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Village Gods and Goddesses are found all over India. There are three types of village Gods and Goddesses:
1.Gods and Goddesses of Vedic Origin
2.Local Heroes and Heroines with Memorial Stones
3.Persons who self- sacrificed in Sati and Navakandam.
Since it is a vast subject we will look at Village Gods and Goddesses only. All such Gods and Goddesses have Sanskrit names such as Sastha/Ayyanar, Rakkaayee/Vedic Goddess Raka, Kaththaayee/ Kathyayani, Makamaayee /Mahaa Maayaa., Mookkaayee/Mukambhika etc
Kanchi Paramacharya (1894-1994) dispelled the wrong notion that these Gods are of local origin.
The only difference from the big temples and the shelter less, open spaced Village gods is that they are maintained by Non Brahmins. Moreover, they don’t have daily pujas or rituals. During summertime they are celebrated on a grand scale. Lot of Brahmin families hold such Gods and Goddesses as their family deities. Every year, particularly during weddings, birth of new babies they go there and give offerings.
Another difference is offering flesh and wine. This is also over blown by half baked foreigners and Dravidians. They offer meat, fish and wine because they consume it every day. Even Cigarettes, Cigars and Beedies were offered to the village Gods for the same reason.
Sati Stones (Following Parvati’s self -sacrifice in to her father’s Yaga Kundam chaste women also do that; Sati means Parvati), Nava Kandam (Cutting his own body into nine different parts as in Mahabharata) memorials are found all over India. Because Muslim invaders destroyed them in the North, we see a smaller number of monuments in North India. Unfortunately, this topic has not been dealt with on Pan Indian basis.
Kanchi Paramacharya mentioned this type of worship in his lectures. Dr R Nagaswamy, world famous archaeologist and historian, has contributed much on this topic. Local villagers raise a memorial for a hero and in course of time, it became temples. In and around Madurai we see such temples.
(author who lived in Madurai visited Peacchi Amman, Chellath Amman, Sittuk Kuruvi Kali Aaththaa temples very often in Madurai. Just before entering Meenakshi temple used to worship Muniswaran in the northern entrance, and Madurai Veeran in the Eastern entrance. He used to go to Mari Amman temple with his mother outside the town and offer silver replicas of Body parts to avoid small pox. His mother used to offer Maa Vilakku/ lighted wicks in the midst of sweet flour. This is to show that Brahmin families worship village Goddesses. Every year during summer, street aster street celebrate their Goddesses and march to Vaigai River to dissolve/immerse the Goddesses they made with clay. Very big crowd with all the music and dance march to the river bank)
Even big temples have village Gods at the entrance or in front of them. Mostly they are outside villages or towns are in the border of a town.
Each festival of such Gods has different customs. Fire Walking is one of them; offering hair, making Gruel or Sweet Pongal for distribution, taking the clay model of goddesses in procession, making temporary Urchava Murtis with clay and paint, immersion on the third day of festival, carrying Umbrellas (Kudai Eduththal) men dressing themselves like females, wearing only neem leaves to hide their private parts etc are found throughout Tamil Nadu.
Dr Nagaswamy has written one article about the references in Raurava Agama about erecting memorials for the departed heroes or saints. Brahmins used to bury the stones under the earth in their gardens.
Orthodox Hindus bury the dead saints and erect Tulsi Plant Brindhavanams for Vaishnavie saints , Adhistanam with Lingas for Saivite saints. Such Samadhis are seen from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
After Gajabhahu visited the erection of Patni Goddess Stone for Kannaki in Kerala around 132 CE, Patni cult spread all over Ceylon/Sri Lanka. This shows creation of new gods in Hinduism.
Now Samadis of Shirdi Baba, Sathya Sai Baba, Ragavendra, Ma Ananda mayi, Dhargas of Muslim saints, Gurudwaras of departed Sikh Gurus, Maharashtra Hindu sains, Samadhis of great composers are visied by millions. They are all considered Gods and regular pujas are offered. This is to show that hero worship is not new to Hindus.
Renula Devi, Draupati temples are in several places.
Not only villages, even cities have their Goddesses according to Valmiki Ramayana, Silappadikaaram, Manimekali and several other Hindu books.
Greatest of the ancient Tamil poets, Tiru Valluvar justified it in his Kural couplet:
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
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Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English – படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-2 (Post.15,050)
Before moving to Skanda/Muruga, I wanted to add few more points about Lord Ganesh
Ganesh with his mount Rat
Sometimes Ganesa is said to have two wives, even though he is a bachelor/Brahmachari
The two wives are not women but symbols of Siddhi/Success and Buddhi /Wisdom.
Like Goddess Shakti and Lord Shiva, Ganesh also has three eyes. Third Eye means Wisdom.
Vinayaka means one who has none above him. That means he is the Head.
Every Hindu God has weapons. This is to control evil forces or kill evil tendencies in us.
There are a few interesting stories.
Why does he have elephant face?
Once he was asked to guard the entrance of the building where his mother was taking a bath. When shiva came, Ganesa stopped him following Mother’s instruction. Enraged Siva cut off his head in anger. When Parvati felt sad, he found the nearest animal elephant and cut its head and fixed it on Ganesa. There is something more to this incident. His elephant trunk reminds Hindus their great symbol Aum. Another name for Om or Aum is Pranava. Great Saints called Ganesa- Pranava swarupa.
3.Why does he have Four Hands?
God is above all of us. We have only two hands. But with his four Helping Hands, he is quick to render help. There is an interesting story in Tamil books. When three people wanted to see Lord shiva in his abode, house in Kailash in the Himalayas, an old lady, great poet Avvaiyar can’t walk 3000 miles from Tamil Nadu. Ganesa with his trunk lifted her and she reached Kailash before her friends reached. So gods’ many hands help us quickly.
Ganapati in Dancing pose- Narthana Ganapati
Another interesting story about Ganesa is mango fruit story. Hindus have an Inter Galactic Traveller named Narada. He goes from one galaxy to another at the speed of thought, faster than light. He came to Kailash with one mango fruit and gave it to Lord shiva. When he was about to cut it into two and give them to Ganesa and Murugan, Narada said,
“Stop, stop, please. It should not be cut, because it’s a divine fruit.
Then Siva told his boys that whoever goes round the world and comes back first will get it. Murugan flew in his Vahana, vehicle peacock. But clever Ganesa went round their father and mother and fell at their feet saying, ‘You Are the World’. Both felt happy and gave him the whole mango. Murugan came later and felt that he was cheated. He went to Palani hills and stood there. Then the whole world went and pacified him with Panchamrutam, a special fruit salad. Here is a message to all of us- Father and Mother are greater than the world!
