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Tamils have no Tamil Names for 12 Months:25-Purananuru wonders-25, Tamil Encyclopedia-65 (Post.15,729)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,729

Date uploaded in London –12 May 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 

Item 508 Poverty

Here in Puram verse 69 composed by Ālathūr Kizhār we get some interesting information about the appearance of a bard suffering from poverty. He is a musician with Yaaz (Veena like instrument). He is wearing torn clothes. The bards led a nomadic life.

***

Item 509 Wealth of Kings

In the next few lines, we see a quite contrasting scene with king wearing golden chains, sitting at Uraiyur with big shining mansions. Also bloddy scenes from battles are described. One more interesting point is kings saw saints and bards without waiting.

***

Item 510 Golden Lotus

Kings used to give Golden Lotus to bards. It is in other poems as well.

***

Puranānuru 69, Poet: Ālathūr Kizhār sang for Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan

1
O bard who is sad!  You carry a yāzh used to playing perfect music.
Your body is hungry, since you do not have a patron.  The clothes
around your waist are darned and soaked in sweat.  You protect and
wear them.  You have a large family that is depressed like the body
of a man with no will.  Since you have travelled around the world
and you ask me gently, I will tell you.

2

The battle elephants of kings are in pain in a camp with flags,
while other elephants have been cut down and they lie in pools of
blood, his army has caused flesh to stink, the King of Uranthai with
shining mansions, who raises his spear against advancing warriors
and he is ready to march into the lands of his enemies!

If you go and see Killivalavan who wears a fine garland and lovely
gold ornaments that flash like fire, you will not have to wait at
his tall gate without seeing him donate chariots at harsh noon time

3
in his court.  You will not fail to gain a golden lotus flower upon
which bees that swarm on flowers do not buzz!

(Vaidehi Herbert’s translation is used; thanks

***

Notes:  Puranānūru poems 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 69, 70, 226, 227, 228, 373, 386, 393 and 397 were written for this Chozha king who wrote Puranānūru 173.  Ālathūr Kizhār who came from a town called Ālathūr, wrote Puranānūru 34, 36, 69, 225 and 324.  

****

புறநானூறு 69, பாடியவர்: ஆலத்தூர் கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பாணாற்றுப்படை

1

கையது கடன் நிறை யாழே, மெய்யது
புரவலர் இன்மையின் பசியே, அரையது
வேற்றிழை நுழைந்த வேர் நனை சிதாஅர்
ஓம்பி உடுத்த உயவற் பாண!
பூட்கை இல்லோன் யாக்கை போலப்  5
பெரும் புல்லென்ற இரும்பேர் ஒக்கலை
வையகம் முழுதுடன் வளைஇப் பையென
என்னை வினவுதி ஆயின்,

2

மன்னர்
அடு களிறு உயவும் கொடி கொள் பாசறைக்
குருதிப் பரப்பின் கோட்டுமா தொலைச்சிப்,  10
புலாக் களம் செய்த கலாஅத் தானையன்
பிறங்கு நிலை மாடத்து உறந்தையோனே
பொருநர்க்கு ஓக்கிய வேலன், ஒரு நிலைப்
பகைப் புலம் படர்தலும் உரியன், தகைத் தார்
ஒள் எரி புரையும் உருகெழு பசும்பூண்  15
கிள்ளி வளவற் படர்குவை ஆயின்,

3
நெடுங்கடை நிற்றலும் இலையே கடும் பகல்
தேர் வீசு இருக்கை ஆர நோக்கி,
நீ அவற்கண்ட பின்றைப் பூவின்
ஆடு வண்டு இமிராத் தாமரை  20
சூடாய் ஆதல் அதனினும் இலையே.

****

Item 511 Snskrit names for Tamil Months

Kōvūr Kizhār copied the greatest poet Kalidasa in Puram verse 70

Tamils have no names in Tamil for 12 months. All the names we use now for 12 so called Tamil months are Sanskrit names. In some cases they are Tamilized. Kanchi Shankaracharya (1894-1994) who was a great linguist, has explained the names of all the 12 months. No one could have any doubt because we get Panguni in Akananuru 137, Karthikai in other poems. Silappadikaram also used Sanskrit month. This shows ancient Tamils considered Tamil and Sanskrit as two eyes of a man. More over all the Tamil dictionaries and Nikandus have more Sanskrit words than Tamil.

***

Item 512 Bee= Six Legged Bird

This poem shows that Kovur Kizar as a great Sanskrit scholar. He not only used Sanskrit Thai, but also used Six Legged Bird (bee) of Kalidasa.

***

Item 513 Interesting Folklore- Gold Diggers

Hindu folklore is full of finding gold in the middle of the forest. This is used as a simile here. They always add those gold are protected by snakes. There are two reasons for it:1. Gold is found as nuggets in many places in those days. Now they were all exploited by gold diggers. 2.Tamils have a proverb Tamilan puthithuk kettan—meaning Tamils spoiled themselves by burying (treasures). In those days there were no banks or lockers in villages So they buried the treasure and told no one. After their death, some lucky person stumble on it.

***

Item 514

Another notable point is the appearance of a drum held by the bards.

like a pond tortoise strung
on an iron rod

***

Puranānuru 70, Poet: Kōvūr Kizhār sang for Chozhan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan,

1

O bard with ancient wisdom carrying a small yāzh with
honey-sweet music!  You show me sweetly your clear-eyed
kinai drum tied with sticks like a pond tortoise strung
on an iron rod, and urge me strongly to rest here a little.

2

Killivalavan is the lord of a fine country with abundant
rice and water.  His huge city is filled with food
and there is constant abundance like a Thai month pond whose
level never goes down despite taking.  There are only kitchen
fires and no war fires.  Go to him thinking of his renown.

3

If you travel leisurely and quietly with your female dancer,
her forehead glowing, her smile sweet, adorned with pāthiri
flowers from Sirukudi of Pannan who gives very generously,
where six-legged bees buzz on small white waterlilies desiring
fragrance, you will become rich. 

4

Do not think that his
generosity is not a rare matter, like woodcutters going to the
forest to cut wood finding gold.   May his efforts prosper!

Notes:  Puranānūru poems 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 69, 70, 173, 226, 227, 228, 373, 386, 393 and 397 were written for this Chozha king.   Kōvūr Kizhār wrote Puranānūru 31-33, 41, 44-47, 68, 70, 308, 373, 382, 386 and 400.  He hailed from Kōvūr town in Thondai Nadu.  It is presently in Chengalpattu district. 

****

புறநானூறு 70, பாடியவர்: கோவூர் கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் குளமுற்றத்துத் துஞ்சிய கிள்ளிவளவன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பாணாற்றுப்படை


தேஎம் தீந்தொடைச் சீறியாழ்ப் பாண!
கயத்து வாழ் யாமை காழ் கோத்தன்ன
நுண் கோல் தகைத்த தெண் கண் மாக் கிணை
இனிய காண்க இவண் தணிக எனக் கூறி,
வினவல் ஆனா முதுவாய் இரவல!  5

1
தைத் திங்கள் தண் கயம் போலக்,
கொளக் கொளக் குறைபடாக் கூழுடை வியன் நகர்,
அடு தீ அல்லது சுடு தீ அறியாது,
இரு மருந்து விளைக்கும் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருநன்,
கிள்ளிவளவன் நல் இசை உள்ளி,  10

2
நாற்ற நாட்டத்து அறு கால் பறவை
சிறு வெள் ஆம்பல் ஞாங்கர் ஊதும்
கைவள் ஈகைப் பண்ணன் சிறு குடிப்
பாதிரி கமழும் ஓதி ஒண்ணுதல்,
இன்னகை விறலியொடு மென்மெல இயலிச்  15
செல்வை ஆயின் செல்வை ஆகுவை

3
விறகு ஒய் மாக்கள் பொன் பெற்றன்னதோர்
தலைப்பாடு அன்று அவன் ஈகை,
நினைக்க வேண்டா, வாழ்க அவன் தாளே.

****

Item 515 Bhutapandyan

In Puranānūru 71, we come across the pandya king

Bhuta pandyan. This name is also found in alupa kings of Karnataka. Also we come across a queen, whose husband was Bhuta pandyan; see Puranānūru 246. This is a Sanskrit name. also note devi is used in verse 246.

Item 516 Names of dear friends

The king gives us a list of his dear friends that makes interesting reading.

May I lose the great joy in the company of my friends who
are as precious to me as my own eyes – Māvan who is the ruler
of Maiyal town and cities surrounded by the famous Vaiyai
River with abundant riches and unending prosperity, Ānthai
of long established Eyil town, Anthuvan Sāthan of great
renown, famous Āthan Azhisi, Iyakkan with intense rage
and others!

Also we get the names of river and towns.

***

Item 517 Dhama Sabhai and rebirth and Patriotism

The king makes two more points. His assembly is a place of Justice. Rig Vedic Sanskrit word Sabha is used in the poem. All over India B=V are interchangeable and so we see Avai in Tirukkural and Sangam literature.

Another point is rebirth. He makes a vow that he would be born in a country that is not Pandya country. This shows his patriotism and loyalty towards his mother land. This shows his belief in rebirth as well.

***

Puranānūru 71, Poet: King Ollaiyur Thantha Poothappandiyan, Thinai: Kānji, Thurai: Vanjina Kānji


They say that kings enraged like lions and owning
armies that do not succumb have formed a federation,
and announced that they will go into battle against me.

If I do not assault them so that I can hear their scream
in harsh battles as they show their backs and flee in their
chariots, may I separate from my wife with large, calm
kohl-lined eyes!  And in my kind court that does not sway
from justice, let me install someone unworthy and rule with
a weak scepter, moving away from righteousness!

May I lose the great joy in the company of my friends who
are as precious to me as my own eyes – Māvan who is the ruler
of Maiyal town and cities surrounded by the famous Vaiyai
River with abundant riches and unending prosperity, Ānthai
of long established Eyil town, Anthuvan Sāthan of great
renown, famous Āthan Azhisi, Iyakkan with intense rage
and others!

May I no longer reign as king of this southern land, known
for its ancient lineage and protection to its citizens!  May
I be born into a family that protects the dry lands of others!

*1**

புறநானூறு 71, பாடியவர்: ஒல்லையூர் தந்த பூதப்பாண்டியன், திணை: காஞ்சி, துறை: வஞ்சினக் காஞ்சி


மடங்கலின் சினைஇ மடங்கா உள்ளத்து
அடங்காத் தானை வேந்தர் உடங்கு இயைந்து,
என்னொடு பொருதும் என்ப, அவரை
ஆரமர் அலறத் தாக்கித் தேரொடு
அவர்ப் புறங்காணேன் ஆயின், சிறந்த  5
பேரமர் உண்கண் இவளினும் பிரிக,

2
அறன் நிலை திரியா அன்பின் அவையத்துத்
திறன் இல் ஒருவனை நாட்டி, முறை திரிந்து
மெலி கோல் செய்தேன் ஆகுக, மலி புகழ்
வையை சூழ்ந்த வளங்கெழு வைப்பின்  10

3
பொய்யா யாணர் மையல் கோமான்
மாவனும் மன் எயில் ஆந்தையும், உரை சால்
அந்துவஞ்சாத்தனும் ஆதன் அழிசியும்,
வெஞ்சின இயக்கனும் உளப்படப் பிறரும்,
கண் போல் நண்பிற் கேளிரொடு கலந்த  15
இன் களி மகிழ்நகை இழுக்கி யான் ஒன்றோ,
மன்பதை காக்கும் நீள்குடிச் சிறந்த
தென் புலம் காவலின் ஒரீஇப், பிறர்

4
வன்புலம் காவலின் மாறி யான் பிறக்கே.

