Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம் -Part 25 (Post.15,182)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,182

Date uploaded in London –  14 November 2025

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  

Badavilinga, Hampi

Tamil version will be posted tomorrow

Brahma Vishnu Shiva are the three gods forming Hindu Trinity.Lord shiva is worshipped in 64 forms according to Sivapurana .  He is worshiped in linga form as well; it is a formless, shapeless stone or metal. It rests on a pedestal; such structures are seen from Kedarnath to Kedeeswaram in Sri Lanka. And we find ancient Lingas in South East Asian countries too. Of late Hindus have built modern  Shiva temples in all the countries in the world. Naturally formed Kailash mountain in the shape of a huge linga has been in our literature for at least 2500 years.

God is with form or without form. Linga means a mak or a symbol. Sanskrit students learn grammar from the age of five with words like akaaraantha pull Lingah Rama Sabdah, ,Ekaarantha stree Lingah ….etc.  In some places image of Shiva is shown inside Shiva linga and it is known as Lingodbhava Murti

in Madurai and other places, big temple are erected over lingams two thousand years ago. If thousand mini lingas re sculpted over a linga statue it is called Sahasra Linga.

In Amarnath and other places even naturally formed ice lingas are worshipped. If they appear naturally then they are called Swaambu / spontaneous ingas.

It is a common adage that Siva is fond of bathing as Vishnu is fond of decoration. And so there is aways a copper vessel with a hole at the bottom hanging over the linga with dripping water. And the base or the pedestal of the linga is designed in such a way the water is drained off. The base is called Yoni in Sanskrit and Aavudaiyaar in Tamil.

Shiva abhishekap priyah

Vishnu alankaara priyah

Linga is considered as a symbol of Brahman. The quadrangular bottom of the shaft represents Brahma and the octagonal middle  Vishnu and the circular  upper portion Siva.

Sometimes a single linga is called Sahasra/ thousand linga. It is divided into 25 facets each of these latter having miniature representations of forty lingas and making up thus  the number one thousand .

Sahasra = Aayiram in Tamil ; thousand in English

Huge lingams are found in Thanjavur, Gangakonda Cozapuram in Tamil Nadu.

Chenkal in Kerala

Twelve Most Famous Linga Temples in India

1.     Mallikarjunam in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

2.     Mahakalam in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

3.     Kusmesam near Aurangabad, Maharashtra

4.     Omkareswar in Omkaram on Narmadha, Indore (M.P)

5.     Vaidhyanatham in  Bihar

6.     Bimasankaram in Maharashtra

7.     Trayambakeswar in Maharashtra

8.     Kedarnath in Uttar Pradesh

9.     Visveswar in Benares, Uttar Pradesh

10.Rameswaram in Tamilnadu

11.Nagesam in Dwaraka, Gujarat

12.Somanatham in Saurastra, Gujarat

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Karnataka- Cambodia Sahsralingas

“Sahasraliṅgeśvara temple located near sirsi and is situated on the banks of the river shalmala, where a thousand lingas are found.

We have similar sahsralingas in river in Cambodia as well.

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Badavilinga Temple (or Shree Badavilinga Gudi) is a small but incredible temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known for its impressive monolithic Shivalinga, which stands at about 3 meters (10 feet) tall, Badavilinga Temple attracts devotees and tourists around the year. It’s the largest Shivalinga in Hampi.

The colossal Shivalinga here is carved out of a single black rock stone and the statue is submerged in water.

Badavilinga Temple is on Hampi’s outskirts, close to the popular Lakshmi Narasimha Temple.

Bhojeswar Temple

The Mysterious link between Karnataka and Cambodia

Old article written 14 years ago by me and posted in this blog.

It is very interesting to find out a mysterious link between the Indian state of Karnataka and a South East Asian country Cambodia. This is an ancient link but existing till today. In both these places we find the sculptures SAHASRA LINGA, literally translated one thousand Lingas. Linga is the shapeless form of Hindu God Shiva.

Cambodia is famous for its Angkor Watt temple. This is the largest Hindu temple in the world outside India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and full of beautiful sculptures. It is a historical fact that the Hindus ruled various parts of South East Asia for 1300 years from 1st century AD. But not many people noticed the mystery of Sahasra Linga.

Sahasra Linga is located seventeen kilometres from Sirsi In the northern part of Karnataka known as Uttara Kanara. One can see hundreds of Shivalingas carved in stones and rocks in the middle of the river. The river is called Shalmala.  All the statues are washed by this holy river water for ever. During Hindu festival Shivratri thousands of pilgrims visit this place and offer pujas. One advantage of visiting this place during Shivratri is the water level in the river is low and most of the Lingas are visible with their bases called Yonis. No one knew when and who carved them. People visit this spot for its scenic beauty as well. This place is situated in the middle of forest in the Western Ghats.

There is another place in Cambodia with the same name Sahasra Linga and there also the carved Shiva Lingas are in the middle of a river. The only difference is nobody worships it in Cambodia but tourists visit his place out of curiosity and to enjoy nature.

Bhuteswar, Chattisgarh

Cambodian Sahasralinga is located 25 kilometres from Angkor watt. There are statues of Hindu gods Lakshmi, Rama and Hanuman in addition to the Lingas. The place is called Kbal Spean and its meaning is ‘the Head  Bridge’. Unlike Karnataka this place is not easily accessible. Tourists have to climb very hard and rough rocks. They have to go via a stone bridge. Animal figures are also carved on the side rocks. The river Slung Kbal Spean is flowing from Kulen mountains. There is a fifty feet high water falls which adds beauty to this holy spot. Long ago the kings used to come here for holy bath. No one knew who carved these lingas and for what purpose. But the tourists are told that the Lingas are symbols of creative energy and the river water that flows on the lingas will make the Cambodian paddy fields more fertile. A lot of Hindu symbols were destroyed during the civil war in Cambodia. But these Sahasra Lingas were not affected because of the surrounding thick forest. Those who wanted to travel to this place leave from Banteasy Srei and travel 12 kilometres and then walk for 45 minutes through rough terrain. The area is closed for tourists around 3 pm.

One of the remarkable sculptures here is of Maha Vishnu and Brahma emerges from his belly on a lotus flower. It is very heartening to see Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, all the three greats of the Hindu Trinity at the same place.

Any one who wants to see the pictures can see them on You Tube and images through google websites. Just type Sahasralinga in Karnataka and Sahasralinga in Kbal Spean you will see the beautiful images and videos.

Now the question is how come the same name and the same sculptures exist in two different places which are wide part by thousands of miles? Who and Why did they carve them? Neither the Indians nor the Cambodians knew. But if we dig deeper we can find the answers. I have shown somewhere 

that Agastya was associated with the Pandyas in many copper plate inscriptions of the Pandyas and the famous Raghuvamsa Kavya of Kalidas. He led the Pandyas and other South Indian kings to South Asian countries two thousand years ago. He was the torch bearer of Hindu culture. Since those people were without a religion and culture Sage Agastya civilised them. This was not invasion but cultural expansion.  As a token of gratitude Agastya statues were installed by the local people in different countries in South East Asia. Even before the British reached these areas French archaeologists and historians went to do a lot of research and published books on the temples. Anyone who has access to those  French books can see the pictures of Agastya statues.

It is a well recognised fact that all the South East Asian scripts are evolved from Indian Brahmi. All Indian scripts also evolved from the same Brahmi. The Pallava script contributed to most of the S E Asian scripts. If one places the pictures of  Pallava temples and S E Asian temples the similarity can’t be missed . And if one places more pictures from the Central American Maya temples the link can be easily established. So we can assume that the culture travelled from South India towards S E Asia and then to Central and South America.

Thanjavur Brihadeeswar

There is even mention of 1000 pillar Hall/Mandap in the Maya culture.

There are more Sahasralingas in India. For instance Pathan in North Gujarat has one Sahasralinga. But because of the foreign invasions followed by destructions only a 48 pillar mandap exists today with few lingas.

Sahasralinga also means one thousand linga forms on the face of a single big linga. The best of the Sahasralingas of this type is seen in Parasurameshwara Temple in Bhuvaneswar,Orissa.

Amazing Facts about Shivalinga

Post No. 12,924

Date uploaded in London – –   16 JANURARY 2024     

Where is the tallest Shiv linga in the country?

Maha Mrityunjay Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, situated in Nagaon, Assam, India. This Temple is special in its architectural sense as it is built in a form a Shivling. It is the World’s largest Shivalinga, at the height of 126 foot.

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What is the meaning of Linga Worship?

“ God is Omnipresent and All-pervasive. By the very nature of these qualities, He cannot have any form. He is, therefore, formless (Arupa). But in order to bless us, He assumes innumerable forms (Rupa). The Linga form in which we worship Isvara is symbolic of both His formlessness and form. It is symbolic of form because it has a particular shape; It is symbolic of formlessness because it has neither head nor limbs. The very conception of a Linga denotes something which has neither beginning nor end; the literal meaning of Linga is symbol.(Kanchi Paramacharaya 1894-1994)

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Why do we see Lingodbhava Murti in all Tamil Temples?

Isvara assumes various forms in pursuance of His Divine Leela. The prime manifestation with a form of the formless Isvara, is known as the Lingodbhava Moorthi, and He made his appearance in that form exactly at midnight on Sivaratri. That is why all devotees keep vigil during the night of Sivaratri, and worship Isvara at midnight.

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How Big is the Linga in Thanjavur Big Temple?

29 ft; It is 8.7 m (29 ft) high, occupying two storeys of the sanctum. It is one of the largest monolithic linga sculptures in India. Linga itself is 12 feet tall.

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 Where is the tallest Shiv linga in Kerala?

Maheshwaram Shiva Parvathi temple, which houses the tallest Shiva lingam in Kerala, having a height of 111 ft, is located in Chenkal village. It is near Thiruvananthapuram .

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Shiva linga in Water Springs

In many places Shiva Linga is in the midst of a water spring or a tank. This is because Shiva is called ABISHEKA PRIYA (bathing) and Vishnu is called ALANKARA PRIYA (decoration).

Thiruvanaikkaa near Trichy has Jambukeshvar Shiva temple where the Linga is in a water spring. There are similar temples in Sirkazi, Thiruvedakam near Madurai etc.

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Natural Wonder- Ice Lingas in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

Amarnath is the place in Jammu Kashmir state where a Linga is formed naturally inside a cave. It is made up of ice and it appears in and around August every year and then disappears.

Similar Ice Lingam is formed in a cave near Manali in Himachal Pradesh. It is called Amarnath of Himachal Pradesh. The 25-foot high Shiva lingam made of snow and ice is at Anjani Mahadev Temple.

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 kotilingeswara temple

Ashta / Eight Famous Lingas in Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu

The names of the Ashtalingams are:

Indra Lingam (East)

Agni Lingam (South East)

Yama (Ema) Lingam (South)

Niruthi Lingam (South West)

Varuna Lingam (West)

Vayu Lingam (North West)

Kubera Lingam (North)

Esanya Lingam (North East)

During every full moon day lakhs of devotees go round the hill at Tiruvannamalai and they worship all the above eight Lingas in eight different directions.

