 16, One Thousand Interesting Facts, Part 16, Akananuru wonders
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
Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English – படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-2 (Post.15,050)
Before moving to Skanda/Muruga, I wanted to add few more points about Lord Ganesh
Ganesh with his mount Rat
Sometimes Ganesa is said to have two wives, even though he is a bachelor/Brahmachari
The two wives are not women but symbols of Siddhi/Success and Buddhi /Wisdom.
Like Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva, Ganesh also has three eyes. Third Eye means Wisdom.
Vinayaka means one who has none above him. That means he is the Head.
Every Hindu God has weapons. This is to control evil forces or kill evil tendencies in us.
There are a few interesting stories.
Why does he have elephant face?
Once he was asked to guard the entrance of the building where his mother was taking a bath. When shiva came, Ganesa stopped him following Mother’s instruction. Enraged Siva cut off his head in anger. When Parvati felt sad, he found the nearest animal elephant and cut its head and fixed it on Ganesa. There is something more to this incident. His elephant trunk reminds Hindus their great symbol Aum. Another name for Om or Aum is Pranava. Great Saints called Ganesa- Pranava swarupa.
3.Why does he have Four Hands?
God is above all of us. We have only two hands. But with his four Helping Hands, he is quick to render help. There is an interesting story in Tamil books. When three people wanted to see Lord shiva in his abode, house in Kailash in the Himalayas, an old lady, great poet Avvaiyar can’t walk 3000 miles from Tamil Nadu. Ganesa with his trunk lifted her and she reached Kailash before her friends reached. So gods’ many hands help us quickly.
Ganapati in Dancing pose- Narthana Ganapati
Another interesting story about Ganesa is mango fruit story. Hindus have an Inter Galactic Traveller named Narada. He goes from one galaxy to another at the speed of thought, faster than light. He came to Kailash with one mango fruit and gave it to Lord shiva. When he was about to cut it into two and give them to Ganesa and Murugan, Narada said,
“Stop, stop, please. It should not be cut, because it’s a divine fruit.
Then Siva told his boys that whoever goes round the world and comes back first will get it. Murugan flew in his Vahana, vehicle peacock. But clever Ganesa went round their father and mother and fell at their feet saying, ‘You Are the World’. Both felt happy and gave him the whole mango. Murugan came later and felt that he was cheated. He went to Palani hills and stood there. Then the whole world went and pacified him with Panchamrutam, a special fruit salad. Here is a message to all of us- Father and Mother are greater than the world!
One more story ….. once Lord Shiva went in a hurry without saluting Ganesa. His chariot wheel had broken down, and he got stuck. Later he realised he didn’t say ‘Bye’ to his son. He went back and praised him, and he was successful in his task. This was told by a great saint called Arunagirinathar in his book Tiruppugaz. Here is a message to all of us. We must always worship God before starting anything.
****
Now let us look at Lord Skanda/ Murugan
Dandaayutha Paani appaerance in Palani, Taml Nadu (Danda= stick; Paani=Hand)
Skanda or Kumara is represented with Six Faces – shadaanana in Sanskrit Aarumugam in Tamil—and as riding on a peacock. Because he was brought up by six mothers, the Krittikas- Pleiades stars- he is known as Shanmaatura and Kaartikeya. His story is narrated in Skandapurana – available in Tamil and Sanskrit. He killed demon Taaraka and rent asunder Krauncha mountain.
He is associated with snake and Sashti- sixth day- is sacred to him. He married Indra’s daughter Devasena and Tamil forest maid Valli. About 1800 years ago Sudraka in his Sanskrit drama Mrichchakatikaa shows a thief worshipping Skanda before robbing a house holder.
In tTamil Nadu six shrines are his main shrines in addition to scores of places, where he resides at the top of hills. In Tamil literature he is the god of Kurinchi region, hilly landscape. In Karnataka Kukke Subrahmanya is a famous Skanda shrine.
Skanda is called Murugan in Tamil ; his other popular names are Subrahmanya, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Saravanabhava,Guha etc.
He is called Tamil God because he taught Tamil to the great sage Agastya who was sent by Lord Shiva from north. Arunagirinathar who composed 1300++verses called Tiruppugaz repeatedly praised him as Tamil god 500 years ago.
Lord Skanda / Murugan killed asuras/ demons Suurapadman in the south and Taarakaasura in the north.
Sangam age poets praised him sky-high in two books Tirumurugatruppadai and Paripatal.
In Sanskrit, Kalidasa composed Kumaarasambhava about the birth of Kumaara alias Kartikeya. That work influenced the Gupta kings to name their children Skanda Gupta and Kumaara Gupta even though they were Parama Bhagavatas, i.e. Worshippers of Lord Vishnu.
Son of Shiva and Uma, younger brother of lord Ganesh, he is called Senaapati, that is the commander of the army of the Devas. So he is the god of war and the planet mars. He was produced from the six fire sparks from lord Shiva and brought up by six Kartika women and they are represented as stars in the heaven called Pleiades.
Lord Shiva cast his seed into fire, and it was received by Ganges; so he is known Agni bhu/fire born and Gaangeya.
He is represented riding on a peacock with a spear in his hand. He is shown with six heads to represent symbolically six Krittika/Kartikai women.