****

Item 518

Puram verse 72 was composed by a famous king called Thalaiyālankānathu Cheruvendra Nedunchezhiyan. The battle of Thalaiyālankānam as famous as Venni Battle where Choza Karikalan defeated many kings and Velirs. Here the young Boy King defeated many kings.

His story is in Thiru Vilayadal Puranam which says Lord Siva helped him. I have pointed out in my research articles on Tiru Vilayadal Puranam of Madurai.

***

Item 519 Proof for Tamil Sangam

Sangam is a Sanskrit word which we see from Panini days to modern times. Arthasastra of Kautilya/ Chanakya also mentioned Sangam(Association). But Tamil Tolkappiar banned all Sa beginning words in Tamil. So scholars were wondering what the association was called in Sangam period. We can only guess. But Nedunchezian in this verses says there was a group of poets under the leadership of Mangdi Maruthan. He was the author of the longest Sangam poem Madurai Kanchi.

Puranānūru 72, Poet: King Pandiyan Thalaiyālankānathu Cheruvendra Nedunchezhiyan, Thinai: Kānji, Thurai: Vanjina Kānji

1


They cause me anger, those who say, “They are laughable
who praise his land.  He is too young.” 

They also say,
“We have fine, tall elephants with wide feet and huge legs
that wear tinkling bells, chariots, horses and able warriors.”
They have no fear and they are filled with fury as they
utter disparaging words.

If I do not attack those enraged kings, who don’t fear my strength,
in harsh battles and ruin their drums, may my citizens who live under
the protection of my shadow no longer see any shade!  Let them cry and
and blame me as a cruel king and insult my office! 

3

 Poets with great skill,
their leader Mānkudi Maruthan with his vast and great learning, as well
as others firmly established in this earth, let them leave my
country and sing no more about it!  May I lose wealth and become
unable to help those who come to me in need, and remove their sorrow!

Notes:  This is the only poem written by this king.  Puranānūru 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 76, 77, 78, 79, 371 and 372 were written for this king.   He defeated the Chera and Chozha kings along with five Vēlir kings in a battle at Thalaiyālankānam in the Chozha country.   

1

***

புறநானூறு 72, பாடியவர்: பாண்டியன் தலையாலங்கானத்துச் செருவென்ற நெடுஞ்செழியன், திணை: காஞ்சி, துறை: வஞ்சினக் காஞ்சி

2
“நகு தக்கனரே, நாடு மீக்கூறுநர்,
இளையன் இவன்” என உளையக் கூறிப்,
“படுமணி இரட்டும் பாவடிப் பணைத் தாள்
நெடுநல் யானையும் தேரும் மாவும்
படை அமை மறவரும் உடையம் யாம்” என்று   5
உறு துப்பு அஞ்சாது, உடல் சினம் செருக்கிச்
சிறுசொல் சொல்லிய சினங்கெழு வேந்தரை
அருஞ்சமம் சிதையத் தாக்கி, முரசமொடு
ஒருங்கு அகப்படேஎன் ஆயின் பொருந்திய
என் நிழல் வாழ்நர் சென்னிழல் காணாது,  10
“கொடியன் எம் இறை” எனக் கண்ணீர் பரப்பிக்
குடி பழி தூற்றும் கோலேன் ஆகுக,

3
ஓங்கிய சிறப்பின் உயர்ந்த கேள்வி
மாங்குடி மருதன் தலைவன் ஆக,

3உலகமொடு நிலைஇய பலர் புகழ் சிறப்பின்  15
புலவர் பாடாது வரைக என் நிலவரை
புரப்போர் புன்கண் கூர,
இரப்போர்க்கு ஈயா இன்மை யான் உறவே.

To be continued

Tags- No name for months in Tamil, Sangam, Mangudi Maruthan, Item 519, Tamils have no Tamil Names for 12 Months:25Purananuru wonders-25, Tamil Encyclopedia-

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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 61; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-61 (Post.15,720)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,720

Date uploaded in London –10 May 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 

M words continued………………………………

Snake or Rope illusion = Maayaa 

Tamil Version will be posted tomorrow.

***

Mangalasanam 

Twelve Tamil Vaishnavite Saints known as Alvars, have sung the glory of Vishnu in 108 divine shrines spread over India and beyond. Those temples which are sung by an Alvar or more Alvars are said to have Mangalaasanam of this Alvar or these Alvars. The 108 Divine Shrines are called Divya Desam. The 4000 compositions of Alvars in praise ofVishnu shrines are in a Tamil book known as Divya Prabandham.

***

Madayanthi

Madayanti (or Madayanthi) is a virtuous queen of King Saudasa (Kalmashapada) in the Mahabharata and Puranas. Known for her loyalty, she aided her husband in overcoming a curse from Sage Vashishtha and is associated with the birth of their son, Ashmaka. 

Wife of King Saudasa of the Ikshwaku dynasty. She is depicted as a virtuous queen who, along with her husband, survived a difficult curse.

When her husband was cursed to be a cannibal, she remained by his side. Later, she was involved in a complex narrative involving the sage Vashishtha to obtain a son.

The name is sometimes spelled Madayanti and should not be confused with Madayantika, which is the botanical name for henna (Lawsonia inermis). 

It is a plant with medicinal properties known for treating skin diseases, jaundice, and as a natural hair dye.

 ***

MADURAI

A big city in Tamil Nadu known for its big and beautiful Siva temple called Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. About 2000 years ago, there was a Tamil Academy called Tamil Sangam here with 49 poets. Madurai is synonymous with Tamil language because of this Tamil Sangam. Sangam Tamil literature has more than 40 poets with the prefix Madurai. Chitra festival celebrated here every year attracts lakhs of people.

***

Malayalam

It is the name of a language and the land where it is spoken. The place is called Kerala now. It is adjacent to Tamil Nadu. As a language it is junior to Tamil language. Kerala is also known for its temples and natural beauty. In the olden days it was called Chera Nadu.

***

Malaya Parvata

Common name of Western Ghats also known as Sahyadri. Pothikai hill is part of this mountain chain Where sage Agastya lived and wrote the first grammar book for Tamil. The mountain chain runs for over 1000 miles from the land’s tip up to Maharashtra.

***

Mathura

One of the Seven Sacred Cities in India. Lord Krishna was born here, and his playing field is called Brindavan It is in modern Uttar Pradesh with a beautiful Krishna temple.

***

Mahabharata & War

Mahabharata is one of the two Hindu epics; the other epic is Ramayana. Mahabharata is the longest religious book in the world with one hundred thousand Slokas/couplets describing the history of Pandavas and Kauravas. It has 18 chapters and the most popular Bhagavad Gita is in one of the 18 Chapters.

The 18 day war between the five Pandavas and their 100 cousins Kauravas was fought in Kurukshetra, now in Haryana. Hindus believe that the war was fought just before Kali Yuga began, that is before 3102 BCE. Majority of the modern historians believe that it should have happened around 1500 BCE.

Apart from the conflict, the epic has lot of sub stories ad a lot of didactic materials. And it is said thus in a famous quote:

“यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित्”Yad ihāsti tad anyatra, yan nehāsti na tat kvacit “What is here [in the Mahabharata] is found elsewhere, but what is not here is nowhere else”. The epic covers all aspects of human life.

***

Mahabhasyam

Mahabhayasam is the celebrated commentary on grammar given to the world by Maharshi Patanjali based on Ashtadhyayi of Maharshi Panini. It  deals with the theory of language from Bharatiya perspective. The siddhantas behind the origin and development of sound, syllable, word, sentence and context and their interrelated features are discussed in this commentary. It consists of nine ahnikas (Units) .

***

Mahamakam

Mahamaham is a major Hindu festival celebrated every 12 years in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, often referred to as the Kumbh Mela of South India. It occurs during the Tamil month of Masi (Feb–Mar) when Jupiter passes through Simha Rasi, drawing millions for a holy dip in the sacred Mahamaham tank, which is surrounded by 16 small mandapams. It is very near the famous Siva temple- Kumbeswarar.

The next Mahamaham festival in Kumbakonam is scheduled to take place on March 9, 2028

 The Mahamaham tank is a massive, historic pond located in the heart of Kumbakonam town, featuring 20 “theerthams” (holy wells) on its banks, each associated with specific deities or blessings. During the festival all the nearby temples take part in it. 500 years ago, famous king Krishnadeva Raya travelled all the way from Vijayanagara to take part in it.

***

Maya, Mahamayi. Mahamaya

Maya is illusion.

Mahamaya (“Great Illusion”) is a multifaceted term in Indian philosophy and religion, primarily referring to the divine, all-encompassing, and bewildering creative energy of the Supreme Goddess (Shaktism) or the material world’s illusory nature (Vedanta). It represents the power that creates, maintains, and veils reality, often associated with Goddess Durga and the material world’s distracting, worldly attachments. 

In Tamil, Mahamayi is the goddess of small pox. If some one is sick with any type of pox, they hang Neem leaves outside the house to avoid spreading the disease. After recovering, they go to Marai Amman Goddess temple and offer Maa Vilakku. It is a flour and jaggery dish with ghee lamps lighted in the middle. They consume it after the lamp is extinguished

Mahamaya (or Yoga-maya) is the divine energy of illusion and Vishnu’s potency who facilitated Krishna’s birth to destroy the tyrant King Kamsa. She transferred Krishna from Kamsa’s prison to Gokul and replaced him with her own form, ultimately warning Kamsa that his killer had already been born, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Kamsa’s downfall. When Kamsa tried to strike her with his sword it flew into sky and disappeared.

To be continued………………

Tags-  Maya, Madurai,  Mangalasanam, Divya desam, mahamaham,

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Damirica and Limirica in South India (Post No.15,717)

Subhashini of Tamil Heritage Foundation has posted (in Facebook) the Map of Damirica as displayed in a museum in Vienna, Capital of Austria.

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,717

Date uploaded in London –9 May 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 

Periplus of the Erythraean Sea- Around 60 CE.

Claudius Ptolemy- 150 CE (Geographer and astronomer)

***

Interesting references to South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, are available from Roman and Greek writers of early centuries. K A Nilakanta Sastri and others have done some research and published their works long ago. But nothing is proved beyond doubt. So, we must do more research with the help of newly discovered inscriptions, Sanskrit works and Linguistics. For instance, world famous poet Kalidas mentioned Uragapura under Pandya rule. Some interpreted it as Nagappattinam, Uraiyur and Madurai. According to my research it fits very well with the name of Madurai.  Like Nagapattinam , Madurai is also called Snake city. In Tamil it is Aalavaay. Gnana Sambandar of Pallava- Pandya period (650 CE) used the word snake/ aalavaay city to mention Madurai.

The Kalinga king Kharavela makes two interesting statements regarding the Far South in his Hathikhumba cave inscription:

1

“and (he) thoroughly breaks up the confederacy of Tramira (Dramira) countries of one hundred and thirteen years which has been source of danger to (his) country (Janapada)”

2

“and a wonderful and marvellous enclosure of stockade for driving in the elephants (he)……..and horses, elephants, jewels and rubies as well as numerous pearls in hundreds (he) causes to be brought here from the Pandya king.

