Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
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(vaikaasi visaakam)
May 1, 2026 Vesak; May 30,2026 Vaikasi Visakam.
There are two Full Moon Days in May 2026.
Visaka , a star name, is corrupted as Vesak in Buddhist terminology.
Vesak, often called “Buddha Day” or Buddha Purnima, is the most sacred holiday in Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing (Parinirvana) of Gautama Buddha on the full moon in May.
Significance: Celebrates the three major milestones of the Buddha’s life, which in many traditions occurred on the same day.
When: Celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month, usually in May. In 2026, May 1.
Temple Visits: Buddhists visit temples for services and to make offerings.
“Bathing the Buddha”: A ceremony where water is poured over a statue of the infant Buddha to symbolize purification and the washing away of negative actions.
Light and Decor: Homes and temples are decorated with lanterns and lights to symbolize the enlightenment of the Buddha.
Lifestyle: Many devotees wear white, eat vegetarian food, and observe the “eight precepts” (a code of morality) for the day.
Global Recognition: The United Nations recognized the day internationally in 1999 to acknowledge the contributions of Buddhism to spirituality and humanity.
Vesak is primarily celebrated in South and Southeast Asia (Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Singapore) as well as by Tibetan and Mahayana traditions.
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The festivalVaikasi Visakam is observed on the full moon day in the month of Vaikasi corresponding to the English month May -June. Moon is closer to the asterism/star Visaka. The day is said to be one in which god Subrahmanya incarnated in this world.
Dharmaraja , god of death, also known as Yama is also worshipped on this day. Hence this day is said to be doubly important and meritorious. Chaturdasi is the 14th day after a full moon day or new moon day; and the next day will be either full moon or new moon. If such a day happens to be a Tuesday in any of the dark fortnights, the occasion is said to be favourable for the worship of Yama.
This is a month in which the days are extremely hot and sultry. Ponds and tanks dry up quickly and plants wither away. Rapidly. Henc the sages have laid down that distribution of free food such as curd bath/yogurt rice with cool drinks or butter milk during such days will earn punya. Presentation of umbrellas and leather sandals, palm leaf fans as well as watering plants are considered acts of great religious merit.
Certain places are considered to be especially important for such acts of charity, and Swamimalai is one of them. It has a myth attached to it for its importance and it is in brief as follows,
An asura by name Arikesa was giving Indra a lot of trouble. He visited various holy shrines to find a solution to solve this problem. When he went to Swamimalai and worshipped lord Subrahmanysa/ Muruga, He blessed him with the strength to shake off the demon and win back the kingdom he usurped.
The observance of this festival at Tirumazhupadi near Thanjavur is considered especially important for the reason that Siva had on one occasion made a MAZHU or lance dance at this place and that took place on a Vaikasi Visaka day. And Siva’s sacred bull had its incarnation on this festive occasion.
Alwar tirunagari in Tirunelveli district is the next important place for the observance of this festival. Most famous Vaishnava saint NAMMALVAR was born here on Vaikasi Visaka day.
There is an image of Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu is in the hill temple at Simhachalam in Andhra. On all days of the year it is coated with sandal paste, but on the Vaikasi Visakam day the paste is scrubbed off, and the form is available for view. People flock to this place in large numbers to see the image.
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Inscriptions
On the outside of the northern wall of enclosure of the
Thanjavur temple is a record in the sixth year of the Choza king Rajendradeva 1050-63 CE making provision for a daily allowance of paddy to a troop of actors to enact the drama of Rajarajeswara nataka on the occasion of the Vaikasi festival. On the rock outside the north prakara of the Ratnachaleswara temple at Ratnagiri in Trichy district, is an inscription relating to the 16th year,340th day of Tribhuvana chakravartin Konerumelkondan making a gift of land for the festival called Vaikasi tirunal.
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My old article on Vaikasi is given below:
Significance of Tamil month Vaikasi (vaikaasi)
This is the second month in Hindu Solar Calendar. Sun travels in second zodiac sign Rishaba, i.e, Taurus.
Tamil Hindus arrange auspicious events during this month. Marriages, Gruha Pravesa (house warming) , construction of buildings etc take place in this month.
Visaaka Star day (Viasaaka star and Moon together) known as Vaikaasi Visaakam is celebrated in Skanda/ Murugan temples. Millions of people visit Muruga/Kartikeya temples on that day.
For Buddhists Vesak (Visaka) is the most important festival of Buddha Jayanthi.
For Hindus, Tamil saints Sekkizar Jayanthi, Thiru Gnana Sambandar Jayanthi, Kanchi Mahaperiyavar Jayanthi (Shankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt (1894-1994) are important. This month roughly corresponds to May in English Calendar.
–Subham—
Tags- Vaikasi Visakam Festival, significance of Tamil month , Buddha Jayanti, Nammalvar, Vesak
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
***
LA Words continued…………. Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.
LAKSHANAM
Lakshanam (Sanskrit: लक्षण) denotes a sign, mark, characteristic, or attribute used to define an entity. The term serves as a foundational concept in Hindu philosophy, Ayurveda, and linguistics, indicating symptoms, unique features, or indirect meanings.
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LAKSHYAM
lakṣya (or lakshya) generally refers to a target, goal, aim, or objective within Hindu, Sanskrit, and Yoga literature. The term encompasses both physical targets used in contexts like the Arthashastra and the metaphorical focus of meditation
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LASYAM
Lāsya refers to a graceful, delicate form of dance, often representing the feminine counterpart to the vigorous Tāṇḍava dance of Shiva. Rooted in the term for playing or frolicking, this style is characterized by its gentle movements and is associated with emotional expression. For more details.
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Lalita Vistara
A work in Sanskrit verse on the doctrine and life of Buddha.
Lalitavistara (Sanskrit: ललितविस्तर) is a sacred Mahāyāna Buddhist text detailing the life of Gautama Buddha, often translated as “The Exhaustive Story of the Sport of the Buddha”. It presents the Buddha’s life—from descending from Tusita heaven to his first sermon—as a playful act of a superhuman being.
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LAVANGA/M
Used in Puja along with Cardamom
Lavanga in Sanskrit is the name of a plant identified with Syzygium caryophyllatum from having the following synonyms: Myrtus caryophyllata, Syzygium caryophyllaeum, Eugenia corymbosa.
Lavaṅga (लवङ्ग) or Lavaṭha refers to the medicinal plant Syzygium aromaticum L. Syn. Eugenia aromaticum Merril & Perry. Syn. Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb., and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter (it belongs to the Myrtaceae (Bottlebrush) family).
It is used in the Ayurvedic formulation known as Cyavanaprāśa: an Ayurvedic health product that helps in boosting immunity
The flower-buds are used. It is fragrant, bitter, pungent, cold, pacifies pitta and kapha and restores vāyu to its normal course.
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LE, LI words
LEMURIA
A fake and imaginary land like Utopia. May be compared with Atlantis of Greek literature. Tamils try to identify it with the lost Kumari Kandam/continent.
It is a fact that two Tsunamis devoured southern most parts of Tamil Nadu 2000 ++ years ago. But imaginary Lemuria has no scientific proof and nothing to do with the lost Tamil lands.. During continental drift, a lot of geological changes happened. But human beings did not exist at that time. The Indian Ocean map produced by National Geographic magazine shows NO such land mass near the southernmost tip of India. But millions of years ago, before civilizations appeared on earth, massive geological changes happened. In short Lemuria is misunderstood and misused by politicians.
Lemuria is a 19th-century scientific hypothesis named by English zoologist Philip Sclater in 1864, derived from “lemur” (the primate) and the suffix “-ia” (land). It was coined to describe a hypothetical sunken continent in the Indian Ocean, bridging Madagascar and India, intended to explain the geographical distribution of lemur fossils.
Origins and Evolution of the Name:
Scientific Origin (1864): Philip Lutley Sclater proposed the name in a paper titled “The Mammals of Madagascar” to suggest a former landmass connecting Africa, Madagascar, and India.
Etymological Basis: The name is derived from lemur (referring to the nocturnal, bug-eyed lemur primates) and the suffix -ia (Latin/Greek suffix denoting a land or country).
The “Lemur” Link: The concept arose because fossils of similar creatures were found in Madagascar and India, but not in Africa, suggesting they migrated across a “land bridge” that later san
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LINGA/M
Formless aspect of God, particularly Siva. Though the linga form is absent in the Vedas, from Mahabharata it received distinct notice.
Sangam Tamil literature mentioned Siva’s names but not Lingam. It is refered very late in Bhakti literature.
In a passage of the Saurapurāṇa, Nārada asks Brahmā as to what is called liṅga; then Brahma gives the definition of liṅga:
“That form of Mahādeva which is Unmanifest (avvakta) is called liṅga; it is bliss (ānanda) and beyond all nescience (tamasaḥ paraṃ). By the liṅga Śaṃkara is Liṅgī”
Liṅga (लिङ्ग).—The worship of Liṅga is found in a quarrel between Brahmā and Viṣhṇu.
Certain liṅgas are called Jyotirliṅgas and they are said to be twelve in number such as Viśveśvara, Ratneśvara at Vārāṇasī, Mahākāla at Ujjayinī etc
In olden days, in the period of Satyayuga, Mahāviṣṇu did penance in Śvetadvīpa (the island Śveta) to obtain Eternal Bliss, being deeply engaged in the study of Brahmavidyā. Brahmā also went to another place and began to do penance for the suppression of passions. Both were doing severe penance. So they began to walk in order to take rest from the penance. On the way they met each other. One asked “who are you?” The other also asked the same question. The talk ended in a contest as to who was the greater of the two. Each claimed himself to be the supreme power of the world. Neither of them was prepared to recognize the claims of the other. In the midst of this contest, a LINGA appeared before them and an ethereal voice said from the sky: “You need not quarrel as to who is superior. He who reaches the extremity of this Lingam is the superior person. So both of you proceed, one upwards and the other downwards and find out the end.” Hearing this Viṣhṇu went downwards to find out the bottom and Brahmā, upwards to the top. Viṣhṇu travelled for a long time and finding no end thought the attempt futile and returned to the starting point with disappointment and sat down.
Brahmā travelled upwards for a long time and found no end. On the way he saw the petal of a paṇḍānus flower, coming down from the sky. Brahmā took it and joyfully returned and said haughtily to Viṣṇu: “See, I have taken this flower from the head of the Lingam. I have brought this to convince you. You have been defeated. So can you not admit that I am the superior?” Mahāviṣhṇu did not believe the words of Brahmā. So he called the Paṇḍānus flower to him and questioned it. The Paṇḍānus flower took false oath and witnessed in favour of Brahmā, who had asked the flower beforehand to be on his side. Mahāviṣṇu did not believe this either and said, “Let Śiva be witness to this flower”. Śiva at these words appeared before them and revealed the deceit played by Brahmā and the flower and then cursed the Paṇḍānus flower that thenceforward it should not have a place among the flowers of oblation to Śiva. Then Śiva got angry and plucked off a head of Brahmā. That is the skull Śiva uses for receiving alms. (Devī Bhāgavata, Śkandha 5.)
General meaning:
Liṅga (लिङ्ग)
1) A mark, sign, token, an emblem, a badge, symbol, distinguishing mark, characteristic; यतिपार्थिवलिङ्गधारिणौ (yatipārthivaliṅgadhāriṇau) R.8.16; अथवा प्रावृषेण्यैरेव लिङ्गै- र्मम राजोपचारः संप्रति (athavā prāvṛṣeṇyaireva liṅgai- rmama rājopacāraḥ saṃprati) V.4; मुनिर्दोहदलिङ्गदर्शी (munirdohadaliṅgadarśī) 14.71; Manusmṛti 1. 3;8.25,252.The sign of gender
2) Liṅga.—Proof, evidence (प्रमाण (pramāṇa)); the word is often used in the Paribhāșendușekhara and other works in connection with a rule or part of a rule quoted as an evidence to deduce some general dictum or Paribhāșā;
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Lilavati (leelaavati)
Charming- the fanciful title of that chapter of Bhaskara’s Siddhanta Sironmani which treats of arithmetic and geometry
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LO words
LOPAMUDRA
Daughter of king of Vidarbha. Agastya’s wife.
Sage Agastya, not being able to find a suitable wife , created her through the synthesis of best organs of various living beings and caused her to be born as the daughter of king of Vidarbha. She grew up to be a supremely beautiful woman, and her father was reluctant to give her in marriage to Agastya when he asked for her hand. The king was afraid to refuse the great sage for fear of earning his wrath. Lopamudra, realizing this predicament, willingly marred Agastya and discarding her royal robes and regal ways of living , she followed the sage in his ascetic wanderings.
