Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,217

Date uploaded in London – 20 September 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Purananuru wonders-68, Tamil Encyclopaedia 108, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 108

***

Item 930- God in the sky-  lines 21-14/15

Hindus believed that God lives in the sky. Hindus say in day-to-day conversation “Uper wala sab dekh raha hai” – God -Up Above- is watching everything).

This Brahmin poet also confirmed it. Later day Tiru Valluvar also said it in Kural 50

He who lives his life in this world as he should, Ranks with the gods in the heaven– Kural 50

People of other religions also copied Hindus.

வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்பவன் வானுறையும்

தெய்வத்துள் வைக்கப் படும்-50

***

Item 931- Excellent Advice – lines 22-1/4

In Tamil there is a proverb saying ‘Even Amrita in excess becomes poison’. Here the poet warns about excess in anything is not good for a ruler

Excesses of anger, lust, joy, fear, lying, kindness, harsh

treatment of criminals and other traits are hindrances

in this world for a just king with faultless wheel of power.

சினனே, காமம், கழி கண்ணோட்டம்,

அச்சம், பொய்ச் சொல், அன்பு மிகு உடைமை,

தெறல் கடுமையொடு பிறவும், இவ் வுலகத்து

அறம் தெரி திகிரிக்கு வழியடையாகும்;

***

Item 932- Holder of Wheel= Emperor! Line 22-4-Wheel of Power

Hindus never used emperor for a great or universal ruler. They compared the ruler to Vishu who has a Boomerang like wheel. It will finish the job and returns to the sender like Australian tribal Boomerang. It is called Sudarsana Chakra (Wheel=Chakra in Sanskrit)

Chakravarti is explained as:

Chakravartin is a term used in Hindu religion for an ideal universal ruler, who rules ethically and benevolently over the entire world. Such a ruler’s reign is called sarvabhauma. It is a bahuvrīhi, literally meaning “whose wheels are moving”, in the sense of “whose chariot is rolling everywhere without obstruction”. It can also be analyzed as an ‘instrumental bahuvrīhi: “through whom the wheel is moving” in the meaning of “through whom the Dharmacakra (“Wheel of the Dharma) is turning” (most commonly used in Buddhism and Hinduism). அறம் தெரி திகிரிக்கு வழியடையாகும்;

Tamil commentator also explained whose wheel is moving. Thikiri in Tamil= Wheel. In Sanskrit they call it Ajnaa Chakra. Commanding Wheel. Strangely we have even an emperor statue holding a wheel in Indus Valley. Chakra also means Indra.

(Indra means a Ruler, a common noun, not a proper noun).

That is why all Hindus from Kashmir to Kanyakumari name their children Rajendran, Mahendran, Gajendran, Upendran, Surendran etc.

Wheel of Power is already in 14-18 as well

May you live with faultless fame like your noble ancestors who
ruled this world with oceans as borders and lands that are like
groves, with their wheels of justice decorated with ornaments
set with gems!  May you live without problems in this world!

***

Item 933- lines 30-39- Offering to Royal Drums-

Tamil worshipped drums in the palace with blood offering.

“The god with rare abilities, residing in a drum, is worshipped with loud
chants by a wise man who gives offerings of blood and abundant liquor.
A black-eyed female ghoul trembles in fear beating her hands.  Ants do not
swarm on the offerings according to surprising tradition, but black-eyed
ravens and kites eat them”

Even ants and female ghosts won’t touch such offering. Only carnivorous birds will eat them- says the poet.

***

Let us look at next ten verses sing by one more Brahmin Poet

பதிற்றுப்பத்து 31, *கமழ் குரல் துழாஅய்*, பாடியவர்: காப்பியாற்றுக் காப்பியனார், பாடப்பட்டவர்: களங்காய்க்கண்ணி நார்முடிச் சேரல், துறை: செந்துறைப் பாடாண் பாட்டு, தூக்கு: செந்தூக்கு, வண்ணம்: ஒழுகு வண்ணம்

This poet belongs to Kapya Gotra like Tol Kappiar. We have already seen the references in the Rig Veda and Bhagavad Gita Usanas Kavi who gave birth to words like Kapya, Kavya,  Kavi, Kavitha etc

***

Item 934- Golden donations

Chera King Kalankaay Kanni Naarmudi Cheral gave the poet 40 Lakhs gold and half of his country.