But is Sangam Tamil literature there is no reference to the 113 year joint front of the Tamil Kings. We have one reference to Rajasuya Yagam performed by a Choza King which was attended by the other two, Pandya and Chera kings. But we can’t place it in the first or second century BCE.

The second statement is also not clear. We don’t know whether he defeated the Pandya king or got all these as presents from the Pandya king. Pearls of Pandya kingdom were mentioned in the Arthasastra of Kautilya as Pandya Kavaatam.

****

Who is Kharavela?

Kharavela was the emperor of Kalinga (present-day eastern coast of India) in the 2nd or 1st century BC. The primary source for Kharavela is his rock-cut Hathigumpha inscription. The inscription is undated, only four of its 17 lines are completely legible, others unclear, variously interpreted and disputed by scholars. The inscription is written in Brahmi script with Jainism-related phrases recites a year by year record of his reign. He was a follower of Jainism. Much of the available information about Kharavela comes from the undated, much damaged Hathigumpha inscription and several minor inscriptions found in the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in present-day Odisha. According to the Hathigumpha inscription, Kharavela spent his first 24 years on education and sports, a period when he mastered the fields of writing, coinage, accounting, administration and procedures of law. He was the prince to the throne (yuvaraja) at 16, and crowned King of Kalinga at age 24. The Hathigumpha inscription details his first 13 years of his reign.

Kharavela is known for his military campaigns in Northern and Southern India. He has led victorious expeditions against Magadha, Satavahana and Tamil confederacy (lead by Pandya dynasty) and other kingdoms such as Rashtrikas and Bhojakas of Berar and Maharastra regions during his reign. He was not only a great military general but also a good administrator. He undertook public works for the benefit of his people and in order to please them he remitted taxes and provided them with the occasions for merrymakings. The Hathigumpha inscription also mentions his public works such as repairing of the gates and buildings of his capital Kalinganagara, which was destroyed by a storm. These repairs and some other public works in the same year cost him thirty-five hundred thousand coins.

****

Periplus of the Erythraean Sea says, “from Comari toward the south this region extends to Colchi (Korkai), where the pearl fisheries are; (they were worked by the condemned criminals); and it belongs to the Pandyan kingdom”.

K A N Sastri pointed out that Pan Kou, a very early Chinese writer, mentioned commercial contacts between China and South India in Han period, beginning from the second century BCE.

Strabo said that a Pandyan embassy was sent to the court of Roman emperor Augustus. It is stated that the embassy was accompanied by an Indian sophist who committed himself to the flames at Athens, like Kalanos, who had exhibited a similar spectacle in the presence of Alexander.

Reference to the western side of India is available from the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, composed by an anonymous sailor between 60 and 80 CE. He divides peninsular India into two divisions : Dachinebades (Dakshinapatha) and Damirika (Tamilakam) , country of the Tamils. Damirika on the other hand was parcelled into three kingdoms, Cerobothra, the Pandian kingdom and the coast country.

He gives the following place names:

Naura (identified with Cannanore)

Tyndis (Ponnani)

Muziris (Cranganore)

Nelcynda (near Kottayam).

He adds Muziris abounds in ships with cargoes from Arabia and by the Greeks .

Nelcynda is part of Pandian Kingdom.

According to Sangam literature Chera king Imayavaramban Neduncheral Adan (155 CE) captured the Yavanas, poured oil on their heads, bound their hands behind them and did not release them until they paid him a huge ransom.

***

Choza KIngdom

According to Periplus it extended toward north from Colchi (Korkai). Places mentioned by him are as follows:

Argaru- Uraiyur;

Camara- Kaveripatnam or Puhar;

Poduca – Puducherry?

Sopatma – Markanam

Chryse- Burma?

***

Limirica

Ptolemy in his Geography mentions Limirica, identical with Damirica of the Periplus and speaks of the following political units:

The Kingdom of Karorura ruled by Kerobothra (Kerala Putra)

Pounatta ( S W Mysore)

The Kingdom of Aioi, with capital at Kothiara, usually located at south Travancore

The Kingdom of Pandioi with capital at Madura .

The Kingdom of Kareoi, possibly in the valley of the river Tamraparni

The Kingdom of Batoi, with capital at Nikama

The Kingdom of Orthoura, ruled by Soringoi possibly Choza country

The Kingdom of Malanga ruled by Basaranagas.

The Kingdom of Sora ruled by Arkatos .

From the above account, it is clear at the time of Ptolemy, the far south was divided into at least eight smaller kingdoms, leaving out of course Pounatta the political status of which is not clearly stated.

There is another reference to the mountains,

Between Mount Bettigo and Adeisathros  are the Sorai nomads , with these towns

Sangamarta (Sangam Madurai?)

Sora , the capital of Arkatos .

The Mount Bettigo is the same as tamil Pothikai, i.e. the Malaya ranges, while the Adeisthros refers to the Sahyadri or the Western Ghats.

***

Some guesses

Sora – Cola/ Choza

Arkatos – Arcot region

Arourarnoi –  Aruanadu

Though great scholars like K A Nilakanta Sastri have written about all these things after deep research, there is further scope for new research with the help of newly found inscriptions.

***

My comments

Look at the corruption of Tamil names by Greek and Roman writers. Even 300 years ago the English, French and the Dutch corrupted our names which are being corrected now by the rulers.

Damirica= Tamilaka is correct, because R=L changes are in Sanskrit Grammar.

But Limirica raises some questions. How D is Changed to L is a question. Indian linguistics show D =L changes through out the country in middle letters but not in initial letters.

My research shows

Cola= Coda in Asoka inscriptions; Coro in English; Coromandel coast = Choza Mandala Katarkarai

Ramadan= Ramalan = Ramzan (Muslim festival)

Utkala = Orissa= Odisah

Initial  L=D letter change is not known. Even Lemuria was used just a few hundreds years ago to mention the Land of Lemurs (animals found in Madagascar)

Even in Madagascar we see D=L change only in the middle letter.

The island country Madagascar is now called Malagasy  (D=L).

Map of Madagascar near Africa

–subham-

Tags – Damirica, Limirica, Ptolemy, Periplus, Kharavela

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Tamils Discovered Monsoon! Not Hippalus! Purananuru wonders-24, Tamil Encyclopedia-64 (Post.15,701)

Monsoon Pictures

Bird Omen Picture

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,701

Date uploaded in London –5 May 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

****

VAIDEHI HERBERT’S ENGLISH TRANSLATION IS USED; THANKS.

xxxx 

வடக்கிருத்தல் SEE ITEM 502 GIVEN HERE Prāyopaveśana (प्रायोपवेशन).—sitting down and abstaining from food and thus preparing oneself for death, fasting oneself to death; मया प्रायोपवेशनं कृतं विद्धि (mayā prāyopaveśanaṃ kṛtaṃ viddhi) Pañcatantra (Bombay) 4; प्रायोपवेशनमति- र्नृपतिर्बभूव (prāyopaveśanamati- rnṛpatirbabhūva) R.8.94; प्रायोपवेशसदृशं व्रतमास्थितस्य (prāyopaveśasadṛśaṃ vratamāsthitasya) Ve.3.1.

Prāyopaveśana (प्रायोपवेशन):—n. dass. [Mahābhārata 3, 15138.] [Rāmāyaṇa 1, 3, 26. 4, 53, 8. 55, 11.] [Raghuvaṃśa 8, 93.] [Rājataraṅgiṇī 4, 99.] [Pañcatantra 50, 15. 110, 10. 207, 7.]

***

Item 498 Shipping using Monsoon

In Puram verse 66, Poet VennikKuyathiyār, gives us some information about meteorology. Karikalan of first or second century used Monsoon Winds for sailing. I wrote in Megham, London Tamil Magazine, in the 990s that Tamils discovered MONSOON quoting this poem (It is in my book published in 2009 as well).

Pliny the Elder claimed that Hippalus discovered not the route, but the monsoon wind also called Hippalus (the south-west monsoon wind).

Later I updated it with another article to show how Asoka’s daughter and sone along wih Buddhist monks used the monsoon to sail between India and Sri Lanka.

Kalidasa who wrote the first travelogue in the world called Meghadutam also described how the monsoon progresses towards the Himalaya.

Date wise Asoka comes first, Kalidasa and Karikalan comes second. Hippalus comes third. So the credit goes to Asoka or the sailors of his time.

***

Item 499 BATTLE OF VENNI

Tamils’ great discovery about Munneer= Three Waters= Sea was described me in the earlier posts.

Facing North to die = Prayopavesam in Sanskrit= Vadakkiruththal in Tamil is escribed by me in the previous post

Here BATTLE OF VENNI is praised by the poet. At the sametime poet praised the defeated Chera King for undertaking the ritual Prayopavesam.

Ancient Tamil Kings Chera, Choza, Pandyas fought hundreds of wars among themselves killing each other. But the most famous of the wars is the Battle of Venni.

King Karikālan brought prosperity to his Chozha kingdom.  He was tutored by his uncle, poet Irumpidarthalaiyār from an early age.  He beat a Pandiyan king, Cheraman Peruncheralathan and 11 Vēlirs at the Venni battlefield in the Chozha country.  There are references to this battle in Akanānūru 55, 246, Puranānūru 65, 66 and Porunarātruppadai 147. 

In that battle, a spear that was thrust into the chest of beat Cheraman Peruncheralathan came out on the other side through his back and wounded him.  He was embarrassed that he was attacked in the back.  He sat facing north and died on the battlefield. This is a ritual ancient Hindus did when something bad, particularly, shameful, humiliating , disgraceful act is done or forced on them.

***

Wind Power in Bhagavad Gita

इन्द्रियाणां हि चरतां यन्मनोऽनुविधीयते |

तदस्य हरति प्रज्ञां वायुर्नावमिवाम्भसि || 67||

indriyāṇāṁ hi charatāṁ yan mano ’nuvidhīyate

tadasya harati prajñāṁ vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi

BG 2.67: Just as a strong wind sweeps a boat off its chartered course on the water, even one of the senses on which the mind focuses can lead the intellect astray.

***

Puranānūru 66, Poet VennikKuyathiyār sang to Chozhan Karikāl Peruvalathān (Karikālan),

1
O heir of a mighty man who mastered the movement
of the wind and had his ships sail on the huge, full
ocean! 

2

O Karikalan who owns rutting elephants!
You who won displaying your strength in the
battlefield near prosperous Venni town!

3

He is a better person than you, the king who sat
facing north to die, ashamed of the battle wound on
his back, who attained great fame in this world.

****

Notes:  This is the only poem written by this poet.  Puranānūru poems 7, 66 and 224 were written for Chozhan Karikālan.  The Pathuppāttu songs Pattinappālai and Porunarātruppadai were written for King Karikālan, who brought prosperity to his Chozha kingdom.  He was tutored by his uncle, poet Irumpidarthalaiyār from an early age.  Chozha king Karikālan beat a Pandiyan king, Cheraman Peruncheralathan and 11 Vēlirs at the Venni battlefield in the Chozha country.  There are references to this battle in Akanānūru 55, 246, Puranānūru 65, 66 and Porunarātruppadai 147.  In that battle, a spear that was thrust into the chest of beat Cheraman Peruncheralathan came out on the other side through his back and wounded him.  He was embarrassed that he was attacked in the back.  He sat facing north and died on the battlefield. 