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Sun Light falls on Lingas

Kings of Choza Dynasty were great Shiva Bhaktas. They had clever civil engineers who built temples with many wonders. One of the wonders is to make the sun light enters into the sanctum sanctorum of the temple  so that Sun worships the idol. And Chozas belonged to Sun Race (solar race)

One such temple where the sun rays enter and falls on Shiva Linga in the Garbha Griha is in Karaikurichi near Ariyalur. Sun light falls on the Linga twice a year in Uttarayana and Dakshinayana periods. Every year it happens on the same day in Hindu Calendar.

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Ghee Linga in Thrissur in Kerala

Since Lord Shiva is ABISHEKA PRIYA (fond of bathing), people pour various liquids on the idol . Thrissur Vadakkunathan temple has the famous Ghee Linga. For centuries , devotees have been bathing the god with clarified butter. Now the linga has disappeared because of the solidified layers of Ghee on the idol.  People take the ghee as Prasad.

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Linga with holes on the top

Every temple has a special feature in Tamil Nadu. We see Shiva lingas with some peculiarities and stories are told about them. In Thirunallur and Needur we see Lingas with holes on top. In one place it is attributed to Saint Bhringi. He took the form of a beetle and made the whole. In Another temple also similar story is told.

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Kailash and Shivlinga Mountain

In the Himalayan range we come across hills which look like huge Shiva Lingas. Hindus give importance to such places. We have Linga shaped Mt. Kailash and mountain shaped like Linga in the Himalayas. It is called Shivling Mountain.

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Koti Linga and Sahasra Linga

We come across innumerable Lingas in certain places and they are called Koti Lingas. If they carve 1000 squares with Linga figure in one single shiva stone,  it is called Sahasra Linga. Many temples have Sahasra Lingas.

—subham—

Tallest Shivalinga Near Trivandrum (Thiru Anantha Puram)

During my visit to India in March- April 2024, I had a busy Wedding schedule. I attended one wedding in Chennai and celebrated another wedding in Kovalam beach near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

It is very near Thiruvananthapuram city.

Located in: Chenkal Maheswaram Sri Shiva Parvathy Temple

Address939X+72R, Chenkal, Kerala 695132, India

Hours

Closes at⋅ 8 pm ⋅ Opens 8 am

Phone: +91 94963 66316

Kerala now has one of the tallest Shiva lingams in the country after the India Book of Records certified the 111.2-feet structure of Maheshwaram Sri Shiva Parvathy Temple at Chenkal in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The cylindrical structure has eight floors, six of which represent chakras or energy centres of the human body. Temple authorities are now hoping the shiva lingam will enter the Limca and Guinness Book of Records.

Pilgrims would be able to see a ‘kailasam’, a replica of Himalayas, and idols of Shiva and Parvati from the top of the shiva lingam. The pathway is adorned with murals and statues with 108 shiva lingams on the base floor.

It is the only temple in the world, where devotees can worship 12 Jyothirlingams of Lord Shiva and 32 forms of Lord Ganesha at one place.

—subham—

Tags-Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம் -Part 25, Linga, Shivalinga, Jyotirlinga, Sahasralinga  

Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்- Part 21 (Post.15,139)

Brahma on Lotus 

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,139

Date uploaded in London –  1 November 2025

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  

Brahma Third Part

(Old Articles on Brahma in Tamil and English)

Science behind Hindu God Brahma!

Four Faced God in Sumer (Brahma?)

Research paper written by London Swaminathan
Research article No.1421; Dated 19th November 2014.

Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva form the Hindu Triad. Of the three gods Brahma has amazing science behind him. We know about the cosmic rhythm in the dance of Shiva. We see the nuclear explosion in the description of Visvarupa Darsanam of Krishna in Bhagavad Gita. In fact it is Robert Oppenheimer, the Father of Atomic bomb, who compared Krishna’s Visvarupa Darsanam to the explosion of the first atomic bomb. Now I see the science of Black Hole in the same Visvarupa Darsanam! But no one has looked into the scientific aspects of Brahma like they did in the case of Dance of Shiva or Visvarupa Darsanam.

The story of Brahma is more interesting than a science fiction story. Hindu’s great scientific achievements and developments are weaved into his story.
Brahma is the
God of Cosmology
God of Astronomy
God of Mathematics
God of Creation and Evolution

Scientific Fact 1
Only now we know that there are billions of stars and there may be millions of earths with possible extra terrestrial civilizations. The time scale is very different from our earth. What we spend as 100 years on earth may be one second or a fraction of a second for them. Human years are different from them. Satya Loka, the abode of Brahma, is a place where time moves very slowly.
His life is hundred heavenly years, each of 360 days and nights. Each day or Kalpa is equal to 4,320,000,000 earthly years. Brahma’s current age is said to be 51 and each of his years the universe is destroyed and rebuilt. Hindus see the time in a different way from the westerners. When the world did not even learn to count 1000, we the inventors of decimal system went far ahead in numbers. All the yuga or kalpa calculations are in magical numbers; added together it will be 9. Ancient Sumers took it from us put all their pre dynastic kings age in the same way!

Scientific fact 2
He created the world; but he created himself from the primeval waters using the power of his desire. He thought a seed into existence which grew into a golden egg. The two halves of the shell became heaven and earth, within which he fashioned the sky. This is actually the description of Big Bang, though the word earth may be inappropriate here. Hindus knew that everything in the universe is globular. But the western word waited for a Copernicus and Galileo to “discover” it. Brahma’s name itself is Golden Egg= Hiranya Garba.

Till this day science could not explain why the Big Bang happened. Hindus only explain the Big Bang as God’s desire. Bible has taken this concept and used it in the lines “ In the beginning the word was there and the word was with God”.
Bible and other Semitic scriptures did not explain about the cyclical nature. They concluded it as one off event.

Scientific fact 3
Foreign scholars took great delight in describing the “incest” of Brahma: He had a daughter by name Satarupa and through incestuous intercourse he created the world. She was very beautiful and Brahma turned to the direction where she went and got five heads. This is a symbolic story to tell about the evolution. If a teenager asked his mum or dad whether man or Woman came first they cannot answer this chicken and egg question. Actually Brahma’s story explains a scientific fact. In the beginning bacteria multiplied by splitting into two and then unicellular organisms appeared. Higher the ladder, there were hermaphrodite animals where both sexes were there in the same species (Like Artdhanaree of Shiva). Male and female species appeared separately at a later age. At one stage dominant male should have separated from the female. This story was used by the Bible saying that God created a woman from the left rib of Adam. In other words Eve is the “daughter of Adam”—came out of the same body. But both of them had sex. So the “story of incest” is the story of evolution.


Scientific Fact 4
Only now the cosmologist and astronomers write about the Big Bang (expansion) and Big Crunch (contraction). But Brahma’ life span explained the Big Bang and Big Crunch thousands of years ago.

Scientific fact 5
Vishnu’s Avtars (incarnations) as Fish, Tortoise, Pig, Man Lion shows the progressive evolution. In the Vedic literature the first three Avatars appear as Brahma’s Avtars. Later it was transferred to Vishnu. So Brahma is the God of Creation and evolution.

Scientific fact 6
Some Puranic (mythology) stories described Brahma coming out of the lotus which grew from Vishnu’s naval. In fact it is the story of continental drift. Continents were formed after millions of years of movements of earths plates. In the beginning there was only one big land mass called Pangaea. Though the books describe it as a Greek word actually it is Sanskrit Pangaya meaning Lotus. Like lotus blooming, earth also slowly bloomed and the continents drifted. Women are also said to give birth to children from their “lotuses”.

Scientific fact 7
Amazing number and the calculation of Yugas, eras, eons – all adding up to number 9 shows the amazing mathematical skill of the Hindus. They saw completeness in Number Nine. The calculation of big numbers itself show their knowledge and interest in mathematics .

Scientifc Fact 8
Brahma has 29 names in Amarakosa, first thesaurus in the world. He is a water born god. All the life forms appeared from Water in the beginning — is scientific fact. Without water molecules life forms cannot originate.

***

My Visit to Brahma Temple in Tamil Nadu


French Stamp on Brahma from Indo China 


Date: 14 April 2019; Post No. 6264

Brahma

It is said that Brahma hasn’t got many temples in Tamil Nadu. They say Pushkar in Rajasthan and a few places got temples for Brahma, one among the trinity. But to my surprise I saw a huge statue of Brahma thronged by a big crowd in Thiruppattur Brahmapureeswar temple in Tamil Nadu. Though the main shrine is devoted to Lord Shiva, Brahma was the sought after god there. The reason being people believed that He will rewrite your bad fate in your favour.

Lot of devotees came with their horoscopes written in note books and others came with A 4 size notes or Foolscap size note books. If some astrologers have written something bad will happen to you during such and such period, you may give your written prediction to the priest there. He collects and takes all  of them to the God (in the form of statue) and return them to the respective devotee after Puja. Scores of note books of horoscopes changed hands during my short stay at the temple.

Apart from this belief, the statue itself was big and beautiful with sandal paste applied all over.

Where is Tiruppattur?

It is near Trichy. It is 34 kilometres from Trichy.Sa amyapuram is in between Trichy and Tiruppattur. When you google for this place you will be misled easily to other two Thiruppathurs in Tamil Nadu.

What is there?

In addition to a huge Brahma statue, there are 12 lings believed to be installed by Brahma himself. He worshipped Lord Shiva to get out of the curse.

Everyone must visit this beautiful temple. It was sung and praised by Saint Sundarar, one of the great Four Saivite saints.

***

‘KA’ is Brahma – Interesting Info. from Panini and Kautilya

Post No. 8239; Date– 25 June 2020       

Eight years ago, I wrote about the God ‘Ka’  (Prajapati, Brahma) in this blog. All Sanskrit scholars raised their brows without understanding or pretending not to understand the word ‘Ka’ in the Rig Veda (RV 10-121). The hymn itself ends with praising Prajapati (Brahma). Ka means ‘who’ as well in Sanskrit. In Sanskrit there is no interrogation mark. These half -baked scholars put interrogation mark at the end of each mantra in the hymn and started wondering or misinterpreting. But in Hindus mind, Ka is Prajapati/Brahma. If you remove the interrogation marks and read the poem/hymn it coincides with the last word Prajapati.

I have also shown that Egyptians borrowed it from us and made a hieroglyph out of it. Ka symbol means God and he is shown as the son of Pita (Ptah in Egypt).

Tamil and Sanskrit dictionaries give the meaning Prajapati. Probably Indian Rishi Mahadeva ( in Egypt he is Imhotep-Imho=Maha; tep=Dev )taught them about Vedic Mudras and Vedic Gods (Please see my 20+ articles on Egypt)

Interesting information from Panini

Kautilya who came a few centuries after Panini, proposed to Maurya Chandra Gupta a few interesting ideas.