The Gold mentioned here is Gold dust. Only when I saw it in the Chennai museum I understood the meaning. Gold dust is put in a sieve with minute holes. Each time you sift, the gold dust that falls on  the plate is counted. Say for example one take gives 400 gold particles it is counted as 400 gold. Then you do it the number of times to match forty hundred thousand. In short it is not golden coins, but just minute particles which can be counted. The one gold sieve I saw in the museum has 398 holes.

This king ruled for 28 years.

One more detail is available. King Nannan had a totem tree. It is Vaakai tree. Chera king cut down the tree when he defeated Nannan.

Keeping totem trees is unique to Tamil kings and chieftains.

***

Item 935- description of Arundhati, Vishnu , Lakshmi – 31- 10 35 lines

The points to be noted are the details of gods; they are portrayed as found in Hindu puranas .

So the date of puranas must be anterior to 2000 year old Sangam literature.

Over 200 important details from puranas are referred to by Sangam poets.

Lines 1-10 of verse 31 give full details of worship of Vishnu and his appearance with Tulsi garland, wheel in hand, Lakshmi on his chest. Hindus’ fasting and holy dip in the ocean are also mentioned.

King’s wife is compared to the most chaste woman Arundhati in lines 1-27/28

***

Item 935- mysterious philanthropist VANDAN வண்டன்

Earlier we came across a mysterious philanthropist AKKURAN;  now we have one more name Vandan வண்டன். we have no information about him. Hanging castle mystery is also repeated. Those three space stations set up by three demons were destroyed by lord Siva. But here the poet attributes that heroic deed to a Choza named Thodiththol Sembian; this mystery also remains unsolved- lines 31-18/19. Did both Siva and Choza attain similar victories or did ancient believed that Choza king and Siva are one and the same?

***

Item 936- Two Important quotes echo Purananuru and Tirukkural

Two quotations are remembered here.

Verse 38- 15-16 (also 39-1/2) praised the king on two counts

1.You gather food to share it with many others;

2.You live  for others; that is, you are not selfish.

This is said in Purananuru verse 182 by a Pandya king.

Even if they get Indra’s Amrita , they won’t eat it alone; they will share it. This poem beautifully summaries Hindu values. The word Indra’s Amrita (Two Sanskrit words) in the poem show the Hindu Values.

This world exists only because some men in it, even when they might have the elixir INDRA’s AMRITA, will not drink it alone. They do not hate or fail to act even when they fear what others fear. They will give their lives for fame, but they would not take even the entire earth if it soiled their name. They are never without joy, and though they may be great, they do not use their powers for themselves but only for others. Because of them this world is. This is in the Vedas and Hindu Epics too.

Another translation of Puram 182.

“There’s a reason this world exists. Even if they get Indra’s Amrita ( the elixir of life) , they would never drink it alone; They have no hatred; They are never idle; Fearing what others fear, for righteousness, they would give their very life; However, if it’s a thing of shame, even if they were to attain the whole world with that, they would not choose that path; They are never weary; With all these glorious qualities, they are people, who spend their determined efforts not for themselves, but for others. Because such people live, this world too lives on.

உண்டால் அம்ம இவ்வுலகம்; இந்திரர்
அமிழ்தம் இயைவ தாயினும், இனிதுஎனத்
தமியர் உண்டலும் இலரே; முனிவிலர்;
துஞ்சலும் இலர், பிறர் அஞ்சுவது அஞ்சி;
புகழ்எனின் உயிருங் கொடுக்குவர்; பழியெனின்,
உலகுடன் பெறினும், கொள்ளலர்; அயர்விலர்;
அன்ன மாட்சி அனைய ராகித்
தமக்கென முயலா நோன்தாள்,
பிறர்க்கென முயலுநர் உண்மை யானே– புறநானூறு 182.

***

Another quote to compare comes from Tirukkural (322)

பகுத்துண்டு பல்லுயிர் ஓம்புதல் நூலோர்

தொகுத்தவற்றுள் எல்லாந் தலை 322 குறள்

The chief of all codes ever written Is to share your food and protect all life- Kural 322

This shows great men think alike!