Because of his popularity , Adi Shankara established Kaumaaram- worship of Kumara/ Kartikeya – as one of the six systems. He has composed several hyms glorifying Subrahmanya.
Somaskanda idols are found in many south Indian temples. It means Skanda with uma (sa+ uma+ skanda= Somaaskanda)
Uma with Skanda
Six Faced (Aaru-Six, Mukan-Face)
Lord Skanda is called Murugan in Tamil.Murugan means handsome one, beautiful.
He has six heads and 12 hands in Shanmuga form. Shanmukha means six faces. You may wonder why? If you are at school final level, please got to Level Two of Skanda Murugan.
In normal form, he is also shown as a child like Ganesa. He is Kumara (youth) or Baala kumara.
Subrahmanya means he possesses all the qualities of Brahman (god).
The name Kartikeya came to him because he was raised by six Krittika women personified as stars in the sky.
He was born in a grass land and so he is known as Saravana bhava.
Saravana is the name of the forest/grass land
We know that Ganesa is the head of Bhuta Ghana’s and in the same way Murugan is the Commander of the Divine Army.
His festivals are Skanda Sashti, Vaikaasi Visaakam and Thai Poosam. In the modern day, New Year/ January First is also celebrated by visiting Murugan Temples by foot.
Skanda worship is very popular in Tamil speaking world such as South India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Seychelles , South Africa etc Tamils celebrate all his festivals with Kavadi. They carry it to the Temple . A normal Kaavadi will have a long pole tied with two baskets on either side. Devotee s carry food and offerings to god in the attached pots or baskets. Later they constructed different shapes.
Another important thing is that his temples are mostly on top of hills or at the foot of the hills. There are six famous temples for him in Tamil Nadu.
Subrahmanya Bharti was a great devotee of Lord Skanda and he also composed several poems praising him.
There are very interesting stories about him. I will tell you a few stories here.
Story 1 (already given in Ganesa)
Mango Fruit Story
Story Two
He wanted to marry a girl called Valli, who fell in love with him. But she hesitated a lot. Murugan prayed to his brother Ganesh, the elephant headed god. He cam in the form of a real elephant and chased Valli and she naturally fell in the hands of Lord Murugan..
Another story is there was a demon called Sura Pathman and Muruga killed him. This is enacted every year during Skanda shasti festival in November. Tens of thousands of people go to see Sura Samhara at Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu.
Number six is his favourite number. He was brough up by six women and his favourite geometrical diagram is Shad Kona- Star shaped. He is supposed to reside in this magical star diagram.
He is easily identified by the Spear weapon (Vel in Tamil) in his hand.
Vaikasi Visakam and Skanda Shasti are his big festivals. Thai Poosam is celebrated in Batu Caves in Malaysia
His special Prasad is Pancha Amrutam- made up of five fruits and jaggery or honey.
His famous temples are in …..
Batu Caves in Malaysia
Nallur and Kathigamam in Sri Lanka
Palani, Tiruttani, Swami malai, Palamuthircholai, Tirupparankundram and Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu, India.
Om Saravana Bhava is his mantra
Sangam Tamil literarture has a full book on Him called Tirumurugaatruppadai (shortened as Muruguதிருமுருகாற்றுப்படை (முருகு)). He is the god of mountainous area calledகுறிஞ்சி Kurinji . in addition to Murugu, we have several long poems devoted to him in Paripatal where 8 long poems are attributed to him.
In Tolkappiam , oldest tamil book, he is placed next to Vishnu and he was given the name சேயோன் Seyon , meaning the Redman.
Subrahmanya with his weapon Vel/Spear
மாயோன்மேயகாடுறைஉலகமும்
சேயோன்மேயமைவரைஉலகமும்
Among the Ten Idylls of Sangam period, the long poem on Skanda Murugan, திருமுருகாற்றுப்படை (முருகு), ‘Tirumurugaatruppadai’ is given the first place. All these signify the importance given to Skanda/Murugan. Sangam poets called him வேள் , செவ்வேள் நெடுவேள், வேலன் in addition to Murugan.since he belonged to mountainous landscape calledகுறிஞ்சி KURINJI, he is called Kurinjik kizavan குறிஞ்சிக்கிழவன்.
Murugan means the Handsome one. He is always presented as a Young god. Nakkirar who composed the long poem on him portrayed him as young and beautiful :
என்றும் இளையாய் ,அழகியாய் ஏறூர்ந்தான் ஏறே
He is described as a Heroic god. He has Spear in his hand.. it is called Vel வேல்.
He is shown riding a peacock or an elephant named Pinimukam பிணிமுகம்
We see lot of similarities between Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa and Sangam books. But two important differences are marrying Tamil Valli and killing Tamil demon Suurapadman.
When Tamil girls become love sick, their mothers thought they are possessed by Murugan and sought the help of special village priest to drive away the sickness. He used to come in special dress and stage a dance with spear and offer meat and rice balls smeared with goat’s blood.