***

புறநானூறு 66, பாடியவர்: வெண்ணிக் குயத்தியார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சோழன் கரிகால் பெருவளத்தான் (கரிகாலன்), திணை: வாகை, துறை: அரச வாகை

1


நளி இரு முந்நீர் நாவாய் ஓட்டி,
வளி தொழில் ஆண்ட உரவோன் மருக!
களி இயல் யானைக் கரிகால் வளவ!

2
சென்று அமர்க் கடந்த நின் ஆற்றல் தோன்ற
வென்றோய்! நின்னினும் நல்லன் அன்றே,   5
கலி கொள் யாணர் வெண்ணிப் பறந்தலை

3
மிகப் புகழ் உலகம் எய்திப்
புறப் புண் நாணி வடக்கிருந்தோனே.

****

Item 500 Bird Migration

Hindu are great nature lovers. They watched the sky and noted birds are migrating from one direction to another, particularly from south to north. Later Saththimutraththu Pulavar also sang about it inNaarai, Naaraai! Sengal Naaraai

Sen Kaal Naarai= red legged Flamingos. Water birds migrating from  far off places lie Russia are found in Vedanthangal, Ranganathan Thittu (Mysore Srirangappattinam) and Kodikkarai/Vedaranyam; they are some of the places where they are found. Researchers ring the birds with microchips and follow their routes.

When they migrate they form rules of aerodynamics. They fly in V shape to tackle the wind. This is watched and sung by Kalidasa and other Tamil poets as well (It is my article Bird Migration in Sangam Literature and Kalidasa).

Th poets described the V shape as pearl garland/necklace

*** 

Item 501 Concept of Eka Bharat= One India

Half baked people thought and wrote that only British rule united India. But the travels of great philosopher Adi Sankara and Rishis like Agastya proved them wrong. Here also the water birds going from Kumari to Himalaya Mountain is explained by the commentators.

***

Puranānūru 67, Poet Pisirānthaiyār sang for Kōperunchozhan, Thinai: Pādān, Thurai: Iyan Mozhi

1
O gander!  O gander! (water bird)
Like the bright face of the
noble hero of battles who bestows
grace upon his land, the bright light
of the blossoming moon shines when
its two horns unite and it becomes
full at this confusing evening time
when I am helpless and sad.

2

If you, after feeding on ayirai fish
in the beautiful, huge shores of
Kumari, should fly off to the mountains
of the far north,
and stop on your way in the
land of the Chozha king,
go to the towering mansion at Kōzhi
with your young partner and without
stopping at the gate,

3
enter the palace of the great King Killi
and utter words so that the king hears
you say, “Ānthai of Pisir is your humble
servant.”
He will give desirable gifts of fine jewels
for your beloved mate to wear!

Item 502 Another Ritual Suicide where poets joined!

வடக்கிருத்தல் = பிராயோபவேஷம்

(மகாபாரதம், வால்மீகி ராமாயணம், காளிதாசன் ரகுவம்சத்தில்)

This poem is about the Choza king shows another ritual sacrifie called Payaopavesam by Kopperum Chozan

Notes:  Puranānūru poems 67, 212, 213, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, and 223 were written for this king.   The king wrote poems 214, 215 and 216.   The poet Pisirānthaiyār wrote Puranānūru 67, 184, 191 and 212.  King Kōperunchozhan sat facing the north and killed himself since he had problems with his sons.  The poet Pisirānthaiyār who was his friend joined him in death.  Also, there were other poets who sat near the king and starved to death along with him, facing the north. 

***

Item 503 Greatest Tamil Wonder! Wonderful Friendship

Poet Pisir Anthai who joined the Choza king in the Facing North and Fast Unto Death Ritual was the best example of Friendship. One will be reminded of the sacrificeof Sydney Carton in the novel The Tale of Two cities by Charles Dickens!

The poet and the king never met but were friends. Choza king toldpease make a seat for Pisur Anthai; all were pauzzled. But as he predicted the never seen friend Pisir came and joined the Fast unto Death Ritual> Great men think alike.

***

புறநானூறு 67, பாடியவர்: பிசிராந்தையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: கோப்பெருஞ்சோழன், திணை: பாடாண், துறை: இயன் மொழி

1
அன்னச் சேவல்! அன்னச் சேவல்!
ஆடு கொள் வென்றி அடு போர் அண்ணல்
நாடு தலையளிக்கும் ஒள் முகம் போலக்,
கோடு கூடு மதியம் முகிழ் நிலா விளங்கும்,
மையல் மாலை யாம் கையறுபு இனையக்  5

2
குமரி அம் பெருந்துறை அயிரை மாந்தி,
வட மலைப் பெயர்குவை ஆயின், இடையது
சோழ நன்னாட்டுப் படினே, கோழி
உயர்நிலை மாடத்துக் குறும்பறை அசைஇ,
வாயில் விடாது கோயில் புக்கு எம்  10

3
பெருங்கோக் கிள்ளி கேட்க “இரும் பிசிர்
ஆந்தை அடியுறை” எனினே, மாண்ட நின்
இன்புறு பேடை அணியத் தன்
நன்புறு நன்கலம் நல்குவன் நினக்கே. 

*****

Item No 504 Monitor Lizards

Comparison of skinned monitor lizard with the ribs of the poor bard. This shows the poverty among bards

***

Item No 505 Generosity

Go to the king and get the money. The river Kaviri in his country is like the mother whose breasts pour out milk for the news born baby .

Another good comparison!

***

Item 506 Shamudrika Lakshana

Kings are compared to Vishnu in Tamil and Sanskrit books and Hindu Puranas say that Lakshmi resides in the chest of Vishnu. Here poet who is well versed in SHAMUDRIKA LAKSHANA says the king has Sempori Maarbu= Chest where Lakshmi lives.

In Tamil AAkam is Chest/maarbu in Modern Tamil

Pori in Tamil is LAKSHMI.

Sem Pori = Three lined chest shows Lakshmi’s residence.

According to Shamudrika lakshan three lines on the neck is good.

The three lines on the neck of Devi (often referred to as Kambugreeva or neck with three lines, like a conch) are a significant feature in Hindu iconography and aesthetic descriptions, such as in the Lalitha Sahasranama and Saundarya Lahari. These lines are considered a sign of high noble birth and spiritual beauty in Samudrika Lakshana.

பூவெனப்படுவது பொறி வாழ் பூவே is a saying in Tamil

***

Item 507 Bad Omens புள் பகை

Bird Omen Chart in Tamil Panchang

Here the bad omen is called harming enemy birds

All the Tamil Panchangs show the Bird Omen Chart

***

Puranānūru 68, Poet Kōvūr Kizhār sang for Chozhan Nalankilli,

1

Their ribs are sticking out like monitor lizards
that have been skinned, your family with great
hunger, unable to find someone who’ll remove it.


O bard who mourns that there are so few ears that
can hear you!  Why do you linger here?

In the fine country where citizens are nourished
by the overflowing water of Kāviri River that
uproots trees and

2

 flows like milk offered from
the breast of a new mother to an infant, there is
a lord, a great man who bows to gentle women
wearing ornaments on their proud, pretty chests
with red spots, and imprisons fierce men.

When there is a fight within his army or when there

3
are bad omens, he does not command his army to fight.
His valiant warriors who say they want to die, tap their
bulging shoulders, strike parai drums on the lovely
streets where chariots ride, to reduce their frustration
of not going to war, drink strong liquor which spills from
their trembling hands and creates mud on the ground,
and elephants without mounted keepers play in that
fragrant mud and listen to the roar of the drums in
Uranthai, where the great king reigns.

If you go to him, he will shower gifts abundantly,
making you forget going to the doors of others.

Notes:  Puranānūru 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 45, 68, 225, 382 and 400 were written for this Chozha king.   This king wrote Puranānūru 73 and 75.  Kōvūr Kizhār wrote Puranānūru 31-33, 41, 44-47, 68, 70, 308, 373, 382, 386 and 400.   He hailed from Kōvūr town in Thondai Nadu.  It is presently in Chengalpattu district.    

****

புறநானூறு 68, பாடியவர்: கோவூர் கிழார், பாடப்பட்டோன், சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: பாணாற்றுப்படை

1
உடும்பு உரித்து அன்ன என்பு எழு மருங்கின்
கடும்பின் கடும் பசி களையுநர்க் காணாது,
சில் செவித்து ஆகிய கேள்வி நொந்து நொந்து
ஈங்கு எவன் செய்தியோ பாண, பூண் சுமந்து,

2
அம் பகட்டு எழிலிய செம் பொறி ஆகத்து  5
மென்மையின் மகளிர்க்கு வணங்கி வன்மையின்

3

ஆடவர்ப் பிணிக்கும் பீடு கெழு நெடுந்தகை,
புனிறு தீர் குழவிக்கு இலிற்று முலை போலச்
சுரந்த காவிரி மரங்கொல் மலி நீர்
மன்பதை புரக்கும் நன்னாட்டுப் பொருநன்,  10
உள் பகை ஒரு திறம் பட்டெனப்

4

புள் பகைக்கு


ஏவான் ஆகலின் சாவேம் யாம் என,
நீங்கா மறவர் வீங்கு தோள் புடைப்பத்,
தணி பறை அறையும் அணி கொள் தேர்வழிக்,
கடுங்கள் பருகுநர் நடுங்கு கை உகுத்த 15
நறுஞ்சேறு ஆடிய வறுந்தலை யானை
நெடுநகர் வரைப்பில் படுமுழா ஓர்க்கும்
உறந்தையோனே குருசில்,
பிறன் கடை மறப்ப நல்குவன் செலினே

To be continued………………

Tags- Tamils Discovered Monsoon! Not Hippalus! Purananuru wonders-24, Tamil Encyclopedia-64 , Item 507, Hindu ritual suicide, Prayopavesa, Facing North, Fast unto death, Bird Migration, Wonderful Friendship, Shamudrika Lakshana, Bird Omen

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Tirukkural Encyclopaedia- Chapter Three (Kural 21 to 25) Post 15,688

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,688

Date uploaded in London –2 May 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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Valluvar is a pukka Hindu is proved by his reference to Indra. There are two interpretations to Kural 25. Manakkudavar, S M Diaz take it as a praise to Indra. Parimelazakar and others have taken it as an insult to Indra because of his immoral approach to Ahalya, wife of Gautama Rishi. Buddha also praised Indra for his great control over five senses. I also pointed out the blunder of Parimel Azakar in one of my articles.

Whatever the interpretation, it shows that Tamils were great Hindus and they are well versed in Puranic Stories.

Another point to be noted is his reference to heaven.

Lost in Translation: in couplet 24, there is a beautiful imagery; Five senses are compared with five elephants in rut and the goad to control them is compared with the will power of a man. All the translators missed elephant and goad that is available in Tamil commentaries. In Upanishads, Horses are used for five senses; five cows are used for five senses in Tirumular’s Tirumanthiram.