–subham—

Tags-40 lakhs Gold to a Poet, Purananuru wonders-68, Tamil Encyclopaedia 108, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 108, Item- 936

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,209

Date uploaded in London – 18 September 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Purananuru wonders-66; Tamil Encyclopaedia 106, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 106

Let us take one more book from Eight Anthologies (Ettuth Thokai) in Sangam Tamil Literature. It is called Pathitrup Paththu in Tamil meaning 10 X 10 songs= 100. It is an anthology, dealing with all about ancient mysterious Kerala (Chera Nadu). Many of their customs are not known in other parts of Tami Nadu. This ancient land of Tamils has created a new language called Malayalam. That itself shows it is very different from other Tamil areas. But Malayalam is the closest language to modern Tamil. Malayalam is noting but a mixture of pure Tamil and pure Sanskrit with nasal accent. strangest thing is Sanskrit is studied by the lowest castes and mastered! This book is full of mysteries. The biggest mystery is a famous poet and his wife disappeared after a Yaga (Hindu Fire Ceremony). The Yaga was performed at his request who wanted to go to heaven!(probably like Trin Shanku with his own human body)! Unfortunately two of the ten songs are missing in the book. We have very interesting details about a Chera king punishing the Yavanas (Roman pirates from Italy). At last they cried and gave diamonds and gold to Chera king and got their release. And that gold and diamonds were given to poets!

In his book ‘The Eight Anthologies’, John Ralston Marr gives detailed information about the pathikams and the poems.  He identifies the rivers, forests, kingdoms, kings and towns indicated in the poems.

Poems 11 – 20 were written by poet Kumattūr Kannanār for King Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan, son of King Uthiyan Chēral and Queen Nallini.  This king is said to have defeated the Aryans and Yavanas and carved a bow–emblem on the Himalayas.

Poems 21 – 30 were written by poet Pālai Kouthamanār for King Palyānai Selkelu Kuttuvan, the younger brother of Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan.

Poems 31 – 40 were written by poet Kāppiyatru Kāppiyanār for King Kalangāykanni Nārmudichēral, son of Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan and his queen, daughter of king Pathuman.

Poems 41 – 50 were written by poet Paranar for King Kadal Pirakōttiya Chenguttuvan, son of Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan and the daughter of Manakkilli, a Chōzha king.  King Chenguttuvan was a contemporary of Gajabāhu of Sri Lanka (A.D. 180).

Poems 51 – 60 were written by poetess Kākkai Pādiniyār Nachellaiyār for king Ādukotpāttu Chēralāthan, son of Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan and his queen, a daughter of a Velāvi king.

The above five kings belonged to the Chēral Uthiyan clan.

Poems 61 – 70 were written by poet Kapilar for King Selvakadungō Vāzhiyāthan, son of King Chēran Anthuvan.

Poems 71 – 80 were written by poet Arisil Kizhār for King Perunchēral Irumporai, son of King Selvakadungo Vāzhiyāthan and his queen, daughter of Velāvi king Pathuman.  This king was the victor of Thakadūr. He was the greatest of the Uthiyan kings.

Poems 81 – 90 were written by poet Perunkundrūr Kizhār for King Ilanchēral Irumporai, son of King Perunchēral Irumporai and Princess Anthuvan Chellai.

The above three kings belonged to the Irumporai clan.  Both clans were related through marriages.

Let us look at the wonders. Because the first song (or book ) is missing we go to Number Two song.

***

item 911 -Himalayas to Tamil Nadu

Poems 11 – 20 were written by Brahmin poet Kumattūr Kannanār for King Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan, son of King Uthiyan Chēral and Queen Nallini.  This king is said to have defeated the Aryans and Yavanas and carved a bow–emblem on the Himalayas.

There is prayer to God. It is about Lord Siva. பதிற்றுப்பத்து கடவுள் வாழ்த்து

Prayer song is taken from most famous Tamil commentator Nachchinarkiniyar. It may not be part of Pathitruppaththu. All the qualities attributed to Lord Siva is in one beautiful verse.