Tiru murugatruppadai explains that he is also worshipped in other places as well
முருகன்இருப்பிடங்கள்
சிறு தினை மலரொடு விரைஇ, மறி அறுத்து,
வாரணக் கொடியொடு வயிற் பட நிறீஇ,
ஊர்ஊர் கொண்ட சீர் கெழு விழவினும், 220
ஆர்வலர் ஏத்த மே வரு நிலையினும்,
வேலன் தைஇய வெறி அயர் களனும்,
காடும் காவும், கவின் பெறு துருத்தியும்,
யாறும் குளனும், வேறு பல் வைப்பும்,
சதுக்கமும் சந்தியும், புதுப் பூங் கடம்பும்,
மன்றமும் பொதியிலும், கந்துடை நிலையினும்
–From Tirumurgaatruppadai
–subham—
Tags- Lord Skanda, Murugan, Subrahmanya, Kartikeya, Peacock, Vel/Spear, Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English – படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-2
Of these, Thalaiyaalankaanam battle is celebrated much.
As I mentioned earlier Tamil kings fought among themselves and killed each other. Bards sang about the victorious kings or chieftains or the commanders and got prizes. No where in the world we such a long fighting. They fought for 1500 years continuously among themselves. We will see more in Pura naanuuru.
Of these, Venkatam is famous because of the Venkata achala pathi Vishnu temple, which is the world’s richest temple. Neither Vatican nor Mecca attract such a large crowd in the world. The oldest book Tolkappiam said Tamil language was spoken only up to that point.
வடவேங்கடம் தென்குமரி
ஆயிடைத்
தமிழ்கூறு நல்லுலகத்து
(தொல்காப்பியம், சிறப்புப்பாயிரம்:1-3)
Another interesting historical reference is to the Mauryan Invasion of Tamil Nadu. The words used by the poet Maamuulanaar is the mountain that was levelled by Mauryans. It shows that the Mauryan army laid road route across that hill. We have references from Jain books that Chandra Gupta Maurya spent his last days in Karnataka as a Jain devotee. This reference, coupled with Asoka’s reference to Tami kingdoms, give a clear history for the Tamil Kings from Third Century BCE.
Kolli Malai was also famous in those days for the presence of Kollip Paavai, a goddess who had mysterious powers.
The name Agastya is not at all mentioned in Sangam Tamil Literature. But the word Pothiyin Malai shows that it became famous because of Agastya’s residence there. In other verses the hill is compared with Himalayas in reverence. It is part of the 1000 mile long Western Ghats called Sahyaadri in Sanskrit.
Tamil words Malai, Kundram and Sanskrit words Achala, Adri , all meant mountain.
Tirupparam Kundram is famous until this day because of Lord Skanda (Murugan in Tamil) temple.
Imayam, i.e. Himalaya is mentioned in several places. They used the Sanskrit word Hima (snow) in many places in addition to Vada Varai (Northern chain of mountains).
Sirumalai is famous for its sweetest, smallest banana fruits till this day.
Parambu Malai became most famous hill in Sangam Tamil Literature, because of the philanthropist chieftain Paari. Three Tamil kings ganged themselves and killed him. Brahmin poet Kapilar, the greatest of the 450+++ Sangam poets gave us lot of interesting information about this Parampu hills. When the jealous Tamil kings laid a siege, Kapilar trained the birds to bring grains for the people. Moreover Kapilar says that Paari gave all the three hundred towns to the poor. This statistic is very important. If a a small Parambu area has 300 towns 2000 years ago, one could imagine how many towns Tamils had in the vast area of Chera, Choza, Pandya kingdoms!
Muthu kundram hill is known as Vriddhachalam and Chirappali is called Trichy nowadays.
***
97.
Tamil Forests
in Tamil is Kaanam or Kaadu. கானம், காடு is forest
Of these Aalangkaanam is famous because it was a battlefield.
***
98.Holy Towns
Tamils have been great Hindus, and they worshipped all the Six Gods mentioned by Adi Shankara and in addition they worshipped local heroes as Village Gods.
Arangam is Sri Rangam with very big Vishnu Temple and Venkatam also. Alaivaay/Tiru Chendur and Parankundru/Tirupparamkundram are famous Skanda/Murugan temples.
Dhanushkoti via Rameswaram is famous because one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines.
Of these Kartikai and Panguni are Sanskrit words used for Tamil months. In fact all Tamil months in the present day calendar are Sanskrit names. Most of these festivals are celebrated until this day.
The 12 month system shows that Tamils knew zodiac for at least 2000 years. Purananuru mentions zodiac signs. It shows that we followed our own Hindu system and not the Greek one.
Tamils being Pukka Hindus treated all the water sources as holy and took ritual baths in the rivers and seas. The safest point for anyone to take a holy dip is called Thurai in Tamil and Ghat in Sanskrit.
Rig Veda, the oldest book in the world has the highest number of hymns in praise of water. The greatest wonder is that Brahmins around the world recite those Water Mantras three times a day. In all Hindu ceremonies water filled pot is a must. It is called Poorna Kumbha; even in death ceremonies they break water pots to show that the soul has merged with water and earth.
Tamil Akananuru mentioned at least 16 Ghats/Thurais. Following are important:
Aanporunai / Tambrbarani river Thurai, Uraiyur Kaviri Thurai, Thozunai (River Yamuna) Dhanuskodi, Thondi, Koodal and Korkai. The last three are not used anymore because of natural changes.