When Agastya expressed his desire to produce a child, her only request was that he come to her dressed in a rich princely attire and find her on a jewel encrusted bed in a palace such as the one she was used to in her father’s house. When Agastya needed the amassed wealth and fulfilled her wishes, she gave birth to a son, Dadhasyu This is in Mahabharata .
Most famous Tamil commentator Nachchinarkiniyar , who lived 700 years ago, gives interesting story about the clash between Agastya and Trunadumagni who Tamils called Tolkappiar. Full account will be given under ‘T.’
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LOKALOKA PARVATA
Lokāloka (लोकालोक).—There is a mountain between Loka and Aloka. This is called Lokālokaparvata and the land beside it is called Lokāloka. The mountain is as long as the distance between Mānasottara and Mahāmeru. This place is golden in colour and as smooth as glass. Not a single being lives there. God has created this as a boundary to the three worlds. All the planets like the Sun get light from the brilliance of this mountain. Brahmā has posted four diggajas named Vṛṣabha, Puṣpacūḍa, Vāmana and Aparājita in the four corners of this mountain. (8th Skandha, Devī Bhāgavata).
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LOMASHA RISHI
A great rishi, who on a visit to swarga/heaven, was surprised to see Arjuna sitting beside Indra on a throne. Indra read his mind and acquainted him about Arjuna’s birth and his mission on earth. In accordance with Indra’s wishes , Lomasha then returned to earth and assured Yudhishthira about the welfare of Arjuna . He then accompanied the Pandavas to various places of pilgrimage and at each place he told them about the great sages who had lived there in earlier times. This is in Mahabharata .
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LOMAPADA
An ancient king of Anga desa who had displeased some Brahmanas and therefore they cursed that his kingdom would undergo a prolonged draught. He therefore arranged to bring to his kingdom the sage Rishyasinga through trickery so that rain would fall on his parched and famine stricken land. Later he gave his adopted daughter Shantaa in marriage to Rishyashringa .This is in Mahabharata .
To be continued……………………..
Tags- Rishyashringa, Lopamudra, Lakshana, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 54; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-54
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Purananuru Wonders -22 Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 62; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 62
For English versions I Used Vaidehi Herbert’s translation; For most of the Sanskrit words I used Wisdomlib.org
Item 477
सामुद्रिकलक्षण (Sāmudrikalakṣaṇa)-
In Puranānūru verse 59, Poet Mathurai Koolavānikan Cheethalai Sāthanār used the opt repeated Sanskrit words AAJAANU BAAHUதாள் தோய் தடக்கை large hands that touch your legs.
This is not the only place the Sanskrit cliché is used. Eyes are described as lotus petals or fish like in Tamil and Sanskrit literature.
Ajanubahu (Sanskrit: आजानुबाहु) is a term describing a person whose arms are long enough to reach their knees when standing erect. It signifies a physical ideal in Indian culture, representing immense strength, divine stature, and high character, often used to describe gods, saints, and heroes like Rama or Krishna.
Etymology: Derived from a (up to), jānu (knee), and bāhu (arm), meaning “one
A famous sloka said by all devotees of Lord Ram is
SHRI-RAGHAVAM DASHARATHATMAJAM APRAMEYAM
SITA-PATIM RAGHUKULANVAYA-RATNADIPAM
AJANU-BAHUM ARAVINDA-DALAYATAKSHAM
RAMAM NISHACARA-VINASHAKARAM NAMAMI
It is famous Tamil film Lava Kusa as well.
In Indian culture, persons with such physical characteristics are either gods, saints, kings or great warriors. The idols of Hindu gods like Rama, Lakshmana, Krishna when shown in standing position are depicted as ajanu bahu feature. Even idols of Jain Tirthankars are shown as ajanbahu. The great saints like, Sai Baba of Shirdi, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Samartha and Gajanan Maharaj were said to have ajanu bahu characteristic.
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Item 478 Painting and Sanskrit word
This about a Pandya king who died in Chitra madam- a place with paintings in Madurai. Two things are notable. Sanskrit word Chitra and painting.
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Item 479 Two Different Authors with the same name
Silappadikaram by Ilango and Manimekalai by this poet Mathurai Koolavānikan Cheethalai Sāthanār differ greatly with Sangam poets in language and style.
Both these Tamil epics do not fit in Sangam age Tamil. Linguists must do more research.
I placed Tolkappiam Porul Adhikaram- Third Adhikaram , Silappadikaram and Tirukkural 133 adikarams in Fifth century CE
Sanskrit Word ADIKARAM is common to these three books.
Manimekalai followed Silappadikaram and its last three chapters are full of Sanskrit/Prakrit words.
My conclusion is the author of Manimekalai and this Puram verse are two different poets, though with the same name.
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Item 480 Sun and Moon
In Kalidasa’s works and Manu Smriti kings are compared with Five Elements- Pancha Bhuta –and Sun and Moon.
In this verse poet says
You are like the sun that rises from the ocean, never relenting in your fierce rage toward your enemies, but like the moon to people like me!
ஞாயிறு அனையை நின் பகைவர்க்குத், திங்கள் அனையை எம்மனோர்க்கே.
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Puranānūru 59, Poet Mathurai Koolavānikan Cheethalai Sāthanār sang to Pandiyan Chithiramādathu Thunjiya Nanmāran,
1 O greatly esteemed Vazhuthi wearing garlands on your handsome chest, with large hands that touch your legs! You certainly give with love, Lord! You do not accept lies.
2
You are like the sun that rises from the ocean, never relenting in your fierce rage toward your enemies, but like the moon to people like me!
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புறநானூறு59, பாடியவர்: மதுரைக் கூலவாணிகன் சீத்தலைச் சாத்தனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் சித்திரமாடத்துத் துஞ்சிய நன்மாறன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பூவை நிலை
1 ஆரம் தாழ்ந்த அணி கிளர் மார்பின், தாள் தோய் தடக்கைத் தகை மாண் வழுதி! வல்லை மன்ற நீ நயந்து அளித்தல், தேற்றாய் பெரும பொய்யே, என்றும் காய் சினம் தவிராது கடல் ஊர்பு எழுதரும்
2 ஞாயிறு அனையை நின் பகைவர்க்குத், திங்கள் அனையை எம்மனோர்க்கே.
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Item 481 Dr.Damodaran
In Puram verse 60, Poet’s name is Lord Krishna’s famous name.
Brahmins recite this name at least three times a day when they do Sandhyavandana.
Poet was a doctor!
Meaning of Damodaran is “one who is tied with a rope around his belly” (dama = rope, udara = belly). This signifies a divine pastime where Krishna was bound by his mother, symbolizing his accessibility and control, and is the 367th name of Vishnu in Sahsranama.உறையூர் மருத்துவன் தாமோதரனார்
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Item 482 Tamil’s Great Discovery
Tamils only called Ocean S Three Waters. முந்நீர் Mun Neer.
Ocean or sea has River Water, Rain Water and Spring Water. Because of these three types of waters it is called Mun=Three, Neer= Waters.
My interpretation is No spring water mingles directly into sea because it is part of river water. So it must be the springs under the ocean. Oceanographers reported such under water hot springs in the last century only. But Hindus knew it long long ago. It is confirmed by another reference Vada Mukhagni or Badavagni or Vadavai Anal in Tamil. That is submarine fire which we see in Hawai Island on all days.
I wanted to add one more interpretation.
Mun Neer also mean First Water. Only ocean water was there in the beginning; life evolved in it and spread to land and sky. So, it is called First, Mun in Tamil.
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Item 483 Planet Mars செம்மீன்
செம்மீன்Sem Meen is literally Red Star. Planet Mars which looks blood red in the sky was rightly named Sev Vay or Sem Meen செம்மீன் in Tamil.
Ancient Tamils were keen observers of sky and so add the heavenly objects wherever possible.
In Sanskrit also, it is called a red planet:
The primary Sanskrit name for the planet Mars is Maṅgala (मङ्गल), meaning “auspicious” or “fortunate”. It is recognized as one of the Navagraha (nine celestial bodies) and is strongly associated with the color red and fiery energy. Tuesday is named Mangalavāra (मंगलवार) after this planet.
Other common Sanskrit names for Mars include:
Kuja (कुज): Meaning “son of the Earth” (born from Bhoomi).
Angāraka (अङ्गारक): Meaning “the burning coal” or “the red planet” (referring to its color).
Bhauma (भौम): Meaning “son of Bhumi” (Earth).
Raktavarna (रक्तवर्ण): Meaning “blood-colored” or “red-bodied”.
Lohitāṅga (लोहिताङ्ग): Meaning “red-bodied” or “iron-bodied”.
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Item 484 White Umbrella வெண்குடை
Hindu Kings were protected by White Umbrellas வெண்குடை VEN KUDAI It is used throughout Sanskrit literature and always compared to Moon. Both signify Coolness.
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Item 485 Strength of a Bull பகட்டு
King’s strength is compared to that of a Bull.
In Tamil even youths are called KAALAI, word for Bull in Tamil
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Puranānūru 60, Poet Uraiyur Maruthuvan Thāmōtharanār sang for Chozhan Kurāpalli Thunjiya Perunthirumāvalavan,
1 Like a lantern on a boat in the middle of the THREE WATERS/ocean, there was the Red Planet high above us in the sky,
and we saw the full moon that was high above. On seeing it, did I not, along with my dancer with few bangles, like a peacock in the wasteland, bow to it many times?
2
It was because it resembled the white umbrella that protects us, pretty and fearsome, hiding the sun, decorated with garlands, belonging to my king Valavan with a victory drum and a sword 3
that never fails, his strength like that of a bull that pulls a wagon with salt from salt pans near the ocean, up toward the mountain,
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புறநானூறு60, பாடியவர்: உறையூர் மருத்துவன் தாமோதரனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குராப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சிய பெருந்திருமாவளவன்,
உச்சி நின்ற உவவுமதி கண்டு, கட்சி மஞ்ஞையின் சுர முதல் சேர்ந்த, சில் வளை விறலியும் யானும் வல் விரைந்து, 5 தொழுதனம் அல்லமோ, பலவே, கானல் கழி உப்பு முகந்து கல் நாடு மடுக்கும் ஆரைச் சாகாட்டு ஆழ்ச்சி போக்கும் உரனுடை நோன் பகட்டு அன்ன எங்கோன், வலன் இரங்கு முரசின் வாய்வாள் வளவன், 10 வெயில் மறைக் கொண்ட உருகெழு சிறப்பின் மாலை வெண்குடை ஒக்குமால் எனவே?
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Item 486Description of a Village
Ploughing the land and eating Valai fish with rice is described. At the same time, their children are climbing the hay stacks to pluck the palmyra fruits. Nature’s gifts make the land prosperous of the Choza kingdoms, say the poet in Verse 61.
Choza king’s strong chest and shoulders are also praised.
***
Puranānūru 61, Erichalūr Mādalan Mathurai Kumaranār sang for Chozhan Ilavanthikaippalli Thunjiya Nalankilli Chētchenni,
In the land of Chenni carrying a gleaming spear in his powerful hand and owning elegant chariots, in the fields where eels roll, women donning hair knots and cool leaves remove small patches of blue and white waterlilies where the harrows have passed and cut up vālai fish, and labourers with strong arms take the fat pieces and eat with white rice from new paddy to their full as their ribs stick out, become confused, and are unable to leave the long sheaves with grains, and their youngsters with parched heads who hate large coconuts, climb on the tall haystacks of their fathers to pluck the fruits of palmyra palms. There is abundant prosperity every day.
If there are men who oppose the king wearing a bow-like garland on his chest, they should know what will happen to them. We have not seen anybody succeed against his shoulders that are like fortress gate bolts! More than that, we have not seen sorrow in those who take refuge in his handsome feet without delay!