The first wonder is King Imayavarampan Nedunchēralāthan ruled for 58 years, according to Pathikam attached to it. He went upto the Himalayas and carved his bow symbol on it. He made cultured Aryan kings salute him. His mother was Mrs Nallini; his father was Uthiyan Cheral.

***

item 912- Punished Yavana Rouges

He arrested the harsh worded Yavanas, tied their hands behind, poured oil on their head; to release them he got precious gold and diamonds and distributed them to others. Commentators interpreted others as poets, bards, dancers and army commanders.

Two points must be noted here: when the poet described Yananas negative words are used. whenAryas mentioned appreciatory words are added. Second point is he distributed Yavana gold and diamonds to others. He did not add them to his treasury. Yavanas were the Italian pirates who did bad things in the western sea what we call now as Arabian sea, a misnomer!

***

item 913- Lord Skanda Muruka and Chera King- lines 1-15

Lord Murugan (Skanda/ Kartikeyan) destroyed Sura Padman, a demon. This story is enacted on the shores of Tiru Chendur coast on Skanda Sashti day every year. Million Hindus assemble there to worship Lord Murugan. So we see 2000 years continuity in Hindu beleifs.

All Tamil Kings had Trees as totem symbols. Lord Muruga is said to have cut the Mango tree of demon Sura Padman.

In the same way Chera King cut down the Kadampa tree in the island in the Arabian sea. He used the tree to make a war drum

The pirates were occupying one of the islands of Arabian sea and were robbing all the gold ladden ships.

***

Map of Chera Nadu (Kerala)

item 914- Beautiful Himalayas with Aryan Sages and Dreaming Deer

Here comes beautiful lines which explode the myth that British united India. Now and then we see some comments by Hollywood and Kollywood idiots saying British united India. From Mahabharata to Sangam Tamil literature we see repeated words Himalayas to Kanyakumari ruled or controlled by a king. Here we see it in lines 17-25

Aryan= Sages; not the racial meaning given by Foreign Gangs.

Here the poet described the dream of Kavari Deer or Yaks. I have already explained Hindus are the one who repeatedly talked about animal dreams. Now western magazines are WRITING RESEARCH ARTICLES!! As if they have discovered something new! Sangam Tamil literature, Tamil epics and Tamil Bhakti literature have hundreds of dreams.

All the Himalayan descriptions in the early strata of Purananuru and Pathitru Pathu are copied from the first ten stnzas of Kalidasa’s Kumara Sambhava.

***

item 915- Blood Changed the colour of the sea Red!

Like him, you struck your enemies with your blood-tipped
sword, and slaughtered them to pieces on battlefields.
Blood from wounds your sword caused flowed into the
sapphire- colored, dark backwaters, the color changing to
that of saffron dye.

We know this as an exaggeration. But the same thing said about Charmanvati river (Chambal river) on the banks of which King Ranti Deva performing Yagas with animal sacrifice, and river water turning blood red, was used by idiots .

***

Cheran  Senguttuvan on March

item 916- Mars and Venus-

Line 25 is about the old belief of Hindus about the position of planet Venus.

Venus does not run toward Mars, rains fall without
fail in the lands where they are needed and when they are
needed

The movement of Venus as seen from earth is always noted. Here poet says if Venus moves too close to planet Mars there will be drought. In 2021 and 2015 both Venus and mars were seen close to one another from earth. Though they are millions of miles away, we see them close. More research has to be done by Hindus to see how correct they are.

***

item 917- Unwoven Clothes- Silk-

The kings munificence towards the bards and dancers were explained in many words. King gave them goat meat, rice, toddy, golden ornaments and clothes not woven in the normal way (from cotton). It is silk. From this we know the poverty of the bards and the wealthy life style of the cities. Silk clothes were made from the silk worms. Poet has coined a new word Noolaak Kalingam நூலாக் கலிங்கம்in Tamil.

***

Statue of  Yavana

item 918- Mysterious Akkuran!