We will see more wonders in the next part
To be continued………………………
Tags- Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 15; One Thousand Interesting Facts! – Part 15 , Tamil festivals, Tamil shrines, Tamil holy rivers, Akanauru wonders,
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
Arya and Yavana in Sangam Tamil Books
85
We come across the word Arya in at least seven places in Sangam Tamil Literature. No where it is used with racial connotation. The word Dravidian is not at all used anywhere in ancient Tamil literature and later literature too. Most famousTamil poet Bharatiyrar used Arya in at least in 24 places in his poems. Great Saivite saints Appar, Sambandar and Manikka vasagar used it in their devotional poems too.
In all these places the word Arya meant either people who speak Sanskrit, particularly saints and God Shiva. In short it meant cultured, noble; otherwise neither the Saivite saints nor the greatest of the modern age poets Bharatiyar would have used it. Bharati mentioned the whole country as Aryan to mean we are people of noble origin.
Sangam age Tamils used it even for acrobats and wrestlers who came from North India. It may be because they spoke Sanskrit. Even a musician named Yaaz (lyre) Brahma Dutt, even the lesser-known chieftains Kanaka Vijaya of NorthIndia had the prefix, Arya.
The word Arya is not in the Purananuru verses except in the name of a king Nedunchezian.
***
In Sangam Books
சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் ஆரியர் :-ஆரியர் – நற்றிணை 170, குறுந்தொகை 7, பதிற்றுப்பத்து 11, பதிகம் 2, அகநானூறு 276, 336, 396, 398,
ஆரியப் பொருநன் – அகநானூறு 386
ஆரிய அண்ணல் – பதிற்றுப்பத்து பதிகம் 5
***
Now let us look at the contexts in the poems:
Arya in Narrinai 170, Kuruntokai 7, Pathrruppaththu 11 and Akananuru 276, 336, 396,398 and a few Pathikams which are considered later additions. One remarkable thing is most of the references come in Akam (Sex, Family life) literature as similes and not in the Puram (war and kings) literature.
86
Kuruntokai verse 7 refers to Ariyar (arya) who does acrobatics called Aaryakoothu. Probably they are from north or practising that type of dance. They walk on rope and do several other tricks by jumping and swinging. The commentator compared the sound of the drums played by those dancers with the sound of the dry seeds of Vaakai tree in the wind.
ஆரியர்
கயிறாடு பாறையின் கால் பொரக் கலங்கி
***
87
Narrinai 170
Here the commentator says that One Malayan drove away the Aryan army in Mullur. It is also used as a simile like the above Kuruntokai verse.
ஆரியர் துவன்றிய பேரிசை முள்ளூர்ப்
பலருடன் கழிந்த ஒள்வாள் மலையானது
***
88
Elephant training
North Indians were skilled in training horses and elephants They gave special names to horses and elephants which we know from Mahabharat, and Puranas. Horse training manual with Sanskrit numbers are discovered in Turkey which are dated 1400 BCE. In the whole wide ancient world only Sanskrit has books on these subjects.
Brahmin poet Paranar mentioned this elephant training by Aryans in Akam verse 276. Here also it comes as a simile. Poet says through the courtesan “like the Aryans using female elephants to trap other elephants, I will trap this gentleman with my hair in front of his wife”. It is said by a courtesan as a challenge.
அவன் பெண்டிர் காண
தாரும் தா னையும் பற்றி , ஆரியர்
பிடிபயின்று தரூஉம் பெருங்களிறு போல
***
89
Akam verses are full of menfolk visiting courtesans. If we take all those poems literally, Tamils will be dubbed as an immoral race. I think it is only a literary convention. Here one courtesan challenges another courtesan where Arya is used only as a simile.
Paavaik Kottilaar is the composer. A man wants to visit a new courtesan. She heard that her customer’s old courtesan criticised her. Then she says I have the power of trapping everyone. if I don’t do it let my bangles be broken and crushed like the Aryan force was defeated and scattered at Vallam battle. The courtesan used a botanical fact called heliotropism. It is seen in some plants like sunflower and Nerunji. The flower of the plant keep turning to face the sun. Courtesan says I have that quality and so people will keep looking at me wherever I go,
வில் ஈண்டு குறும்பின் வல்லத்து புறமிளை
ஆரியர் படையின் உடைக , என்
நேர் இறை முன்கை வீங்கிய வளையே
***
In Akam 396 sung by Paranar, a courtesan compared her beauty to the beauty of Vanji, which was the capital of Chera Kingdom. She praised Vanji as the beautiful city of the Chera king who defeated the Aryan kings, and went up to the famous Himalaya mountain and carved (engraved) his Bow symbol.
ஆரியர் அலறத் தாக்கி , பேர் இசைத்
தொன்றுமுதிர் வந்தவரை வணங்கு வில் பொறித்து
வெஞ்சின வேந்தரைப் பிணித்தோன்
வஞ்சி அன்ன, என் நலம் தந்து சென்மே
***
Flame of the Forest Delonix Regia
In Akam 398 composed by Ilamenkeeranaar, the local Venkai tree forest is compared to the golden Himalayan Forest. It is an apostrophe to the river, by a ladylove. She asked the river that is coming from her lover’s mountain to take rest at her father’s forest which is similar to the golden northern mountain. Tamil tree Venkai mentioned in the poem is similar to Delonix regia tree which is called the Flame of the Forest. The whole forest would look like a burning forest in the sun light. Poet also mentioned here Firey Venkai tree. May be there are two varieties with yellow flowers and red flowers. In Tamil Nadu it has yellow flowers.