***

Following Translations are used:

1.A Aranganatha Mudaliyar – ANM+2 and B.L. Aranganatha iyer and R. Srinivasa Desikan. Year 1933

2.S M Diaz, I G of Police- SMD Year 2000

3.GU Pope – GUP. Year 1886

4.Suddhananda Bharathiyar- SB

5.EVS Publishers, Singapore- EVS. Year 1986

6.Himalayan Academy- HA

7.H A Popley – HAP (not full book) Year 1931

8.Tamil Original

****

21.All the scriptures of the world rapturously sing with one voice, beyond every other blessing, the praise of those who have renounced all and stand true to their rule of conduct in scorn of consequence —ANM+2

***

1.1.3. The Greatness of Ascetics G U Pope

21.All scriptures uphold the fame of householders, who after a full and faultless life,

Renounce active part in it, to become detached, objective and benevolent —SMD

***

21.
The settled rule of every code requires, as highest good,
Their greatness who, renouncing all, true to their rule have stood.
The end and aim of all treatise is to extol beyond all other excellence, the greatness of those who, while abiding in the rule of conduct peculiar to their state, have abandoned all desire.-GUP

***
3. நீத்தார் பெருமை – The merit of Ascetics


No merit can be held so high
As theirs who sense and self deny.         21– SB
***

 21.All the scriptures emphasize, above all other excellence the greatness of those who, having lived according to the injunctions peculiar to their caste and creed, have renounced the worldly life -EVS

***
Greatness of Renunciates Himalayan Academy (HA)

Verse 21 The scriptures exalt above every other good The greatness of virtuous renunciates. HA

***

21.Tis the aim of the holy scripture to reveal

The greatness of those men who all have left for

Virtue’s sake- HAP

***

நீத்தார் பெருமை

ஒழுக்கத்து நீத்தார் பெருமை விழுப்பத்து

வேண்டும் பனுவல் துணிவு.     21

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22.The greatness of an ascetic baffles one’s understanding ; you may as well count the number of the innumerable dead. —ANM+2

**

22. The greatness of ‘neethar’ is infinite, as is the number,

Of those who have departed from the world—SMD

***

22
As counting those that from the earth have passed away,
‘Tis vain attempt the might of holy men to say.
To describe the measure of the greatness of those who have forsaken the two-fold desires, is like counting the dead. –GUP

***
To con ascetic glory here
Is to count the dead upon the sphere.         22– SB

***

22. To attempt to estimatethe greatness of ascetics is as absurd as to seek the dead in the world – EVS

***

Verse 22 Attempting to speak of the renunciate’s magnitude Is akin to measuring the human multitudes who have ever died. HA

***

22.To tell their greatness who have left their all

Is just like counting up the whole world’s dead  -HAP

***

துறந்தார் பெருமை துணைக்கூறின் வையத்து

இறந்தாரை எண்ணிக்கொண் டற்று.   22

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23.The greatness of those who weighed this passing empty life  with one eternal beyond the grave and have renounced this world, shines forth on earth. (beyond all others). —ANM+2

**

23.Those who, having experienced  the paths of both householder and  neethar,

Thereafter preach and practise virtue, will be held in high esteem —SMD

***
23.
Their greatness earth transcends, who, way of both worlds weighed,
In this world take their stand, in virtue’s robe arrayed.
The greatness of those who have discovered the properties of both states of being, and renounced the world, shines forth on earth (beyond all others). –GUP

***

No lustre can with theirs compare
Who know the right and virtue wear.         23– SB

***

23.The greatness of those who renounced the world, having discovered its miseries and the happiness of heavenly life, is really the foremost in the world. – EVS

***

Verse 23 Behold those who have weighed the dual nature of things and followed the renunciate’s way. Their greatness illumines the world. HA

***

23.Their greatness shine throughout the world

Who know both states, and virtue here have donned -HAP

***

இருமை வகைதெரிந்து ஈண்டுஅறம் பூண்டார்

பெருமை பிறங்கிற்று உலகு.    23

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24.Verily he is a seed that can flourish in the soil of heaven who has subdued his rebellious senses with the titanic force of his will. —ANM+2

**

24.The one who has the strength to control his five senses

Prepares the way for a higher place in life—SMD

***

24.
He, who with firmness, curb the five restrains,
Is seed for soil of yonder happy plains.
He who guides his five senses by the hook of wisdom will be a seed in the world of heaven. –GUP
***
With hook of firmness to restrain
The senses five, is heaven to gain.         24– SB

***

24.He who controls his five senses by his will gains heavenly bliss – – EVS

***

Verse 24 He whose firm will, wisdom’s goading hook, controls his five senses Is a seed that will flourish in the fields of heaven. HA

***

24.He, in the best states, a seed will be

Who rules the senses five with firmness goad -HAP

***

உரனென்னும் தோட்டியான் ஓரைந்தும் காப்பான்

வரனென்னும் வைப்பிற்கோர் வித்து.  24

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25.Indra , the lord of the gods on high is himself a witness to the might of him that has burnt away his five senses–ANM+2

**

25.The lord indra himself is an effective witness to the prowess of a sage

Who has really conquered his five senses—SMD

***
25.
Their might who have destroyed ‘the five’, shall soothly tell
Indra, the lord of those in heaven’s wide realms that dwell.
Indra, the king of the inhabitants of the spacious heaven, is himself, a sufficient proof of the strength of him who has subdued his five senses. –GUP
***
Indra himself has cause to say
How great the power ascetics’ sway.         25– SB
***

25.Indra , the king of the devas himself, will bear testimony to the  will power of those who curbed the desires of the five senses. – EVS

***

Verse 25 So great is the power of those who subdue the five senses, even Indra, Sovereign of spacious heaven’s celestials, suffered their curse. HA

***

25.Indra himself, heavens king, is witness sure

To the might of him who senses five subdues -HAP

***

ஐந்தவித்தான் ஆற்றல் அகல்விசும்பு ளார்கோமான்

இந்திரனே சாலுங் கரி.     25

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To be continued……………………………………

Tags- Tirukkural Encyclopaedia- Chapter Three (Kural 21 to 25), Tiru Valluvar, Pukka Hindu, Indra, Elephant, goad, lost in translation, images of ascetics

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HINDU DICTIONARY IN ENGLISH AND TAMIL 57; இந்து மத கலைச்சொல் அகராதி-57 (Post .15,687)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,687

Date uploaded in London –2 May 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 

Words beginning with English letter M

MA words

***

Madalasa

Madalasa is a revered figure from the Markandeya Purana known for her supreme wisdom and as an exemplar of motherhood, who taught her children detachment (Vairagya) and self-realization from infancy via spiritual lullabies. She emphasized that the soul is pure and the body is merely a combination of elements, raising three sons to be Rishis before influencing her fourth son, Alarka, to be a righteous king who eventually attained enlightenment.

Madalasa is seen as a Brahmavadini (a woman who speaks of Brahman) and a yogini capable of initiating her children into high philosophical truths.

Daughter of a Gandharva (celestial musician) named Vishvavasu, she was married to King Ritadhvaja. Her teachings were so effective that her first three sons (Vikranta, Subahu, and Shatrumardana) renounced the world to become ascetics immediately upon adulthood.

***

Madhavi

Madhavi, daughter of King Yayati in the Mahabharata, is a princess gifted to the sage Galava to help him pay his Guru Dakshina. Blessed with the ability to regain her virginity and bear emperor sons, she was married to three kings and sage Vishwamitra, producing four sons to secure 800 celestial horses, ultimately choosing to leave her royal life to live in the forest.   To acquire 800 horses (600 in some versions) for Galava, she bore one son for each of three kings—Haryasva of Ayodhya, Divodasa of Kashi, and Usinara of Bhoja—and one for Sage Vishwamitra, with each union yielding 200 horses. Her sons (Vasumanas, Pratardana, Sibi, and Ashtaka) all grew up to be famous emperors.

After her vows were fulfilled, her father organized a swayamvara (groom choice). However, having experienced the transactional nature of life, she refused to marry and chose to live in the forest as an ascetic, departing from the worldly life of her family.

***

Madhavi ( in Tamil Epic Silappadikaram and Manimekalai)

Madhavi is a prominent character in the ancient Tamil epic Silappatikaram, written by poet Ilango Adigal who lived around the 5th century CE. she is depicted as a skilled courtesan and dancer from the Chola city of Puhar. whose beauty and talents lead to a passionate but destructive affair with the protagonist Kovalan.

Born to the courtesan Citrapati, Madhavi and trained from young age presented a beautiful dance at the Indra Festival. Kovalan, who was married to fell in love and lived with her, separating from his legal wife Kannaki. Both were born to leading nerchants in Poompuhar. After Kovalan abandons her due to a misunderstanding and subsequently executed by Pandya King in Madurai, Madhavi is heartbroken. She abandons her artistic life, her wealth, and her status as a courtesan.She adopts a monastic, religious life, heavily influenced by Buddhist teachings, and wears her hair short as a sign of her renunciation.She returns all the wealth that Kovalan had given her to his father.She raises her daughter with Kovalan, named Manimekalai, to also follow the path of renunciation, who becomes the protagonist of the sequel epic, Manimekalai.

Madhavi renounces her life as a courtesan and dancer to live as a Buddhist ascetic.

***

Madra desa

Madra Desa (or Madra) was an ancient Hindu Kingdom located in north-western India (modern-day Punjab, Pakistan/India) which was inhabited by the Madra tribe. Key associations include King Shalya (a prominent Kaurava ally) and Madri, the

Ruled by King Shalya, who was tricked by Duryodhana into joining the Kaurava side during the Kurukshetra war despite his affinity for the Pandavas. Madri, the second wife of Pandu, was a princess from Madra, who gave birth to Nakula and Sahadeva,

***

Madri

Second wife of king Pandu – paandu. Sister of king Shalya of Madra. She lived happily with with Pandu’s elder wife Kunti. She learnt the divine mantra from kunti , Madri – maadri–invoked twin gods Ashvini kumaras and through their grace gave birth to the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, the last two of the five pandava – paandava—brothers.

Pandu had a curse from Kindama rishi that he could not have sex . but one day he approached Madri and died of the curse. Madri felt guilty and gave up her life in the funeral pyre of Pandu

(My interpretation: because of his weak heart condition doctors warned him that sexual intercourse will be fatal. Despite this he tried to have sex, and he died of heart attack.)

***

Madhwa, Founder of Dwaita Philosophy

Sri Madhwacharya regarded as an incarnation of Vayu, the Wind-God was born in the year 1238 A.D. He was born of Madhya Geha a Tulu Barhmin and Vedavati at Paajaka near Udipi in South Kanara district of Karnataka. The father gave him the name Vasudeva.

Madhwa took to the study of the Vedas and the Vedandas and became a Sanyasi in his 11th year.  

Achyutaparajnyaacharya initiated him and put Madhwa as head of the Mutt in his place. Madhwa received the name of Ananda Tirtha now. He went on an extensive tour in Southern and Northern India to preach his gospel of Bhakti. He had written thirty-seven grandhas like Geetha Bhasyam, Suthra Bhasyam, Anuubhasyam. Anuvyakyam. It is believed in pronouncing the names of those thirty-seven grandas itself one gets sanctified.

On one another occasion he was on the beach of Malpe composing a hymn. He sighted a ship that was caught in the storm and by waving his hand, saved it from being capsized. The captain of the ship had offered him a lump of Sandal paste as a gift, which the Sri Madhwacharya took.

When the Sandal paste was broken, he found an idol of Lord Krishna. He installed the idol at Udipi. He had established the eight mutts in Udipi to spread the Dvaita philososhy and to worship of the Lord Krishna in Udipi.

According to tradition and hagiography, Madhvacharya (1238–1317) disappeared in 1317 AD at the age of 79. [

Where: He disappeared from the Anantheshwara Temple in Udupi, Karnataka, India.

How: While teaching his commentary on the Aitareya Upanishad to his disciples, he is said to have vanished and returned to Badarikashrama to reside with Vedavyasa.