In the verse 14 the king is compared to five elements and stars and planets. He is not measurable like these elements and heavenly bodies. This comparison with planes five elements is in Manu Smriti and Valmiki Ramayana . அக்குரன் அனைய கைவண்மையையே;

The king is praised as generous as Akkuran. No details of that philanthropist are available in Hindu scriptures. Karna of Mahabharata is the greatest philanthropist in Hindu literature.

In the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, Akrura is a Yadava prince and the maternal uncle of Lord Krishna. He is famously known for his righteousness and for driving the chariot that brought Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. Note the difference in spellings.

Tags – Purananuru wonders-66, Tamil Encyclopaedia 106, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 106, Item 918, Akkuran, Yavana 

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 16,152

Date uploaded in London – 1 September 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

PART 106

T words continued……………..

Turvasu

Younger son of Yayati and Devayani. Like his elder brother Yadu, he too declined to exchange his youth for his father’s pre mature old age caused by the curse of Shukracharya. For not obeying him, Yayati cursed that his descendants would rule over sinful population and would be annihilated completely.

***

Twashta

A virtuous Brahmana who created a three headed son called Vishwaroopa who was killed by Indra out of envy.  Twashta then created another son Vritrasura to take revenge against Indra. That Brahmin was also killed by Indra;  because he killed a Brahmin, Indra went to many shrines for purification which is in Sanskrit Puranas and Tamil Temple Puranas called Sthala Puranas (sthala= holy spot). Vritrasura has another interpretation; it is the drought which Indra/rain killed.

This episode exposes foreign “scholars” who hide that Vritra was a Brahmin or completely ignore this incident as it had not happened. The same “scholars” create mountain out of a mole in the episode of Krishna denying food meant for Indra in the Govardhana Hill Lifting Episode.

***

Tyagaraja (1767-1847)

Great musician and composer who was born in Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. His Kritis/compositions in Telugu and Sanskrit are sung in all Carnatic Music Concerts until this day. His compositions are mostly on Lord Rama. He is regarded as one of the “trinities” of Carnatic music composers, along with Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. He was a devotee of Rama. Tyagaraja started his musical training under Sri Sonti Venkataramanayya at an early age. He started his musical career at the age of 13. His Samadhi is in Thiruvaiyaru in Tamil Nadu. To this day, a commemorative music festival called the Tyagaraja Aaradhana is held at Thiruvaiyaru in the months of January to February every year. Scholars and musicians generally agree that roughly 700 to 730 songs have survived and are sung or documented today. Legend suggests Tyagaraja composed 24,000 songs (matching the number of verses in the Valmiki Ramayana). He is believed to have recited the Rama Nama 96 crore (960 million) times. Saint Tyagaraja experienced visions of Lord Rama through his intense devotion, spiritual penance, and musical compositions.

Gems from Tyagaraja:

Pancharatna Kritis: The “Five Gems” set in master Ghana ragas (Nata, Arabhi, Varali, Sri, and Gowla) stand as monumental pillars of Carnatic composition. Musical Operas: He wrote groundbreaking narrative works like [Prahlada Bhakti Vijayam and Nauka Charitram] using a rich sequence of ragas. He composed accessible, choral, and devotional pieces meant for group singing and daily temple rituals. He pioneered anagata eduppu, writing songs where the lyrics start dynamically after the primary beat (sama) rather than directly on it. The Jagadanandakaraka kriti by Saint Tyagaraja contains 108 names of Lord Rama. Historical accounts and traditions state that Tyagaraja and Syama Sastri met. Syama Sastri was the oldest of the Trinity of Carnatic music. He often travelled to Thiruvaiyaru to visit Tyagaraja at his home, and the two masters discussed music and sang together. Syama Sastri also sent his son, Subbaraya Sastri, to study music under Tyagaraja. He explicitly signed his name—usually as “Tyagaraja” or variants like “Tyagarajuni”—typically in the final charanam (stanza) of his compositions

***

Tulsi

Most scared plant for Vaishnavites like Bilva (vilvam in Tamil) for Saivites.

Tulsi [तुलसी] in the Hindi language is the name of a plant identified with Ocimum tenuiflorum  from the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. It is kept in a raised place called Mandap at the back of the house in open space. Hindus, particularly women worship it every day. The plant has good medicinal properties. Krishna is said to have great respect for this plant. There are many stories to show how Krishna valued it. Tulasi is also referred to as Vrinda, Brinda. The forested area of Tulasi plants where Krishna grew up has for this reason been called V/Brindavan. Tulsi refers to  the plant basil.