****
புறநானூறு61, பாடியவர்: கோனாட்டு எறிச்சலூர் மாடலன் மதுரைக் குமரனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்:சோழன் இலவந்திகைப்பள்ளித் துஞ்சியநலங்கிள்ளி சேட்சென்னி, திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை கொண்டைக் கூழைத் தண்டழைக் கடைசியர் சிறு மாண் நெய்தல் ஆம்பலொடு கட்கும், மலங்கு மிளிர் செறுவின் தளம்பு தடிந்திட்ட பழன வாளைப் பரூஉக்கண் துணியல் புது நெல் வெண்சோற்றுக் கண்ணுறை ஆக, 5 விலாப் புடை மருங்கு விசிப்ப மாந்தி நீடு கதிர்க் கழனிச் சூடு தடுமாறும் வன் கை வினைஞர் புன்தலைச் சிறாஅர் தெங்குபடு வியன் பழம் முனையின், தந்தையர் குறைக்கண் நெடுபோர் ஏறி விசைத்து எழுந்து 10 செழுங்கோட் பெண்ணைப் பழந்தொட முயலும், வைகல் யாணர் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருநன், எஃகு விளங்கு தடக்கை இயல் தேர்ச் சென்னி, சிலைத் தார் அகலம் மலைக்குநர் உளர் எனின் தாம் அறிகுவர் தமக்கு உறுதி, யாம் அவன் 15 எழு உறழ் திணி தோள் வழுவின்றி மலைந்தோர் வாழக் கண்டன்றும் இலமே தாழாது, திருந்து அடி பொருந்த வல்லோர் வருந்தக் காண்டல் அதனினும் இலமே.
***
Item 487
SATI IN SANGAM AGE
Following lines show that they died wih their husbnads in funeral pyre. They did not live like widows.
Widows of warriors do not eat keerai or bathe in cold ponds. They are there, embracing the chests of their fallen husbands.
Another poem by Bhutapandyan Devi also shows that Sati was followed by Tamil queens. Strangely Sati is not in Manu Smriti or Rig Veda.
***
Item 488 Aliens and ETs
Throughout Sanskrit literature we find the descriptions of ALIENS and EXTRA TERRESTRIALS (ET). Those things are repeated in Puram Verse 62 and many other Tamil poems.
Celestials who get food offerings, wear flowers that don’t fade, do not blink, guide the new arrivals in the other world that is so hard to obtain. May the glory of both of you glow!
More references to ETs:
பெரும்பாணாற்றுப்படை 429 – பொ. வே. சோமசுந்தரனார் உரை – இமைத்தல் இல்லாத இமையினையுடைய தேவர்கள். இமய மலையின் உச்சியில் தேவர்கள் உறைவர் என்பது மரபு. மதுரைக்காஞ்சி 457-458 – வாடாப் பூவின் இமையா நாட்டத்து நாற்ற உணவின் உருகெழு பெரியோர்க்கு. அனந்தல் (5) – ஒளவை துரைசாமி உரை –
Manu Smrti and our Puranas speak about various time zones for Devas and Brahma. When we hear about Extra Terrestrial Civilizations in distant planetary system we will understand such descriptions better.
We read that Devas can’t have sex in the Devaloka, can’t stand on their feet, can’t blink, their garlands never wither away , they can travel from one place to another place and appear intact, sages like Narada can do inter galactic travel (Tri Loka Sanchari) etc.
Atharva Veda Bhumi Sukta Mantra 7/ 63
Here the earth is praised as sweet hearted. Sweet honey MADHU is referred here and HEART (hrudaya) is mentioned in the 8th stanza.
Here we come across the word UNSLEEPING Devas. This is reference to Extra Terrestrials (ET). Throughout Hindu spics and Puranas/mythologies, we have following qualities attributed to ETs.
1.They are in the form of Light; Devas meaning Light Emitting.
2.They don’t wink their eyes; like fish they don’t close their eyes. Even Tamil poet Tiru Valluvar compared Devas with Thieves ; he humorously refers to thieves as Devas because thieves also never sleep during night (Kural 1073) This is my interpretation of Kural. Other old interpreters said both are same because they can do whatever they want to do; It doesn’t look right to me. Moreover, Valluvar used the Sanskrit word Devas instead of God (Iraivan).
3.They can’t have sex in the heaven. (they come to earth for it). Parvati cursed that they cant have sex in heaven according to Puranas.
4.They can travel to Earth with the speed of Mind (faster than Light; Einstein is only 50 % right)
6.Their garlands never wither away (because of metals like gold?)
7.They are always happy
8.They enjoy Dance and Music of Gandharvas and Apsaras
9.Even the Indus/Harappan symbol of Fish is compared to Devas by some scholars because both ‘Shine’ and both ‘never close their eyes’.
The seventh mantra says Devas protect earth without erring. That means aliens are always watching us. Intergalactic traveller NARADA visits earth now and then. Poet prays to earth to shower sweets on us. Madhu used here is Honey; also used in all poems on Asvins in the RV. Name of Narada appears for the first time in AV.
***
Puranānūru 62, Poet Kazhāthalaiyār sang for Cheraman Kudakkō Neduncheralathan and Chozhan Verpahradakkai Peruviral Killi,
1
How can they be victorious over the advancing foot soldiers? Female ghouls in bright coloured forms, plunge their hands into the wounds of dead warriors, smear their hair red with blood and dance to the soft, rhythmic beat of parai drums. Kites are feasting on the army, and the two kings have also perished along with their soldiers, kings with righteousness on their sides who fought a valiant war. Their royal umbrellas have drooped and their drums of renown stand ruined.
In that vast battle camp, hundreds of men from different lands have gathered together with no space left, and there is nobody with strength to take the field, and the combat has stopped suddenly causing fear.
2
Widows of warriors do not eat keerai or bathe in cold ponds. They are there, embracing the chests of their fallen husbands.
3
Celestials who get food offerings, wear flowers that don’t fade, do not blink, guide the new arrivals in the other world that is so hard to obtain. May the glory of both of you glow!
Notes: The poet wrote this after watching the two kings and their armies perish in battle. Puranānūru poems 62, 63 and 368 were written for Cheraman Kudakkō Neduncheralathan. Puranānūru poems 62 and 63 were written for Chozhan Verpahradakkai Peruviral Killi. Poet Kazhāthalaiyār wrote Puranānūru 62, 65, 270, 288, 289 and 368.
புறநானூறு62, பாடியவர்: கழாத்தலையார், பாடப்பட்டோர்: சேரமான் குடக்கோ நெடுஞ்சேரலாதன், சோழன் வேற்பஃறடக் கைப் பெருவிறற் கிள்ளி
1
வருதார் தாங்கி அமர் மிகல் யாவது? பொருது ஆண்டு ஒழிந்த மைந்தர் புண் தொட்டுக், குருதிச் செங்கைக் கூந்தல் தீட்டி, நிறம் கிளர் உருவின் பேஎய்ப் பெண்டிர் எடுத்து எறி அனந்தல் பறைச் சீர் தூங்கப், 5 பருந்து அருந்துற்ற தானையொடு செரு முனிந்து அறத்தின் மண்டிய மறப்போர் வேந்தர் தாம் மாய்ந்தனரே, குடை துளங்கினவே, உரை சால் சிறப்பின் முரைசு ஒழிந்தனவே பன் நூறு அடுக்கிய வேறுபடு பைஞ்ஞிலம் 10 இடம் கெட ஈண்டிய வியன் கண் பாசறைக், களம் கொளற்கு உரியோர் இன்றித் தெறுவர உடன் வீழ்ந்தன்றால் அமரே,
2
பெண்டிரும் பாசடகு மிசையார் பனி நீர் மூழ்கார் மார்பகம் பொருந்தி ஆங்கு அமைந்தன்றே,
3
வாடாப் பூவின் இமையா நாட்டத்து நாற்ற உணவினோரும் ஆற்ற அரும் பெறல் உலகம் நிறைய விருந்து பெற்றனரால், பொலிக நும் புகழே!
–subham—
Tags- Purananuru wonders-22, Tamil Encyclopedia-62, Aliens, ETs, Tamil Sangam Literature, Samudrika Lakshana, Tamil Poems,SATI IN SANGAM AGE, Item 488
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.
Kurukshetram
Kurukṣetra (कुरुक्षेत्र).—Name of an extensive plain near Delhi, the scene of the great war between the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas; Kurukshetra is the city located in Haryana.
Hindus’ most famous scripture Bhagavad Gita begins with these words: धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः (dharmakṣetre kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.1; Manusmṛti 2.19.
Wisdomlib.org website adds,
Kurukṣetra (कुरुक्षेत्र).—Founded by Kuru and sacred to Harī.1 Watered by the river Sarasvatī.2 Capital city of the Kurus.3 Sages of Kurukṣetra visited Dvāraka. At Kurukṣetra Kṛṣṇa performed sacrifices for twelve years.4 The battlefield where the Pāṇḍavas fought with the Kurus led by Duryodhana.5 Here Paraśurāma dug a lake called Syamantapañcaka.6 On the occasion of a sacrifice Sūta narrated the br. purāṇa here.7 Purūravas met Urvaśī after their separation at; the residence of Sanatkumāra and Dharmarāja fit for śrāddha offerings, and sacred to Pitṛs. Founded by Kuru, son of Samvaraṇa;8 residence of sage Kauśika, and sacrifice of Adhisīmakṛṣṇa for 2 years at; sacred in Dvāpara;9 Dharmakṣetra where a great sacrifice was performed.10 Residence at, leads to mukti; no shaving or upavāsa required here.11 Noted for ambhojasaras or lotus tank.12 R. Sarasvatī flows here: noted for a temple of Vāmana.13
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Kuvalayapeedam
Kuvalayāpīḍa (कुवलयापीड).—Name of the elephant posted at the gates of Mathurāpurī to kill Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balabhadrarāma, who went there to witness the dhanuryajña. But, they killed the elephant.Kuvalayāpīḍa (कुवलयापीड).—The state elephant of Kaṃsā. When Kṛṣṇa came to the mallaraṅga or the wrestlers’ arena, it was ordered that this elephant should be stationed at the gate of the arena to attack him. When Kṛṣṇa entered the araṅga, the mahout Ambaṣṭha led the animal against him, when Kṛṣṇa took hold of its tail, and whirling it round and round, hit its front when it died with the keeper. He seized its tusks and entered the enclosure in glee. At this Kaṃsā was perturbed; its keeper was killed by Rāma.*
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Kubera
Kubera (कुबेर) Kubera is the lord of the Yakṣas, he is known also by two other names Vaiśravaṇa and Dhanada, and is regarded as the giver of wealth. He is a friend of Śiva and the Nāga Nīla. Kubera is the son of Viśravas by Iḍaviḍā He is mythologised as having three legs and eight teeth. His name Ku-bera or Ku-vera signifies his deformed body having three legs and eight teeth. He is married to Yakṣī, the daughter of the Dānava Mura. As friend of Śiva he is called Śiva-sakhā. His capital Alakā on the Himālaya mountain is mentioned also in the Ṛig veda.
Lord of Alaka and son of Pulastya and resident of Kailāsa; vanquished by Rāvaṇa; wife Ṛddhi and son Nalakūbera. Man is his vahana.
Kubera (कुबेर) refers to one of the eight guardians of the quarters, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.2.22.
Navanidhi (नवनिधि).—m. (pl.) the nine treasures of Kubera. i. e. महापद्मश्च पद्मश्च शङ्खो मकरकच्छपौ । मुकुन्दकुन्द- नीलाश्च खर्वश्च निधयो नव (mahāpadmaśca padmaśca śaṅkho makarakacchapau | mukundakunda- nīlāśca kharvaśca nidhayo nava) ||
The nine treasures of Kubēra, are [padma, mahapadma, shamkha, makara, kacchapa, mukamda, kumda, nila] and kharva).
In the Hindu palaces and now in Chettiar houses in Tamil Nadu, the main door has Sankha and Padma, Conch and the Lotus, representing Nine Treasures.
***
Kunti
Kuntī (कुन्ती).—(PṚTHĀ). Wife of King Pāṇḍu and the mother of the Pāṇḍavas, Kuntī is a noble heroine in the Mahābhārata. Kuntī was the sister of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s father Vasudeva. Her real name was Pṛthā. Vasudeva and Pṛthā were the children of King Śūrasena of the Yādava dynasty. King Kuntibhoja was the son of Śūrasena’s sister. He had no issues. Śūrasena had promised to give the daughter first born to him as the adopted daughter of Kuntibhoja, and accordingly his first-born daughter Pṛthā was given to Kuntibhoja, and Kuntī was brought up in his palace. From that day onwards Pṛthā came to be known as Kuntī. (Ādi Parva, Chapter 111).
Queen Kunti, had in her youth been granted the power to invoke the Devas by Rishi Durvasa. Each god, when invoked, would place a child in her lap. Urged by Pandu to use her invocations, Kunti gave birth to Yudhisthira by invoking the Lord of Righteousness, Yama.
She was the first wife of Pāṇḍu. As he was prevented by a curse from having progeny, he allowed his wife to make use of a charm she had acquired from the sage Durvāsas, by means of which she was to have a son by any god she liked to invoke. She invoked Dharma, Vāyu and Indra, and had from them Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma and Arjuna respectively. She was also mother of Karna by the deity Sun whom she invoked in her virginhood to test her charm. Being an unmarried girl, she abandoned her first son Karna in a box, and this was discovered by Adhiratha who brought him up.