One more story ….. once Lord Shiva went in a hurry without saluting Ganesa. His chariot wheel had broken down, and he got stuck. Later he realised he didn’t say ‘Bye’ to his son. He went back and praised him, and he was successful in his task. This was told by a great saint called Arunagirinathar in his book Tiruppugaz. Here is a message to all of us. We must always worship God before starting anything.
****
Now let us look at Lord Skanda/ Murugan
Dandaayutha Paani appaerance in Palani, Taml Nadu (Danda= stick; Paani=Hand)
Skanda or Kumara is represented with Six Faces – shadaanana in Sanskrit Aarumugam in Tamil—and as riding on a peacock. Because he was brought up by six mothers, the Krittikas- Pleiades stars- he is known as Shanmaatura and Kaartikeya. His story is narrated in Skandapurana – available in Tamil and Sanskrit. He killed demon Taaraka and rent asunder Krauncha mountain.
He is associated with snake and Sashti- sixth day- is sacred to him. He married Indra’s daughter Devasena and Tamil forest maid Valli. About 1800 years ago Sudraka in his Sanskrit drama Mrichchakatikaa shows a thief worshipping Skanda before robbing a house holder.
In tTamil Nadu six shrines are his main shrines in addition to scores of places, where he resides at the top of hills. In Tamil literature he is the god of Kurinchi region, hilly landscape. In Karnataka Kukke Subrahmanya is a famous Skanda shrine.
Skanda is called Murugan in Tamil ; his other popular names are Subrahmanya, Kartikeya, Shanmukha, Saravanabhava,Guha etc.
He is called Tamil God because he taught Tamil to the great sage Agastya who was sent by Lord Shiva from north. Arunagirinathar who composed 1300++verses called Tiruppugaz repeatedly praised him as Tamil god 500 years ago.
Lord Skanda / Murugan killed asuras/ demons Suurapadman in the south and Taarakaasura in the north.
Sangam age poets praised him sky-high in two books Tirumurugatruppadai and Paripatal.
In Sanskrit, Kalidasa composed Kumaarasambhava about the birth of Kumaara alias Kartikeya. That work influenced the Gupta kings to name their children Skanda Gupta and Kumaara Gupta even though they were Parama Bhagavatas, i.e. Worshippers of Lord Vishnu.
Son of Shiva and Uma, younger brother of lord Ganesh, he is called Senaapati, that is the commander of the army of the Devas. So he is the god of war and the planet mars. He was produced from the six fire sparks from lord Shiva and brought up by six Kartika women and they are represented as stars in the heaven called Pleiades.
Lord Shiva cast his seed into fire, and it was received by Ganges; so he is known Agni bhu/fire born and Gaangeya.
He is represented riding on a peacock with a spear in his hand. He is shown with six heads to represent symbolically six Krittika/Kartikai women.
Because of his popularity , Adi Shankara established Kaumaaram- worship of Kumara/ Kartikeya – as one of the six systems. He has composed several hyms glorifying Subrahmanya.
Somaskanda idols are found in many south Indian temples. It means Skanda with uma (sa+ uma+ skanda= Somaaskanda)
Uma with Skanda
Six Faced (Aaru-Six, Mukan-Face)
Lord Skanda is called Murugan in Tamil.Murugan means handsome one, beautiful.
He has six heads and 12 hands in Shanmuga form. Shanmukha means six faces. You may wonder why? If you are at school final level, please got to Level Two of Skanda Murugan.
In normal form, he is also shown as a child like Ganesa. He is Kumara (youth) or Baala kumara.
Subrahmanya means he possesses all the qualities of Brahman (god).
The name Kartikeya came to him because he was raised by six Krittika women personified as stars in the sky.
He was born in a grass land and so he is known as Saravana bhava.
Saravana is the name of the forest/grass land
We know that Ganesa is the head of Bhuta Ghana’s and in the same way Murugan is the Commander of the Divine Army.
His festivals are Skanda Sashti, Vaikaasi Visaakam and Thai Poosam. In the modern day, New Year/ January First is also celebrated by visiting Murugan Temples by foot.
Skanda worship is very popular in Tamil speaking world such as South India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Seychelles , South Africa etc Tamils celebrate all his festivals with Kavadi. They carry it to the Temple . A normal Kaavadi will have a long pole tied with two baskets on either side. Devotee s carry food and offerings to god in the attached pots or baskets. Later they constructed different shapes.
Another important thing is that his temples are mostly on top of hills or at the foot of the hills. There are six famous temples for him in Tamil Nadu.
Subrahmanya Bharti was a great devotee of Lord Skanda and he also composed several poems praising him.
There are very interesting stories about him. I will tell you a few stories here.
Story 1 (already given in Ganesa)
Mango Fruit Story
Story Two
He wanted to marry a girl called Valli, who fell in love with him. But she hesitated a lot. Murugan prayed to his brother Ganesh, the elephant headed god. He cam in the form of a real elephant and chased Valli and she naturally fell in the hands of Lord Murugan..
Another story is there was a demon called Sura Pathman and Muruga killed him. This is enacted every year during Skanda shasti festival in November. Tens of thousands of people go to see Sura Samhara at Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu.
Number six is his favourite number. He was brough up by six women and his favourite geometrical diagram is Shad Kona- Star shaped. He is supposed to reside in this magical star diagram.
He is easily identified by the Spear weapon (Vel in Tamil) in his hand.
Vaikasi Visakam and Skanda Shasti are his big festivals. Thai Poosam is celebrated in Batu Caves in Malaysia
His special Prasad is Pancha Amrutam- made up of five fruits and jaggery or honey.
His famous temples are in …..
Batu Caves in Malaysia
Nallur and Kathigamam in Sri Lanka
Palani, Tiruttani, Swami malai, Palamuthircholai, Tirupparankundram and Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu, India.
Om Saravana Bhava is his mantra
Sangam Tamil literarture has a full book on Him called Tirumurugaatruppadai (shortened as Muruguதிருமுருகாற்றுப்படை (முருகு)). He is the god of mountainous area calledகுறிஞ்சி Kurinji . in addition to Murugu, we have several long poems devoted to him in Paripatal where 8 long poems are attributed to him.
In Tolkappiam , oldest tamil book, he is placed next to Vishnu and he was given the name சேயோன் Seyon , meaning the Redman.