**

Tulsi Vivah

Tulasi Vivah festival is usually observed on the 11th Day after the Full Moon of the bright fortnight of the month of Karthika. Vivah means wedding, marriage.

Women clean the area around the Tulasi plant or place the pot on a decorated rangoli base. They construct a small wedding canopy (mandap) using sugarcane stalks, banana leaves, and marigold flowers. Tulasi plant is the Bride; women bathe the Tulasi plant and drape a red or yellow sari or red cloth around it. Adorn the plant with vermilion (kumkum), turmeric (haldi), bangles, and ornaments. Bridegroom is Vishnu and he is represented by a Shaligram (fossil with marks like Vishnu Chakra/wheel). So, a shaligram stone (representing Lord Vishnu) or an idol of Lord Krishna/Vishnu is placed next to the plant, dressing the idol in traditional yellow garments and a crown. After lighting oil lamps and incense sticks, Lord Ganesha is invoked to remove obstacles before starting the main worship. The Union: Tie a sacred cotton thread (mauli) or garland between the Tulasi plant and the Shaligram/Vishnu idol to symbolize the marital knot. Family members act as parents to perform the symbolic Kanyadaan (giving away the bride) while priests or participants chant Vedic mantras and wedding hymns. Shower flowers and vermilion-mixed rice over the divine couple, perform the Mangal Aarti, and offer seasonal fruits, sweets, and jaggery as bhog before distributing prasad to family and friends.  They celebrate it to quicken the marriages in the family. It signals the official opening of the auspicious Hindu wedding season.

***

Tulsidhas

Goswami Tulsidas composed the epic poem Ramcharitmanas in the 16th century to retell the sacred story of Lord Rama in the vernacular Awadhi dialect of Hindi language. Goswami Tulsidas (1543?–1623), was a poet-saint and devoted follower of Rama. He spread bhakti movement across northern India by bringing the ancient story into the hearts and daily lives of ordinary households. Ramcharitmanas (Devanagari: रामचरितमानस rāmacaritamānasa), is an epic poem in seven cantos.The word Ramcharitmanas literally means “Lake of the deeds of Rama”. It is considered one of the greatest works of Hindu literature. Most scholars identify his birthplace as Rajapur, a village on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh . He died in Varanasi (specifically near Assi Ghat), Uttar Pradesh, India

The ‘Hanuman Chalisa was composed by the saint; the hymn is a timeless ode recited by millions of Hindus every day. It is believed that an ailing Tulsidas composed it and  helped Tulsidas regain his health. It has 40 verses.

***

Tolkappiar and Tolkappiam (kaappiyam)

Tolkappiyam (or Tolkaappiam) is the most ancient extant Tamil grammar text and the oldest surviving Tamil book. Authored by the sage Tolkaappiyar, it serves not only as a comprehensive manual on linguistics but also as a unique guide to the social, cultural life of ancient Tamil Nadu. The text is composed of approximately 1,612 condensed aphoristic verses called Sutras. It is systematically divided into three major sections (adhikarams), each containing exactly nine chapters: Ezhuthadhikaram (Phonology and Orthography). Solladhikaram (Morphology and Syntax), Poruladhikaram splits literature and life into two distinct categories:Akam (Interior): Deals with the subjective emotions of love, courtship, and marital life. Puram (Exterior): Focuses on objective public virtues, heroism, governance, social conduct, and warfare.

Controversies

The exact age remains a subject of heavy debate among scholars. Traditional views tie it to the mythical Second Sangam period (ranging from 1st millennium BCE or earlier), while modern consensus places its earliest layers between the 3rd century BCE and 1st century BCE, with updates settling around the 5th century CE. But the last section called Porul Adhikaram is a alter addition.