Other two Pandavas Nakula and Sahadeva were born to Madri (maadri), second wife of Pandu Kunti died in a forest fire.
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Kuni/ Kooni
Kooni, or Manthara, was a hunchbacked nursemaid and close confidante to Kaikeyi. Manthara was not just a maid, but a loyal caretaker who accompanied Kaikeyi from her home kingdom (Kekeya) to Ayodhya.
As a child, Rama once hit her on her hunched back with a clay ball when he was practicing archery, fostering a lasting bitterness.
Upon hearing of Rama’s upcoming coronation, she feared for her own status and manipulated Kaikeyi by claiming that if Rama became king, Kaikeyi would be treated as a slave by Kausalya.
She reminded Kaikeyi of the two boons granted by King Dasharatha, instructing her to demand Bharata’s coronation and Rama’s 14-year exile.
In some versions of the story, particularly Tulasidas’s Ramcharitmanas, she is guided or possessed by Goddess Saraswati to ensure Rama leaves the city to fulfil his destiny of destroying evil, such as Ravana.
Often referred to as “Kooni” in Tamil, which means “hunchback”. This word is related Sanskrit word Kuni which means crippled.
*****
Kurma Avatar /Kurma Purana
Kūrmāvatāra (कूर्मावतार) refers to the “tortoise incarnation” of Viṣhṇu.
Kūrmāvatāra (कूर्मावतार) is found depicted at the Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai. The god Kūrmāvatāra is represented with the lower part as tortoise’s feet and the upper part in the usual form of the god. The god in this form is found with four arms where the upper hands hold the discus and the conch, and the other two right and left hands are in abhaya and dolā-hasta respectively.
During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Vishnu assumed this form to support Mount Mandara on his back, acting as a pivot to prevent it from sinking, allowing gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality. Srikurmam temple in Andhra Pradesh is one of the temples representing this avatar.
The Kurma Purana (कूर्म पुराण) is one of the eighteen Mahapurana. It is believed to have been directly narrated by the Lord Vishnu to the sage Narada, and it contains the details about the Kurma Avatar. Narada is believed to have stated the contents of this Puranas to Suta, who narrated this Purana to an assembly of great sages.
The printed editions of this text are divided into two bhāgas (parts),
The Pūrvabhāga has 53 chapters and the Uttarabhāga has 46 chapters.
***
Kumbha mela
Kumbhamela is a major 5,000-year-old Hindu pilgrimage and religious fair, occurring every twelve years at Prayag in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Prayag is the city where rivers Ganga Yamuna and Saraswati meet. It is the largest religious gathering in the world. The most recent major gathering happened from January 13 to February 26, 2025. 400 million devotees took holy bath in the rivers. The place is called Triveni Sangam because three rivers meet there. Nowadays Saraswati River is not visible. It dried long ago but Hindus believe it runs underground.
Held every 12 years (with a Mahakumbh occurring every 144 years), it is the world’s largest religious gathering, featuring extensive security, tent cities, and UNESCO-recognized spiritual traditions.
Location: Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati).
Significance: It is the most sacred of Kumbh Melas, commemorating where drops of the immortal nectar (Amrit) fell during the Samudra Manthan.
The festival spans 45 days, featuring intense spiritual activities including Shahi Snan (royal baths) by Naga Sadhus. They are naked saints living in the Himalayas.: The event attracts millions of holy men (sadhus) who travel from across India, including naked Naga sadhus who lead the dawn bathing rituals.
Apart from this every four years Mini Kumbh mela is held in Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik in rotation.
· Purna Kumbh: Every 12 years (Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain).
· Ardh Kumbh: Every 6 years (Haridwar, Prayagraj).
· Magh Mela (Mini Kumbh): Every year.
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Kumbakonam
This town is known for its temples, Maths/monasteries, Archaeological monuments (Darasuram), betel leaves and coffee. Nine Planets temples are near by this place.
There are more than 100 Hindu temples within the municipal limits of Kumbakonam. Apart from these, thereare hundreds of temples around the town thereby giving the town the sobriquets “Temple Town” and “City of temples”.
Adi Kumbeswarar Temple is the oldest Shiva shrine in the town, constructed by the Cholas in the 7th century.
Sarangapani temple is the largest Vishnu temple. The present structure of the temple having a twelve storey high tower was constructed by Nayak kings in the 15th century. It is one of the “Divya Desams”, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 Alvar saint-poets.
Around this town are Navagraha Nine Planets shrines dedicated to Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Rahu, Ketu.
Like Kumbha mela in the north, Mahamakam (mahaa makam) festival is heled once in 12 years which attracts lakhs of people to the tank called Mahamakam tank in front of the main Shiva temple.
***
Kuraip /Koorai pudavai /saree
Koorai silk saree, also referred to as Koorai Pudavai, is a traditional nine-yard saree originating from Koranad in Mayiladuthurai; Traditionally worn by brides during Hindu wedding ceremonies, the saree is recognized for its unique weaving patterns and cultural significance. It is produced by the Sāliyan weaving community using a blend of silk and cotton in red colour. The saree was originally woven from cotton. By the early 20th century, it transitioned to silk and became a prominent bridal garment. Original Red colour is also changed now. Red means Mangalam/ auspicious like Red Kunkum of Hindu women.
–subham—
Tags- HINDU DICTIONARY, ENGLISH AND TAMIL 50, இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-50, Kurukshetra, Kumbhamela, Kumbakonam, Kuraip pudavai, Koorai saree, Kurma
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Purananuru Wonders -17, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 57; One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 57
SAKUNA/OMENS AND SANSKRIT WORDS IN PURANANURU VERSE 41
(Vaidehi Herbert’s English Translation of Purananuru is used by me; thanks)
***
Item 416 Sanskrit words in Puram 41
Poet Kovur Kizar used lot of materials from Sanskrit books. In Puram 41 we see a number of Sanskrit words.
Kaala- Time; used in all Sangam works and Tirukkural
Kaalan- Yama, God of Death
Brahmins salute the Vedic Gods, Planets and Directions thrice a day in the Sandhyavandana. When they salute Yama, God of Death Facing South, they recite all the names of God of Death; and one of them is Kaala.
Disai=Dik= Direction
English word Direction and Tamil word Disaiare from Sanskrit Dik, Disaa.
Emam – Kshemam
Urkam- Ulka in Vedas
The most common Sanskrit word for meteor is ulkā (उल्का), which typically denotes a meteor, firebrand, or fiery appearance. It refers to shooting stars, often appearing in literature from the Rigveda onwards.
***
Item 417 Sakuna/Omens
Tamil commentators on Puram 41, list the omens without telling the readers that they are Bad Omens. Because Tamils already knew about bad omens and they follow this science in their life, commentators leave it without explaining.
Brhat Samhita of Varahamihira has one full chapter on Omens (Chapter 86)
Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata have lot of references to Omens.
Many of the things mentioned here are already in the epics.
shooting stars falling in all the eight directions, long branches of huge trees parched without any leaves, sun with its scorching rays burning, bird calls heard as terrifying sounds, teeth falling on the ground, pouring oil on hair, men riding on boars, people removing their clothes and silver hued mighty weapons falling from an overturned cot.
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Puranānūru 41, Kōvūr Kizhār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan
1
O king who triumphs in battles! Even Kootruvan, the god of death, will wait for the due time. You do not wait, but kill, when you want, destroying fine men owing armies with many spears!
2
You invade the lands of enemies causing distress. In dreams and in reality, men see sights that are rare: shooting stars falling in all the eight directions, long branches of huge trees parched without any leaves, sun with its scorching rays burning, bird calls heard as terrifying sounds, teeth falling on the ground, pouring oil on hair, men riding on boars, people removing their clothes and silver hued mighty weapons falling from an overturned cot.
3
O King who is mighty in battles! You advance like fire combined with wind. When they see you, your enemies who enraged you, who do not have KSHEMAM/EMAM/protection, kiss the flower-like eyes of their children, and hide their sorrow from their wives!
Madurai Nayak Kings received it from Goddess Meenakshi and the ceremony is repeated every year even today in a symbolic ceremony.
Kerala King submit it in the temple of Padmanabha Swamy in Thiruvanathapuram, when they go out of the country with a request to the God to take care of it till he comes back.
There are many instances like this in Hindu History.
Recently Indian Parliament had such a ceremony.
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Item 420 Good Simile
The king protects his people like a tiger protects its cubs.
Item 421
Tamils’ Hospitality and Tamil Food
In the following lines Tamil food and drink that is served to guests are explained
Your citizens are hospitable to their relatives from arid lands, and give them vālai fish that rice reapers remove from the lower sluices, tortoises overturned by the plow blades of those who plow, sweet juice that harvesters take from sugarcanes, and waterlilies plucked by women on the huge shores. Like the rivers
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Item 422 Vedic Simile
Like the rivers that descend from the mountains, run on the land, and flow toward the ocean, all the poets come to you
The poet has translated a famous Sansskrit saying which Brahmins recite thrice a day in their Sandhayavandana. Moreover this simile is used in umpteen places in Sanskrit books. Hindus are very familiar with geography.
The phrase “Akashat patitam toyam, yatha gacchati sagaram, sarva deva namaskaram, Keshavam prati gacchati” means that just as rain water from the sky flows towards the sea, worship offered to any deity reaches Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Akl the T sounds are change into S sound in Tamil and English.
TION in English is pronounced as SION in English.
In Tamil Visham= Vitam; Basha= Paadai etc.
So Tamil is not a Dravidian language
Tamil and Sanskrit have come from the same root.
So Tamil and Sanskrit are Hindu /Indian languages; neither Aryan nor Dravidian.
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Puranānūru 42, Poet Idaikkādanār sang to Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan,
1
You are endless in charity and a leader of murderous battles! Lord, your elephants appear like mountains! Your army roars like the ocean! Your spears gleam like lightning! You have the ability to make the kings of the world tremble! What you do is never wrong and this is not new to you!
2 With your righteousness and faultless scepter, you afford protection
3 as a tiger protects its cub, and your citizens listen only to the sounds of cool water even in dreams, and not those of warriors in your battlefields crying, “May you live long, Valavan! Remove our sorrows!”
4
You are the ruler of a fine and greatly prosperous country with rich towns with fields. Your citizens are hospitable to their relatives from arid lands, and give them vālai fish that rice reapers remove from the lower sluices, tortoises overturned by the plow blades of those who plow, sweet juice that harvesters take from sugarcanes, and waterlilies plucked by women on the huge shores.
5
Like the rivers that descend from the mountains, run on the land, and flow toward the ocean, all the poets come to you. When you glance at the countries of the two other kings, you are like Kootruvan with great might who is enraged, as he whirls his axe, for which there just suffering and no cure!
***
புறநானூறு42, பாடியவர்: இடைக்காடனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத்துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
ஆனா ஈகை அடு போர் அண்ணல்! நின் யானையும் மலையின் தோன்றும் பெரும! நின் தானையும் கடலென முழங்கும், கூர் நுனை வேலும் மின்னின் விளங்கும், உலகத்து அரைசு தலை பனிக்கும் ஆற்றலை ஆதலின், 5 புரை தீர்ந்தன்று, அது புதுவதோ அன்றே, தண் புனல் பூசல் அல்லது நொந்து, களைக வாழி வளவ என்று நின் முனைதரு பூசல் கனவினும் அறியாது, புலி புறங்காக்கும் குருளை போல 10 மெலிவு இல் செங்கோல் நீ புறங்காப்பப், பெருவிறல் யாணர்த்து ஆகி அரிநர் கீழ் மடைக் கொண்ட வாளையும், உழவர் படை மிளிர்ந்திட்ட யாமையும், அறைநர் கரும்பிற் கொண்ட தேனும், பெருந்துறை 15 நீர்தரு மகளிர் குற்ற குவளையும், வன்புலக் கேளிர்க்கு வருவிருந்து அயரும் மென்புல வைப்பின் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருந! மலையின் இழிந்து மாக் கடல் நோக்கி நிலவரை இழிதரும் பல் யாறு போலப் 20 புலவரெல்லாம் நின் நோக்கினரே, நீயே மருந்து இல் கணிச்சி வருந்த வட்டித்துக் கூற்று வெகுண்டன்ன முன்பொடு, மாற்று இரு வேந்தர் மண் நோக்கினையே.
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Item 424 Narasimha in Puranauru
Puram verse 43 is composed by Poet Narasimha!
Thāmarpal Kannanār is Tamil Translation of Narasimha.