அழல் சினை வேங்கை நிழல் தவிர்ந்து அசை இ
மாரி புறந்தர நந்தி , ஆரியர்
பொன்பாடு நெடுவரை புரையும் எந்தை
பல் பூங்கானத்து அழகி, இன்று இவண்
சேந்தனை செலினே சிதைக்குவது உண்டோ ?
To be continued…………………………..
Tags- Arya, Sangam poems, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 13, One Thousand Interesting Facts -13
SabA global Ayyappa conference took place on September 20th at Pamba, near Sabarimala. Did you hear about it? Most people didn’t. The event was organized by the Communist-led Kerala state government, a move that raised eyebrows across the political and spiritual spectrum. After all, this is the same government that, in 2019, facilitated the entry of two leftist women into the sanctum of Sabarimala, violating centuries-old traditions and sparking nationwide outrage. The Chief Minister’s decision to project that act as a progressive victory only deepened the wounds of millions of devotees. So why this sudden change of heart?
According to the state government, the objective of the conference was to spread the message of “Tatvamasi” (“That you are”) across the globe and position Sabarimala as a divine, traditional, and sustainable global pilgrimage destination. Noble words, no doubt. Strip away the rhetoric, and what remains is their claim: to “market Ayyappa around the world.”
Ayyappan is already revered globally. Our culture has never relied on branding, promotion, or conversion to spread its spiritual essence. Devotion flows organically, through experience, not campaigns. In any case, why this sudden love for Swami Ayyappan and Sabarimala?
The event was expected to feature academic discussions on the development of the temple area, aligned with the ₹1,300 crore Sabarimala Master Plan, focusing on spiritual tourism and crowd control. Now that makes some sense, doesn’t it? Terms like “Sabarimala Master Plan” and “spiritual tourism” give you a glimpse of what their real “master plan” behind the summit might have been. If that’s not clear enough, let me remind you: Sabarimala’s annual revenue is around ₹440 crore. Kerala’s temples collectively generate over ₹1,000 crores a year. They’re a cash cow for the state government, and everyone knows it.
I must say, the ways of Ayyappa are strange. Can you imagine a Communist Chief Minister quoting from the Bhagavad Gita? Well, Pinarayi Vijayan did, stumbling through a shloka from Chapter 12 with great difficulty. And if that wasn’t awkward enough, he went on to misquote a popular Ayyappa chant, embarrassing himself beyond redemption in front of the very devotees he was trying to impress. The icing on the cake was provided by Devaswom President who chanted Swamiye Saranama with clenched fists.
So once again, why this sudden affection for Hindu temples? With Kerala and Tamil Nadu heading into elections in eight months, the Kerala government seems desperate to win back its alienated Hindu voter base. This was, at best, a damage-control exercise, and it has fallen flat on their face.
The government had invited over 3,000 guests from around the world. The event was originally supposed to be inaugurated by M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and head of a party that openly advocates for the “eradication of Sanatana Dharma.” But for reasons unknown, he backed out at the last moment. In his place, DMK minister Palanivel Thiagarajan, known for his hostility toward Hindu gurus like Sadhguru, was nominated instead.
To cut a long story short: the event turned into a major embarrassment. Barely 600 people attended. Images of empty chairs during the Chief Minister’s speech have gone viral on social media. And the cost? ₹7 crores. (See the below image)
Let’s hope the devotees of Ayyappa won’t be fooled by such theatrics anymore.
*****
HINDU ORGANISATIONS ORGANISED A RIVAL CONFERENCE WHERE BJP LEADER ANNAMALAI SPOKE. HUGE CROWD ATTENDED
Adding to the humiliation, a spontaneous event organized by a Hindu organization the very next day in Pandalam, home of Swami Ayyappan, drew thousands of devotees from across the globe (see the below image). The total expense for that event? Less than ₹10 lakhs.
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Part 3
Now let us look at the medical glossary in the Atharva Veda:
Aksata – uninjured 4-9-8
Anya-dyus -fever that attacks on alternate days 7-116-2
Apaana – air breathed out 10-2-13
We have already seen praana and vyaana in the Rig Veda.
Apvaa – some stomach disease – 3-2-5
Arundhati – a plant used for healing 4-13-1
Arundhati was a low caste woman named Akshamala in the Manu smriti. But a star and a plant and a Nyaya are named after her. Her name figured at least six times in 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature.
Arabs called it Alcol which is in Tirukkural- alakai.
Agandu – a species of insect 2-31-2
Alpasayu- an insect 4-36-9
Aasarika – rheumatic pain 19-34-10
Ubhaya – dyus – malarial fever that attacks with a gap of two days 1-26-4; 7-116-3;
The word UBHAYA for two or both is used until this day in letters and Vaishnavite invitations.
Kilaasa – leukoderma 1-23-1,2;
Kliivatva- impotency 6-138;
Gandamaalaa – inflammation of the glands in the neck.