The Author: Tradition identifies Tolkappiyar as one of the twelve core disciples of the legendary Sage Agastya.. Only two things are known about the book and the author. The Paayiram (Intro) says it was approved by a Brahmin teacher of Athankodu who was well versed in Four Vedas. Paayiram was composed by his classmate Panamparanaar.  Next information comes from most famous Tamil commentator Nacchinarkiniyar of Madurai, a Brahmin of Bharadvaja Gotra. He says Tolkappiar’s name was Trunadumagni Rishi and he clashed  with his Guru Agastya and was cursed by him. In turn Tolkappiar also cursed him and his grammar Agastyam disappeared because of this. The clash was on a stupid  matter. Agastya asked his disciple Tolkappiar to bring his wife Lopamudra (both names are in the last section of Rig Veda) from Vidharba in modern Madhya Pradesh. When they approached Madurai, river Vaigai was in floods. Just to cross the river safely Tolkappiar took a pole and asked Lopamudra to hold one end of the pole. Tolkappiar brought her safely across the river by holding the other end. When Agastya came to know about it he was angry and cursed him.

If one believes in this story ,it is a proof that Tamil existed at the time of Rig Veda.

Controversy about the book

Tolkappiar and modern version of Tolkappaim (his book) existed in different times. The modern version is from Fifth Century CE which is proved by the word Adhikaaram; this word is used throughout Tirukkural and Tamil epic SilappaDIKAARAM. So, we can conclude all these books were reacted at the same time by Tamil Academy (Sanagam or by a team of Tamil Scholars.

The book is not the original version is known by his expressions, ‘They say’, ‘It is said’ by  at least 300 times. This journalistic cliché shows it is a compilation and not his original.

Strangely, Tolkappiam mentioned Vedic Gods Indra and Varuna as Tamil Gods. Thouh, he mentioned Vishnu, Skanda/Muruga, Kali/Kotravai, Balarama etc. he never mentioned Lord Siva!

Other facts like Tolkappiar using Manu Smriti’s Eight Types of Marriages and Bharata Muni’s Eight Types of Sentiments or moods, reference to Vedic pronunciation etc show the book was compiled later. No reference to book or the author is in 2000 year old Sangam Literature. Some contents of Tolkappiam may be older than Sangam literature. Even the word KAAPPIYA in the name of the book and the name of the author is still debated without an agreeable solution. Kaappiya is the name of the most famous Gotra in the Rig Veda. Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita also praised the Usanas Rishi of Kappiya Gotra. Words like Kavi, Kavithai, Kaavya (poet, poem) are derived from the mysterious poet of Rig Veda Ucanas Kavi.

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Tiruvasagam 

Saivite hymn authored by mysterious saint Manikavasagar (maanikka vaasagar); his date is still debated; why he was not included in the great list of 63 Saivite Saints, absence of his reference to other three Tevara Moovar, vice versa the absence of their reference to Manikavasagar etc remain unsolved mysteries in Tamil Devotional literature. But his superb hymns, 658 verses under 51 chapters (3295 lines), will move anyone. Even Reverend Dr G U Pope who came to spread Christianity in Tamil Nadu was so moved that he spent his life in Translating this hymn, and Tirukkural and other ancient Tamil poem. Author Manikavasagar’s life was full of clashes with the Pandya king and the Buddhist scholars from Sri Lanka. My long research placed him before the time of Tevara Moovar. He must have lived around fifth century CE.

His hymns, full of compassion, on Lord Shiva are sung in Mohana Raga. It is said that even stones will melt when one sings his hymns.

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Tirumurai – Please see Tevaram

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Tiru mular and Tiru Manthiram

Great Saivite saint. He is one of the 63 Nayanamars (naayanmaaras) sung in Periya Puranam and one of the 18 Siddhas (Tamil Mystics). His work TIRUMANTHIRAM in Tamil consists of 3000 poems dealing with Saiva Siddhanta, Sakta and Vedanta- a rare combination. The contents of the book dealing with Devi, Tantras, Mantras and Yantras, reference to Siva Linga (which is absent in Tevaram & Tiruvasagam etc), and  his Non-Tamil expressions, his style, use of Sanskrit words – all place him in 8^th or ninth century CE. He travelled from Kashmir and saw a dead body of a cow herd and the cows longing for him. Immediately he used one of the Eight Mystic Powers called Ashta Maa Siddhi, and entered the body of the cowherd to the delight of the cows. This happened in Aaduthurai in Tamil Nadu. The samadhi of the saint is located within the ancient temple in Thiruvavaduthurai, Tamil Nadu

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Tiru Valluvar and Tirukkural

london swaminathan with Valluvar statue in London University.