The reason for my interpretation is the subject he is dealing with- Vaalakilya Rishis
Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi Tanno Narasimhah
Meaning:
Om: The sound of the universe.
Vajranakhaya Vidmahe: “Let me contemplate on the Man-lion form of the Lord who has nails as strong as the Vajra (thunderbolt)”.
Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi: “Let me meditate on the one who has sharp teeth (which pierce the veil of ignorance)”.
Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat: “May that Lion god (Narasimha) be pleased to illuminate my intellect/mind and guide me”.
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Item 425
Sibi Chakravarthy (Dove and Hawk) is story is repeated by this poet as well. Chozas came from Northwest of India. They are not Tamils.
Those who argue they ruled that part of India from Tamil Nadu have no historical or literary proof. Tamils didn’t even know Indus river.
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Item 426 No one hurts Brahmins
Poet and the king were playing Chess. The king threw a coin on the poet. The poet became angry and said I doubt your birth (meaning you are a low born fellow). The king could have chopped poets head immediately. But he did not do it and felt ashamed about his behaviour. Immediately the poet praised him for not cutting off his head.
Here we know homw much respect Brahmins had in those days. It also shows the patience of the king
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Item 427
The Poets praise
May your life be splendid for more days than the number of sands heaped in the dunes by River Kāviri with sweet abundant waters!
Is in Tamil and Sanskrit books. Poets wish someone’s life should be like the number of stars in the sky or the number of sand particles on the shore or the number of rain drops
Item 428 MOST IMPORTANT REFERENCE TO VALKHILYA RISHIS
to the amazement of sages with glowing hair who live with air as food and roam around absorbing the heat of the scorching rays of the sun, to end the sorrow of those who live on the land!
I have already written the following on Sec.31 ,2011 on the Munis:
Valakhilyas: 60,000 thumb-sized ascetics who protect Humanity
Jonathan Swift has taken the idea of Lilliputians for his novel Gulliver’s Travels from Valakhilyas!!
Valakhilyas are thumb sized ascetics accompanying the sun in its everyday travel in the sky. They are protecting the humanity by taking all the extra heat and act like the ozone layer. They are 60,000 in number they are shining like brilliant lights because of their severe penance. They used to hang upside down in the trees while doing penance—these are some of the interesting facts that are found in the Vedas, the epics and the mythologies. Tamil literature adds more details about these strange kinds of ascetics.
Valakhilya hymns, eleven in number, are the appendix of the eighth Mandala of the Rig Veda. But famous commentators like Sayana rejected them as interpolations. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata have a lot of references to the Valakhilya Rishis. They may be considered the forerunners of English folklore: ‘Tom Thumb’ and the Lilliputians of the famous satirical novel Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. English newspapers and magazines were publishing a lot of stories about India in the 1700s.
Ancient Sangam Tamil literature refers to Valakhilyas in Puranaanuru (verse 43), Tirumurugatrup patai (lines 16-109), post Sangam book Silappadikaram (Vettuvavari 15) and in the poems of middle age poet Arunagirinathar.
Valakhilyas were born to Kratu and Kriya. Once Kasyapa did a Yagna (fire sacrifice) to beget children. He invited all the Devas and Rishis to help him in the task. Everybody readily agreed. Mighty Indra, the King of Heaven, brought wood for the ceremony. Valakhilyas were emaciated due to severe penance. They were hardly able to lift anything but leaves. Even when they were moving leaves like ants, they fell into rainwater puddles, because they were so tiny. It amused Indra and he laughed loudly. Valakhilyas were very much offended. They made a vow to do a separate yagna to create another Indra. When Indra listened to their vows, he was afraid and ran to Kasyapa to explain what had happened.
Kasyapa lent a patient ear, but warned that he could not stop the powerful Valakhilyas. But he gave an assurance to Indra that he would find a compromise. When he met Valakhilyas he requested them to drop the yagna to create a new Indra. He also assured them that whoever they create will be the Indra of the birds and Valakhilyas agreed to this new plan.
After the yagna Valakhilya’s prasad (food offering) was given to Vinata, one of the two wives of Kasyapa. She gave birth to two children Aruna and the most powerful golden-hued eagle, Garuda. Long after this Garuda flew to Indraloka to get Amrita and defeated Indra. The Second wife of Kasyapa Kadru gave birth to the Nagas or the Snake race. Garuda on his way back sat on the tree where Valakhilyas were doing penance. The tree broke into many branches, but Garuda lifted all the ascetics with the branch and put them in a safe place.
The Rig Veda says that they sprang from the hairs of Prajapati Brahma. They are the guards of the Chariot of the Sun. They are also called the Kharwas. The Vishnu Purana describes them as pious, chaste and resplendent as the rays of the sun.
Tamil literature is very clear in saying that the main task of the short and smart ascetics is to prevent human beings from being scorched. So they absorb the excess heat from the sun by travelling in front of him. Tamil books also add they were in turn given energy by Lord Skanda and Goddess Durga. Even the hunters in the forest pray to Durga for this. Another Tamil poet compares the sacrifice of the Valakhilyas to the sacrifice of the Emperor Sibi who gave his flesh to an eagle to save a pigeon. The famous story of Sibi was referred to in four Sangam Tamil books. Sibi was praised as the forefather of the famous and powerful Tamil Chola dynasty. The food of Valakhilyas is only wind.
Another story in the Hindu mythology is that the sun has to fight a set of demons called Mandokarunar on a day-to-day basis for survival. Valakhilyas stand beside the Sun in battle. We don’t know whether there is scientific basis for this story. Mandokarunar maybe a reference to the dangers of solar flares or magnetic storms. In any case, it is crystal clear that the Valakhilyas act as the ozone layer to protect us from harmful ultraviolet rays. Too much ultraviolet rays will cause us skin cancer and other health problems.
We must be grateful to the authors of the Vedas, Puranas, Epics and Tamil commentators Nachinarkiniyar and Adiarrku Nallar for creating awareness about the dangers of ultra violet radiation. In western countries people are warned to use special creams whenever they sunbathe.
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Puranānūru 43, Poet Thāmarpal Kannanār sang for Māvalathān, the younger brother of Chozhan Nalankilli,
1
O heir of a powerful man with endless generosity who saved a dove with small strides that came to him for protection, afraid that it might be killed by a kite with curved wings and sharp claws, and entered a scale,
2
to the amazement of sages with glowing hair who live with air as food and roam around absorbing the heat of the scorching rays of the sun, to end the sorrow of those who live on the land!
3
O younger brother of Killivalavan with chariots and great wealth! O Lord of warriors with long arrows and curved bows! O leader with strong hands and swift horses! I said this making you hate me,
4 “I have doubts about your ancestry. Your ancestors who wore mountain ebony garlands did not hurt Brahmins. How can you?” I had wronged you and was mistaken, but you did not take offense. You were very embarrassed as if the fault was entirely yours.
5
O Lord who tolerates mistakes of those who have hurt you! O Lord who has admirable strength worthy of your clan! I survived because of you!
6 May your life be splendid for more days than the number of sands heaped in the dunes by River Kāviri with sweet abundant waters!
***
புறநானூறு43, பாடியவர்: தாமற்பல் கண்ணனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளி தம்பி மாவளத்தான், திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை
1
நில மிசை வாழ்நர் அலமரல் தீரத், தெறு கதிர்க் கனலி வெம்மை தாங்கிக், கால் உணவாகச் சுடரொடு கொட்கும், அவிர் சடை முனிவரும் மருளக்,
பார்ப்பார் நோவன செய்யலர் – they did not hurt Brahmins, றக்க நின் ஆயுள் மிக்கு வரும் இன்னீர்க் காவிரி எக்கர் இட்ட மணலினும் பலவே – may your life flourish for more days than the sands brought and heaped by Kāviri with sweet waters .
-Subham—
Tags- Purananuru Wonders -17, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia -Part 57, One Thousand Interesting Facts -Part 57, Sakuna, Omens, Valakhilya muni, Hurting Brahmins, Item 428
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
In November 2022 Calendar I posted 30 quotes under Kanchi Shankaracharya’s Golden Sayings (Post.11,395); now I add more quotes from the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal 1894-1994 (popularly known as Maha Periyava or the Kanchi Paramacharya).
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Festivals- April 1 Panguni Uththiram; 3 Good Friday;5 Easter ;14 Tamil New Year ; 20 Akshaya Trtyai; 21 Sankara Jayanti; 22 Ramanuja Jayanti; 28 Madurai Meenakshi Kalyanam; 30 Narasimha Jayanti.
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Amavasyai-17; Purnima-2; Ekaadasi Fasting Days 13,27
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Muhurta/ Auspiscious Days
April 20, 23, 30;
(also 6, 12, 13, 16)
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April 1 Wednesday
The Vedas are eternal and the source of all creations. The Vedas are also notable for the lofty truths that find expression in the mantras.
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April 2 Thursday
The remarkable about the Vedas is that they are of values much for their sound as for their verbal content. While the sound has its own creative power, the words are notable for the exalted character of the meaning they convey.
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April 3 Friday
There are mantras that are especially valuable for their sound but are otherwise meaning less. Similarly, there are works pregnant with meaning but with no special Mantrik power.
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April 4 Saturday
The Vedas indeed constitute the apex of our law books.
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April 5 Sunday
What is a Yajna ? it is the performance of a religious duty involving Agni, the sacrificial power with the chanting of Mantra.
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April 6 Monday
The concept of Yajnas not present in other systems of worship. There is a big difference between our religion, the Vedic Mata, and other faiths.
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April 7 Monday
An important difference between the Vedic religion and other faiths is this: while followers of other religions worship one God, we worship many deities and make offerings to them.
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April 8 Wednesday
The Vedas proclaim that the one Brahman, call it Truth or Reality, is manifested as so many different devatas or deities. Since each devata is extolled as Paramatman we know for certain that monotheism is a Vedic tenet.
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April 9 Thursday
The Vedic sacrifices have a threefold purpose. The first is to earn the blessings of the deities so that we as well other creatures may be happy in this world.
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April 10 Friday
The second is, to ensure after our death we will live happily in the world of the celestials.
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April 11 Saturday
The third purpose is the most important and it is achieved by performing the sacrifices (Yajnas), as taught by the Bhagavad Gita, without any expectation of rewards. Here we desire neither happiness in this world nor residence in the paradise.
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April 12 Sunday
Many matters pertaining to the Vedas may not seem to be in conformity with science and for that reason they are not to be treated as wrong.
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April 13 Monday
Money is not essential to the performance of the rites enjoined by the sastras nor is pomp and circumstance essential to worship. Even tried Tulsi and BilVa leaves are enough to perform puja.
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April 14 Monday
Sages transcended the frontiers of human knowledge and became one with the universal reality. It is through them that the world received the Vedic mantras.
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Kanchi Shankaracharaya visited Madurai Dinamani office at the request of my father V Sanatanm, News Editor, Dinamani, Madurai.
April 15 Wednesday
The noble characters who figure in the puranas serve as an ideal for all of us to follow. When we read their stories, we are inspired by their examples.
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April 16 Thursday
Manu Parasara, Yajnavalkya, Gautama, Harita, Yama Vishnu Sankha, Likhita Brhaspati, Daksha, Angiras Pracetas, Samvarta Acanas Atri Apastamba and Saataatapa are the eighteen sages who mastered Vedas with their superhuman power and derived the smritis/ law books from them.
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April 17 Friday
Apart from these 18 Smritis, there are 18 subsidiary smritis called upa smritis. It is customary to include Bhagavad Gita among the smritis.
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April 18 Saturday
If we call ourselves Hindus we must bear certain external marks , outward symbols. Now we have come to such a pass that nobody wears any of the external marks of our religion.
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April 19 Sunday
People ask me why should not the sasrtas be changed to suit our times. The Vedic word cannot and must not be changed at any time and on any account. The same applies to the rules and laws laid down in the smritis/law books of Hindus.
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April 20 Monday
The greatest of the mahakavis, Kalidasa makes a reference to the smritis in his Raghuvamsa. Sudakshina , of matchless purity and character, following her husband Dilipa is likened to the smritis closely following the Vedas.
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April 21 Monday
To discriminate between Sruti and Smriti is not correct. Sankara is said to be the abode of the three Sruti Smriti Purananam alayam- abode of Sruti, Smritis, Puranams; if the three were at variance with one another, how can they exist together in harmony in the same person?
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April 22 Wednesday
In the Puranas the Vedic truths are illustrated in the form of stories.
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April 23 Thursday
We speak of three worlds: Deva loka/ world of celestials, Manushyaloka (world of ours) and Naraka (hell)
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April 24 Friday
A man’s actions, his works, together with his character, determine his passage to other worlds. Only in this Karmabhumi can we perfect our character by performing virtuous acts and thus qualify to go to another world.