Subrahmanya with his weapon Vel/Spear
மாயோன்மேயகாடுறைஉலகமும்
சேயோன்மேயமைவரைஉலகமும்
Among the Ten Idylls of Sangam period, the long poem on Skanda Murugan, திருமுருகாற்றுப்படை (முருகு), ‘Tirumurugaatruppadai’ is given the first place. All these signify the importance given to Skanda/Murugan. Sangam poets called him வேள் , செவ்வேள் நெடுவேள், வேலன் in addition to Murugan.since he belonged to mountainous landscape calledகுறிஞ்சி KURINJI, he is called Kurinjik kizavan குறிஞ்சிக்கிழவன்.
Murugan means the Handsome one. He is always presented as a Young god. Nakkirar who composed the long poem on him portrayed him as young and beautiful :
என்றும் இளையாய் ,அழகியாய் ஏறூர்ந்தான் ஏறே
He is described as a Heroic god. He has Spear in his hand.. it is called Vel வேல்.
He is shown riding a peacock or an elephant named Pinimukam பிணிமுகம்
We see lot of similarities between Kumarasambhava of Kalidasa and Sangam books. But two important differences are marrying Tamil Valli and killing Tamil demon Suurapadman.
When Tamil girls become love sick, their mothers thought they are possessed by Murugan and sought the help of special village priest to drive away the sickness. He used to come in special dress and stage a dance with spear and offer meat and rice balls smeared with goat’s blood.
Tiru murugatruppadai explains that he is also worshipped in other places as well
முருகன்இருப்பிடங்கள்
சிறு தினை மலரொடு விரைஇ, மறி அறுத்து,
வாரணக் கொடியொடு வயிற் பட நிறீஇ,
ஊர்ஊர் கொண்ட சீர் கெழு விழவினும், 220
ஆர்வலர் ஏத்த மே வரு நிலையினும்,
வேலன் தைஇய வெறி அயர் களனும்,
காடும் காவும், கவின் பெறு துருத்தியும்,
யாறும் குளனும், வேறு பல் வைப்பும்,
சதுக்கமும் சந்தியும், புதுப் பூங் கடம்பும்,
மன்றமும் பொதியிலும், கந்துடை நிலையினும்
–From Tirumurgaatruppadai
–subham—
Tags- Lord Skanda, Murugan, Subrahmanya, Kartikeya, Peacock, Vel/Spear, Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English – படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-2
Of these, Thalaiyaalankaanam battle is celebrated much.
As I mentioned earlier Tamil kings fought among themselves and killed each other. Bards sang about the victorious kings or chieftains or the commanders and got prizes. No where in the world we such a long fighting. They fought for 1500 years continuously among themselves. We will see more in Pura naanuuru.
Of these, Venkatam is famous because of the Venkata achala pathi Vishnu temple, which is the world’s richest temple. Neither Vatican nor Mecca attract such a large crowd in the world. The oldest book Tolkappiam said Tamil language was spoken only up to that point.
வடவேங்கடம் தென்குமரி
ஆயிடைத்
தமிழ்கூறு நல்லுலகத்து
(தொல்காப்பியம், சிறப்புப்பாயிரம்:1-3)
Another interesting historical reference is to the Mauryan Invasion of Tamil Nadu. The words used by the poet Maamuulanaar is the mountain that was levelled by Mauryans. It shows that the Mauryan army laid road route across that hill. We have references from Jain books that Chandra Gupta Maurya spent his last days in Karnataka as a Jain devotee. This reference, coupled with Asoka’s reference to Tami kingdoms, give a clear history for the Tamil Kings from Third Century BCE.
Kolli Malai was also famous in those days for the presence of Kollip Paavai, a goddess who had mysterious powers.
The name Agastya is not at all mentioned in Sangam Tamil Literature. But the word Pothiyin Malai shows that it became famous because of Agastya’s residence there. In other verses the hill is compared with Himalayas in reverence. It is part of the 1000 mile long Western Ghats called Sahyaadri in Sanskrit.
Tamil words Malai, Kundram and Sanskrit words Achala, Adri , all meant mountain.
Tirupparam Kundram is famous until this day because of Lord Skanda (Murugan in Tamil) temple.
Imayam, i.e. Himalaya is mentioned in several places. They used the Sanskrit word Hima (snow) in many places in addition to Vada Varai (Northern chain of mountains).
Sirumalai is famous for its sweetest, smallest banana fruits till this day.
Parambu Malai became most famous hill in Sangam Tamil Literature, because of the philanthropist chieftain Paari. Three Tamil kings ganged themselves and killed him. Brahmin poet Kapilar, the greatest of the 450+++ Sangam poets gave us lot of interesting information about this Parampu hills. When the jealous Tamil kings laid a siege, Kapilar trained the birds to bring grains for the people. Moreover Kapilar says that Paari gave all the three hundred towns to the poor. This statistic is very important. If a a small Parambu area has 300 towns 2000 years ago, one could imagine how many towns Tamils had in the vast area of Chera, Choza, Pandya kingdoms!
Muthu kundram hill is known as Vriddhachalam and Chirappali is called Trichy nowadays.
***
97.
Tamil Forests
in Tamil is Kaanam or Kaadu. கானம், காடு is forest
Of these Aalangkaanam is famous because it was a battlefield.
***
98.Holy Towns
Tamils have been great Hindus, and they worshipped all the Six Gods mentioned by Adi Shankara and in addition they worshipped local heroes as Village Gods.
Arangam is Sri Rangam with very big Vishnu Temple and Venkatam also. Alaivaay/Tiru Chendur and Parankundru/Tirupparamkundram are famous Skanda/Murugan temples.
Dhanushkoti via Rameswaram is famous because one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines.
Of these Kartikai and Panguni are Sanskrit words used for Tamil months. In fact all Tamil months in the present day calendar are Sanskrit names. Most of these festivals are celebrated until this day.
The 12 month system shows that Tamils knew zodiac for at least 2000 years. Purananuru mentions zodiac signs. It shows that we followed our own Hindu system and not the Greek one.
Tamils being Pukka Hindus treated all the water sources as holy and took ritual baths in the rivers and seas. The safest point for anyone to take a holy dip is called Thurai in Tamil and Ghat in Sanskrit.
Rig Veda, the oldest book in the world has the highest number of hymns in praise of water. The greatest wonder is that Brahmins around the world recite those Water Mantras three times a day. In all Hindu ceremonies water filled pot is a must. It is called Poorna Kumbha; even in death ceremonies they break water pots to show that the soul has merged with water and earth.