Use religion to make money.

First, celebrate religious festivals ; second, make Gods’ dolls, idols and statues for sale, out of which government can make money.

Kautilya’s wonderful ideas work until today. We Hindus buy dolls of Krishna, Ganesh and Devi until this day to do Pujas on respective festival days. Religious tourism is not only popular in India, but also in other parts of the world. Mecca, Vatican City, Jerusalem and Lourdes are big businesses for Air lines, Hotels and Tourist Industry. The mementos , books and pictures they sell in these places mean huge money.

Let me come back to Panini.

Panini wrote only a grammar book with 4000 couplets in Ashtadhyayi. That and the complimentary works that came after it give encyclopaedic information about Hindu life 2700 years ago.

Panini mentions the following Vedic deities –

Agni, Indra, Bhava, Varuna, Sarva, Rudra, Mrida,

Vrishakapi, Pusha, Aryama, Twashta, Nasatya.

Mostly in 4th and 6th chapters .

I will touch only the controversial gods.

1.Vrishakapi is one of the names of lord Vishnu in Vishnu Sahasranama. When it came in humorous dialogue poem in the Rig Veda, foreigners deliberately translated it as ‘sexy monkey’ but Panini mentioned it as a god (4-1-37) along with other Gods; no fuss is made.

Second interesting thing is about

Nasatya (6-3-75); Two Ashwini Devas are known as Nasatya. The name is derived by Panini from Na Asatyaah- who are the opposite of non-truth. The other interpretation mentioned in Mahabharata and Nirukta is one who are born out of Nasa (nose) of Samnjaa, wife of Surya. Panini rejected this and went for the first one which is originally given by Aurnavabha. He lived before Yaska of Nirukta.

Third interesting thig is about ‘Ka’.

Panini refers to Prajapati under the symbolical name of Ka. Patanjali says Ka is not a pronoun (who), but the proper name of a deity.

Panini mentioned female deities as well –

Indraanii, Varunaanii ,Agnaayii , Vrishaakapaayii (4-1-37)

Four Faced Brahma in Europe

POST VEDIC DEITIES

Goddess Parvati’s four names are mentioned-

Bhavaanii

Sarvaanii

Rudraanii

Mridaanii (4-1-49)

Mridaani is not found later. This shows Panini lived nearer to Vedic times.

He also gives information about the worship of Month, Year, Season and Stars/Nakshatras.

He shows that Bhakti movement was there 2700 years ago. Particularly Vasudeva bhakti (Krishna Bhakti).

Temples were also there for public worship. There were temples for Kesava, Rama and Kubera (1-43-6)

Kubera worship makes interesting reading.

The reference to the bhakti of Maharaja or Kubera proves on the other hand  that Panini surely had religious bhakti in mind (4-3-97).

An important sutra 5-3-99 ‘jiivikaarthe chaapanye’ proves Panini knows images of deities in his time .

There may be images installed in temples which are not of individual ownership, and hence not for anyone’s livelihood/jiivika, or for sale/panya, but for worship/puujaartha.

If it is for sale ‘kan’ suffix is added

Siva becomes sivaka

Skanda becomes skandaka .

Both ‘chala’ and achala images with the devalakas/owners of shrines would serve for worship/puujaartha, be a source of livelihood to their care takers/owners , but not for sale/apanya.

All these are the object of Panini ‘s rule , and they would be named as siva, skanda without ‘ka’ suffix.

Greedy Maurya kings

Patanjali adds more interesting information.

Mauryan kings , ‘greedy of gold’ /hiranyaathibhih, had ordered to set up , and most probably , to sell images . it served three purposes- jiivika, panya and puujaa .

Kautilya supplies the much needed commentary on this extraordinary Mauryan measure to replenish their exchequer.

The Devtaadhyaksha , officer for religious worship, is directed to raise money  by manipulating the worship of divine images and exploiting the credulousness of the people, such as organising fairs and festivals in the holy shrines of deities – daivata chaitya- , improvising shows of miraculous Naga images with changing number of hoods, and spreading the news of other miracles etc

—Arthashastra 5-2

Kautilya got three birds in one stone – Jiivika/livelihood, Panya/sales and Puuja/divine worship. He is indeed a clever Brahmin!

–Source book – India as known to Panini, VS Agrawala, University  of Lucknow, 1953 (with my inputs )

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Tamil Hindu Encyclopaedia- Brahma

Post No. 11,489

Date– 30 November 2022                  

Brahma is often confused with two other words Brahmana and Brahman.

The three words have different meanings.

1.Brahma is one of the Hindu Trinity, i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

2.Brahmana or Brahmin is the name of the priestly class, one of the four Vedic castes

3.Brahman is god in the Upanishads, Hindu god is genderless.

***

Brahma is given the job of Creation. He was born on a lotus that came out from the belly button of Vishnu lying in the sea bed on 1000 headed snake.

Ancient Tamils called him with different names based on the Hindu Puranic stories.

***

 Poovan

Puu in Tamil is flower as well as lotus. Since Brahma came out seated on lotus flower he is Called POOVAN, literally, Mr Flower, Pari 1-49

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He was born with five heads, but lost one to Shiva and so he was called NAANMUKAN,literally Mr Four Faced.

Perum.lines402-404 used this word.

Pari 3-91/94 also described this story

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One poet portrayed him as the son of Vishnu Pari. 3-12/14

He is the one who created all and so he takes back all. Kali.129 -1/2

This shows that the creator and the preserver are one and the same.

Pari 1-45/49 attributed all the three tasks to one god Vishnu.

The earth was full of water. He removed the flood and made life appear on earth.Kali 106-18/19

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One poet called him uncultured creator looking at the different types of people on earth. Puram 194-15

Natrinai poet also 240-1 wondered at the way he created the world

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Brahma’s four faces are constantly reciting Vedas says Pari.Thirattu 8-7/11

Because Vedas came out from him, he was also called

Vaaymozi Makan, where Vaaymozi stands for the Vedas

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Heavenly Ganges River was sent from sky by Brahma and Lord Shiva controlled its speed by bearing it on his hair- says Pari.9-3/4

When Shiva went to knock down the Space Castles that were flying like modern Space Labs, Brahma was Lord Shiva’s charioteer (Kali 2-1/8)

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According to Hindu Puranas Brahma is not eternal. Brahma changes. He lost one head to Shiva. These stories are not mentioned by the Sangam poets.

Later poets added these stories in their poems

பெரும்பாணாற்றுப்படை 402-405

நீல்நிற உருவின் நெடியோன் கொப்பூழ்

நான்முக ஒருவற் பயந்த பல் இதழ்த்

தாமரைப் பொகுட்டின் காண்வரத் தோன்றிச்

சுடுமண் ஓங்கிய நெடுநகர் வரைப்பின்,   405

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பரிபாடல் திரட்டு -8

பூவினுள் பிறந்தோன் நாவினுள் பிறந்த

நான்மறைக் கேள்வி நவில் குரல் எடுப்ப

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பரிபாடல் 3

‘வாய்மொழி ஓடை மலர்ந்த

தாமரைப் பூவினுள் பிறந்தோனும், தாதையும்,

நீ’ என பொழியுமால், அந்தணர் அரு மறை.

***

பரிபாடல் 3

மா நிலம் இயலா முதல்முறை அமையத்து,

நாம வெள்ளத்து நடுவண் தோன்றிய

வாய்மொழி மகனொடு மலர்ந்த

தாமரைப் பொகுட்டு நின் நேமி நிழலே!     94

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Following names for Brahma are found in Sangam Tamil Literature

பிரம்மா Brahma,

படைப்போன்- Padaippon- Creator,

பூவன்- Poovan – Mr Flower

நான்முகன்- Naan mukan- Mr Four Faced

ஆதி அந்தணன்- Aadhi Anthanan – First Brahmin

முதியவன்- Muthiyavan – Eldest/ Oldest,

வாய்மொழி மகன்- Vaaymozi Makan—Veda (mouthed) man

தாமரைப் பூவினுட் பிறந்தோன் – Person born in Lotus

மலர்மிசை முதல்வன், – First man on flower

உலகு படைத்தோன், – Creator

படைத்தோன், – Creator

முதுமுதல்வன் Old and First man

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பிரம்மா பற்றிய அறிவியல் உண்மைகள்

அறிவியல் உண்மை 1
கடந்த நூறு ஆண்டுகளாகத்தான் பில்லியன் கணக்கில் நட்சத்திரங்களும் அதைச் சுற்றி மில்லியன் கணக்கில் பூமி போன்ற கிரகங்களும் இருப்பதை உலகம் அறியும். அதில் பல்லயிரம் கிரகங்களில் வெளி உலகவாசிகள் (Extra Terrestrials) வசிக்க உள்ள வாய்ப்புகள் பற்றியும் விஞ்ஞானிகள் அறிவர். ஆனால் சத்ய லோகத்தில் வசிப்பதாகக் கருதப்படும் பிரம்மா பற்றிப் படிக்கையில் அவர் ஒரு வெளி உலகவாசியோ என்று வியக்கத் தோன்றும். அவருடைய வாழ்நாளின் காலம் நாம் இந்தப் பக்கத்தில் எழுத முடியாத அளவு பெரிய எண்ணிக்கை. மற்ற கலாசாரங்களுக்கு 1000, 10,000 என்ற எண்கள் கூடத் தெரியாத காலத்ததி , நாம் உலகமே வியக்கும் ஆயுளை பிரம்மாவுக்குக் கொடுத்தோம் அது மட்டுமல்ல இது ஒரு பிரம்மாவின் ஆயுள். அவர் போன பின், அடுத்த ப்ரம்மா வருவார் என்றும் சொன்னோம். இன்னும் விஞ்ஞானிகளுக்கு — காலம் என்பது சுழற்சி உடையது— Cyclical வட்டமானது என்று கூடத்தெரியாது. இப்பொழுது கருந்துளை ஆய்வுகள் நிறைய நடப்பதால் நமது கொள்கையை வெகு விரைவில் உலகம் ஏற்கும்.

பிரம்மாவின் ஒரு நாள் என்பது 4,320,000,000 ஆண்டுகள். இது போல அவர் 100 ஆண்டுகள் வாழ்ந்த பின்னர் புது பிரம்மா வருவார். இப்பொழுதுள்ள பிரம்மாவுக்கு வயது 51. ஏதோ அறிவியல் புனைக்கதை (Science Fiction) படிப்பது போலத் தோன்றும்.. இது கதை என்று யாராவது நினைத்தாலும் முதலில் அறிவியல் புனைக் கதை எழுதிய பெருமை நமக்கே கிடைக்கும்.

அது மட்டுமல்ல. யுகம் பற்றிய எதைக் கூட்டிப் பார்த்தாலும் ஒன்பது என்ற எண் வரும். இதை சுமேரியர்கள் கூட நம்மிடமிருந்து எடுத்துக் கொண்டு பிரளயத்துக்கு முந்தைய சுமேரிய மன்னர்களுக்கு இப்படி ஆட்சி ஆண்டுகளைக் கொடுத்துள்ளனர்!!