The most famous poet of Tamil Nadu who authored TIRUKKURAL which consists of 1330 couplets dealing with Dharma Artha Kama (Virtue, Wealth and Sex). In the contents he also deals with asceticism and Moksha (liberation of soul). He was a staunch Hindu and summarised all the Hindu thoughts in the briefest poems called Kural. His reference to Hindu Gods Indra, Yama, Vamana Avatar, Krishna Avatar, Lakshmi, her elder siter, Brahma, Siva (indirectly) show him as a master of Hindu scriptures. His knowledge in Sanskrit is also evident in his indirect references to Bhagavad Gita, Manu smriti, Artha Shastra and Pancha Tantra. In addition to reference to Hindu Gods, he ued Sanskrit words in about 600 couplets out of 1330. Tiru Valluvar was a staunch supporter Vegetarianism

Tamils placed his book in the post Sangam group of 18 Minor poems. He belonged to Fifth Century CE, but Tamil fanatics gave him a new date 31 BCE to shut the mouth of Christians who started comparing his couplets with Bible. Hundred year old Tirukkural books show him as a man born to high and low class woman and man  with six siblings. Modern books wiped out those facts and portrayed him differently.  Political Tamils are doing it to every ancient Tamil author including Tolkappiar..

Tirukkural is one of the greatest contributions of India to the world.  Though he begins with ten couplets on God with Feet and Head (God with a form). Most of what he said is applicable to honest human beings in any part of the world. Still it is not out of controversy. He refers to slavish wife and attributes supernatural powers to such women. Like Kalidasa he also portrayed Kings as Gods and attributed supernatural harvest happening in his kingdom.  English people who saw the third part of his book on Love and Sex were appaleed in the beginning and hid it from the light of the world. They did not realise that sex was not a taboo to Hindus.

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Trayambhaka (Three Eyed)

God with Three Eyes is Lord Siva. This Vedic reference to Lord Siva is in the earliest part of Sangam tamil Literature. But oldest book Tolkaappiam completely ignored him. Traymabaka is the name of one of the 12 Jyotir Linga shrines in India, located from Rameswaram to Himalayas. Lord Siva used his Laser Eye to burn Manmatha  (God of Love) and three hanging Space Stations of three demons. Siva’s attributes are put in Tamil by Appar and Sambndar around 600 CE

 Tamils proved Siva and Rudra are one and the same, countering foreign mischiefs.

Trayambakeswar /Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple (श्री त्र्यंबकेश्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग मंदिर) in Nashik district of Maharashtra. It is 28 kilometres from Nashik city.

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Tri siras- see Twasta.

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Turaga /Turkey

Turaga means horse. Turkey was the land of horses in Vedic days. All the best kind of horses were brought to Turkey by Vedic Hindus and trained by them. This is proved by the Kikkuli manual with Sanskrit instructions found in Turkey. The manual is dated around 1400 BCE.

A Brief Introduction to the Kikkuli Text

The Kikkuli Text is a Late Bronze Age (ca. 1350 B.C.) set of instructions for training and conditioning horses. It is connected to Kikkuli, who identifies himself as a Mitannian “master horse trainer.” The text survives on clay tablets written in Hittite cuneiform and found at the Hittite capital of Ḫattuša (modern Boğazköy, Turkey). While the main language of the tablets is Hittite, the text also preserves specialized technical terms, including numbers and training vocabulary, that reflect knowledge transferred from the Mitanni and Hurrian world into the Hittite court.

Mitannian was a Hindu Kingdom ruling areas in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran . All the names of the kings were in pure Sanskrit. There we have Dasaratha, Pratardhana etc. found Iin Ramayana and Vishnu Sahasra namam.

Horse manual with Sanskrit words in cuneiform clay tablets in Turkey.

To be continued………………………

Tags – Kikkuli, , Turvasu, Twashta, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL, part 106; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-106