Tamil Akananuru mentioned at least 16 Ghats/Thurais. Following are important:
Aanporunai / Tambrbarani river Thurai, Uraiyur Kaviri Thurai, Thozunai (River Yamuna) Dhanuskodi, Thondi, Koodal and Korkai. The last three are not used anymore because of natural changes.
We will see more wonders in the next part
To be continued………………………
Tags- Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 15; One Thousand Interesting Facts! – Part 15 , Tamil festivals, Tamil shrines, Tamil holy rivers, Akanauru wonders,
Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.
this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.
tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com
xxxx
Arya and Yavana in Sangam Tamil Books
85
We come across the word Arya in at least seven places in Sangam Tamil Literature. No where it is used with racial connotation. The word Dravidian is not at all used anywhere in ancient Tamil literature and later literature too. Most famousTamil poet Bharatiyrar used Arya in at least in 24 places in his poems. Great Saivite saints Appar, Sambandar and Manikka vasagar used it in their devotional poems too.
In all these places the word Arya meant either people who speak Sanskrit, particularly saints and God Shiva. In short it meant cultured, noble; otherwise neither the Saivite saints nor the greatest of the modern age poets Bharatiyar would have used it. Bharati mentioned the whole country as Aryan to mean we are people of noble origin.
Sangam age Tamils used it even for acrobats and wrestlers who came from North India. It may be because they spoke Sanskrit. Even a musician named Yaaz (lyre) Brahma Dutt, even the lesser-known chieftains Kanaka Vijaya of NorthIndia had the prefix, Arya.
The word Arya is not in the Purananuru verses except in the name of a king Nedunchezian.
***
In Sangam Books
சங்க இலக்கியத்தில் ஆரியர் :-ஆரியர் – நற்றிணை 170, குறுந்தொகை 7, பதிற்றுப்பத்து 11, பதிகம் 2, அகநானூறு 276, 336, 396, 398,
ஆரியப் பொருநன் – அகநானூறு 386
ஆரிய அண்ணல் – பதிற்றுப்பத்து பதிகம் 5
***
Now let us look at the contexts in the poems:
Arya in Narrinai 170, Kuruntokai 7, Pathrruppaththu 11 and Akananuru 276, 336, 396,398 and a few Pathikams which are considered later additions. One remarkable thing is most of the references come in Akam (Sex, Family life) literature as similes and not in the Puram (war and kings) literature.
86
Kuruntokai verse 7 refers to Ariyar (arya) who does acrobatics called Aaryakoothu. Probably they are from north or practising that type of dance. They walk on rope and do several other tricks by jumping and swinging. The commentator compared the sound of the drums played by those dancers with the sound of the dry seeds of Vaakai tree in the wind.
ஆரியர்
கயிறாடு பாறையின் கால் பொரக் கலங்கி
***
87
Narrinai 170
Here the commentator says that One Malayan drove away the Aryan army in Mullur. It is also used as a simile like the above Kuruntokai verse.
ஆரியர் துவன்றிய பேரிசை முள்ளூர்ப்
பலருடன் கழிந்த ஒள்வாள் மலையானது
***
88
Elephant training
North Indians were skilled in training horses and elephants They gave special names to horses and elephants which we know from Mahabharat, and Puranas. Horse training manual with Sanskrit numbers are discovered in Turkey which are dated 1400 BCE. In the whole wide ancient world only Sanskrit has books on these subjects.
Brahmin poet Paranar mentioned this elephant training by Aryans in Akam verse 276. Here also it comes as a simile. Poet says through the courtesan “like the Aryans using female elephants to trap other elephants, I will trap this gentleman with my hair in front of his wife”. It is said by a courtesan as a challenge.
அவன் பெண்டிர் காண
தாரும் தா னையும் பற்றி , ஆரியர்
பிடிபயின்று தரூஉம் பெருங்களிறு போல
***
89
Akam verses are full of menfolk visiting courtesans. If we take all those poems literally, Tamils will be dubbed as an immoral race. I think it is only a literary convention. Here one courtesan challenges another courtesan where Arya is used only as a simile.
Paavaik Kottilaar is the composer. A man wants to visit a new courtesan. She heard that her customer’s old courtesan criticised her. Then she says I have the power of trapping everyone. if I don’t do it let my bangles be broken and crushed like the Aryan force was defeated and scattered at Vallam battle. The courtesan used a botanical fact called heliotropism. It is seen in some plants like sunflower and Nerunji. The flower of the plant keep turning to face the sun. Courtesan says I have that quality and so people will keep looking at me wherever I go,
வில் ஈண்டு குறும்பின் வல்லத்து புறமிளை
ஆரியர் படையின் உடைக , என்
நேர் இறை முன்கை வீங்கிய வளையே
***
In Akam 396 sung by Paranar, a courtesan compared her beauty to the beauty of Vanji, which was the capital of Chera Kingdom. She praised Vanji as the beautiful city of the Chera king who defeated the Aryan kings, and went up to the famous Himalaya mountain and carved (engraved) his Bow symbol.
ஆரியர் அலறத் தாக்கி , பேர் இசைத்
தொன்றுமுதிர் வந்தவரை வணங்கு வில் பொறித்து
வெஞ்சின வேந்தரைப் பிணித்தோன்
வஞ்சி அன்ன, என் நலம் தந்து சென்மே
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Flame of the Forest Delonix Regia
In Akam 398 composed by Ilamenkeeranaar, the local Venkai tree forest is compared to the golden Himalayan Forest. It is an apostrophe to the river, by a ladylove. She asked the river that is coming from her lover’s mountain to take rest at her father’s forest which is similar to the golden northern mountain. Tamil tree Venkai mentioned in the poem is similar to Delonix regia tree which is called the Flame of the Forest. The whole forest would look like a burning forest in the sun light. Poet also mentioned here Firey Venkai tree. May be there are two varieties with yellow flowers and red flowers. In Tamil Nadu it has yellow flowers.
அழல் சினை வேங்கை நிழல் தவிர்ந்து அசை இ
மாரி புறந்தர நந்தி , ஆரியர்
பொன்பாடு நெடுவரை புரையும் எந்தை
பல் பூங்கானத்து அழகி, இன்று இவண்
சேந்தனை செலினே சிதைக்குவது உண்டோ ?
To be continued…………………………..
Tags- Arya, Sangam poems, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 13, One Thousand Interesting Facts -13
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Wonderful facts about Tamil Poets!
63.