அறிவியல் உண்மை 2
பிரம்மாவுக்கு ஒரு பெயர் ஹிரண்ய கர்பன். அதாவது தங்க முட்டை! உலகம் உருண்டை என்பதைக் கண்டுபிடிக்க மேலை நாடுகள் ஒரு கலீலியோ, ஒரு கோப்பர்நிகஸ் தோன்றும் வரை காத்திருந்தது. ஆனால் நாமோ துவக்க காலம் முதல் பிரபஞ்சத்தில் உள்ள அனைத்தும் கோள வடிவானவை என்பதை அறிந்து, அண்டம் ( முட்டை வடிவானது), பிரம்மாண்டம், பூகோளம் (புவியியல்) என்று பெயரிட்டோம்.
அதுமட்டுமல்ல. அந்த ஹிரண்யகர்ப்பன் ஒரு நாள் திடீரென வெடித்து வானமும் பூமியுமாகப் பிளந்ததென புராணங்கள் பகரும் இதையே இப்பொழுது மாபெரும் வெடிப்பு Big Bang Theory — பிக் பேங் – என்று சொல்லுகின்றனர். இது ஏன் ஏற்பட்டது என்று விஞ்ஞானிகளால் விளக்க முடியவில்லை. நமது சாத்திரங்கள் மட்டுமே கடவுள் ஒரு சொல்லை நினைத்தார் — அதைச் சொன்னார்- உலகம் உருவாக்கப்பட்டது என்று சொல்லுகிறது. இதை பைபிள் அப்படியே நம்மிடமிருந்து எடுத்துக் கொண்டது. ஆனால் அதற்கு மேல் விளக்கவில்லை.

நாம் அதற்கும் மேலாக ஒரு படி சென்று மாபெரும் வெடிப்பு —ஒரு நாளைக்கு பலூன் போல ஊதிக்கொண்டே போய் பின்னர் முடிவில் வெடிக்கும் —அப்பொழுது காற்றுப் போன பலூன் போல பிரபஞ்சம் சுருங்கும் Big Crunch — மீண்டும் பலூன் போல ஊதும் — என்று – ஸைக்ளீகல் Cyclical —வட்டமான சுழற்சி உடையது என்று சொல்லியிருக்கிறோம். இந்த பிக் க்ரஞ்ச்Big Crunch – கொள்கையை இப்பொழுதுதான் விஞ்ஞானிகள் ஏற்கின்றனர்.

அறிவியல் உண்மை 3
தசாவதாரத்தில் முதலில் மீன், பிறகு ஆமை, பிறகு பன்றி, பிறகு பாதி மனிதன் –பாதி சிங்கம் என்பதெல்லாம் டார்வீன் சொன்ன பரிணாமக் (Theory of Evolution) கொள்கையை ஒட்டி இருப்பதை நாம் அறிவோம் ஆனால் முதல் மூன்று அவதாரங்களும் உண்மையில் ஆதி நூல்களில் பிரம்மாவின் பெயரிலேயே (பிரஜாபதி) உள்ளன. ஆக அவரே படைப்புக் கடவுள்—பரிணாம வளர்ச்சிக் கடவுள். இதை சதபத பிராமணம் (Satapata Brahmana) முதலிய நுல்கள் விளக்கும். பின்னர் இதை விஷ்ணுவின் அவதாரங்களாக புராணங்கள் எழுதின. இதை இன்னொன்றாலும் அறியலாம்.


அறிவியல் உண்மை 4
வெளிநாட்டுக்காரர்களுக்கு கிளுகிளுப்பூட்டும் ஒரு விஷயம் நம் இலக்கியங்களில் உண்டு. அதை எழுதி, எழுதி நம்மை நக்கல் செய்வது—பகடி செய்வது—கிண்டல் செய்வது அவர்களுக்குப் பொழுதுபோக்கு. அது என்ன ‘’பலான’’ கதை என்கிறீர்களா?

பிரம்மா ஒரு மக:ளைப் பெற்றார். அவள் பெயர் சதரூபா (நூறு உருவம்)—அவல் அழகைக் கண்டு பிரம்மா அவளையே உற்று நோக்கினார். அவளுக்கோ வெட்கம் பிடுங்கித் தின்றது- வேறு திசையில் ஓடி ஒளிந்தாள் அங்கேயும் பிரம்மா திரும்பினார். ஒவ்வொரு திசையிலும் ஒரு முகம் வரவே அவருக்கு நாலு முகம் தோன்றி அவர் நான்முகன் ஆனார். அவளோ வெட்கப்பட்டுக் கொண்டு மேலே போனாள். அங்கு ஐந்தாவது முகம் உதித்தது. அவளுடன் ஒன்று கூடிப் (Incestual Intercourse) பின்னர் உலகத்தைப் படைத்தார். இதைச் சொல்லிச் சொல்லி வெளிநாட்டினர் மகிழ்வர். உண்மையில் இந்தக் கதையை நம்மிடமிருந்து பைபிளும் இரவல் வாங்கி முதல் அத்தியாயத்திலேயே எழுதிவிட்டது. ஆதாம் என்பவரின் இடுப்பு எலும்பை கடவுள் முறித்து ஏவாள் என்ற பெண்ணை உருவாக்கவும், ஆதாம் அவளுடன் கூடி (Incest?) மனித இனத்தை உருவாக்கினார் என்பது அக்கதை. ஒரே உடலில் இருந்து ஒருவரைப் படைத்தால் அந்த ஏவாளும் சதரூபா போல ஆதாமின் மகள்தானே!!

இதில் உள்ள அறிவியல் உண்மை என்னவென்றால் முதலில் பாக்டீரீயா போல இருந்த உயிரினம் ஒரு செல் உயிரினங்களாக மாறி நீரில் நீந்தி பிறகு ஒரே உடலில் ஆண் பெண் உறுப்புகளுடன் பிறந்தன (ஹெர்மாப்ரோடைட் Hermaphrodite). பின்னர்தான் ஆண், பெண் என தனித்தனி உயிர் இனங்கள் தோன்றின. இதை அர்த்தநாரீஸ்வரர் என்னும் சிவனின் வடிவத்துடன் ஒப்பிடலாம்.

முதலில் ஆண் தோன்றினானா? பெண் தோன்றினாளா? முதலில் முட்டை வந்ததா? கோழி வந்ததா? (Chicken and Egg question) என்ற கேள்விக்கு விடை கூறும் கதை இது. பெரிய விஞ்ஞான உண்மைகளை, சுவையான கதைகளாகத் தருபவை நம் புராணங்கள்!

அறிவியல் உண்மை 5
பிரம்மாவின் தோற்றம் பற்றிய கதை பெரிய பூகர்ப்பவியல் ( Geology ஜியாலஜி) கதையாகும். அவர் நீரில் படுத்து இருந்த நாராயணனின் தொப்புள் கொடியில் இருந்து உதித்த தாமரை மலரில் இருந்து தோன்றியதாக ஒரு கதை உண்டு. இது காண்டினென்டல் ட்ரிப்ட் Continental Drift எனப்படும் கண்டங்கள் நகர்ந்த கதை ஆகும். முதலில் பூமி என்பது ஒரே நிலப்பரப்பாக இருந்தது பின்னர் அது தாமரை மலர்வது போல மெதுவாக நகர்ந்து இன்றுள்ளது போல ஆசியா, அமெரிக்கா, ஆப்பிரிக்கா எனப் பிரிந்தது. இதையே தாமரையில் பிரம்மா தோன்றி உலகைப் படைத்தார் என்போம். புராணத்தில் கூட பிரம்மாண்டம் என்று இருப்பதைக் காணலாம். ‘ப்ரு’ என்னும் வடமொழி வேர்ச் சொல் மூலமே ‘’பெருகுதல், பிரிதல், பெரிய, ப்ருஹத், ப்ரம்ம’’ — முதலிய சொற்கள் வந்தன.

கிரேக்க மொழியில், முதலில் இருந்த சூப்பர் கான்டினென்ட்டை ‘’பங்கேயா’’ Panagaea என்பர். பங்கய என்றால் தாமரை எனப் பொருள். இது பங்கஜம் என்ற வடமொழிச் சொல். பிற்காலத்தில் இந்தப் பொருள் அறியாதோர் கிரேக்க மொழியில் புதுப் பொருள் கண்டனர் ( பேன்+ கயா ). பெண்கள் குழந்தை பெறுவதையும் தாமரை மலரில் இருந்து குழந்தை வந்ததாக வடமொழி இலக்கியங்கள் வருணிக்கும்.

அறிவியல் உண்மை 6
கணித விஷயத்தில், ஒன்பது என்ற எண்ணின் வியப்புறு குணங்களில் பல ஆராய்ச்சி செய்து அதன் பெயரில் பிரம்மாண்டமான எண்களைக் க(ல்)ற்பித்து (கல்பம் என்பதே பிரம்மாவின் ஒரு நாள், பரம் என்பது அவரது 100 ஆண்டு) உலகம் அறியாத புதுமைகளைச் செய்தனர் இந்துக்கள். ஒன்பது என்ற எண்ணின் பரிபூரணத் தன்மையை மனதிற் கொண்டே 108, 1008 என்ற அஷ்டோத்திரம், சஹஸ்ரநாமம் ஆகியவற்றைப் படைத்தார்கள் இது பற்றி நான் இரண்டு ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் எழுதிய எண்கள் 18, 108, 1008 பற்றிய கட்டுரையில் விரிவாகக் கொடுத்து இருக்கிறேன்.

அறிவியல் உண்மை 7
நாரா (நீரா) அயனன்= நாராயணன், பிரம்மா மற்றும் முதல் இரண்டு அவதாரங்கள் எல்லாம் — நீரில்தான் உயிரினங்கள் தோன்ற முடியும், பரிணாம வளர்ச்சி பெற முடியும் —- என்று காட்டுகின்றன. இன்று வெளி கிரகங்களிலும் நீரின் மூலக்கூறுகள் (water molecules) இரு கின்றனவா என்று விஞ்ஞானிகள் தேடிக் கொண்டிருப்பதை நாம் அறிவோம்.

Brahma in Sumerian Civilisation 

அறிவியல் உண்மை 8
உலகின் முதல் அகராதி (Thesaurus/ Dictionary நூலான அமரகோசம் வழங்கும் பிரம்மாவின் 29 வடமொழிப் பெயர்களை மற்றொரு கட்டுரையில் தருகிறேன்.

பிரம்மா என்பவர்
வானவியலை (Astronomy/ Cosmology) விளக்கும் கடவுள்
பூகர்ப்பவியலை (Geology) விளக்கும் கடவுள்
உயிரியல், பரிணாம வளர்ச்சியை (Biology / Theory of Evolution) விளக்கும் கடவுள்
கணிதம், பிரம்மாண்ட எண்களை (Mathematics and Amazing Numbers) விளக்கும் கடவுள்
பிக் பேங், பிக் க்ரஞ்ச்(Big Bang and Big Crunch) முதலிய அதி நவீன கொள்கைகளை (Ultra Modern Theories) விளக்கும் கடவுள்!!