Gandaa for neck is used in all te names
Neelakaandan – blue necked Shiva or peacock G=K
Jadinga – a sedative plant used by Trikakuda to treat balaasa.
Jvara- fever 5-30-8
Until this day the word jvara is used.
Tritiyaka- malarial fever that attacks with a gap of three days 1-25-4; 7-116-2;
Balaasa – consumption of phthisis 4-98;6-14-1;
Yaksma- TB 5-308 and 16;
Varuna grhita – suffering from Jalodhara
Vitritiyaka- malarial fever that attacks with a gap of two days 5-22-13;
Sirsaamaya – headache5-4-10;9-8-1;
Sadam -di -malarial fever that rises daily 1-2-13
Harimaa – jaundice 19-44-2
***
Terms in the field of SURGERY
Asthiivantau- knee cap 10-2-2
Ucchalankhau- the portion between heel and ankle 10-2-1;
Kakaatika- bones of mouth10-2-8
Wkabandha – torso 10-2-3;
Kapaala – skull 10-2-8
This word is used in Tamil and all medical books as cephala; C=K;
Kusindha- loins, pelvis 10-2-3
Kha – orifice 10-2-6;
Gulphau- ancles 10-2-1;
Grivaa- neck 10-2-4
Catustaya – elastic bones above the knee 10-2-1, 2;
Sapta khani siirsaani- seven pores of the head 10-2-5;
Sroni- buttocks 10-2-3;
Bhagwan Singh has taken a lot of time in compiling various lists under different heads in his book THE VEDIC HARAPPANS.
Those who are interested may go to each hymn and find more medical secrets.
Tenth canto has many important terms. One can compare these terms with the terms in the Samhitas of Sushruta and Caraka. A lot of scope for medical research in the Vedas.
If one studies the hymn where the medical terms occur, one will be surprised to find out newer things in medical systems.
Known Medical Miracles
We already know the medical miracles in the Vedas particularly linked with the Asvini Devas, the doctors of the Vedic period.
This shows considerable advancement in the medical field. Rejuvenation of Cyavana (RV 10-39-4) and Purandhi’s husband (RV 1-116-13), setting the fractured thigh of Vispala through support (RV 1-116-13) and curing of the blindness of Rjrsva (RV 1-116-17).
–subham—
Tags – medical glossary, jargon, Atharva Veda, Rig Veda, Surgery, part 3
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
Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia Part 11 One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 11
76.
தொல்காப்பிய கந்தழி மர்மம்
Khandali Kodinilai Valli is in a Sutra of Tolkappiam, which Tamils consider as the oldest book in Tamil. This grammatical wok used three words in the Invocation to God (Kadavul Vaazththu in Tamil) rule. The meaning is debated until this day. Two commentators Nachinarkiniyar and Ilampuranar gave us two different interpretations. Similar sounded words exist in Sanskrit, but their meaning has nothing to do with God.
I wrote two articles in 2014 and 2020 giving the gist of ancient interpretations. Lord Krshina’s destruction of CHO of demon Banan is sung under this title according to later works.
But interestingly this word is found in an inscription of business community. The meaning given there deepens its mystery.
500 Merchants Groupஐந்நூற்றுவர்
Businessmen in ancient India formed guilds (cartels) and monopolised business in particular products , for example Spices, Grains, Cloths or monopolised trade in a particular area or region.
Inscriptions of Ainnurruvar / group of 500 are found in different parts of South India. They are available from ninth century CE. One of the inscriptions at Kamudi in Tamil Nadu records the following eulogy:
Another inscription with slight variation is seen in
Samudrapatti .
This can be interpreted as the above guild possess 500 charters called viirasaasanas as their chest being adorned by goddess Lakshmi as having descended from gods vaasudeva, khandali , and muulabhadra as the sons of Parameswari, these merchants used to transact in 18 pattinas, thirty two coastal towns/velaapurams and sixty four places where goods were loaded and unloaded or stored/ kadigai taavalam.
(This inscription and its English translation is taken from an article written by N. Geetha in Ancient Sciences and Archaology, Volume Two, Bharatiya Kalaprakashan , Delhi 2007).
As soon as I saw the word KHANDALI in the inscription I copied it from the book. For the first time I came across a God called KHANDALI and Muulabhadra.
Mūlabhadra (मूलभद्र):—[mūla-bhadra] (draḥ) 1. m. Kaṃsa. Is the uncle of Lord Krishna according to Wisdomlib.org
I doubt the inscription meant Kamsa here. So both Khandali and Muulabhadra, Gods of business community add more puzzles. The community worshipped both Lakshmi and Parameswari according to the above inscription. That means they respected both Shiva and Vishnu sects.
If we go through more inscriptions and books of business communities we may solve the puzzle of KHANDALI.
***
Kodinilai, Kanthazhi, and Valli are terms mentioned in the Tolkappiyam, an ancient Tamil grammatical work, specifically in Sutra 88 of the Porul section. While the exact meaning is debated, some scholars interpret these as names for the Sun, Fire, and Moon, respectively, suggesting the prevalence of fire and sun worship in ancient Tamil Nadu.
Purath thinai Iyal, Sutra 88.