Names of Tamil Sangam poets reveal many secrets about ancient Tamil society.
Naga secret
About twenty Tamil poets have NAGAN suffix. Who are they? Nobody knows. Only guess work is available. They were all great Hindus. They sang about all Hindu Gods. Maruthan Ilanagan is famous among them.
Though there are only 450+ Sangam Tamil Poets, some people count them as 543. The reason for this is some additions or omissions of suffixes or prefixes.
Nagas are not Tamils. They might have come from the North. Because Gupta inscriptions name several Nagas such as Ganapati Nagan.
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Kannan Wonder in Sangam Tamil Literature
RED EYED KANNAN comes in many names; it may be Lord Rudra Shiva or Vishnu. We may need more research in these Naga names and KANNAN/Eye names.
There are 34 poets where we find KANNAN in their names. Krishnan is called Kannaiah in the North and it is Tamilized as Kannan. But many poets are named after their EYE. In Tamil eye is KANN. If one has big eyes, he is called Big Eyed=Perum Kannan.
So , we may not know whether one has got Kannan because of his eye or his devotion towards Lord Krishna.
Lord Krishna is praised throughout Tamil Sangam Literature with names such as Kesavan Damodaran etc.
This is also definitely a name of Vishnu. This Brahmin poet belongs to Atreya Gotra.
Of the four forms of Vishnu Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha, Sankarshana is one with Red eyes.
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Thāmarpal Kannanār தாமற்பல் கண்ணனார்
This is Lord Narasimha’s name.
Thāmarpal Kannanār தாமற்பல் கண்ணனார்
Narasimha Gayatri Mantra is “Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat”. It translates to: “Om, let us meditate on the diamond-clawed one [Narasimha]. May the fierce-toothed one inspire our minds and understanding, Tiksnadamstraya =கோரமான பற்களுடைய
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Senkannanār செங்கண்ணனார் சங்கர்ஷண ( விஷ்ணுவின் நான்கு வடிவங்களில் ஒன்று)
Good Eye= SuLochana in Sanskrit; கிடங்கில் குலபதி நக்கண்ணனார்; சுலோச்சனார் என்ற ஸம்ஸ்க்ருதப் பெயரும் புலவர் பட்டியலில் உள்ளது அதன் தமிழாக்கம் நல் கண்ணன்
न दुर्वहश्रोणिपयोधरार्ता भिन्दन्ति मन्दां गतिमश्वमुख्यः ॥ १।११॥
Where the celestial damsels are unable to desist from their usual leisurely walking even if their toes and heels are disquieting to tread on the pathways condensed with snow, appurtenance to the slowed down pace owing to the weight of their broad hips and beamy bosoms, that sort of leisure-mountain is there in the North. [1-11]
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கதிரவனைக் கண்டதினால் கலக்கமுற்று ஓடும்
காரிருளைக் குகையினிலே காப்பாற்றுவான் ஹிமவான்;
சரணடைந்த சிறியோரை மேலோர்கள்
நட்புடனே காப்பது பெரியோருக்கு இயல்புதானே
दिवाकराद्रक्षति यो गुहासु लीनं दिवा भीतमिवान्धकारम् ।
He who safeguards the lowly darkness that burrowed itself in his caves, as though that darkens is frightened from the day making sun, is objectionable insofar as his propriety as a shelter is concerned; but that objection is voidable, as noblemen ought to protect anyone or anything seeking shelter as his own person. [1-12]
On whom the thick furred animals, chAmara, wave their tails spreading breeze in the quality of moonbeams; in doing so they appear to be fanning a royal with furred fanning instruments, and thus they render the title of ‘king of the mountains’ more meaningful to that mountain that is there in the North. [1-13]
Where the clouds dangling on the doorways of homelike caves are luckily becoming door curtains for the much-abashed celestial womenfolk when their upper cloths are suddenly snatched away by their males, such a romantic mountain is there in the North. [1-14]
On which the breeze wafts the spays of River Ganga’s watercourses wobbling the deodar trees time and again, whereby peacocks apprehensive of rainfall outspread their plumage, and commingling all the other perfumes that breeze becomes enjoyable to the tribal people that are fatigued in their hunting, such a breezy mountain is there in the North. [1-15]
Both the actions are in hyperbole. Neither the sages in highest constellation can bend down, nor the sun with downward sunrays can possibly shoot his rays up. This is only to show the loftiness of Himalayas.
Whose plenteousness to provide sacred material like special firewood, Soma creepers etc to Vedic rituals, and whose capacity and perseverance to bear the earth is clearly examined by Brahma, whereby Brahma personally ordered for oblational share of oblations in Vedic rituals to him along with the lordship on other mountains, such a munificent mountain Himavan is there in the North. [1-16]
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यज्ञाङ्गयोनित्वमवेक्ष्य यस्य सारं धरित्रीधरणक्षमं च ।
He who is the provisioner to Vedic rituals with sacred material like special firewood, Soma creepers etc, and whose capacity and perseverance to bear the earth is clearly examined by Brahma, whereby Brahma personally ordered for oblational share of Vedic rituals to Himavan along with the lordship on other mountains, such a beneficent mountain is there in the North. [1-17]
***
மேருவுக்குத் தோழனான மன்னன் ஹிமவானும்
முன்னோரின் கடன் தீர்க்க மனதினிலே எண்ணி
தன்னழகுக்கிசைந்தவளாம், தபசிகளும் புகழும் ,
மேனையென்னும் பெண்மணியை மணம்புரிந்தார் முறையே 18
स मानसीं मेरुसखः पितॄणां कन्यां कुलस्य स्थितये स्थितिज्ञः ।
Such a well-mannered lord of the mountains Himavan who is the friend of Mt. Meru customarily married Lady Mena Devi, the daughter of manes called agniShvAt et al, an estimable girl even for sages, thus becoming a worthy maiden for himself for the flourish of his dynasty. [1-18]
sa mānasīṃ merusakhaḥ pitṝṇāṃ kanyāṃ kulasya sthitaye sthitijñaḥ / menāṃ munīnām api mānanīyām ātmānurūpāṃ vidhinopayeme // Ks_1.18 //
THE BIRTH OF THE WAR-GOD
The Birth of the War-god is an epic poem in seventeen cantos. It consists of 1096 stanzas, or about 4400 lines of verse. The subject is the marriage of the god Shiva, the birth of his son, and the victory of this son over a powerful demon. The story was not invented by Kalidasa, but taken from old mythology. Yet it had never been told in so masterly a fashion as had been the story of Rama’s deeds by Valmiki. Kalidasa is therefore under less constraint in writing this epic than in writing The Dynasty of Raghu. I give first a somewhat detailed analysis of the matter of the poem.