—-சுபம்—

Tags-Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்- Part 21  , பிரம்மா , அறிவியல் உண்மைகள், Science behind Hindu God Brahma! Brahma Third part.

Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம் – Part 19 (Post.15,133)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,133

Date uploaded in London –  30 October 2025

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  

BRAHMA- First Part

God of creation; one of the Trinity, Brahma Vishnu Shiva.

Temples at Pushkar, Rajasthan, Brahmapureeswar in Tamil Nadu; all South Indian Saivite temples have Brahma’s statues.

No proper worship; like Archana, Sahasranama, Puja etc.

Sung by saints in all Saivite hymns as one searching for Shiva’s head along with Vishnu in Boar form searching for His feet; but both failed.

Brahma lied and so he was cursed that he won’t be worshipped on earth.

His abode is Satya Loka up above the earth. He has an end unlike Shiva and Vishnu. A new Brahma takes over.

But his life span in human years is very huge.

His wife is Sarsvati, Goddess of Wisdom and Education.

Brahma is portrayed as Prajapathi in the Vedas.

Now he is shown with four heads because one of his five heads was chopped off by Lord Shiva according to Tamil verses.

His references are in Tamil Sangam literature, Tirukkural, Tevaram, Tiruvasagam etc.

When he insulted others, Shiva cut off his fifth head. That happened at Tirukkandiyur near Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu according to Sthala Puranas (local temple legends). His beautiful figure is at that place.

When he failed to tell the meaning of Aum- Pranava mantra—he was imprisoned by Skanda, Shiva’s son; later released at the request of Devas.

He created Sapta Rishis from whom humans were created.

Tamil Encyclopaedia Abhidhana Chintamani of Singara velu Mudaliyar gives 67 points about Brahma.

His vehicle is swan (Hamsa);

He came from the belly of Vishnu on top of a lotus flower. In Tamil Tirukkural as Malarmisai ekinaan.

He gave boons to lot of Devas and Demons.

***

More about Brahma’s appearance

Brahma , distinct from Brahman, the all pervading Eternal Spirit, is the first member of the Hindu Triad. His principal function is Creation. Independent shrines dedicated to him are rare. Still figures of Brahma are commonly found decorating one of the niches in the north wall of the central shrine in Siva temples. Images of Brahma are sometimes seen on pillars, ceilings and other parts of the temple. But he is not worshipped as a chief deity except one or two temples in India.

According to Maanasaara, one of the standard works on sculpture, Brahma is represented with four hands. He has, however, one body with four heads. The image may be standing or seated. The form of the left lower hand exhibits the posture of conferring boons (Varada Mudra) while the right lower indicates protection (Abhaya mudra). The corresponding upper hands hold the water pot (Kamandalu) and the rosary (Akhsamaalaa) or sometimes the sacrificial ladle (Srik) and spoon (Sruva).

***

The following ornaments are seen in the finished picture of Brahma:

Earrings or pendants fashioned like the face of a crocodile.

The sacred thread, Yajnasutra, hanging right across the body from the left shoulder;

The scarf (Uttariiya) thrown round the neck so as to stretch down to the knees;

The utarabandhana, or literally girdle going round the belly;

Necklace and torque;

Armlets, arm-rings, wristlets, anklets, waist zone, finger rings set with gem stones etc.

His hair is made up in the fashion of Jataa-Makuta and he is attended by two goddesses Sarasvati on the right and Saavitri on the left.

Another representation shows Brahma riding a chariot drawn by Seven Swans (hamsa). He is seated on a full blown lotus flower (Tamil Tirukkral refers to it) , his eyes closed in a meditative posture. Goddess Saavitri is seated on his left thigh. There are various other representations of Brahma drawn purely from the imagination of the sculptor or painter, sometimes  also based on puranic legends.

To be continued……………

Tags- Brahma, First part, Sarasvati, lotus flower, ornaments, Four heads, Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம் – Part 19

TAMIL HERO WHO FIGHTS WITH DRAVIDIANS TO PROTECT HINDU TEMPLES

 MR T R RAMESH PARTICIPATES IN OUR GNANMAYAM BROADCAST EVERY MONTH. HERE IS A REPORT FROM SWARAJYA.

Inside The Battle To Protect Tiruvannamalai Temple’s Sacred Space: A Conversation With TR Ramesh

S Rajesh

Oct 18, 2025, 11:24 AM | Updated 11:30 AM ISTTR Ramesh had challenged the construction of a shopping complex in front of the eastern gopuram of the Arunachaleswarar temple.A PIL by temple activist T. R. Ramesh has brought the Arunachaleswarar Temple under judicial spotlight, as the Madras High Court questions how far state-run temple departments can go in the name of modernisation and revenue.

Around 200 kilometres from Chennai is one of the most famous Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, standing at the foot of the Annamalaiyar hill.

It is a landscape where devotion and heritage have converged for centuries. To this day, thousands of devotees walk barefoot around the hill every full moon on the 14-kilometre Girivalam path, their chants mingling with the scent of camphor and jasmine that fills the night air.

But it is during Karthigai Deepam that the town truly transforms. Lamps flicker on every street, temple gopurams give a golden glow, and atop the hill, a massive flame is lit, said to symbolise Lord Shiva himself as an eternal light.

This annual spectacle draws pilgrims from across India, reaffirming Tiruvannamalai’s place at the centre of Shaivite devotion. Amid this timeless faith, however, a modern battle over the temple’s surroundings has taken shape, a case that may redefine how sacred heritage coexists with the world around it.

A few days ago, the temple witnessed something unusual. Two judges of the Madras High Court came to look at construction works inside and outside the temple. These had been brought to their attention through a PIL filed by temple activist T. R. Ramesh.

While he had challenged the building of a shopping complex in front of the Rajagopuram (eastern tower) of the temple, the Bench later expanded the matter to assess other projects proposed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) department.

Hours later, after a thorough inspection, Justices R. Suresh Kumar and S. Sounthar, who were hearing the matter, returned and, after a few days, passed orders staying all such civil works. The final judgment in the matter is expected soon.

Given the stand of the Court till the last hearing, it is unlikely to go in HRCE’s favour. The outcome, Hindu activists believe, will set a national precedent to stop seeing temples as sources of revenue generation and to draw a red line on what can and cannot be done at a heritage structure in the name of modern amenities.

At this timely moment, Swarajya spoke with Ramesh to follow up on the case, about which he had spoken with this publication in great detail before approaching the Court in November 2023.

Q: Could you begin by explaining what exactly your PIL challenged? It would be helpful for those who have not followed the matter previously.

A: The PIL was filed against a government order, G.O. No. 336 of 2023, that approved the construction of 150 shops, a shopping complex, right opposite the Raja Gopuram, the main eastern tower of the Tiruvannamalai temple. The estimated cost was Rs 6.36 crore, taken from the temple’s funds.

The land in question belongs to the temple and has a 16-pillar mandapam at its centre. That mandapam holds immense religious significance. During festivals, processional deities are first brought there for worship before being taken out in chariots or palanquins.

The open space is crucial because the Tiruvannamalai temple has almost one festival every month. It has two or three major festivals during the year, but almost every month there is some celebration.

During festival times, thousands of people gather in that space. That open space is very important, both for religious significance and practical reasons. Whenever there is open space in a vantage position, the HRCE department wants to develop it in the name of building shops or other constructions.

Q: How did the court respond when you initially brought this to its attention?

A: Soon after they brought the G.O., they started constructing. I was in Delhi at the time for a case in the Supreme Court. When pictures of the construction reached me, I mentioned it before a special Bench of Justice Mahadevan and Justice Adikesavulu, who were hearing temple cases.

I mentioned the matter on a Thursday afternoon, explaining what was going on in Tiruvannamalai. I managed to produce pictures of the construction and the plan to the Honourable Bench. I had asked a colleague to take printouts and give them to the court. When the judges saw that, they were shocked.

The government counsel said, “No, there are already shops there, we are just reconstructing them.” All sorts of lies were presented before the court. The counsel also claimed that there were shops as early as 1920 and that the court had recognised them. It was a blatant lie.

In 1920, the court had said that the land belongs to the temple, not to the municipality, and also that no shops should be opened there. I had that judgment, given to me by a devotee, and I presented it too.

When the judges saw that they were being misled, they were very upset. At 2:45 p.m., they said, “This work should stop right now, at this minute.” They told the government counsel, “Call the Commissioner and instruct him immediately. We want the status by 4 o’clock.” By 4 p.m., they confirmed the work had been stopped. Remember, I had not even filed any petition yet.

Subsequently, I filed the petition and the stay order continues.

Q: Please tell us about the arguments made in court. Did you mention anything more than what you have said earlier, that the HRCE Act does not allow the use of temple funds for these purposes? What was the stand taken by the department?

A: Yes. We were helped by a judgment delivered by the Madras High Court. On 9 January 2025, there was another case regarding a shopping complex being built using temple funds, not within the temple complex, but nearby.

That construction was challenged before the Chief Justice’s Bench. After extensive arguments, the Chief Justice said that temple funds cannot be used to build a shopping complex.

That was the Nandishwarar Temple near Chengalpattu. The order was very detailed and said that neither surplus funds nor the main funds of a temple can be used for such constructions. The government made the Executive Officer of the temple file an appeal before the Supreme Court. In May, the special leave petition was dismissed, so the High Court’s order became final.

Subsequently, when the Tiruvannamalai case came up again in August, we brought this order to the attention of the temple Bench and pointed out that it had been upheld by the Supreme Court. Immediately, the HRCE took a different stance, stating that they would not construct shops now, but would instead construct a queue complex and waiting area.

It is alleged that they had already taken money from the contractor in advance. When the work was stopped, the contractor demanded his money back. To compensate, officials told him they would give him some other civil work in the same place.

That is when I objected, saying that the case was about G.O. 336, which specifically concerned a shopping complex. If they wanted to do something else, they should withdraw that G.O.

The court said they should not go ahead with the construction, but the matter was not finalised. They were asked to bring proper plans and drawings for the proposed queue complex outside the temple.

When those plans were submitted, I produced photographs showing that massive constructions for a queue complex and waiting area were already going on inside the temple, very close to the ancient wall.

This construction inside the temple had not been disclosed. The HRCE presented it as if they were only proposing the queue complex outside, while work was already going on inside. When I presented the photographs, the judges were shocked that HRCE had hidden this fact.

They said, “How can you build such a thing inside the temple? You cannot do this at all.” On that day, a stay order was given, preventing any construction inside or outside the temple.

The court also said they would inspect the temple themselves. The inspection took place on 5 October. I requested that the petitioner also be present, and the judges agreed.