When (Specific Day): His disappearance is commemorated annually on Madhwa Navami, which falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) in the Hindu month of Magha (corresponding to January–FebruaryWhile some sources suggest alternate dates such as 1276-1278, 1317 is the date commonly recognized by his followers.

–subham—

Tags- Madalasa , Madhwa, Hindu Dictionary, English and Tamil, Part 57.

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Ancient Tamil Poets Copied Kalidasa -Purananuru wonders-23, Tamil Encyclopedia-63 (Post No.15,684)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,684

Date uploaded in London –1 May 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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Item 489 Ratha Gaja Thuruga Pathaathi

In Puram verse 63 composed by Paranar, we see the four- fold army division which is repeated  from Mahabharata days; Tamils divided the army into four divisions like ancient Hindus in the north. It is used in Chess game invented by the Hindus thousands of years ago.

Many elephants died attacked by arrows, unable to perform
their war duties!  Many fine horses of renown have died
along with warriors of martial courage.  All the wise warriors
who came in chariots have died, shields covering their eyes.

Before Sangam poets, Kalidasa also used it- Raghuvamsam 7-37

पत्तिः पदातिम् रथिनम् रथेशस्तुरंगसादी तुरगाधिरूढम्।

यन्ता गजस्याभ्यपतद्गजस्थम् तुल्यप्रतिद्वन्द्वि बभूव युद्धम्॥ 7-37 Raghu.

pattiḥ padātim rathinam ratheśas

turaṁgasādī turagādhirūḍham |

yantā gajasyābhyapatadgajastham

tulyapratidvandvi babhūva yuddham || 7-37

The foot soldiers charging foot soldiers, chariot-warriors attacking chariot-warriors, cavalrymen aggressing on cavalrymen, elephantary assailing elephantary, there started a battle between equally matching opponents. [7-37]

This is Dharma Yuddha. Fighting according to rules without affecting common man.

In Purananuru we come across it in 72,55,197, 239, 345,351,368, 377 etc

Rathagajathuragapathathi is a Sanskrit term representing the traditional four-fold division of an army, comprising chariots (ratha), elephants (gaja), horses (thuraga), and infantry (pathathi). Frequently appearing in Indian epics, this compound describes a complete and majestic army.

***

Item 490 Anti War Propaganda

Look what happened. War has spoiled the life of women. War has destroyed the life of men points out the poet.

***

Item 491 Life of Widows

Husbands died in war and so widows are eating Flattened rice. They wear bracelet made with Aamabal, a water plant. This was the condition of Tamil Hindu widows.

***

Puranānūru 63, Poet Paranar sang for Cheraman Kudakkō Neduncheralathan and Chozhan Verpahratakkai Peruviral Killi,

1
Many elephants died attacked by arrows, unable to perform
their war duties!  Many fine horses of renown have died
along with warriors of martial courage.  All the wise warriors
who came in chariots have died, shields covering their eyes.

 2
The respected drums of kings, tied tightly with straps,
hair on the eyes, lay ruined with no one to carry them.
Chests of kings smeared with sandal paste have been pierced
by long spears as they fought and died in the battlefield.

What will happen to their vast countries with beautiful
settlements and rich towns which used to have endless
prosperity,

3

where women pluck white waterlilies and wear
them as bracelets, and eat fresh flattened rice and plunge into cool streams?

***

புறநானூறு 63, பாடியவர்: பரணர், பாடப்பட்டோர்: சோழன் வேற்பஃறடக்கைப் பெருவிறற் கிள்ளி, சேரமான் குடக்கோ நெடுஞ்சேரலாதன், 

1

எனைப் பல் யானையும் அம்பொடு துளங்கி,
விளைக்கும் வினையின்றிப் படை ஒழிந்தனவே,
விறல் புகழ் மாண்ட புரவி எல்லாம்
மறத் தகை மைந்தரொடு ஆண்டுப் பட்டனவே,
தேர் தர வந்த சான்றோர் எல்லாம்  5

2


தோல் கண் மறைப்ப ஒருங்கு மாய்ந்தனரே,
விசித்து வினை மாண்ட மயிர்க் கண் முரசம்
பொறுக்குநர் இன்மையின் இருந்து விளிந்தனவே,
சாந்தமை மார்பின் நெடுவேல் பாய்ந்தென
வேந்தரும் பொருது களத்து ஒழிந்தனர், இனியே  10

3
என்னாவது கொல் தானே, கழனி
ஆம்பல் வள்ளித் தொடிக் கை மகளிர்

பாசவல் முக்கித் தண் புனல் பாயும்,
யாணர் அறாஅ வைப்பின்
காமர் கிடக்கை அவர் அகன்றலை நாடே?  15

***

Item 492 Interesting name of Poet Nedumpalliyathanār

What is Palliam? Year 1935 Ananda Vikatan dictionary says Music, Musical instruments. Great Tamil scholar U Ve Sa Iyer says that we come across Kurum Palliam in another Sangam work Tiru Murugatruppadai. So there might have been Nedum Palliyam. Poet’s name is Nedumpaaliathanar.

My comment

Through out Sangam literature we come across names of Kings and poets describing their body features, particularly, handicapped condition. For example, Mudath Thirumaran, Perum Kannan etc. So, it may be due to his long and protruded teeth he was called Nedumpalliyathanār

Another meaning is Lord Narasimha with Nedum Pal=long Teeth

The phrase “Chatur-Damshtrah” (चतुर्दंष्ट्रः) appears in the 82nd Sloka of the Vishnu Sahasranama, specifically in the 15th line of the main hymn, highlighting one of the attributes of Lord Vishnu.

Meaning: “Chatur” means four, and “Damstra” means fangs or teeth. It refers to Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha Avatar (the man-lion incarnation), specifically referencing the four prominent fangs that accentuate his fierce form. He had a face of a lion.

***

Item 493 Musical Instruments

It is interesting to note that the three musical instruments carried by the nomadic bards and dancers are not used anymore. If we say these words to anyone, they wouldn’t even know that they are musical instruments.

…..good yāzh, ākuli and pathalai drums and visit him

Yaaz (yaal) is replaced by Veena.

***
Item 494 Poverty in Ancient Tamil Nadu

The nomadic bards were suffering without proper food. Their food was watery gruel.

***

Puranānūru 64, Poet Nedumpalliyathanār sang for Pandiyan Palyākasalai Muthukudumi Peruvazhuthi

1
O virali wearing sparse bangles!  Shall we pack our
good yāzh, ākuli and pathalai drums and visit him

2
who spends time on the lands of his enemies,
after his herds of elephants have waged battles and
vultures in the sky hover over fresh flesh?  If we go
to see our king Kudumi who invades enemy lands,
we can eliminate our life of poverty eating watery gruel.

***

புறநானூறு 64, பாடியவர்: நெடும்பல்லியத்தனார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: பாண்டியன் பல்யாகசாலை முதுகுடுமிப் பெருவழுதி, திணை: பாடாண், துறை: விறலியாற்றுப்படை
நல் யாழ், ஆகுளி, பதலையொடு சுருக்கிச்,
செல்லாமோ தில் சில் வளை விறலி,
களிற்றுக் கணம் பொருத கண் அகன் பறந்தலை
விசும்பு ஆடு எருவை பசுந்தடி தடுப்பப்,
பகைப் புலம் மரீஇய தகைப் பெருஞ்சிறப்பின்  5
குடுமிக் கோமான் கண்டு,
நெடுநீர்ப் புற்கை நீத்தனம் வரற்கே?

***

In Puram verse 65 we come across a strange custom that was followed in Ancient India from epic period.

“ashamed for the wound in the back,– ruler with martial courage,– Cheraman Peruncheralathan -is sitting facing north near his sword to die.

Item 495 Facing North and Fast unto Death

since the ruler with martial courage is sitting facing north
with his sword, to die, embarrassed that he took a wound
on this back from a spear thrown to his front by a king,

This custom was practised from Ramayana, Mahabharata days. Tamils also followed their brother Hindus in the north. South is the direction of Yama, God of Death. But North is the holy direction. Pandavas in Mahabharata. walked towards North till they fell to the ground one after another.

Sitting facing North and fast unto death is called Praayopavesam in Ramayana.

Kailash, abode of Lord Siva, Holy Ganges and Holy Himalayas are in the North.

Kopperum Chozan and Pisir Anathaiyar did this and sacrificed their lives to honour the age-old principles.

Tolkappiya Vrddhi by Siva Gnana Munivar also praised North when he explained why Panamparanar in his Payiram to Tolkappiam said Vada Venkatam ( Northern Venkata Hills) first.

***

Item 496

What happens when such Prayopavesam is done in a city is beautifully described by the poet. The opposite of this will happen in any happy town.

Clay drums have been forgotten, yāzhs that play music
have been forgotten, huge pots are placed upside down
and butter churning has been forgotten, farmers have
forgotten their work, relatives have forgotten to drink
bee-swarming liquor, and small towns with
broad streets have forgotten to celebrate festivals,

 huge pots are placed upside down is a notable point.In funeral ceremonies, pots and vessels are placed upside down. This is practised by Brahmins even today.
***

Item 497 Two Kings= Sun and Moon

Poet Kazhāthalaiyār copied it from the greatest Indian poet Kalidasa.

Kalidasa in his works compared Rama and Parasurama in this way when they fought with each other. This is not the only place. More than 200 similes and imageries of Kalidasa were copied by the Sangam poets.

Kalidasa lived in the First or Second century BCE, just before the Sangam Age.

(Please see Kalidasa by Prof. Chandra Rajan, Penguin Publications)

Raghuvamsa- 11-82 and 8-15

प्रशमस्थितपूर्वपार्थिवम् कुलमभ्यद्यतनूतनेश्वरम्|

नभसा निभृतेन्दुना तुलामुदितार्केण समारुरोह तत्॥ ८-१५

praśamasthitapūrvapārthivam kulamabhyadyatanūtaneśvaram|

nabhasā nibhṛtendunā tulāmuditārkeṇa samāruroha tat || 8-15

That dynasty with the erstwhile king Raghu betaking to a life of spiritual tranquillity and the newly crowned king Aja just entering upon his regal career seemed like unto the sky with the moon almost gone down and the sun embarking onto it. [8-15]

***

तावुभावपि परस्परस्थितौ

वर्धमानपरिहीनतेजसौ।

पश्यति स्म जनता दिनात्यये

पार्वणौ शशिदिवाकराविव॥ ११-८२

tāvubhāvapi parasparasthitau

vardhamānaparihīnatejasau |

paśyati sma janatā dinātyaye

pārvaṇau śaśidivākarāviva || 11-82

The people saw them both standing face to face against each other, the one having his glory increased and that of the other proportionately decreased as if they were the moon and the sun on a conjunction day in the evening, where moon’s glow increases when sun decreases or vice versa, and where Dasharatha-Rama is analogous to the waxing moon, while Bhargava-Rama to fading Sun. [11-82] Raguvamsa

*** 

Puranānūru 65, Poet Kazhāthalaiyār sang for Cheraman Peruncheralathan, 

1
Clay drums have been forgotten, yāzhs that play music
have been forgotten, huge pots are placed upside down
and butter churning has been forgotten, farmers have
forgotten their work, relatives have forgotten to drink
bee-swarming liquor, and small towns with
broad streets have forgotten to celebrate festivals,

since the ruler with martial courage is sitting facing north
with his sword, to die, embarrassed that he took a wound
on this back from a spear thrown to his front by a king,
like the sun which hides behind the mountains in the
evening time when the full moon appears, after both orbs
in the sky look at each other.
Day time with the sun will not be the same as before for me!

