Research paper written by London Swaminathan
Post No.1212; Dated :-3rd August 2014.

Who is Ilango? The author of Tamil Epic Silappadikaram
Who is Kovalan? The hero of the epic Silappadikaram.

Silappadikaram is the most popular Tamil epic. It is a Hindu encyclopaedia. There are three Kandams (cantos): Pukar Kandam, Madurai Kandam and Vanji Kandam, all named after three great cities. These cantos have 30 sections (Kaathai in Tamil) in addition to the foreword and concluding part. Every section gives amazing information about music, dance, Tamil Hindu folklore, Hindu religious and cultural beliefs, temples, history and geography of India in the context of Tamils.

The hero Kovalan was shown as a Master of Sanskrit language. The author of the epic shows his erudition in Hindu scriptures throughout the epic. His translations of Mahishasura Mardhani Sloka and Ardhanaree sloka and Durga sloka are excellent. His ‘namavalees’ of Jainism and Hindu Goddess serves as proofs for his knowledge in Sanskrit. He praised Rama and Krishna sky high in the ‘Aychiar Kuravai’, Lord Skanda/ Muruga in Kundra Kuravai and Goddess Durga in the ‘Vettuva Vari’. He also quoted Bhagavad Gita indirectly. All these led some scholars to state that he must have lived in the seventh century CE. But I strongly believe that the epic belongs to 4th or 5th century CE. The incidents in the epic happened during the second century CE.

Pallava sculpture from Mahabalipuram, Tamil nadu.

Proof 1: Kovalan read Sanskrit sloka
A Brahmin lady killed a mongoose by mistake thinking that it killed her child. Her husband became very angry. Before leaving the city, he wrote something in Sanskrit and asked her to show it to a well informed person and take it further. With this palm leaf in her hand the Brahmana lady went through the bazaars and cried loudly. At once Kovalan called her and relieved her of pain and worry by doing the atonement mentioned in the palm leaf.

VR Ramachandra Dikshitar who translated Silappadikaram in 1939 comments on this episode: “It bears testimony to the fact that Kovalan possessed a sound knowledge of Sanskrit. Atiyarkku nallar, the commentator gives a Sanskrit sloka from Panchatantra in this context, which was said to be on the palm leaf.

Proof 2: List of Jain Names

Ilnago was very familiar with ‘sahasranamam’ which means 1008 names of any god or goddess. In the Indra Festival 1008 kings bore on their heads gold pots filled with holy water and performed the bathing of Indra.
In the ‘Natukan Katai’ section Jain nun Kavunti says, “ my tongue will not say anything other than the 1008 names”. The Hindu concept of 1008 names is used for Jains here.
In the ‘Urkan Katai’, the poet sings of 1008 gold coins.
Most of the Jain names listed earlier are Sanskrit terms, some are common to Saivite Gods: Jinendra, Siddha, Bhagavan, Dharma, Punya, Purana, Deva, Sivgathi Nayaka, Thathva, Sarana, Karana, Kumara, Sankara, Isa, Swayambhu, Chathurmuka, Arka, Veda with the Tamil suffix ‘an’ (Eg. Nayaka will be Nayakan in Tamil).

Proof 3: Kovalan recites Durga Mantra

In the ‘Katukan katai’, Ilango talks about Vedic mantras of five letters – Namasivaya and eight letters – Om Namo Narayana. While Kovalan and Kannaki were passing through the jungle, a forest deity appeared before them in the guise of Vasantamala, Matavi’s friend in Pumpukar. Since the Brahmin who gave information about the dangers in the forest forewarned them, Kovalan immediately recited a mantra of Durga. This mantra was called ‘’Pay Kalai Pavai Mantra’’ meaning the mantra of the lady who rides a deer. Immediately the forest spirit disappeared. Durga worship was practised by all the hunting tribes throughout India. Here the author used the Sanskrit word Mantra. This verse shows us how well versed was Kovalan in Mantras. Eariler the Brahmin also spoke about Panchakshara (namasivaya) and Astakshara (Namo Narayana) Mantra.