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Kanchi Shankaracharaya visited Madurai Dinamani office at the request of my father V Sanatanm, News Editor, Dinamani, Madurai.
April 25 Saturday
Pura means in the past. That which gives an account of what happened in the past is a purana, even though it may contain predictions about future also.
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April 26 Sunday
Ramayana and Mahabharata are two Ithihsams. Iti-haa- asam – means it happened thus. The haa in the middle means without doubt, truly. So an Itihaasa means a true story, the word can also mean thus speak they
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April 27 Monday
Our nation, it is often alleged, does not have a sense of history. In my opinion the Puranas are history. History must be taught along with lessons in dharma; then alone will it serve the purpose of bringing people to the right path.
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April 28 Monday
According to the sastras, Vyasa composed the Puranas 5000 years ago, at the beginning of the age of kali, but they must have existed before him also. In the Chandogya Upanishad, Narada speaks about the subjects learned by him and they include the Puranas. From this we infer that they must have existed during the time of the Vedas and the Upanishads.
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April 29 Wednesday
I regard Vyasa as the first journalist, the ideal for all newspapermen of today. He composed the puranas and made a gift of that great treasure to humanity.
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April 30 Thursday
Vyasa composed the Puranas in 400,000 granthas. A grantha is a stanza consisting of 32 syllables. Of these Skanda purana alone accounts for 100,000. It is perhaps the world’s biggest literary work. The remaining 17 puranas add up to 300,000 granthas. Apart from them Vyasa composed the Mahabharata , also nearly , 100,000 granthas.
–subham—
Tags- April 2026, Calendar, Sayings, Kanchi Swamikal, Sankaracharya, Maha periyava, 1894-1994, paramacharya, Vedas, Puranas, Itihasa
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Words beginning with letter KA continues…………………………….
Tamil version will be posted tomorrow
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Kanishka
Kanishka was a 2nd-century CE emperor of the Kushan dynasty who reigned around 127–150 CE. Known for his extensive military conquests, his empire stretched from Central Asia and Gandhara to Pataliputra, with capitals at Purushapura (Peshawar) and Mathura. He was a major patron of Buddhism, hosting the Fourth Buddhist Council and facilitating its spread along the Silk Road
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Kanva Maharishi
Kanva is celebrated as the hermit who found the infant Shakuntala surrounded by Sakuntas (birds) in the wilderness, protected her, and raised her in his beautiful ashram (hermitage) on the banks of the river Malini. He is referred to as the foster father who enabled her union with King Dushyanta.
He is identified as the son of Rishi Medhatithi and is associated with the lineage of the Rishi Kashyapa, The name “Kanva” also signifies a Vedic school associated with the White Yajurveda (Kanva-Samhita), which includes 40 chapters and 2,086 verses.
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Kartikeya
Kārttikeya (कार्त्तिकेय) is the name of Śiva’s son born for the purpose of slaying the asura Tāraka and to protect the realm of Indra .
Kārttikeya was born out of the fire having six faces. Accordingly, “When thus addressed by Śiva, the goddess (Umā) worshipped Gaṇeśa, and the fire became pregnant with that germ of Śiva. Then, bearing that embryo of Śiva, the fire shone even in the day as if the sun had entered into it. And then it discharged into the Ganges the germ difficult to bear, and the Gaṇas, by the order of Śiva, placed it in a sacrificial cavity on Mount Meru; it became a boy with six faces.”
The name Kārttikeya is derived from the fact he was nursed by the breasts of the six Kṛttikās.
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Kartavirya
Kārtavīrya (कार्तवीर्य).—The son of Kṛtavīrya and king of the Haihayas, who ruled at Māhiṣmatī. Having worshipped Dattāttreya, he obtained from him several boons, such as a thousand arms, a golden chariot that went wheresoever he willed it to go, the power of restraining wrong by justice, conquest of earth, invincibility by enemies. According to the Vāyu Purāṇa he ruled justly and righteously for 85 years and offered sacrifices. He was a contemporary of Rāvaṇa whom he once captured and confined like a beast in a corner of his city; Kārtavīrya was slain by Paraśurāma for having carried off by violence the Kāmadhenu of his father Jamadagni. Kārtavīrya is also known by the name Sahasrārjuna.
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Kapila
The great sage Kapila had chosen the netherworld to perform a terrible penance. At this time, the king Sagara had been performing the Ashwamedha (horse) sacrifice, but the sacrifical horse had wandered away. As the horse had strayed near the hermitage of sage Kapila, the 60,000 sons of Sagara came there in search of it.
The din caused by the arrival disturbed the sage, but he still did not open his eyes. When the sons of Sagara saw that the horse was there, they mistakenly assumed that Kapila was responsible for its theft. They started insulting the sage. At last, the sage could not bear it any longer. He opened his in wrath. Such was the potency of his gaze, that all the sons of Sagara were burned to ashes on the spot
Kapila is a revered ancient sage in Hindu tradition, best known as the founder of the Sāṅkhya school of philosophy, which analyses matter and spirit; he is the son of Kardama Muni and Devahūti. Kapila is associated with Satya-yuga .
Famous Sangam Tamil poet name is also Kapila; that Brahmin poet contributed the largest number of poems in Sangam literature.
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Kasi
Kāśī has been known for centuries under five different names, viz., Vārāṇasī (modern Banaras), Kāśī, Avimukta, Ānandakānana and Śmaśāna or Mahāśmaśāna.
Kāsī is one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts
It is situated on the left side of the river Ganga. As it is situated between the river Varuna and Ashi, it is known as Varanasi
Before the time of the Buddha, Kāsī was a great political power.
One of the oldest sacred places of learning in India. The Purāṇic name of the modern city of Benares in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ambā, Ambikā and Ambālikā were abducted by Bhīṣma from this city, according to Mahabharata.
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is one of India’s most sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, featuring a 2-foot-high black stone lingam. It is one of the Seven Sacred Cities of India.
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Katopanishad
The Katha Upanishad is a collection of philosophical poems representing a conversation between the sage Naciketas and Yama (God of death). They discuss the nature of Atman, Brahman and Moksha (liberation). The book is made up of six sections (Valli). Adi Sankara wrote a commentary.
This commentary by Shankara focuses on ‘Advaita Vedanta’, or non-dualism.
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Kaurava
Kaurava is a Sanskrit term referring to descendant of Kuru, a legendary king of India who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the epic Mahabharata. Usually, the term is used for the 100 sons of King Dhritarashtra and his wife Gandhari.
The descendants of King Kuru who fought against the Pāṇḍavas in the Battle of Kurukṣetra.
From Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Duryodhana and his brothers were born and from Pāṇḍu were born the Pāṇḍavas. All members born in the family of Kuru were known as Kauravas. But later, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra came to be known by the name ‘Kauravas’
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Kaushika
Kaushika is a Sanskrit term with multiple meanings, primarily referring to a descendant of Kusha, frequently used as a name for Sage Vishvamitra: Often synonymous with Vishvamitra, who was originally a king (Kaushika) of Kanyakubja before becoming a Brahmarishi Refers to the lineage or clan founded by the sons of Vishvamitra, noted for ascetic virtues and intermarriage with various Rishis.
The Story of Kaushika: A narrative involving a scholarly brahmin who is taught that duty and virtue, regardless of station, are superior to arrogant learning, often linked to the story of the virtuous butcher (Dharmavyadha).
Means “derived from the cocoon of a silkworm”; a gotra name; another meaning owl. Poets belonging to Kausika Gotra are in Sangam Tamil literature.
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Kausalya
1) Kausalyā (कौसल्या).—A queen of King Daśaratha and mother of Śrī Rāma. Daśaratha had three wives Kausalyā, Kaikeyī and Sumitrā. Kausalyā gave birth to Śrī Rāma, Kaikeyī to Bharata and Sumitrā to Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Bāla Kāṇḍa, Sarga 16).
2) Kausalyā (कौसल्या).—Queen of the King of Kāśī. Ambā, Ambikā, and Ambālikā were daughters of this Kausalyā. Of these daughters Ambālikā also was called Kausalyā. After the death of Pāṇḍu she went to the forest with Ambikā. (Mahābhārata Ādi Parva, Chapter 129).
To be continued………….
Tags- Kanishka, Kapia, Kasi, Kaurava, Part 44, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 44; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-44
Rabindranath Tagore at the Tomb of Poet Hafez in Iran. Photo: Iranian ConsulateEmphasising Iran’s long-standing cultural and civilisational ties with India, Iranian diplomats stationed in the country are using social media to bring out anecdotes dating back to 7,000 years, including the commonality of the Hindu religious symbol, ‘Swastika’, in both culturesconsulate%2F&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tribuneindia.com%2FWithin this week, important posts on ‘civilisational-ties’ have included a picture of poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore visiting Iran several decades ago; and a painting depicting Zoroastrian (Parsi) religious leader Zoroaster to mark his birth anniversary.tThe Iranian consulate in Mumbai posted a picture of a 7,000-year-old rock carving in Iran showing the ancient Hindu symbol, Swastika. “The Swastika is in fact a prehistoric motif, deeply rooted in the shared cultural heritage of ancient Iran and India,” it said.It claimed that Swastika emerged from an Indo-Iranian civilisational continuum, where early Persian and Indian cultures were intertwined through language, cosmology and symbolic expression.It provided archaeological evidence on one such rock carving in ‘Loch Math’ near Birjand in eastern Iran. “A motif known as the ‘cosmic wheel’ or rotating cross has been dated back to almost 7,000 years ago,” it said.Similar engravings have been found etched into mountain stone walls across Iran from Kurdistan to Gilan and Khorasan.In parts of Khorasan and southern Iran, families would tie small wooden charms shaped like the Swastika around children’s arms. These were believed to protect against the evil eye and to promote health and well-being, the social media post said.Notably, Swastika’s symbolism continued into later periods of Iranian religious history, including during the era of Zoroastrian influence.Earlier, another post by the Consulate included a picture of Tagore with a group of Iranians. “An Indian heart finding itself in Persian verse: 1932, when Rabindranath Tagore sat in reflection at the Tomb of Hafez.”Iranian travel websites describe Hafez was the most celebrated Persian poet. His full name was Khwaja Shams-ud-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi (1320-1389). Known by his pen name Hafez, he lived and died in Shiraz. Hafez’s collection of poetry is mostly composed of short poems with mystical themes and is commonly considered to be the zenith of Persian poetry.Another social media post on the birth anniversary of Zoroaster said: “We honour his timeless message: Good (Thoughts, Words, Deeds). He elevated humanity beyond darkness and practices tied to deities that demanded human sacrifice (especially baby girls like what the US did to the schoolchildren of Minab)”.Zoroastrians or Parsis have populations in Mumbai and nearby areas. In December 2024, a high-ranking Zoroastrian priest from Iran, Mobed Mehraban Pouladi, and President of the Council of Iranian Mobeds, had visited India, a first such visit in five centuries. The Parsi community in India had hosted Pouladi.India’s Zoroastrian community, which migrated from Persia in the eighth century, has left an indelible mark on the nation. Prominent Parsi families like the Tatas, Godrejs, Wadias, Mistrys and Poonawalas have contributed significantly to India’s industrial, social and cultural development.. ***
Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia – 26 February 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.
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ஆங்கில எழுத்து K- ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்
Words beginning with “K”. (Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow)
Kalidasa (kaalidaasa)
Kalidasa is widely considered to be the greatest Indian poet and playwright of all time. He wrote in Sanskrit. There are seven works written by him-two epic poems, two shorter poems and three plays. They are 1.Raghu Vamsa (dynasty of Raghu),2.Kumara Sambhava (Birth of Kumara, 3.Megha Duta (Cloud Messenger),4.Ritu Samhara (Cluster of Sesons), 5.Malavikagnimitram (Malavika and Agnimitra),6.Abijnana Shakuntala (The recognition of Shakuntala) and 7.Vikramorvasiya (Urvasi won by valour).His master piece was Shakuntala.
The age of Kalidasa has been debated for long. He could have lived anytime between 2nd century BC and 4th Century AD. Though the western scholars have placed him in the period of Gupta dynasty, Indians believe that he lived in the time of the great Indian King Vikramaditya who started his own Vikrama era in 56 BCE. Kalidasa was one of the Nine Jewels (Navaratna) of Vikramaditya’s court.