***

புறநானூறு 65, பாடியவர்: கழாத்தலையார், பாடப்பட்டோன்: சேரமான் பெருஞ்சேரலாதன்,  திணை: பொதுவியல், துறை: கையறு நிலை


மண் முழா மறப்பப் பண் யாழ் மறப்ப,
இருங்கண் குழிசி கவிழ்ந்து இழுது மறப்பச்,
சுரும்பு ஆர் தேறல் சுற்றம் மறப்ப,
உழவர் ஓதை மறப்ப விழவும்
அகலுள் ஆங்கண் சீறூர் மறப்ப,  5

***
உவவுத் தலைவந்த பெருநாள் அமையத்து
இரு சுடர் தம்முள் நோக்கி, ஒரு சுடர்
புன்கண் மாலை மலை மறைந்தாங்குத்,
தன் போல் வேந்தன் முன்பு குறித்து எறிந்த

***
புறப்புண் நாணி மறத்தகை மன்னன்  10
வாள் வடக்கிருந்தனன், ஈங்கு
நாள் போல் கழியல ஞாயிற்றுப் பகலே.

***

 LIST OF TAMIL BATTLES 

 ‘Perumtholāthan’ was beaten by Karikālan at the Venni battlefield.  Poet Kazhāthalaiyār wrote Puranānūru 62, 65, 270, 288, 289 and 368.  This poet wrote poems for both this king and for his ancestor Kudako Neduncheralathan, who lived for only a short time since he died battling Chozhan Verpahradakkai Peruviral Killi.  Both kings died in battle (Puranānūru poem 62).  

Chozha king Karikālan beat a Pandiyan king, Cheraman Peruncheralathan and 11 Vēlirs at the Venni battlefield in the Chozha country.  There are references to this battle in Akanānūru 55, 246, Puranānūru 65, 66 and Porunarātruppadai 147.

–Subham—

Tags- Ancient Tamil Poets Copied Kalidasa -Purananuru wonders-23, Tamil Encyclopedia-63, Item 497 ,  LIST OF TAMIL BATTLES

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Buddha, Skanda, Nammalvar – Three Great Avatars on Vaikasi Visakam Day! (Post No.15,682)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,682

Date uploaded in London –1 May 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 

(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.

***

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.

***

 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.

***

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

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Madurai Chitra Purnima Festival and Kanchipuram Chitra Gupta Temple (Post.15,673)

Lord Vishnu (Kalla Azakar) entering Vaigai River in Madurai (Chitra Festival)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,673

Date uploaded in London –29 April 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

The Hindu festival going by the name Chitra Pournami is observed on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai or Chaitra corresponding to the English month April – may , when the asterism/star Chitra holds sway.

In Madurai Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) weds Lord Siva called Sundaresan just before the full moon day. It is followed by a Rath Yatra in the streets of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. On the Chitra full moon day Lord Vishnu enters Vaigai River in Madurai  and spends several days in the city. Lord Vishnu temple  is in Alagarkoil and his local name is Kalla Azakar which is Sundara Rajan in Sanskrit. This festival attracts lakhs of people from surrounding villages and towns.

Four hundred years ago the great Nayak King renovated and rebuilt several towers of the temple and made it one of the 100 wonders of the world.

All the full moon days are Hindu Festival days. Chitra Full moon day tops the list because it is happening in the summer ; people travel everywhere without fear.

Around Tiruvannamalai Shiva Shrine several thousand do Giri Pradakshina which means Going round the hill. In villages Grama devatas are worshipped with Fire Walking ceremonies. In fact, there is no Tamil temple without something special during this season.

Chitra Gupta, accountant of Yama, God of Death.

Kanchipuram has scores of Siva and Vishnu Temples. In addition, it has a temple for Chitra Gupta, accountant of Yama, God of death. He is worshipped on this day.

Chitra gupta in Sanskrit means hidden picture ;the meaning is all our deeds, words and thoughts (Mano Vak Kayam- mano vaak kaayam–) make pictures around us. It is a hidden picture=Gupta Chitram). Hindu saints can see it; on the day of our death Chitra Gupta who is like a Super Computer- present our Audio- Video recordings in a USB pen drive to Yama. Hindu God of Death’s popular name is Dharma Raja. Brahmins worship him with this name thrice a day in their Sandhya Vandana. He is called Dharma Raja, because he shows no favours for a king nor hatred towards the poor. He gives us  rewards or punishments according to the recordings in the USB pen drive. Since we could not see during our existence on earth it is called Gupta Chitra= Chitra Gupta= Hidden Pictures.  Hindu saints can see it if they want to.

He has one temple in Kanchipuram and another in Kodangipatti near Theni in Tamil Nadu.

Chitra Gupta idol in Kanchipuram temple, holds a styli and notebook in his hands to record our Mano Vaak Kaaya activities, i.e. Thoughts, Words and Deeds. Those who always think good gets pass mark and Visa free direct ticket to paradise; others go to hell.

Inscriptions on Chitra Festival

On a pillar in the upper rock cut cave on the hill at Trichy is a record of the Choza king Rajakesarivarman 985-1013 CE dated in his sixteenth year relating to a gift of land to feed brahmins and devotees in the nine days of Chitra Festival .

On the west wall of the Ganesh shrine in the temple of

Nedungalanathar in Tiru Nedungulam in Trichy district is another inscription of the same king Rajakesarivarman recording a gift of land for feeding 500 Sivayogins during the Chitra Festival.

Siva and Parvati (Meenakshi Sundareswarar)

Story behind Chitra Festival

Brihaspati, spiritual guru of devas, threw up his appointment since Indra, king of devas,  failed to show proper respect to him. In the absence of advice from his preceptor, Indra became a great sinner by his commissions and omissions. After sometime Brihaspati relented and returned to duty. He forgave Indra and pointed out to him how he may be purged of all his sins by visiting holy places. Indra acted accordingly came to a forest where he found that all was well with him and felt that all his sins removed. Looking about to him to find out the cause of his happy deliverance, he found a lingam near a tank. Being convinced that the influence radiating from it was the cause of the joy of his heart, he at once sent for Visvakarma, the celestial architect, and with his aid a splendid shrine for Siva linga erected. He also caused another shrine erected near containing Siva’s wife .

Indra then wanted to worship the god and goddess but found no flowers. He then prayed to them and there suddenly appeared beautiful golden lotuses on the surface of a pond. Indra did worship with those golden flowers. All this happened on the full moon day of Chitra month. Even now people believe that Indra visits the place every Chitra Pournami day.

The story of Indra worshipping the Linga is in Tiru Vilaiyadal Purana as well. When a businessman, by name Dhanapathy Chettiyar, crossed the forest after sunset saw brilliant lights and he saw Indra worshipping with his paraphernalia. Very next day he reported the wonder that he saw in the forest to the pandya king of Madurai. He built the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple for Siva and his wife Meenakshi/Parvati.

The miracle boy saint Tiru Gnan Sambandar visited Madura around 600 CE and cured the disease of a Pandya king with the Vibhuti (holy ash) of the Siva Temple. The detailed story is in Periya Purana. His Tevaram poems praise Siva and his consort Meenakshi whose Tamil name is Angayakanni. His poems clearly say that he could see the towers of the Madurai Temple from a long distance. Lord Siva is called Chokkar (handsome)  in Tamil.

***

Ratha Yatra in Madurai.

Following is from my earlier post:

Tamil calendar is solar calendar, i.e. based on the movement of sun. When it enters a zodiac sign the months begin. But other South Indians calculate the beginning of the month from the New Moon day called Amavasyai. When Sun enters the first Zodiac sign, first Tamil month begins. That is the Tamil New Year Day

Strangely the names of the months are lunar based. When the full moon is seen with a prominent star in Zodiac, then the month is named after it. Chitra is named after Star Chitra. That means the full moon happens in star Chitra.

(though stars are thousands of light years away from moon or earth, one can easily see the star and the moon together in the sky)

Tamils have some beliefs about each month; may be they were correct 2000 years ago, when transport facilities, medical facilities and communication facilities were scarce; and the weather condition was also different. If we go through each belief, we can easily find the scientific reason behind it.

Tamils believe that if a male child is born in this month, the father of the child will suffer a lot and there will be clashes between father and child. Unless we get some statistics to prove this belief, we may ignore it. This is my opinion.

For instance, if a person gets married in a month the woman may become pregnant immediately. Then they calculate her delivery time and see what facilities would be available at that time in her area. Then they form a common opinion and that becomes a belief or a proverb. In short all are based on experience. Now that the world has changed, all types of facilities are available in most parts of the world, the beliefs may be considered irrelevant.

xxx

1.Chitra (Tamil Month Chiththirai)

The first sign in the zodiac chart is Aries- Mesha Rasi. The travelling period of sun in this sign is called the month of Chiththirai. This is the first month of Tamil year. First day of this month falls on 14th of April. That is the New Year Day for the Tamils. Many communities celebrate that day in India and South East Asia.

All full moon days are festival days for Hindus. Full moon days during non -rainy season are more important. Electric lights were not there in the world a few hundred years ago. So Hindus used natural light of sun and moon to celebrate big festivals.

Chitra Pournami or Purnima is one of the famous festival days in Hindu calendar. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple Chitra festival attracts million people. Many temples in Tamil Nadu have their important festivals during Chithrai.

Sri Shankara Jayanthi, birth day of the greatest Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara, Rama Navami, Narasimha Jayanthi and Ramanuja Jayanthi are celebrated in this month.

Jayanthi or Thiru Nakshatram means birth day.

–subham—

Tags- Tamil month Chithirai, Chitra Festival, Chitra Gupta temple, Madura, Kanchipuram Alaga Koil, Tirumalai Nayak, Indra, Pournami, Poornima , Rajakesari Varman, Choza, Pandya, Sambandar

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 29, 2026  •  Permalink
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Image Worship in Sangam Tamil Literature(Post No.15,639)


Shiva, Parvati in Chidambaram

Picture of  Mother Goddes in Indus Valley 

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,639

Date uploaded in London –21 April 2026

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

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

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

xxxx 

Hindu Vedas describe the Vedic gods in detail but the archaeological proofs of images come only from Harappan /Indus Valley Civilization. We see beautiful figures of Goddesses, Pasupati, a strange tiger goddess, ghosts and Saptamatas on Indus seals. In the Saptamata seal of Harappa/Mohanjadaro, a devotee offers severed human head (Nara bali) to a goddess and we know about self-sacrifices called Navakandam till later Pandya/ Choza periods.

***

Tamils in Tamil Nadu worshipped Hindu gods and goddesses in their houses and temples as well. Tamil poets of Sangam Age give us enough proof for this in their poems composed 2000 years ago. Poets show us that Tamils were well versed in Puranas and two epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

No where Buddha or Mahavira is mentioned. Tamils worshipped Seven Stars in Saptarishi Constellation (Ursa Major), sun and moon too. Even Asura Guru Sukra/Venus and Deva Guru Brihaspati/Jupiter are mentioned as Iru Perum Deivangal/ Two Great Deities.

***

Picture of Siva, Uma on Bull

Before Sangam Age, we get more evidence from Patanjali’s Mahabhashya commentary and Chanakya’s Arthasastra. Chanakya advised the Mauryan government to produce Gods’ figures in large scale and sell them to increase the revenue of the government.