First canto. The birth of Parvati.–The poem begins with a description of the great Himalaya mountain-range.
God of the distant north, the Snowy Range O’er other mountains towers imperially; Earth’s measuring-rod, being great and free from change, Sinks to the eastern and the western sea.
Whose countless wealth of natural gems is not Too deeply blemished by the cruel snow; One fault for many virtues is forgot, The moon’s one stain for beams that endless flow.
Where demigods enjoy the shade of clouds Girding his lower crests, but often seek, When startled by the sudden rain that shrouds His waist, some loftier, ever sunlit peak.
Where bark of birch-trees makes, when torn in strips And streaked with mountain minerals that blend To written words ’neath dainty finger-tips, Such dear love-letters as the fairies send. p. 158
Whose organ-pipes are stems of bamboo, which Are filled from cavern-winds that know no rest, As if the mountain strove to set the pitch For songs that angels sing upon his crest.
Where magic herbs that glitter in the night Are lamps that need no oil within them, when They fill cave-dwellings with their shimmering light And shine upon the loves of mountain men.
Who offers roof and refuge in his caves To timid darkness shrinking from the day; A lofty soul is generous; he saves Such honest cowards as for protection pray.
Who brings to birth the plants of sacrifice; Who steadies earth, so strong is he and broad. The great Creator, for this service’ price, Made him the king of mountains, and a god.
–SUBHAM–
tags-Himalaya Mountain in Three Languages மூன்று மொழிகளில் இமய மலை வருணனை -2 குமாரசம்பவம் காளிதாசன்
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Festivals:
· Onam – September 5
· Chandra grahana-lunar eclipse -7
· Pitru Paksha Shradh Begins – September 8
· Bharatiyar Memorial Day 11
· Mahalaya Amavasyai – September 21
· Navratri Begins – September 22
· Durga Ashtami – September 30
Pitru Paksha is a 16-day period dedicated to honouring ancestors.
Ekadasi fasting days- 3,17; Auspicious day -4;
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Quotes are taken from website; for more quotations please go to the website.
September 1 Monday
Beauty is spoiled by an immoral nature; noble birth by bad conduct; learning, without being perfected and wealth by not being properly utilised.
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September 2 Tuesday
Low class men desire wealth; middle class men both wealth and respect; but the noble, honour only; hence honour is the noble man’s true wealth.
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September 3 Wednesday
Those base men who speak of the secret faults of others destroy themselves like serpents that stray onto anthills.
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September 4 Thursday
The power of a king lies in his mighty arms;that of a brahmana in his spiritual knowledge; and that of a woman in her beauty youth and sweet words.
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September 5 Friday
Swans live wherever there is water, and leave the place when water dries up; let not a man act so — and comes and goes as he pleases.
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September 6 Saturday
Accumulated wealth is saved by spending just as incoming fresh water is saved by letting out stagnant water.
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September 7 Sunday
He who has wealth has friends and relations; he alone survives and is respected as a man.
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September 8 Monday
She is a true wife who is clean (suci), expert, chaste, pleasing to the husband, and truthful.
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September 9 Tuesday
When one is consumed by the sorrows of life, three things give him relief: offspring, a wife, and the company of the Lord’s devotees.
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September 10 Wednesday
Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore learning is a hidden treasure.
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September 11 Thursday
As long as your body is healthy and under control and death is distant, try to save your soul; when death is imminent what can you do?
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September 12 Friday
He who runs away from a fearful calamity, a foreign invasion, a terrible famine, and the companionship of wicked men is safe.
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September 13 Saturday
Do not keep company with a fool for as we can see he is a two-legged beast.Like an unseen thorn he pierces the heart with his sharp words.
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September 14 Sunday
At the time of the pralaya (universal destruction)the oceans are to exceed their limits and seek to change, but a saintly man never changes.
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September 15 Monday
He who befriends a man whose conduct is vicious, whose vision impure, and who is notoriously crooked, is rapidly ruined.
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September 16 Tuesday
Avoid him who talks sweetly before you but tries to ruin you behind your back, for he is like a pitcher of poison with milk on top.
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September 17 Wednesday
Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.
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September 18 Thursday
Never make friends with people who are above or below you in status. Such friendships will never give you any happiness.
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September 19 Friday
As soon as the fear approaches near, attack and destroy it.
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September 20 Saturday
The earth is supported by the power of truth; it is the power of truth that makes the sun shine and the winds blow; indeed all things rest upon truth.
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September 21 Sunday
The world’s biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.
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September 22 Monday
Purity of speech, of the mind, of the senses, and the of a compassionate heart are needed by one who desires to rise to the divine platform.
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September 23 Tuesday
When there are many enemies, treaty should be entered into with one.
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September 24 Wednesday
A thing may be dreaded as long as it has not overtaken you, but once it has come upon you, try to get rid of it without hesitation.
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September 25 Thursday
The learned are envied by the foolish; rich men by the poor; chaste women by adulteresses; and beautiful ladies by ugly ones.
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September 26 Friday
Learning is a friend on the journey; a wife in the house; medicine in sickness; and religious merit is the only friend after death.
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September 27 Saturday
The poor wish for wealth; animals for the faculty of speech; men wish for heaven; and godly persons for liberation.
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September 28 Sunday
By means of hearing one understands dharma, malignity vanishes, knowledge is acquired, and liberation from material bondage is gained.
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September 29 Monday
Time perfects all living beings as well as kills them; it alone is awake when all others are asleep. Time is insurmountable.
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September 30 Tuesday
He who gives up shyness in monetary dealings, in acquiring knowledge, in eating and in business, becomes happy.
–Subham-
Tags-Sayings , Arthasastra , Chanakya, Kautilya, Quotations, September 2025, Calendar
PM Modi presented Daruma Doll in Japan: Read what is the doll, its significance in Japanese culture, and its connection to India through Bodhidharma
The Indian connection to the Daruma Doll lies in its very origin, the figure of Bodhidharma, the Zen Buddhist monk from India.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Japan, he was gifted a Daruma Doll, a symbolic gift deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history. The doll was presented to him by Rev Seishi Hirose, the Chief Priest of the Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple in Takasaki. The Daruma Doll, a simple looking round figurine, carries profound meaning in Japan and also has a unique connection to India.