My research into Tamil Cankam (also known as Sangam) literature shows that Kalidasa lived sometime before the birth of Christ. Tamil poets have used a lot of his similes. Kalidasa was most famous for his apt similes. The Sanskrit poets praised him as Upama Kalidasasya: ( Kalidasa owns similes).Tamil poets have used lot of common Indian/ Hindu beliefs. The source may be different ancient Indian works. But there are very clear indications to show that the poets have got them from Kalidasa’s works. There are over 200 similarities between the works of Kalidasa and the Sangam Tamil works. No one can reject them as coincidences or of pan Indian origin.
Seven Books—40,000 words—93 commentaries for three of his works—he beat Shakespeare in writing poetry+ dramas+ Epics+ stotras (Shyamaladandakam) and usage of similes. He covered the history of 29 kings in Raghuvamsam. He used 1250 similes! He gives a description of a vast geographical area from Iran to Indonesia! He called the Himalayas “the measuring rod of earth” even before George Everest told the world the height of Everest Peak!!! An amazing poet the world has ever produced. First poet to write a travelogue called Meghadutam in Sanskrit and first poet to report the progress o South West Monsoon from South India to Himalayas.
First poet to link Pandyas and Agastya, which is the foundation of Tamil History.
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Kalpa
Kalpa (कल्प) refers to “one day in the life of Lord Brahmā. It is equivalent to one thousand catur-yugas. Each catur-yuga is one cycle of the four yugas: Satya, Dvāpara, Tretā and Kali, totalling 4,320,000,000 years.
It signifies a period of creation, duration, and destruction of the universe.
One of the six Vedāṅgas, i. e. that which lays down the ritual and prescribes rules for ceremonial and sacrificial acts; शिक्षा कल्पो व्याकरणम् (śikṣā kalpo vyākaraṇam) Muṇdtod; 1.1.5 see under वेदाङ्ग (vedāṅga).
The doctrine of poisons and antidotes.
One of the trees of paradise; cf. कल्पद्रुम (kalpadruma).
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Kalpakavriksa- Wish fulfilling tree
Kalpavṛkṣa (कल्पवृक्ष).—A tree in Devaloka. It has the power of giving any object that one wishes to get. There are five Kalpavṛkṣas in Devaloka. Their names are: Mandāra, Pārijāta, Santāna, Kalpavṛkṣa and Haricandana.
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Kama (kaama)
Wish, desire; this Sanskrit word is used throughout ancient Tamil literature.
Kāma means desire, wish, longing in Indian literature. Kāma often connotes sexual desire and longing in contemporary literature, but the concept more broadly refers to any desire, wish, passion, longing, pleasure of the senses, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, with or without sexual connotations.
Love or desire of sensual enjoyments, considered as one of the ends of life (puruṣārtha); cf. अर्थ (artha) and अर्थकाम (arthakāma).
Dharama, Artha, Kama, Moksha are the four values that Hindus should aim for.
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Kama – God of Love
Kama is the God of Love and Lust. He is also referred to as Manamatha. He is the most handsome among both men and Gods. He is equivalent to the Greek/Roman Cupid. He uses a bow of sugarcane, and shoots flower tipped arrows at humans to make them fall in love. He is married to Rati, one of the daugters of Daksha.
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Kāmaśāstra (कामशास्त्र) refers to the “science of erotics”.
Kamasutra
Kāmasūtra (कामसूत्र).—
Name of an erotic work by Vātsyāyana.
First book on sex in the world. Vatsyayana wrote it in Sanskrit. First book in the world which prescribed educational syllabus for women.
“ A woman should study even before reaching adolescence, and then, once married should continue her studies with her husband.” ( Sutra 2, Chapter 3, Kamasutra of Vatsyayana)
Vatsyayana, the Brahmin author of Kamasutra listed all the 64 arts that a woman should learn. Tamil and Sanskrit poets referred to this 64 arts in their poems. Goddess Sarasvati is the source of those 64 subjects.
Kāmasūtra (कामसूत्र) (lit. “principles of love”’) is an ancient Indian Sanskrit text on sexuality, eroticism and emotional fulfillment in life.—The Kāmasūtra is a Sūtra-genre text with terse aphoristic verses that have survived into the modern era with different bhāṣyas (exposition and commentaries). The Kāmasūtra acknowledges the Hindu concept of Puruṣārthas, and lists desire, sexuality, and emotional fulfilment as one of the proper goals of life. Its chapters discuss methods for courtship, training in the arts to be socially engaging, finding a partner, flirting, maintaining power in a married life, when and how to commit adultery, sexual positions, and other topics.
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Kamadhenu- Wish fulfilling Cow
Kamadhenu is the wish fulfilling cow. The picture and statues of Kamadhenu are in Hindu houses and temples.
It refers to the “celestial cow” also known as Surabhi (सुरभि Surabhī).
Kamadhenu, the divine “cow of plenty” originating from the Churning of the Ocean, is revered as a symbol of abundance and divinity with the power to fulfil desires. According to tradition, she is depicted with various divine attributes, serves as a protective force for sages, and is worshipped for prosperity and to bring good luck to homes and businesses
Kāmadhenu (कामधेनु) was the mythical cow of Vasiṣṭha which satisfies all desires, cow of plenty (= surabhi).
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Karma
“Karma” (Sanskrit: कर्म) primarily means action, work, or deed, acting as the fundamental spiritual principle of cause and effect in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It governs the moral law of actions, shaping future destiny, rebirth, and experiences, often categorized into Sanchita (accumulated), Prarabdha (fruiting), and Agamya or Kriyamana (current).
Karma (कर्म) refers to “action”, “deed”.—1) any action or deed; 2) the principle of cause and effect; 3) a consequence or “fruit of action” (karmaphala) or “after effect” (uttaraphala), which sooner or later returns upon the doer. What we sow, we shall reap in this or future lives. Selfish, hateful acts (pāpakarma or kukarma) will bring suffering. Benevolent actions (puṇya-karma or sukarma) will bring loving reaction.
Karma is three fold:—sañcita,prārabda, kriyamāṇa (or āgāmi)
Also any religious act or rite (as sacrifice, oblation etc., [especially] as originating in the hope of future recompense.
Karman (कर्मन्).—[neuter] action, deed, work, [especially] holy work, sacrifice, rite; result, effect; organ of sense; the direct object ([grammar]); fate, destiny.
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Karmendriya
Karmendriya (कर्मेन्द्रिय):—[from karma > karman] n. an organ of action (five in number like the five organs of sense, viz. hand, foot, larynx/ogan of voice, organ of generation, and excretion).
The Five Faculties of Action (Karmendriya):
vak-tattva: speech (voice)
pani-tattva: grasping (hands)
pada-tattva: walking (feet)
payu-tattva: excretion (anus)
upastha-tattva: procreation (genitals)
Speaking, Grasping, Moving About, Excreting and Sexual Activities are the Soul’s Powers of responding to and interacting with, the external World.
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Karta
Karta (Sanskrit: कर्ता, kartā) primarily refers to the “doer,” “agent,” or “creator” of an action. It is a term deeply rooted in Indian philosophy, grammar, and traditional law, representing the individual responsible for bringing about change or taking initiative.
It is a foundational concept in Indian philosophy, grammar, and art, embodying initiative and responsibility.
Sanskrit Grammar (Vyakarana): Karta is the agent or subject of an action.
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Khadira
Khadira (खदिर)—Sanskrit word for a plant (Acacia catechu).
Khadira (खदिर) is mentioned frequently from the Rigveda1 onwards as a tree with hard wood—the Acacia catechu. The Aśvattha is referred to as engrafting itself upon it in the Atharvaveda, and from it the climbing plant Arundhatī is said to have sprung.
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Kavya (kaavya)
Kāvya (काव्य).
A poem; महाकाव्यम् (mahākāvyam); मेघदूतं नाम काव्यम् (meghadūtaṃ nāma kāvyam) . Poetics, poetry, a poetical composition
Mahākāvya (महाकाव्य):—the Raghu-vaṃśa, Kumārasambhava and Megha-dūta by Kālidāsa, the Śiśupāla-vadha by Māgha, the Kirātārjunīya by Bhāravi and the Naiṣadha-carita by Śrī-harṣa; [according to] to some the Bhaṭṭi-kāvya is also a Mahakavya.
In Tamil Five Great Epics (Tamil: Aimperumkāppiyaṅkaḷ) are:
Karakam, or Karagaattam, is a traditional, ancient folk dance from Tamil Nadu, India, performed to honour the rain goddess Mariamman. It features dancers balancing decorated pots (karakam) on their heads while performing intricate movements, acrobatics, and sometimes balancing on a rolling wooden block.
Though associated with religious festivals, nowadays they are part of cultural and political processions.
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Kavadi (kaavadi)
This semi-circular decorated canopy supported with wooden cross-pieces is called a kavadi, meaning ‘burden’ or ‘load’.
A kavadi is a ceremonial, often ornate, wooden or metal arch decorated with peacock feathers, flowers, and photos of Hindu deities, carried by devotees of Lord Murugan as an act of penance, gratitude, or devotion, during the Thaipusam and other Murugan (Skanda/Kartikeya) festivals. It represents a “burden” or sacrifice, often involving fasting, rituals, and sometimes body piercings with hooks or skewers, particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, and Tamil Nadu.
Devotees carry the kavadi to fulfill vows, seek blessings for health or success, or express gratitude to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and wisdom.
Types of Kavadi:
Paal Kavadi: A simple, less painful offering involving pots of milk (paal) carried on a wooden pole.
Alagu Kavadi: A more complex, heavy structure often attached to the body via hooks and spikes piercing the skin (alagu means small spears).
Sangili Kavadi: Involves dragging heavy chariot or metal structures via chains attached to the body.
During the procession, devotees often enter a trance-like state, facilitated by the rhythmic, loud, and intense drumming (urumi melam) and chanting of “Vel Vel” (referring to Lord Murugan’s spear).
In Malaysia, devotees often ascend 272 steps to the shrine in the Batu Caves during Thaipusam. Other famous Murugan temples are also on hills. They also climb the steps.
Gangajal taken in Kavadi poles
TO BE CONTINED……………….
–SUBHAM—
TAGS- Karakam, Kavadi, Kalpa, Kalidasa, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL – 39, இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-39
Date uploaded in Sydney, Australia – 21 February 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
ஆங்கில எழுத்து J- ல் துவங்கும் சொற்கள்
Words beginning with “J”.
Tamil version will be posted tomorrow
J
JANARDHANA
Janardhana (Sanskrit: जनार्दन) appears as the 126th name in the Vishnu Sahasranama. It is a highly significant epithet of Lord Vishnu (and specifically Krishna), highlighting his role as the protector of devotees and the destroyer of evil
Meaning- “One Who Bestows Boons On One And All”
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JAGADGURU
Meaning: “Preceptor of The Universe”
used as an epithet of Brahmā and Siva in Siva Purana.
Used as an epithet of a name of Brahman, Viṣhṇu, Śiva, Rāma, [Rāmāyaṇa] 3, 6, 18.
Jagadguru is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms jagat and guru (गुरु).
In Tamil Nadu Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994) was also called Jagadguru
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JAINA
Meaning – A Jaina, a follower of Jaina doctrines.
In Tamil they are called Samana or Amana. Because of their political involvement in converting Pallava and Pandya kings, they were severely criticised by Saivite saints who lived 1400 years ago. They have made a huge contribution to Tamil Literature in the middle period. Earlier Tamil epic Silappadikaram praised them.
JAINISM
A heterodox school of Indian philosophy that perceives the world as transitory and does not advocate dependence on an almighty God for existence. It views the world as transitory and self-existent, rejecting the notion of an almighty God who dictates existence.
In Jainism there are 24 Tirtankaras; a Tirthankara is a highly revered spiritual teacher. They are enlightened beings who establish a path to liberation, guide followers, and found a “tirtha,” or ford, to help individuals cross the cycle of rebirths. These figures, like Mahavira, are considered the highest order of spiritual teachers, with 24 recognized for their teachings. They are often associated with significant dreams, and their birth and teachings are central to the spiritual tradition, representing the pinnacle of spiritual attainment.
12. Vasupujya Swami i Vasupujya Jaya Devi Champapuri
13. Vimalnath Krutavarma Shyama Devi Kampilyapur
14. Anantnath Simhasen Suyasha Ayodhya
15. Dhramnath Bhanu Suvrata Ratnapur
16. Shantinath Vishvasen Achira Hastinapur
17. Kunthunath and Surasen Shree Devi Hastinapur
18. Arahnath Sudarshan Devi Rani Hastinapur
19. Mallinath Kumbha Prabhavati Mithila
20. Munisuvrat Sumitra Padmavati Rajgruhi
21. Naminath Vijay Vipra Mithila
22. Arishtanemi Samudravijay Shiva Devi Dwarka
23. Parshvanath and Ashvasen Vama Devi Varanasi
24. Mahavir Siddharatha Trishala Kshatriya Kund
Mahavir was senior to Buddha and lived in the Sixth Century BCE.