Patanjali in his Mahabhashya commentary on world’s first grammar book Ashtadhyayi written by Panini , provide us interesting details. Patanjali lived 2200 years ago and Panini lived 2800 years ago according to Goldstucker.

***

Arcaa and Pratikruti

Picture of Lord Siva drinking poison.

Patanjali has termed the ordinary images Pratikriti and gods’ images Arcaas. The pratikriti of a horse is named asvaka and a camel ustraka. Suffix ka was added to denote the pratikriti of an object.  Pratikritis of animals were used on flags as drawings. The author of the Kaasikaa has mentioned the pictures of the horses of Arjuna, Duryodhana etc. Garuda figures of Lord Vishnu were on pillars and flags. Rock edicts bearing inscriptions describing the Garuda dwaja (Eagle Flag)  have  been found at Mehrauli and Sisunia.

The idols of gods were made, and they were called arcas ( arcaas) . Two types of them were described by him, one for priests and the other for householders. Idols of Siva, Skanda and Vishaka are mentioned by him. The idols made for sale mentioned with the suffix ka. Thus we get

Siva ka

Skanda ka

Vishaka ka

Kasyapa ka

Kasyapa is a name of Varuna and Vishnu. Also Kasyapi devi for earth.

Rama, Kesava, Dhanapati and Vaisravana were also worshipped during Patanjali’s time.

Skanda and Vishaka pairs were also sold 2200 years ago. These details were provided by him on the commentary on following Paninian sutras,

5-3-96; 5-3-97;5-3-99; 5-3-100;

1-1-44; 1-1-54; 2-2-24; 2-2-34; 3-2-21; 3-2-111; 4-1-114; 5-1-12; 5-2-76; 5-3-99;6-3-26; 8-1-15

(P D Agnihotri of Bhopal has given the above information in his article in the volume Recent studies in Sanskrit and Indology, Ajanta publications, 1982.

***

Sangam Tamil Literature

Picture of Lord Skanda on peacock.

Tamils in ancient Tamil Nadu worshipped idols in Temples and in their residences. But the residences had the gods’ pictures on the walls. We guess they were drawings on the walls or cloths. Doors of palaces and big houses had figures of Gaja Lakshmi and Conch and Lotus representing two of the Nine Treasures of Kubera. Kubera was also called Dhanapati, Vaisnavara, Siva sakha and Kuvera.

***

Long list of temples is available in Silappdikaram, a Tamil epic of Post Sangam period.

Gatha Sapta Sati (GSS), Prakrit language anthology of love poems, also mentioned a painting of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita on a wall in a house. When the younger brother of a householder looked at the wife of his elder brother with bad intention, she politely refused by pointing out at Lakshmana picture on the wall.  Lakshmana was famous for his loyalty to his elder brother Rama and he never looked at Sita, Rama’s wife; he was said to have looked at her feet only. GSS also belonged to Sangam Age.

***

We have hundreds of references to epic and Puranic anecdotes, flags, vahanas of Gods and symbols of all Gods in ancient Tamil poems.

Following references in Sangam literature confirm Image Worship:

Hero Stones and Sati Stones are available in South India from fifth century CE. Their worship is mentioned in many Sangam poems another Mysterious word Kandazi in Tolkappiamகந்தழி வழிபாடு   and later poems points out to worship of Linga (Siva) or post.

Very clear proof comes from Tamil epic Silappadikaram. Senguttuvan, a Chera king of Sangam Age, went all the way to the Holy Himalayas and took a stone, bathed it in the holy Ganga river and carved out Kannaki’s statue for worship. It spread to Sri Lanka as Patni (Chaste Woman) worship. Chaste women were more powerful than gods according to Tiru Valluvar.

Chenguttuvan made the statue only because of the popularity of image worship in his time.

We know the popularity of clay figures of Goddess Durga in Bengal, Lord Ganesh in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and Village Goddess figures of Tamil towns. Even today they are made for worship and dissolved in the river water on the third day. Such figures might have existed during Sangam Age. The word PAAVAI (doll) is mentioned in Sangam books as a worshipful figure.

***

Picture of Nara bali in Harapa/ Mohanjadaro

Madurai Kanchi, one of the Sangam books, mentioned the deities taken around town in line 164. And in lines 577/8 more information about deities living in prosperous houses.

அணங்கு வழங்கும் அகல் அங்கண்

கொழுங்குடிச் செல்வரும் பிறரும் மேவிய,

மணம் புணர்ந்து ஓங்கிய , அணங்குடை நல் இல் – மதுரைக் காஞ்சி 577-578

And Tamils worshipped the deities living in the doors of the houses with Ghee and Aiyavi/white mustard.

தொல் வலி  நிலை இய, அணங்குடை நெடுநிலை

நெய்ப்படக் கரிந்த திண்பொரிக்கதவின் – மதுரைக் காஞ்சி 353/4

***

More refence comes from another Sangam work called Nedunalvaadai says that women worshipped with flowers by lighting lamps.

Women who Worship in the Evening Hours

Tender, naive women with bamboo-like
arms, delicate looks, teeth resembling
pearls, white conch-shell bangles on their
tight forearms, and moist, pretty eyes that
matched their beautiful earrings, carried
long, green-stemmed jasmine buds in trays.
The flower buds opened their pretty petals
and blossomed, their spreading fragrance
announcing the arrival of evening time.

They lit the oil-dipped wicks of iron lamps,
pressed their palms together and worshipped,
tossing offerings of rice paddy and flowers, and
celebrated evenings in the prosperous market.

நெடுநல்வாடை வரிகள்

வெள்ளி வள்ளி வீங்கு இறைப் பணைத் தோள்,

மெத்தென் சாயல், முத்து உறழ் முறுவல்,

பூங்குழைக்கு அமர்ந்த ஏந்து எழில் மழைக்கண்,

மடவரல் மகளிர் பிடகைப் பெய்த

செவ்வி அரும்பின் பைங்கால் பித்திகத்து,                                                

அவ்இதழ் அவிழ் பதம் கமழ, பொழுது அறிந்து,

இரும்பு செய் விளக்கின் ஈர்ந்திரி கொளீஇ,

நெல்லும் மலரும் தூஉய், கை தொழுது,

மல்லல் ஆவணம் மாலை அயர        (36 – 44)

***

Image of Agni

Friend of a would be bride says Come on, Let us worship the God in the house with proper Bali/offering for your quick marriage- Akananuru 282

Another Akam poem 369 talks about the painted Gods on the wall of a house.

(Vaidehi Herberts Translation is used; thanks.)

Akanānūru 369, Nakkeerar – What the foster mother said to the heroine’s friend, after the heroine eloped


Look at this, my daughter!  What is the
use of our close relationship?

The pet parrot with red neck band refuses to
drink sweet milk, even when young women
hold it on their forearms
with bright bangles, in the proper manner
uttering praises.  Her friends with beautiful
jewels and peacock nature do not play games
anymore.  The big urn does not have any
flowers, and the goddess image decorated
with pearl strands on the sturdy wall does
not get any offerings.

கண்டிசின் மகளே! கெழீஇ இயைவெனை:

ஒண் தொடி செறித்த முன்கை ஊழ் கொள்பு,

மங்கையர் பல பாராட்ட, செந் தார்க்

கிள்ளையும் தீம் பால் உண்ணா; மயில் இயல்

சேயிழை மகளிர் ஆயமும் அயரா;                        5

தாழியும் மலர் பல அணியா; கேழ் கொளக்

காழ் புனைந்து இயற்றிய வனப்பு அமை நோன் சுவர்ப்

பாவையும் பலி எனப் பெறாஅ; நோய் பொர,

இவை கண்டு, இனைவதன் தலையும், நினைவிலேன்,

கொடியோள் முன்னியது உணரேன், ”தொடியோய்!  அகநானூறு  369

****

Akanānūru 282, What the heroine’s friend said to her as the hero listened nearby, or what the heroine said to her friend
……………………………………………………

Let us hold our delicate fingers with
fine joints and give offerings to our
house gods so that the wedding day
will happen soon!

”வல்லே வருக, வரைந்த நாள்!” என,

நல் இறை மெல் விரல் கூப்பி,

இல் உறை கடவுட்கு ஆக்குதும், பலியே! -அகநானூறு 282

***

Picture of  Parvati 

Tirupparankundram Painting of Indra- Ahalya anecdote

A villager’s wife who was wondering about a painting on the wall asked her husband and he explained to her the Ahalya anecdote according to commentators:

The Splendor of Thirupparankundram  Paripaadal verse 19

In auspicious Thirupparankundram with perfect

bamboo and wide boulders,

there is a pavilion in the temple of Murukan,

nephew of Thirumāl, decorated with paintings that

are admired by devotees.  Some try to figure the

positions of the heavenly bodies that cause summer

heat.  Some in love say, ‘This is Rathi.  This is Kāman,

the god of love’.  Some say, ‘This is Indiran as a cat’.

Some say, ‘This is Akalikai who was desired by Indiran’.

Some say, ‘This is her husband Gauthaman, the sage

who left, tricked by Indiran’.  Some say, ‘This rock is

the hapless Akalikai cursed by her angry husband’.

There are some who give food to many monkeys.

There are some who give sugarcane to black-faced

monkeys.  Some play the divine veenai.  Some play

flutes closing the holes with their fingers.  Some play

pālai tunes in even tones on the yāzh.  Some praise

the beauty of rituals.  Some create drum sounds

according to tradition.

மலைச் சிறப்பு 
குரங்கு அருந்து பண்ணியம் கொடுப்போரும்,
கரும்பு கருமுகக் கணக்கு அளிப்போரும்,
தெய்வப் பிரமம் செய்குவோரும், 40

கை வைத்து இமிர்பு குழல் காண்குவோரும்,
யாழின் இளி குரல் சமம் கொள்வோரும்,
வேள்வியின் அழகு இயல் விளம்புவோரும்,
கூர நாண் குரல் கொம்மென ஒலிப்ப,
ஊழ் உற முரசின் ஒலி செய்வோரும்,    45

என்றூழ் உறவரும் இரு சுடர் நேமி
ஒன்றிய சுடர் நிலை உள்படுவோரும்,
“இரதி காமன் இவள் இவன்” எனாஅ,
விரகியர் வினவ வினா இறுப்போரும்,
“இந்திரன் பூசை; இவள் அகலிகை; இவன் 50

சென்ற கவுதமன்; சினன் உறக் கல் உரு
ஒன்றியபடி இது” என்று உரை செய்வோரும்,
இன்ன பல பல எழுத்து நிலை மண்டபம்,
துன்னுநர் சுட்டவும்,  சுட்டு அறிவுறுத்தவும்,
நேர் வரை விரி அறை வியல் இடத்து இழைக்கச் 55

சோபன நிலையது துணி பரங்குன்றத்து
மாஅல் முருகன் மாட மருங்கு.

In addition to these quotes, many religious festivals are reported when Gods’ processions take place. Just two hundred years after the Sangam Age comes the literature of devotional period where we get thousands of examples for image worship.

—subham—

Tags- Image Worship , Sangam Tamil Literature, idols, Pavai dolls, wall paintings, Arca, Patanjali, Mahabhasya, Artha sastra, Indus Valley, Harappa images, Tamil poets, Akanauru, Paripadal , clay figures

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by Tamil and Vedas on April 21, 2026  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamil and Vedas on April 21, 2026

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