The Daruma Doll, also known as “Dharma Doll,” represents Bodhidharma, the Indian Buddhist monk who travelled to China around the 5th or 6th century CE and founded the Zen school of Buddhism. Bodhidharma is known in Japan as Daruma Daishi. Over centuries, Bodhidharma became an iconic figure in East Asia, associated with meditation, resilience, and determination. In Japan, his story inspired the creation of the Daruma Doll, which embodies the spirit of never giving up.
The handmade doll itself is usually round, hollow, and weighted at the bottom with a round base so that it always returns to an upright position even if pushed over. This feature symbolizes the Japanese proverb “Nanakorobi yaoki” (fall down seven times, get up eight), a reminder of perseverance and bouncing back from setbacks.
Daruma Dolls are made of paper mache, and are traditionally coloured red. The letter Fukuiri is written at the bottom, which means here is happiness in it. The eyebrows represent a crane and the beard represents a turtle’s tail. There is a Japanese saying that cranes live 1000 years and turtles live 10000 years, and they are regularly used as symbols of celebration.
They are known as a symbol of perseverance and good luck, and are often used to represent setting and achieving goals. Traditionally, the doll has blank eyes. When someone sets a goal, they paint one eye black, and once the goal is achieved, they fill in the other eye, completing the doll’s vision and marking the fulfilment of determination.
At the end of the year, all the Daruma dolls are brought back to the temple they were purchased from. The returned dolls are burned in a traditional burning ceremony, called the daruma kuyō. This ceremony is generally held right after New Year’s Day. People then buy new Daruma dolls at the temple to be used in the new year.
Daruma dolls at a shop
The Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple in Takasaki, where the doll originated, is the most famous centre of Daruma-making in Japan. The temple holds annual fairs where people buy new dolls, set fresh goals for the year, and return old dolls for ceremonial burning, symbolizing closure and renewal.
While the dolls are traditionally bought at the start of the new year and returned at the end of the year, they are available for purchase throughout the year. Moreover, people may keep them, instead of returning to a temple for ceremonial burning. Companies and political parties in Japan also buy the dolls to achieve desired goals.
Ceremonial burning of lucky Daruma Dolla
The Indian connection to the Daruma Doll lies in its very origin, the figure of Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma was a monk from southern India, often linked with the Kancheepuram region. His journey across Asia not only shaped the practice of Zen Buddhism but also influenced martial traditions like Shaolin Kung Fu in China.
As per legend, Bodhidharma lost his limbs by performing the Zen meditation Zazen for nine years. To represent this, Daruma dolls were made without limbs.
In Japan, his austere life of meditation and endurance became the foundation of the Daruma legend. Thus, while the doll is a quintessentially Japanese cultural object, its spiritual roots trace back to India.
For India, receiving the Daruma Doll during Modi’s visit is more than a ceremonial gesture. It symbolizes the deep cultural bonds shared between India and Japan through the legacy of Buddhism
In essence, the Daruma Doll is far more than a decorative artifact or a religious symbol. It is a centuries-old reminder of how Indian philosophy travelled abroad, adapted into new traditions, and continues to inspire millions with its message of unwavering determination.OPINDIA REPORT.
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Lord Ganesh with Erukkam flowers
Research article by London swaminathan
Tami name of Lord Ganesh is PILLAIYAAR.
We have very clear proof for Ganesh worship in 2000-year-old Sangam Tamil literature. One must understand that there are two stages in the worship of Hindu Gods. In the first stage, they are not part of popular worship and so the evidence is hidden in literature. When they become popular, we see them clearly in literature, statues and paintings. Ganesh is found around the world in statues. Sri Lanka Buddhist Viharas have Ganesh. Tallest Ganesh statue is in Thailand. Largest Muslim country in the world Indonesia has Ganesh image in their currencies. Roman God Janus is none other than Ganesh. Japanese also worship Ganesh.
Let us look at some examples. In the works of Kalidasa and Sangam Tamil literature we come across Lord Siva in the first verse, that is the Invocation or in praise of God. Four out of seven works of Kalidasa have Lord Shiva in the invocation. In Tamil at least five works have Lord Shiva in the invocation. After ninth century we have Ganesh instead of Shiva.
In the Vedic rituals , they do Ganesh puja first with image made with turmeric powder or clay idol. Tamils just wrote the letter u உ (Tamilஉ Vowel) to symbolise Ganesh. From fifth century onwards we see big Ganesh statues in South India. Now in Tamil Nadu Ganesh Festival has become more popular like Maharashtra. Even in Maharashtra B G Tilak only made it a grand festival to arouse Nationalism.
Now let us look at some examples:
Because of actors Mookambika, Santoshi Mata, Ayyappa, Ragavendra- all became popular. But the worship of those have been in vogue for centuries. Now Brahmins only worship Vedic Gods thrice a day at home. Others go to Shiva and Vishnu temples also Skanda/Muruga and Ganesh.
Another example of how Gods become popular come from the life of Chaitanya. He popularised the worship of Krishna with street dance and music. Bhakti Vedanta Parabhuapada took it to western countries and now devotees of Hare Krishna movement are doing the same street dance and music around the world. But Krishna worship has been there for more than 2000 years. Ancient Tamils worshipped Balarama along with his younger brother Krishna. But now several ancient Tamil temples have some empty space next to Krishna. Balarama has disappeared. He has lost popularity.
1
Ganesh in Sangam Literature
There is one clear reference to Ganesh in Tiru Murugaatrup Padai , but not in the main verse. So scholars consider it as an appendix. But they forgot to see other references. Face with one hand is found in this book.
2
Kabilar, a Brahmin poet, has contributed the highest number of verses in Sangam Literature. His name itself is the name of Ganesh. Priests in India do Ganesh puja with 16 names of Ganapathy and one of them is Kabila. That poet sys in Purananuru verse 106, “God wont reject a devotee’s offering even if it just grass or Erukkam flower. Here we see more evidence. A poet who entered Hindu Book of Records by listing 99 flowers at one go, refers just erukkam flower. That is Calotropis gigantea or Arka in Sanskrit. Nowadays this flower is associated with Lord Ganesh only. There is a very big demand for this flower in Tamil Nadu during Ganesh Chaturthy or Vinayaka Chaturthy. Kabila not only used this but also used Pul for grass. Arukam Pul is the only grass used to worship Ganesh on all days like Tulsi for Vishnu and Vilva for Lord Shiva.