Q: Since the stay on construction continues, it is clear that the judges were not pleased with what they saw on site. But could you please walk us through what happened that day? Was it a thorough inspection or just a quick visit?

A: It was a detailed check. The two judges were there for a few hours. During the inspection, they found three guest houses built inside the temple in the fourth prakara, all modern structures.

They also saw a massive Annadhanam hall under construction. The officials had earlier said it would only be temporary and covered with asbestos sheets, but the judges observed that concrete pillars were already up.

I pointed out that they had not even obtained municipal approval. They (HRCE) said they would get the approval. I asked how they could even start without it. The judges noted everything, including a modernised mandapam being used as the temple office. They were visibly disturbed.

Q: What followed that was the last hearing on 9 October. What did the Bench say about the inspection, and did you make any fresh arguments?

A: Last week, when the matter came up again, HRCE submitted a list of ongoing works and falsely claimed most were 70 per cent complete, clearly to pressure the court.

I again raised the issue of the Annadhanam hall, saying that the municipality cannot approve it without referring it to the Heritage Commission, as per the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission Act, 2012, which came into force on 1 March 2025.

Under that Act, any construction, development, or alteration in a heritage place cannot happen without approval from the Heritage Commission. The government counsel tried to say they had approval from a heritage committee, but that was a temporary body appointed by the court, not the statutory commission. The judges agreed.

I also presented an affidavit filed by the Municipal Commissioner in 2005 in the Supreme Court, stating there were only two shops inside the temple selling puja articles, and no shops outside or adjacent to it. All encroachments had been removed. The Supreme Court had accepted that affidavit and said that any future construction must have municipal approval.

I asked how these massive works could happen without it. Someone should go to jail for this.

The court continued the stay and directed the Tamil Nadu government to form the Heritage Commission within four weeks. The Act came in 2012 but was never operationalised until March 2025.

The court took cognisance after I presented the copy of the Act and the G.O. putting it into force. I doubt if the government will comply because the proposed composition of the Commission has too many bureaucrats and too few experts.

These are the developments so far.

Q: Are you happy with how the court proceedings have gone?

A: As far as interim measures go, yes. But look at the blatant violations. First, HRCE did not obey the law. Under the HRCE Act, temple funds can only be used for dharmic purposes. Constructing a shopping complex, that too in a sacred space used for monthly festivals, is completely anti-Hindu.

Second, the temple is being controlled illegally by HRCE. There is no order appointing an Executive Officer to this temple, yet one functions there, issuing tenders and orders. I have pointed this out to the court, but they said it does not fall under this PIL.

They already spent around Rs 50–75 lakhs on preparatory work. My prayer includes refunding that money to the temple and punishing those responsible, but the court has been silent on that so far.

The judges’ inspection made it clear that HRCE’s functioning is deeply problematic. I am grateful to the judges for personally visiting. Only then could they see the extent of what was happening in Tiruvannamalai.

The overall impression seems to be that all is not well, including crowd management and general administration. In fact, the judges orally observed that, given the scale of the temple and the crowds it attracts, it should be managed like Tirupati, under a Devasthanam-type structure.

That gives an idea of their thinking. They perhaps feel enough is enough.

So, I believe any judgment in the Tiruvannamalai case will be along similar lines, against the HRCE department.

Also Read: Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple Shopping Complex Issue – TR Ramesh Speaks To Swarajya

–SUBHAM–

TAGS- T V MALAI, SWARAJYA, TR RAMESH, INTERVIEW.21 10 2025

Rare Darshan of Golden Annapurani in Kasi Temple

Maa Annapurna idol adorned in gold at Kashi Vishwanath Temple complex

Story by HT Correspondent, VARANASI

 • 6h • 

The Silver coated idol of Goddess Maa Annapurna, housed in a temple located in Ishana Kona (the north-east corner ) of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple premises, has been coated with gold, the temple administration said in a statement on Saturday.

A new chapter in the splendour and grandeur of the ancient idol began in 2025, when silver plated stone idol and the temple it resides in were adorned with gold from top to base, according to the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple administration.

The distribution of a symbolic “treasure trove” (Kazana)  to devotees from the treasury of the Maa Annapurna Temple began on Dhanteras (October 18) and will continue until October 22, the day of Annakut. The prasad, given as part of this tradition, consists of a coin and puffed rice, and holds special significance for devotees who visit the temple and seek the blessings of the Goddess.

The original idol of Goddess Maa Annanpurna was reinstalled in the Ishan Kon of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in 2021, following traditional rituals. The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, presided over the reinstallation ceremony. Alongside the original golden idol of Maa Annapurna, a silver-plated stone idol was also installed in the temple. This Silver plated idol of Maa Annapurna has now been coated with gold.

The original idol was stolen during the colonial period by idol smugglers and remained preserved in a museum in Canada for approximately 108 years. Its identity was confirmed through the joint efforts of Indian and Canadian universities. Following diplomatic and cultural efforts spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the idol was repatriated to India in November 2021 and reinstated in the temple.

–subham—

Tags- Kasi, Varanasi, Golden , Annapurani, Diwali Darshan,Annakut, Kazana

Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 24; One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 24 (Post No.15,100)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,100

Date uploaded in London –  18 October 2025

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  

Tamil Identity, Tamil Ritual Suicide, Tamil Front

Part Twenty Four; Akananuru Wonders continued………..

142 தமிழ்கெழு மூவர்

In Akam verse 15, Maamoolanaar (MM) says that peacocks eat bitter gourd and bears eat Iluppai tree flowers and pods.

He says Paazi  town of Chieftain Nannan is well guarded. Though my house had such a security, she ran away with that man.

Kosars of Tulu country had the virtue of hospitality; let my daughter’s place also should have that hospitality.

So, we got two historical points about Tulu country and Nannan’s Paazi.

***

143

In Akam verse 31, MM gives more Tamil History. He gives an epithet to Chera Choza, Pandya kings as Tamil Kezu Moovar. All the three great kings of Tamil Nadu were brought within one Tamil bracket. It shows that though they fought among themselves frequently, Tamil culture united them. TAMIL IS THEIR IDENTITY.

Tamils are united on the basis of Three Things only:

1.When Hindu rituals are done; we saw that RAJASUYA YAJNAM UNITED THREE TAMIL KINGS

2. Second occasion is when others invade Tamil Lands. Kaaravelan of Odisah clearly say that he broke the Dramila/Tamil Sanghtan/Front. Asoka also mentioned the three kingdoms, the earliest historical reference.

3.Anything to do with Tamil language also united the Three Great Kings- Chera Choza, Pandyan Kings. For instance, we see Tamil Kezu Muuvar in this verse; elsewhere we come across TAMIZAKAM, that is the land of Tamils.

***

144

Two more interesting points are in this verse. One is about land where many languages are spoken. It clearly shows that beyond Vekatam Hills (Tirupati- Tirumalai Temple Mountain) Tamil was not spoken; Kannadam, Telugu, Prakrit and Sanskrit were spoken. The lover had gone beyond Tamil speaking areas.

***

145

Another interesting thing is a reference to EARTH QUAKES. Tamil land is not prone to earthquake; Tamils have experienced three or four Tsunamis. Two Tsunamis devoured Two Madurais. But Tamils knew about earthquakes that destroyed many monuments in Northern India. MM definitely knew this and he used ;the scorching sun has devastated the land as if earth quake has struck it.(நிலம்புடை பெயர்வது அன்றுகொல்இன்று?” என)

மொழிபெயர் தேஎத்த Countries where Many Languages Spoken

நெருப்புஎனச் சிவந்த உருப்புஅவிர் மண்டிலம்

புலங்கடை மடங்க தெறுதலின், ஞொள்கி,

நிலம்புடை பெயர்வது அன்றுகொல்இன்று?” என

மன்உயிர் மடிந்த மழைமாறு அமையத்து,

இலைஇல ஓங்கிய நிலைஉயர் யாஅத்து 5

மேற்கவட்டு இருந்த பார்ப்பினங் கட்குக்

கல்லுடைக் குறும்பின் வயவர் வில்இட,

நிணவரிக் குறைந்த நிறத்த அதர்தொறும்,

கணவிர மாலை அடூஉக் கழிந்தன்ன

புண்உமிழ் குருதி பரிப்பக் கிடந்தோர் 10

கண்உமிழ் கழுகின் கானம் நீந்திச்,

‘சென்றார்’ என்பு இலர் -தோழி!- வென்றியொடு

வில்இலைத்து உண்ணும் வல்ஆண் வாழ்க்கைத்

தமிழ்கெழு மூவர் காக்கும்

மொழிபெயர் தேஎத்த பன்மலை இறந்தே

***

146.

Last but not the least, MM also referred to the birds of the arid land. Vulture, eagle, falcons, birds of prey, pick the eyes of the dead animals and feed its little ones.

The main theme of the PAALAI (desert land or arid land) is separation; temporary separation of the lover and the lady love. Here also that is the main message is separation. But when a poets deals with it he gives us so much information about flora and fauna, geography and history, language and culture.

****

147

Fast unto Death பிராயபாவேசம், வடக்கிருத்தல் வெண்ணிப் பறந்தலை, சேரலாதன், கரிகாலன்

பாடல்: 55 (காய்ந்துசெலற்)

காய்ந்துசெலற் கனலி கல்பகத் தெறுதலின்,

ஈந்துகுருகு உருகும் என்றூழ் நீள்இடை,

உளிமுக வெம்பரல் அடிவருத் துறாலின்,

விளிமுறை அறியா வேய்கரி கானம்,

வயக்களிற்று அன்ன காளையொடு என்மகள் 5

கழிந்ததற்கு அழிந்தன்றோ இலனே! ஒழிந்துயாம்

ஊதுஉலைக் குருகின் உள்உயிர்த்து, அசைஇ,

வேவது போலும் வெய்ய நெஞ்சமொடு

கண்படை பெறேன், கனவ – ஒண்படைக்

கரிகால் வளவனொடு வெண்ணிப் பறந்தலைப் 10

பொருதுபுண் நாணிய சேர லாதன்

அழிகள மருங்கின் வான்வடக் கிருந்தென,

இன்னா இன்உரை கேட்ட சான்றோர்

அரும்பெறல் உலகத்து அவனொடு செலீஇயர்,

பெரும்பிறிது ஆகி யாங்குப்பிரிந்து இவண் 15

காதல் வேண்டிஎற் றுறந்து

போதல் செல்லாஎன் உயிரொடு புலந்தே! 17

In the earlier part we saw PRAAYOPAVESAM, that is facing Holy North and starve to death. When great king Cheralaathan was defeated by the great Choza emperor Karikaalan, Chera king died by facing north. He did this because he had injury on his back; that is not tolerated by Hindus. If they get injuries on the front of the body that is heroism; if they get injuries on back that is cowardice. In the great war at Venni, Chera king got injuries on his back.

Most interesting thing is that  on such occasions, other scholars join him and starve themselves to death.