There are two sects in Jainism- Digamabaras, and Svetambaras
Meaning —Digambara (“sky-clad”) and Śvētāmbara (“white-clad”)—which separated around the 4th century BCE due to differences in ascetic practices and scriptural interpretation. Digambara monks renounce all clothing, while Śvētāmbara monks wear white robes
Jains are strict vegetarians.
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JAMBHUDWIPA
Mentioned in Mahabharata, Asokan inscriptions and Sangam Tamil Literature. One of the seven regions on earth.
In Tamil it is called Naavalam Tivu. Name is derived from Jambu Tree (Indian Blackberry; in Tamil Naaval)
One of the Purāṇically famous Saptadvīpas (seven continents). These seven continents are embankments separating the seven seas. Jambūdvīpa, Krauñcadvīpa, Śākadvīpa and Puṣkaradvīpa are included in the seven islands.These are the seven major mountains in Jambūdvīpa:
Jamadagni (जमदग्नि):—Son of Satyavatī (daughter of king Gādhi) and sage Ṛcīka. He married Reṇukā, the daughter of Reṇu. Many sons, headed by Vasumān, were born from the womb of Reṇukā. The youngest of them was named Rāma, or Paraśurāma. (see Bhāgavata Purāṇa 9.15.4-11)
Also mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.60.46) and represents one of the many proper names used for people and places.
Renuka was such very devoted wife and the power of her chastity was manifest. Such was this power, that she used to fetch water from the river in a pot made of unbaked clay every day. The pot would hold together because of her devotion to her husband.
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JANAKA
Janaka (जनक) is the name of a famous king of Videha or Mithilā, foster-father of Sītā. He was remarkable for his great knowledge, good works, and holiness. After the abandonment of Sītā by Rāma, he became an anchorite-indifferent to pleasure or pain-and spent his time in philosophical discussions. The sage याज्ञवल्क्य (yājñavalkya) was his priest and adviser.
Shatapatha Brahmana and the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad mention King Janaka (c. 8th century BCE) as a great philosopher-king of Videha, renowned for his patronage of Vedic culture and philosophy, and whose court was an intellectual center for Brahmin sages such as Yajnavalkya
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JANAKI
Daughter of Janaka; another name of Sita Devi.
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JANAMEJAYA & JARATKARU
Many people and places had this name according to Mahabharata. But the most famous was the son of Parikshit.
Name of a celebrated king of Hastināpura, son of Parīkṣit, the grandson of Arjuna. [His father died, being bitten by a serpent; and Janamejaya, determined to avenge the injury, resolved to exterminate the whole serpent-race. He accordingly instituted a serpent sacrifice, and burnt down all serpents except Takṣaka, who was saved only by the intercession of the sage Astika, at whose request the sacrifice was closed. Brahmins recite a mantra in the daily Sandhyavandana recalling this anecdote.
The first of the four sons of Parīkṣit and Irāvatī.1 Father of Śatānīka.2 Finding that the death of his father was predicted to be by the snake Takṣaka, he performed a sarpa yāga to destroy all snakes. All except Takṣaka came, the latter being sheltered by Indra. At this Takṣaka and Indra were invoked together. Advised by Bṛhaspati to refrain from the cruel yāga, Janamejaya agreed; with the aid of Tura, the priest, he performed Aśvamedha and other sacrifices; after anointing his son on the throne he went into the woods for penance.
Sandhya Vandana mantra
The snakes acceded to his request and said, “He who recites the following need not have any fear from us:
‘I call to mind the famous Astika born of Jaratkaru, that Astika who saved the snakes from the snake-sacrifice. Therefore it behoves you not to bite me. O snakes of virulent poison, remember the words of Astika after the snake sacrifice of Janamejaya. You shall be blessed‘.
That snake who does not cease from biting even after hearing such mention of Astika, shall have his hood divided a hundredfold like the fruit of Sinsa tree”.
(Source: Adi Parva, Chapter 58)
नर्मदायै नमः प्रातः नर्मदायै नमो निशि
नमोऽस्तु नर्मदे तुभ्यं त्राहि मां विषसर्पदः
सर्पापसर्प भद्रं त गच्छ सर्प महाविष।
Alternative line
Apasarapa sarapa bhadram te duram gachcha mahaayasaah
जनमेजयस्य यज्ञान्ते आस्तीकवचं स्मर।।
जरत्कार्वोर्जरत्कर्वां समुत्पन्न महायशाः
अस्तीक सत्यसन्धो मां पन्नगेभ्यो अभिरक्षतु
पन्नगेभ्यो अभिरक्षतु om nama iti.
MEANING
O Narmada, I offer you salutations in the morning & night (during sandhya vandana); Protect me from poisonous snakes
Astika, born of muni Jaratkaru and his wife of the same name, was a great soul. He, the protector of the truth, will protect me from the serpents.
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JAPA
Japa (जप):—n. recitation; the practice of reciting mantras quietly/silently on prayer beads;Japa (जप).— Muttering, whispering.
2) Repeating passages of the Veda or names of deities &c.; Manusmṛti 3.74; Y.1.22.
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JATAKARMA
Jātakarman (जातकर्मन्).—n. a ceremony performed at the birth of a child; Manusmṛti 2.27,29; R.3.18. A ceremony performed when the navel string is divided, touching the infant’s tongue thrice with ghee, with appropriate prayers.
One of the Forty Samskaras (or Sixteen/Shodasa) from Birth to Death of a Hindu.
2) The form of existence fixed by birth. 3) Race, family, lineage, rank.
4) A caste, tribe or class (of men); (the primary castes of the Hindus are only four :-brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya and śūdra).
5) A class, genus, kind, species
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JAYADRATHA
Jayadratha (जयद्रथ).—A king of the Sindhu district and brother-in-law of Duryodhana, having married Duhśalā, daughter of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. [Once while out on hunting, he chanced to see Draupadī in the forest, and asked of her food for himself and his retinue. Draupadī, by virtue of her magical sthālī, was able to supply him with materials sufficient for their break-fast. Jayadratha was so much struck with this act, as well as her personal charms, that he asked her to elope with him. She, of course, indignantly refused, but he succeeded in carrying her off, as her husbands were out on hunting. When they returned they pursued and captured the ravisher and released Draupadī, and he himself was allowed to go after having been subjected to many humiliations. He took a leading part in compassing the death of Abhimanyu, and met his doom at the hands of Arjuna in the great war.
What happened on the 13th day of Mahabharata war? Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu Desa (Indus Valley King) killed Abimanyu, son of Arjuna on the 13th day of the war. Arjuna was furious and vowed to kill Jayadratha before the sunset next day. The whole Kaurava army gave Jayadratha full protection. When the sun appeared to set, Jayadratha poked his head out to show that he was victorious. Suddenly the sun reappeared in the sky and Arjuna shot Jayadratha down. The story goes that Krishna hid the sun with his Sudarsana chakra. Actually Krishna tricked Jayadratha with the knowledge of the solar eclipse happening on that day. Arjuna’s brothers Nakulan and Sahadevan were experts in such calculations.
People were told for a long time that the war started on a new moon (Amavasya) day. Latest research by scholars with computer software shows that it started on a full moon day. Another interpretation is that though it was started on New Moonday it was fought on alternate days.
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JAYADEVA
Name of the author of Gītagovinda with 24 Ashtapathis. He made Buddha one of the Ten Avatars of Vishnu.
Jayadeva (जयदेव).—A Sanskrit poet who lived in the 13th century A.D. He is the author of the play ‘Prasannarāghavam’. The famous work ‘Candrāloka’, a treatise on rhetorical figures, was written by this poet Jayadeva. His most important work is ‘Gītagovinda’, the theme of which is the early life of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, especially the love between Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā, which is very touchingly described. He used to sing lyrics before the image of Kṛṣṇa while his wife danced according to the beat.
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JIVA
Meaning- A creature, living being. The principle of life, the vital breath, life, soul. Jiva Atma is self; Parama Atma is God; Jiva is corrupted as Eve and Atma is corrupted as Adam in the Bible.
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JIVAN MUKTA
Jīvanmukta (जीवन्मुक्त).— Liberated Soull.a. ‘liberated while living’, a man who, being purified by a true knowledge of the Supreme Spirit, is freed from the future birth and all ceremonial rites while yet living.
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JNANA
1) Jnana (ज्ञान): Knowledge of the eternal and real. Knowing, understanding, becoming acquainted with, proficiency;
2) Knowledge, learning; 3) Consciousness, cognizance, knowledge; ज्ञानतोऽज्ञानतो वापि (jñānato’jñānato vāpi) Manusmṛti 8.288 knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously.
4) Sacred knowledge; especially, knowledge derived from meditation on the higher truths of religion and philosophy which teaches man how to understand his own nature and how he may be reunited to the Supreme Spirit.
Jnana/does not mean a proficiency in a subject like chemistry or history. It is not mere learning but inward experience or awareness of a truth. In Advaita is the realisation of that one is inseparably united with the supreme.
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JNANENDRIYA
Jñānendriya (ज्ञानेन्द्रिय).—an organ of perception; (these are five tvac, rasanā, cakṣus, karṇa and ghrāṇathe skin, tongue, eye, ear and nose.
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Jatavedas:
One of the names of Agni.
He who knows all; Heat creates everything e.g. sun, body heat
The fire god Agni is extremely important in the Vedic religion. He is the messenger of the gods. He takes all the offerings poured into the fire to the gods. He is everywhere. He is in the sun and moon and as ‘jataragni’ in the stomach, says Sayana in his commentary. Jataragni is the metabolic activities in the body that produce heat. He is in the sea as Badava Agni. All the girls are possessed by him before the marriage. This means that all the girls must be married in front of him (sacrificial fire) as he gives them like a father gives his daughter to the bridegroom. The couple have to walk around the fire. It is called Saptapadi.
Orthodox Hindus keep fire in a pot from the birth to death and use it for all occasions. The ‘aupasana’ pot contains paddy husk burning forever. It is never extinguished. When a baby is born it is lighted and the same fire is used to light the funeral pyre when the person dies at an old age.
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JVARADEVA
Jvaradeva is a form of Lord Shiva. He destroyed Bhasmaasura . He is described in the Agamas as having three legs, three heads nine eyes and six arms. His images are found in many shiva temples including Madurai, Tirupparankundram, Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam, Tirunelveli, Bhavani etc.
Jvaradeva or Jurakareśvara is depicted in the Adi Kumbeswarar Temple (Ādi Kumbheśvara) in Kumbakonam (Kumbhakonam), representing a sacred place for the worship of Śiva.—Jvvradeva is a three-headed image of Śiva with four hands. The three heads include two animal heads emerging laterally from behind the human head. The head on the right is that of a lion while the other one seems to be that of an antelope. He holds triśūla (trident) in the right hand and small vessel in the left hand.
Jvāra-deva is also depicted in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai .
Later Vaishnava texts like Harivamsa gives a sectarian view of Krishna encounter with Jvara deva wherein the leader of the Vrishnis created a Narayana-jvara to fight against the original Jvara deva.
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JYOTISHA
Means Light.
Jyotiṣa (ज्योतिष).—Astronomy and astrology. One of the six Vedāṅgas.
Jyotiṣa is a Sanskrit technical term used in ancient Indian sciences such as Astronomy, Mathematics and Geometry. It is part of Vedic School Syllabus for thousands of years.
it is the science about the stars and heavenly bodies. The heavenly bodies are the sun, the moon, the other planets and the stars etc. From the very ancient days men believed that these planets and stars in the sky played an important part in controlling the growth and activities of all the living and non-living things in the world.
1) Jyotiṣa (ज्योतिष) or Jyotiṣaka refers to an “astrologer” (one who is versed in Saṃhita, Astronomy and Horoscopy), according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 2), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “We shall now proceed to give a brief description of (the qualifications of) a jyotiṣaka. He must be of noble birth and of agreeable appearance; meek, truthful and without jealousy; of proportional limbs; of joints well built and of good growth; have no physical defects; be of fine hands, feet, nails, eyes, chin, teeth, ears, forehead, eye-brows and head; of fine physique and of high, sonorous voice”.
–Subham—
Tags- Jatavedas, Jnana, Jamadagni, Jayadeva, HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 36; இந்துமத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-36 , Jyotisha, Astrologer
Tamil and Vedas 