Image of Narayani

Proof 4: Sanskrit Names of Durga Devi
In the Vettuva Vari section, Durga’s names are recited which are in Sanskrit: Amari, Kumari, Gowri, Samari, Suli, Neeli, Arya (Ayai). Other terms are translations of Sanskrit terms:
She who wore moon in her coiffure
She with Unwinking Eye in her forehead
Whose Throat darkened by poison (Neelakanthi)
Serpent Vasuki is her girdle
Her upper garment was lion or tiger skin
Holder of trident
Holding a sword
Riding a deer
Her left foot with Silambu (woman), right with Kazal (man)
Lady who stood on the head of the double bodied broad shouldered Asura

(Mahisasuramardani= demon with buffalo head, human body)

This section shows that Ilango was very familiar with the story of Ardhanareeswara and Mahisasuramardani.

Then the author describes her form as Narayani (goddess as Narayana holding conch and the wheel (Sanga, Chakra) riding a lion.

Mahisasuramaradani Dance

Ilango says in Tamil,

How is it that you, who receive the worship of all gods and stand undaunted as the sprouting wisdom in the Veda of all the Vedas, once stood upon the dark head of the wild buffalo, clad in a tiger’s skin and covering yourself with an elephant’s skin?

How is it that you, who stand as the shining light spreading its rays over the lotus heart of Hari, Hara and Brahma, also stood upon the stag with the dark twisted horns, after slaying Mahisasura, holding your sword in your bangled hands?

How is it that you, who stand praised by the Vedas as the consort of him who has an eye in his forehead and the Ganges in his coiffure, stood upon a fierce red eyed lion, holding a conch and discuss in your lotus hands?

The above three stanzas of Ilango are an imitation or translation of Sanskrit verses.

Sarva mangala mangalye Sive sarvartha sadike
Saranye Tryambake Devi Narayani Namostute (Durga Sapta sati)

One who reads ‘Vettuva vari’ of Ilango, will be reminded of Mahishasuramardani sloka and other Durga stotras. This section is a translation of Sanskrit slokas similar to the following two stanzas:

Sculpture at Ravanaphadi Cave

Ayi giri nandini, nandhitha medhini,
Viswa vinodhini nandanuthe,
Girivara vindhya sirodhi nivasini,
Vishnu Vilasini Jishnu nuthe,
Bhagawathi hey sithi kanda kudumbini,
Bhoori kudumbini bhoori kruthe,
Jaya Jaya hey Mahishasura mardini,
Ramya kapardini, shaila Suthe. 1

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Who makes the whole earth happy,
Who rejoices with this universe,
Who is the daughter of Nanda,
Who resides on the peak of Vindhyas,
Who plays with Lord Vishnu,
Who has a glittering mien,
Who is praised by other goddesses,
Who is the consort of the lord with the blue neck,
Who has several families,
Who does good to her family.
Who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

Jaya Jaya hey japya jayejaya shabda ,
Parastuti tatpara vishvanute ,
Bhana Bhanabhinjimi bhingrutha noopura,
Sinjitha mohitha bhootha pathe,
Nadintha nataartha nadi nada nayaka,
Naditha natya sugaanarathe,
Jaya Jaya hey Mahishasura mardini ,
Ramya kapardini, shaila Suthe. 9

Victory and victory to you,
Oh darling daughter of the mountain,
Oh Goddess , whose victory is sung,
By the whole universe,
Which is interested in singing her victory,
Oh Goddess who attracts the attention of Lord Shiva,
By the twinkling sound made by her anklets,
While she is engaged in dancing,
Oh Goddess who gets delighted ,
By the dance and drama by versatile actors,
Even while she is half of Lord Shiva’s body,
Oh Goddess who has captivating braided hair,
Who is the daughter of a mountain.
And who is the slayer of Mahishasura.

(Two stanzas from Mahishasuramardani Sloka)

V R Ramachadra Dikshitar has poined out that Tamil name Kovalan is the Tamil form of Gopala (cowherd) in Sanskrit. It is Lord Krishna’s name.
I will write separately about the number of Sanskrit words and the influence of Bhagavad Gita in Silappdikaram.

The best translation available on Silappadikaram is the one by VR Ramachandra Dikshitar: The Cilappadikaram, 1939.

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