When Rama decided to end his life by jumping in to River Sarayu in Ayodhya, thousands and thousands joined him and died. If you do it, you get a Visa Free Direct flight to Heaven. It is in Hindu scriptures. MM in verse 55 too say this.

A mother whose daughter eloped with a man, says I ma not worrying about my run away daughter. But I am unable to die like the great Chera King and the scholars who died along with him. This is great Hindu virtue that we, hear from Ramayana days. When the Monkey army searched for Sita Devi in vain, some of them thought of committing suicide by Facing North.

To be continued………….

Tags: 24  Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 24; One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 24, Fast unto Death பிராயபாவேசம், வடக்கிருத்தல் வெண்ணிப் பறந்தலை, சேரலாதன், கரிகாலன், மாமூலனார், தமிழ்கெழு மூவர்

Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-16 (Post.15,097)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,097

Date uploaded in London –  17 October 2025

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  

இந்தக் கட்டுரை நாளைகுத் தமிழில் வரும்

Sudarsana Chakram is one of the main symbols of vaishnavas- Vishnu devotees. Vaishnava worship it separately in Vishnu temples under the name chakra perumal. It is in a separate shrine inside the temple.

Silpasara book describes Sudarsana to be brilliant  as fire with sixteen arms  holding thw weapons conch,  discuss, bow, axe ,sword, arrow, trident,noose, goad, lotus, thunderbolt, plough, pestle, club and spear.

The figure has protruding teeth, fiery hair and three eyes .  it is fully decorated and stands in front of a shatkona or hexagon.  Dancing thus amidst flames of the discuss, the Sudarsana is supposed to kill all enemies. sometimes the image may be represented with four or eight arms holding the discuss in all of them.

At Tirupati the Sudarsana has sixteen arms but instead of hexagon an equilateral triangle is at the back. Within that a seated Narasimha is in Yogasana posture with flames of fire proceeding from his crown. This form of Narasimha is popularly known as Jvaalaa Narasimha.

The famous Chakrapani temple at Kumbakonam  is dedicated to the discus Sudarsana of Vishnu.

The Sudarshana Chakra (Sanskrit: सुदर्शनचक्र, Sudarśanacakra) is a divine discus, attributed to the god Vishnu in the Hindu scriptures. The Sudarshana Chakra is generally portrayed on the right rear hand of the four hands of Vishnu. In the Rigveda, the Sudarshana Chakra is stated to be Vishnu’s symbol as the wheel of time according to one scholar.

IN THE EPICS

The Ramayana states that the Sudarshana Chakra was created by the divine architect, Vishvakarma. Vishnu slays a danava named Hayagriva on top of a mountain named Chakravana, seizing the discus from him.

In Mahabharata we find it in the hands of Krishna.

He beheads Shishupala with the Sudarshana Chakra at the Rajasuya yajna of Emperor Yudhishthira. He also employs it during the fourteenth day of the Kurukshetra War to obscure the sun. The Kauravas are deceived, allowing Arjuna to slay Jayadratha, avenging the death of his son. Vishnu used it to kill the crocodile which caught the leg of Gajendra. It is in the story of Gajendra Moksha sculpted from Gupta days.

 Ahirbudhnya Samhita, Vishnu emanated in 39 different forms.[10] The Samhita is characteristic for its concept of Sudarshana. It provides mantras for Sudarshana, and details the method of worship of the multi-armed Sudarshana.

The Puranas also state the Sudarshana Chakra was made by Vishvakarma, featuring a legend regarding its origin: Vishvakarma’s daughter, Sanjña, was married to the sun god, Surya. However, due to her consort’s blazing light and heat, she could not approach him. When she informed her father regarding this, Vishvakarma diminished the brilliance of the sun so that his daughter could be with him. From the splendour of the Sun, Vishvakarma produced three divine objects: the aerial vehicle Pushpaka Vimana, the Trishula of Shiva, and the Sudarshana Chakra of Vishnu.

IN HISTORY

A Vrishni silver coin from Alexander Cunningham’s Coins of Ancient India: From the Earliest Times Down to the Seventh Century (1891)

The chakra is found in the coins of many tribes with the word gana and the name of the tribe inscribed on them.

Vrishni copper coins dated to later time were found in Punjab. Another example of coins inscribed with the chakra are the Taxila coins of the 2nd century BCE with a sixteen-spoked wheel. 

A coin dated to 180 BCE, with an image of Vasudeva-Krishna, was found in the Greco-Bactrian city of Ai-Khanoum in the Kunduz area of Afghanistan, minted by Agathocles of Bactria.[18][19] In Nepal, Jaya Cakravartindra Malla of Kathmandu issued a coin with the chakra.

The Chakra Purusha in Pancharatra texts has either four, six, eight, sixteen, or thirty-two hands

The Chakra Purusha in Pancharatra texts has either four, six, eight, sixteen, or thirty-two hands.

***

The Sudarshana Homam is performed by invoking Sudarshana along with his consort Vijayavalli into the sacrificial fire. This homam is very popular in South India.

*** 

IN TEMPLES

Though Chakraperumal or Chakratalvar shrines (sannidhis) are found inside Vishnu’s temples, there are very few temples dedicated to Chakraperumal alone as the main deity (moolavar):

Sri Sudarshana Bhagavan Temple, Nagamangala

Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam – located on the banks of the Chakra Bathing Ghat of the Kaveri river. Here, the god is Chakra Rājan and his consort is Vijayavalli.

Jagannath Temple, Puri, where Jagannath (a form of Vishnu-Krishna), Subhadra, Balabhadra and Sudarshana are the main deities.

The temple of Chakraperumal in Gingee on the banks of Varahanadi is now defunct

***

 form of Shatrughna

In Kerala, Sudharsana Chakra is worshiped both directly and in the form of Shatrughna, one of four sons of King Dasharatha, and brother to Lord Rama, considered an avatar of Sudharsana Moorthy. 

Alathiyur Pavelikkara Narayanathu Kavu Sudarshana Temple, Triprangode, Malappuram. A rare sudarshana temple complex in Kerala dedicated to Lord Sudarshana. Along with the main deity, Badrakali, Shastha and naga are worshipped here. The temple is also the paradevatha of mangalassery.

Thuravoor Sree Narasimha Moorthy Temple, Alappuzha- One of the rare temple complexes in Kerala, where two sanctum sanctorums are situated within a single Nalambalam (temple structure), one of the sanctums in dedicated to Lord Narasimha and the other to Maha Sudarsana Moorthy. The Sudarsana Moorthy Temple is believed to be 1300 years old.

Sreevallabha Temple, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta – One of the oldest and largest temples in Kerala and one of the 108 Divya Desams, Sudharsana Moorthy is worshipped along with Sreevallabha in this temple. The temple for Sudarshana Chakra was built by Sreedevi Antherjanam of Sankramangalathu Illam, and was rebuilt by Queen Cherumthevi in 59 BC.

Thrichakrapuram Temple, Puthanchira- The main deity is Sudharsana Moorthy.

Ayyarvattom Sree Maha Sudharshana Temple, Eravannur, Kozhikode

Pallikkara Sri Mahavishnu Sudharsana Temple, Kozhikode

Payammal Sree Shatrughna Swami Temple, Thrissur

Methiri Sree Sathrughnaswamy Temple, Kottayam

Nedungaattu Sree Shatrugna Swami Temple(Mammalassery), Ernakulam

Naranathu Shatrughna Swami Temple, Malappuram

Payam Sri Mahavishu (Shatrughna) Temple, Kannur

Sree Shatrughna Swami Temple, Kalkulam, Kuthannur, Palakkad

The Chakraperumal shrine inside the Simhachalam Temple is home to the rare 16-armed form.

Other temples with shrines to Sudarshana Chakra are Veeraraghava Swamy Temple, Thiruevvul; Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna; Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal temple, Madurai; and Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram.

—subham—

Tags- Vishnu, discus, Sudarsana, Chakra, weapon, temples for Sudharsana, Hinduism through 500 Pictures in Tamil and English; படங்கள் மூலம் இந்து மதம் கற்போம்-16

Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 22; One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 22 (Post No.15,093)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,093

Date uploaded in London –  16 October 2025

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   

 Oldest Tamil Historian Mamular

Part Twenty Two

129.

பிராயோபவேசம் ,வடக்கிருத்தல்யாழ்முறிநாதர்,, மாமூலனார், கதவில் பல் சின்னம் யாழை முறித்த பாணன்மூல நட்சத்திரம்

Mamular (mahaa moolar) is the oldest Tamil Historian. He is the only poet who sang about Nandas and Mauryas of fifth and fourth centuries BCE.

Though another great Brahmin poet Paranar from Kerala region mentioned about eighty historical anecdotes, the highest number, he was junior to Mamular.

Mahaa moola must have been born on Moola star/nakshatra day like another great Tamil poet Tiru Moolar. He was from Kashmir who gave us 3000 Tamil verses on Yoga etc lived 1000 years after the great Sangam poet Maamoolar.

Sangam Tamil poets Paranar, Mamular and many others give us the history of Tamil Land, what is now called Tamil Nadu in India.

Maamoolar (hereafterwards MM) gives some interesting details about golden treasure of Nandas as well. MM contributed at least 27 verses in Akananuru (naanooru=400).

His name is a Sanskrit name like Paranar and Kapilar. Lord Shiva in the famous Kanchipuram temple is also called Maamoolar. There they attribute the name to the mango tree (Maa Maram in Tamil).

***

130

MM gives us following details about Kings:

a) Pulli of Venkatam Hills (the Balaji or Venkata Achala Pathi temple at Venkata Hills is the richest temple in the world and that was the northern border of Tamil speaking world in ancient times.)

b) Nannan of Ezil Hills.

c) Badaga/ Vaduka chief Katti is one of them. Vaduka now stands for Telugu speaking people (B=V are interchangeable through out India from Sangam days (Rig Vedic saBhaa was changed as aVai in Sangam poems)

d) Other names in his poems: Kannan Ezini, Paanan and Anji)

***

131

Important note about Great Choza emperor Karikaalan

One of the greatest Tamil emperors is Karaikaal Chozan. He went up to the Himalaya and engraved his Tiger emblem there. He defeated another great king of Chera/ Kerala country named Nedun Cheralaathan. Chera king died by fast unto death called Praayopavesa.

***

132

Fast unto death

Hindus , when they wanted to die, sit facing Holy North and starve themselves to death. This is seen in Valmiki Ramayana, Bhagavata etc and they called it Praayopavesa.

Parikshit is described to have observed the prayopavesa when the Bhagavata Purana was narrated to him by the sage Shuka, son of Vyasa.

In 1982, Acharya Vinoba Bhave (spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi) died by prayopavesa.

On 11 January 1997 Swami Nirmalananda subjected himself to prayopavesa.

In October 2001, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami subjected himself to prayopavesa. Subramuniyaswami was diagnosed to be suffering from terminal intestinal cancer. He later died on the 32nd day of his fast on November 12.