And Kabila’s Puram verse 106 is nothing but an echo of Bhagavad Gita
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति |
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन: ||9- 26||
If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that item offered with love by My devotee in pure consciousness.
patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayachchhati
tadahaṁ bhaktyupahṛitam aśhnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
So, we know Hindu worship with flowers, leaves (Tulsi, Bilva, Dharba, Dhurva/ Arka grass) and water has been there from Mahabharata days, i.e.. for at least 5000 years.
Hindus showering God with water. Hindus invented this shower.
3
Modakam in Sangam Literature
The longest of the 18 Sangam books is Maduraik Kaanchi by a poet named Maangudi Maruthanaar. He mentioned MODAKAM by using the same Sanskrit word. Modakam is associated with Hindu Gad- Ganesh only.
(Modakam or Modak refers to the Sanskrit word for “a small portion of bliss” or “sweetmeat,” and it also refers to a type of sweet rice dumpling, which is a favourite food of the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha. The term also appears in a devotional hymn by Adi Shankaracharya, where the first line, “Muda Karaatta Modakam,” describes Lord Ganesha joyously holding this sweet.)
4
Adi Sankara divided Hindu worship into six main sects and one of them is Gaanaapatyam, i.e. Ganesh worship. If we go by the date of Sankara given by Kanchi Paramacharya (1894-1994), then Ganaapatyam came into vogue in the first century BCE or earlier.
Modakam with Coconut jaggery inside. Adi Shankara mentioned it in his Ganesa Pancharatanam.
5
The reference to Modaka, sold in Madurai shops along with Appam , (Maduraik Kanchi lines 625-629) another sweet dish, show that there existed Ganesh worship in Tamil Nadu. Because Appam (Fried sweet pan cake) is also associated Lord Ganesh. About 500 years ago , famous Tamil devotional poet Arunagiri Natharbegan his book Tiruppugaz with an invocation to Lord Ganesh, he mentioned Appam as a favourite dish of Lord Vinayaka.
Siruthondar, commander in Chief of the Pallava army, defeated the Chaukya king and brought the famous Ganesh statue from Baadaami (correct name Vaataapi). Then Ganesh became popular in Tamil Nadu.
Conclusion
Evidence from Nakkirar’s T M Padai, Kabila’s Puram verse, and Maduraik Kaanchi’s Modakam reference may be taken as a very clear evidence for Ganesh worship during Sanam Age. His worship became popular from fifth century CE.
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Kalidasa is the greatest poet of India. He lived 2100 years ago in North India. His seven great works survived until this day. No poet in the world excelled him until this day. He used over 1500 imageries, similes, metaphors and allegories in his books. Not even Shakespeare in his 37 plays and over 154 sonnets used such imageries. In fact, Shakespeare even copied him and created Miranda (The Tempest) in the model of Shakuntala. He copied the Vidushakas of Kalidasa and created Caliban (The Tempest).
Like all great Hindu poets Kalidasa left no personal details. Of all the historical Hindu dynasties, he used only Magadha dynasty’s name. it proved that he lived during or immediately after the Magadha rule. In his Raghuvamsa we see Raghu conquering all countries up to Iran. We know that Vikramaditya was the one who ruled such a vast empire. Kalidasa is associated with the great ruler Vikramaditya and even Chandragupta II took that title later.
Kalidasa’s work Kumara sambhava made a big impact on the Vaishnavite Gupta empire and they suddenly switched over to Saivite names such as Kumara Gupta and Skanda Gupta. Three Gupta Kings named themselves as Kumaragupta.
First Mystery
He lived in the first century BCE. Bhasa, another great playwright credited with 13 plays, lived before him. He used stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata for his dramas. Kalidasa took Lord Skanda (also known as Kumaara) for his work. This shows he lived before the Parama Bhagavathas, i.e. The Gupta kings. Gupta kings used title Parama Bhagavathas in their coins and inscriptions to say that they are followers of Vishnu.
But why did Kalidasa choose Lord Skanda/ Kartikeya/Kumara rejecting Vishnu and Siva? It is a mystery. The legend is that he was blessed by Kali. His very name suggested that he was blessed by Kali. But he never did any work on Kali. But in all his seven works he praised Brahma, Vishnu and Siva and said all are one and the same. In most of his works he used Siva in the initial Prayer song. All these show that he lived before Vaishnavite/ Parama Bhagvathas Gupta kings.
The reason for him choosing Lord Skanda may be the Yaudheya Kings who produced coins with the image of Lord Skanda.
Second Mystery
Why didn’t he finish Kumarasambhava, the birth of Lord Kumara/Skanda? What happened to him? Where did he go? Did he die suddenly? No clue is available in any Hindu literature. But Gupta inscriptions and sculptures show his great influence. Most famous art historian Sivaramamurti rightly pointed out that Kalidasa must have lived long before the Gupta rule, because sculptures and paintings follow what is written in literature not vice versa. This has been proved around the world.
Third Mystery
In Kumarasambhava Kavya, we see the role of Sapta Rishis- Seven Great Seers. Even today Brahmins worship Sapta Rishis three times a day in their Sandhyavandana, in the order Atri, Brhu, Kutsa, Vasishta, Gautama, Kashyapa and Angirasa. The surprising thing is that Panini used them in the same order 2700 years ago. But Kalidasa gave importance to the junior most Angiras in the list. He is the one who requests Himavan to give his daughter Uma to Lord Siva in marriage. Traditions of the Seven Rsis by John E. Mitchiner says saint Valmiki refers only to six seers and Mahabharata has two different lists. He added that Kalidasa and Varahamihira used the new list and so this new list must be in use between 300 BCE and 300 CE. But why did Kalidasa choose junior most or the last one (Angiras) to head the representation to Himavan? It remains as an unsolved mystery.
Another interesting point is 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature mentioned Sapta Rishis in two poems saying Tamils worshipped them (Natrinai 231 and Pari.5-43)
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UMA Mystery in Tamil Literature
One more mystery is there, but it is from Tamil literature.
Sangam Tamil literature, mostly secular, but refers to all Hindu Gods, both Vedic and post Vedic gods. Among the goddesses Lakshmi , Durga , and Kali are mentioned but with Tamil names only. Uma is the only Goddess name used with Sanskrit name UMA (in Tamilized form UMAI). It shows that Kalidasa’s Kumarasambhava has made a big impact on Tamils and so they copied Uma from his book.
And this is not the only place. Even the description of Muruga/Skanda has many similarities ( I have written about it in articles on Skanda/Muruga)
–subham—
Tags- three mysteries, Kalidasa plays, Uma mystery, in Sangam Literature
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Tamil and Vedas 