“கொடிநிலை, கந்தழி, வள்ளி என்ற வடுநீங்கு சிறப்பின் மன்னிய மூன்றும் கடவுள் வாழ்த்தொடு கண்ணிய வருமே” (தொல். பொருளதிகார புறத் திணை இயல் சூத்திரம்)
:கதிர், தீ, மதி இம்மூன்றை வாழ்த்துவதும் கடவுள் வாழ்த்துப் போலவே எண்ணப்பட்டு வரும் என்பது இதன் பொருள். கொடிநிலை = சூரியன் கந்தழி = நெருப்பு (அக்னி பகவான்) வள்ளி = சந்திரன்
Interpretation:
According to the oldest commentator, Ilampuranar, Kodinilai refers to the Sun, Kanthazhi to Fire (Agni), and Valli to the Moon.
Kanthu is in the Vedas associated with God. Even today we have Kodi Kambam / Dwaja Shambam in South Indian Temples. They hoist God’s flag on it during festivals.
Commentator Ilampuranar, suggests these terms indicate ancient worship of the Sun, Fire, and Moon.
However, the words Kodinilai and Kanthazhi are noted to be absent from other Sangam Tamil literature, adding to the mystery surrounding their usage.
In essence, these terms provide insights into ancient Tamil religious practices, potentially linking them to celestial bodies and elemental worship, even though their specific meanings are subject to scholarly interpretation
These people had their head quarters in Aihole in Chalukya territory. Several inscriptios are available from South India and South East Asia in Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
***
கந்தழி in Sanskrit Dictionary
खण्डाली – khaNDAlI – f. – pond
–subham—
Tags- Khandali, Mystery, Tolkappiam, Merchant guilds, Kamudi Inscrition, 500 merchants Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia Part 11 One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 11
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
Caste ridden Tamil Society
PART NINE
69.
Sangam Age Tamil society was a caste ridden society; there were upper and lower castes. They lived in different ‘cheris’ i.e. different areas of the town. The lower castes were attacked with derisive, degrading, disgraceful and impolite terms.
All these were seen in today’s Tamil society and in hundreds of old proverbs. But we have poets from different castes in Sangam literature. The surprising thing is we don’t see these many castes in 2000 year old Sanskrit literature. We did not see such things either in seven works of Kalidasa or 13 works of Bhasa.
Educated people were always respected through out India at all times. We see butcher Dharmavyadha teaching Rishi Kausika in Mahabharata. We see King Janaka teaching Brahmins in Upanishads. We see Arundhati, the low cate woman and wife of Rishi Vasistha is saluted by everyone until this day. Tamil kings also respected all poets from all castes.
Purananuru, which gives a true picture of a society that lived 2000 years ago has got many interesting things. The same caste followed the same vocation or profession. They included their vocation in their names. But we don’t see any low caste words in the poets’ names such as Pulaiyan or Paraiayan or Kadamban or Thudian.
Now let us look at some verses where caste is predominant:
Izisinan- Puram 287, 289, 82 இழிசினன் Low caste fellow
Izipirappinon – Puram 363 இழிபிறப்பினோன் Man of Low Birth
(Z is used for special L sound in Tamil)
The prefix IZI means low, base, degraded, down
Some scholars argued that we see love marriages more in Sangam Literature that shows that there were no strict caste rules or caste bias. This is a dangerous argument. If we apply the same rule with Paraththai= Para Stri= Prostitute occurring in the poems, then Tamil society will get a very bad name. If we apply the same rule to infighting among the Tamil society, the longest in the History of the World, then Sangam Tamil society will be dubbed as war mongers. We must always differentiate between poetic conventions and actual conditions of the period.
Above all, the true picture is seen in Today’s Tamil community. Except Brahmins, all the castes are begging to the government to include them in the lowest divisions of society. Though the have millions and billions of rupees, they receive all economic benefits like the fraudulent refugee community in the Western Countries.
Following is from Puram verses.
இழிசினன் – 287 -2 ; 82 -3; 289 -10
துடி எறியும் புலைய!
எறிகோல் கொள்ளும் இழிசின!-287-2.
***
சாறுதலைக் கொண்டெனப், பெண்ணீற்று
உற்றெனப் பட்ட மாரி ஞான்ற ஞாயிற்றுக்
கட்டில் நிணக்கும் இழிசினன் கையது-82
இவற்குஈக என்னும் அதுவும்அன் றிசினே;
***
கேட்டியோ வாழி பாண! பாசறைப்
பூக்கோள் இன்றென்று அறையும்
மடிவாய்த் தண்ணுமை இழிசினன் குரலே.-289
Pulaiyan, Pulaiththi புலையன் புலைத்தி They eat dead animals or Dogs. They are used in crematoriums and burial grounds. It is in Bhagavad Gita (5-18) as well
****
Four important low caste sects
Thudiyan, Paraiyan, Paanan, Kadamban in Puram Verse 335
Even Oxford Dictionary has the word Pariah:–
sometimes offensive, an outcast.
“they were treated as social pariahs”
Outcast, persona non grata, leper, reject, untouchable, undesirable, unperson
**
a member of a group of castes concentrated in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka, included among the Scheduled Castes or Dalits.
**
Of the four low castes, three are linked with music. But Kadamban is an odd word. No one can give precise meaning; still struggling with the word.
நான்குமுக்கியஜாதிகள்
துடியன், பாணன், பறையன், கடம்பன், என்று
இந்நான்குஅல்லதுகுடியும்இல்லை;– புறம் 335.
***
Pulaiya :
Puram புறம் –259-5; 311-2; 287-1; 360-19;
Kali கலி.72-14;117-7;55-18; 95-10;68-19;85-22
Akam அகம்.34-11;
Narrinai 90-3; 77-1; 347-5;
Kuru.குறு.330-1;
***
Four Main Castes
Like we see the four castes, based on vocation or profession in the latest part of Rig Veda (Purushasuktam in Tenth Mandala), we see same four divisions in Purananuru where Upper and Lower divisions in the society are mentioned.
Puram 183
உற்றுழி உதவியும் உறுபொருள் கொடுத்தும்
பிற்றைநிலை முனியாது கற்றல் நன்றே;
பிறப்போ ரன்ன உடன்வயிற்று உள்ளும்
சிறப்பின் பாலால் தாயும்மனம் திரியும்
ஒருகுடிப் பிறந்த பல்லோ ருள்ளும்
மூத்தோன் வருக என்னாது அவருள்
அறிவுடை யோன்ஆறு அரசும் செல்லும்
வேற்றுமை தெரிந்த நாற்பால் உள்ளும்
கீழ்ப்பால் ஒருவன் கற்பின்
மேற்பால் ஒருவனும் அவன்கண் படுமே.
This poem gives us three points:
1.Even a mother is more favourable to a learned son.
2.Even a king will favour educated one than an illiterate (in the society or royalty).
3.Even in the society, where there are four fold divisions, a learned person from the lowest community person will be approached by upper caste man (Four Divisions or Sects- Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Shudra).
Tiru Valluvar confirmed it:
“Though high born, an unlettered man is deemed lower than a learned man of lower birth. “—Tirukkural 409.
மேற்பிறந்தா ராயினும் கல்லாதார் கீழ்ப்பிறந்தும்
கற்றார் அனைத்திலர் பாடு.–409
***
Manu Smriti also emphasizes this point:
“A man who has faith may receive good learning even from a man who is lower, the ultimate law even from a man of the lowest castes, and a jewel of a woman even from a bad family”–2-239
***
“Ambrosia may be extracted even from poison,
And good advice even from a child,
Good behaviour even from enemy
And gold even from something impure “– Manu 2- 240
***
“Women, jewels, learning, law, purification, good advice and various crafts may be acquired from anybody” – Manu 2-241
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In the last stage of Vedic period we come across four castes. They were based on vocations. Bhagavad Gita verse confirms it.
tasya kartāram api māṁ viddhyakartāram avyayam.—Bhagavad Gita
The four categories of occupations were created by Me according to people’s qualities and activities. Although I am the Creator of this system, know Me to be the Non-doer and Eternal.—Bhagavad Gita.
Tiru Valluvar of Post Sangam period translated it verbatim:
All men that live are one in circumstances of birth; Diversities of works give each his special worth.
Couplet Explanation:
All human beings agree as regards their birth but differ as regards their characteristics, because of the different qualities of their actions.
***
புலையன் ஸ்வபாக undefined பகவத் கீதை 5-18
विद्याविनयसम्पन्ने ब्राह्मणे गवि हस्तिनि |
शुनि चैव श्वपाके च पण्डिता: समदर्शिन: ||5-18||.—Bhagavad Gita
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śhuni chaiva śhva-pāke cha paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśhinaḥ.—Bhagavad Gita
BG 5.18: The truly learned, with the eyes of divine knowledge, see with equal vision a Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (PULAIYAN in Tamil). .—Bhagavad Gita
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Low caste people worked in Crematoriums
புறம்.363
இருங்கடல் உடுத்தஇப் பெருங்கண் மாநிலம்
உடைஇலை நடுவணது இடைபிறர்க்கு இன்றித்
தாமே ஆண்ட ஏமம் காவலர்
இடுதிரை மணலினும் பலரே; சுடுபிணக்
காடுபதி யாகப் போகித் தத்தம்
நாடு பிறர்கொளச் சென்றுமாய்ந் தனரே;
அதனால் நீயும் கேண்மதி அத்தை; வீயாது
உடம்பொடு நின்ற உயிரும் இல்லை;
மடங்கல் உண்மை மாயமோ அன்றே;
கள்ளி ஏய்ந்த முள்ளியம் புறங்காட்டு
வெள்ளில் போகிய வியலுள் ஆங்கண்
உப்பிலாஅ அவிப்புழுக்கல்
கைக்கொண்டு பிறக்கு நோக்காது
இழிபிறப்பினோன் ஈயப்பெற்று
நிலங்கல னாக விலங்குபலி மிசையும்
இன்னா வைகல் வாரா முன்னே,
செய்ந்நீ முன்னிய வினையே,
முந்நீர் வரைப்பகம் முழுதுடன் துறந்தே.
Puram–363
***
—subham—
Tags- Castes, Low castes, Pariah, Pulaiyan, Caste ridden, Tamil Society, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 9; One Thousand Interesting Facts, Bhagavad Gita, Manu Smriti
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Tamil and Vedas 