Kopperun choza also starved to death; his friends including great Tamil poet Pisir Aaanthaiyaar joined him.

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous (P) next»] — Prayopavesha in Sanskrit glossary

Prāyopaveśa (प्रायोपवेश).—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.

Derivable forms: prāyopaveśaḥ (प्रायोपवेशः).

Prāyopaveśa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms prāya and upaveśa (उपवेश). See also (synonyms): prāyopagamanaprāyopaveśanaprāyopaveśanikā.

(Above is from wisdomlib.org)

Pancha Pandavas along with Draupadi walked up the Himalayas in the holy north and died.

***

133

Chera’s sea expedition

MM also sang about Cheralathan’s sea expedition where he cut the Kadampa tree (Totem symbol) of his enemy in the middle of the sea. He also won several countries in the north and brought the treasure to his town Manththai

***

134.

Tooth Relic

We read lot about Buddha’s Tooth Relic which is holy. But here in MM’s poems we read about enemy’s teeth embedded on the door of the victorious one. Ezini was defeated by Maththi. Chera won Maththi and brought his teeth buried them on the door.

(Z= special L of Tamil language)

***

135

Controversial Information

MM said that Uthiyan Cheral, a Chera/Kerala king, fed the Mahabharata warriors. If we believe that literally that Chera should have lived in about 3100 BCE! which is impossible.

The word used in MM poem is Perum Soru meaning great food. It is actually a great feast to commemorate the dead people. That is food in memory of the war heroes. Bhagavad Gita, Sangam book Purananuru and books from Non Hindu religions say that war heroes reach heaven. They have Visa free direct flight to heaven! So, they are remembered, and feast is organised.

***

136

Lyre Broken in Disappointment

Another interesting detail added by MM is a singer breaking his Yaaz (Veena/ lyre) when Evvy died in the battle field. This may be compared to another incident that happened 1400 years ago in Dharmapuram. That was the birth place of great musician named Thiru Neelakanta Yaazpaanar. He was a great Yaaz/ Lyre instrumentalist. He accompanied the Boy Saint Tiru Gnana Sambandar with his wife Mathanka Choolaamani. When he became very proud of his skill, Lord Shiva wanted to teach him a lesson. When Sambandar came to his town he could not cope up with Sambandar’s singing. When he was about to break his lyre, Shiva himself played on his instrument and so even today Shiva appears in a rare form here. He holds a lyre in his hand in this temple. Musicians also break their instruments when they get disappointed. That was reported to us by MM two thousand years ago.

Now let us go into details of Nadas and Mauryas.

To be continued………………

 Tags -பிராயோபவேசம் வடக்கிருத்தல் யாழ்முறிநாதர், மாமூலனார், கதவில் பல் சின்னம் , யாழை முறித்த பாணன், மூல நட்சத்திரம், Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 2, One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 22, Oldest Tamil Historian Mamular

Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 20; One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 20 (15,077)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,077

Date uploaded in London –  11 October 2025

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  

 Akananuru (naanooru) wonders continued……………….

எழுத்துடை நடுகல்

Part twenty

Item 125

Interesting customs found in Akananuru:

Coastal fisher woman worshipping Vedic God Varunan by planting Shark fin bone.

Brahmins sent as messengers as told by Tolkappiar.

Women counting days by marking on the wall;

People are listening to lizard clicks to find out good and bad things to come;

Women worshipping crescent moon;

Girls making false cries to attract male youths; Tamil word Venkai stands for both  tiger and a tree. Girls shout Venaki, Venaki and the youths come running to save them; and the girls laugh at the youths; but one or two youths will be trapped by the tricky girls.

Women’s games are described in several poems: they played with crabs, chased parrots from the paddy fields; built sand castles;

Soldiers worship hero stones before going to battlefield.

Soldiers look for good omens before marching;

Brahmins who dot follow Vedic rituals make bangles by cutting conches.

Bride is bathed by Four Sumangalis who gave birth to children;

Cowherds take food/ pack lunch in bamboo holes and tie them on the neck of the cow;

Placing spear and other instruments used by a hero near the Hero stones.

Coastal people taking salt bags on the back of the donkeys for selling.

***

126

There are more interesting details ; we will look at them now:-

Three Akam poems (53, 67 and 269; also Ainkuru.352) tell us about the Hero stones with Tamil inscriptions. But until very recently such ancient stones were not discovered. So archaeologist K V Sundararajan raised doubts about the age of such poems. At that time the oldest hero stone was dated Sixth century CE. But in 2006 newspapers reported Hero stones with Brahmi letters and experts placed them in BCE period. Old Brahmi inscriptions never mentioned dates, and they were very short. And so, we need more clearcut evidence for Hero stones with Tamil inscription.

Tamils have the habit of pushing all the Brahmi inscriptions to fourth century BCE which is ridiculous. Asoka’s brahmi inscriptions are very long with lot of information, where as Tamil Brahmi inscriptions are not only very short but also in Prakrit or colloquial , ungrammatical Tamil .So they must be later than , much more later than Asoka’s inscriptions.

We know that Orissa king Kharavela marched into Pandya country and defeated the Pandya king according to Hathikumbha cave inscriptions in Orissa. On another side, Mauryans laid road routes in Western Ghats and marched towards or into Tamil Nadu according to Mamular’s Sangam verses. But in that part, that is Karnataka- Tamil Nadu border, we don’t find hero stones with inscription. From Pallava period only we get inscriptions. Jains must have brought it into Tamil nadu. That shows northern origin of Brahmi script.

Karnataka has more documented hero stones than Tamil Nadu. Nearly 3000 hero stones are in Karnataka from sixth century CE

The big question about Tamil Brahmi inscriptions is why didn’t Tamils write legibly like Asoka?

Why didn’t Tamils write at least three lines?

Why do we have to guess the meaning and put words into the mouths of dead people?

Even the very late sixth century CE ones don’t have long sentences.

My guess is Tamils did not practise writing on stones or on any material until sixth or seventh century. Even Lord Shiva’s letter to Cheraman (Kerala King) belongs to post Sangam period.

Some of the references to Hero stones with writings on it:–

விழுத்தொடை மறவர் வில் இட வீழ்ந்தோர் 

எழுத்துடை நடுகல் இன் நிழல் வதியும்

அருஞ்சுரக் கவலை நீந்தி என்றும்,- Akam 53

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அரம் போழ் நுதிய வாளி அம்பின், 

நிரம்பா நோக்கின் நிரையங்கொண்மார்,

நெல்லி நீளிடை எல்லி மண்டி

நல் அமர்க் கடந்த நாணுடை மறவர்

பெயரும் பீடும் எழுதி அதர்தொறும்

பீலி சூட்டிய பிறங்கு நிலை நடுகல்  Akam- 67

***

ஏறுடை இனநிரை பெயரப்; பெயராது

செறிசுரை வெள்வேல் மழவர்த் தாங்கிய

தறுக ணாளர் நல்லிசை நிறுமார்,

பிடிமடிந் தன்ன குறும்பொறை மருங்கின்,

நட்ட போலும் நடாஅ நெடுங்கல்

அகலிடம் குயின்ற பல்பெயர் மண்ணி,

நறுவிரை மஞ்சள் ஈர்ம்புறம் பொலிய- Akam 269

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My old articles

Hero Stone Worship in North India (Post No.4286)

Date:9 October 2017; Post No. 4286

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HERO STONES ON SEA BATTLES (Post No.5163)

Date: 29 JUNE 2018

Post No. 5163

***

To be continued………………………

Tags- Hero stones, with Inscriptions,எழுத்துடை நடுகல், Tamil Encyclopedia, Part 20

Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 19; One Thousand Interesting Facts! -Part 19 (Post No.15,069)

Written by London Swaminathan

Post No. 15,069

Date uploaded in London –  9 October 2025

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  

Akananuru (naanuuru) wonders continued ………

Part 19

Four interesting facts in one Akam Poem (akam.252)

121

Animals mentioned in Akananuru have two interesting animal names

One is Yaali and another is Asunam. Both are described as mythical animals.

அகநானூற்றில் ஆளி = யாளி =லியோ LEO=YALI=LIYA; அகம்/ AKAM 78, 252, 381, PURAM 207; NARRINAI 205; PORU.139.

ரத்த =தேர் RATHA= THER

குதிரை = துரக ; துருக்கி; KUTHIRAI= THURAKA

இப மா முகன்= ELEPHANT FACED GANAPATI ; IBHA= ELEPHA.

Elephant-lion combined is called Yaali, seen on the pillars of South Indian temples.

Not many people knew that the English word Leo, Leonine, Lion re all Sanskrit words.

Leo is the mirror image of Yali . it is accepted in Linguistics. If you show the word Yali in mirror you will see Liya.

The Tamil word Ther for chariot is also a mirror image of Sanskrit word Rath/a.

Scores of words are in Indian languages.

Interestingly Elephant is also Sanskrit word Ebha for elephant is in Rig Veda and Tiruppugaz by Arunagirinathar.

Horse is also a Sanskrit word; it iss the corrupted form of Haya and Asva.

Tamil word Kuthirai is a mirror word of Sanskrit Turaga. Turkey is called Turaga country because it supplied the best horses to India trained by Hindus. The proof is available in cuneiform tablet where horse manual by Kikkuli used Sanskrit instructions in Horse training. The horse manual is dated 1400 BCE. Pure Tamil word for horse is Pari. But both Kuthirai and Pari are used by Sangam Tamil poets.

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122

ASUNAM

அசுணம்- அகம் 88akam 88

நற்றிணை  244304narrinai 244 and 304

It is extinct now. It may be a kind of deer. But one Tamil books described it as a bird, which is wrong. From Adi Shankara to American Red Indians know that Deer are caught by singing. American tribes used Bugle to catch antelopes.

Ancient Tamil hunters also played musical instruments to attract Asunam and when they came near, they played loud drums and the animals died because of the sound attack.

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  Yali in Madurai temple

123

Yaali- Aali- Leo

Four interesting facts in one Akam Poem (akam.252)

1.Akam 252 was composed by woman poet Nakkannai .

Her real name was Sulochana! Like Sanskrit names, 34 Sangam poets have Sanskrit prefix SU=Nalla. (I have given examples in another article).

2.This poem says that Tigers wont eat its prey if it falls on its left side. Right side is the only side it aims at. Hindus invented clock- wise direction. Even today all auspicious things are done in clockwise direction and all inauspicious rituals are done in anti-clock wise direction. Even Tamil tigers followed the Hindu way.

3. Even tigers shiver at the sight of Yalis killing elephants and plucking out its tusks.

4.Lady love gives a simile which shows Tamils were so careful and socially conscious that the banks of lakes must be protected. The woman says my mother is so watchful like a guard who watches the banks of a lake on a rainy day.

இடம்படுபு அறியா வலம்படு வேட்டத்து

வாள்வரி நடுங்கப் புகல்வந்துஆளி

உயர்நுதல் யானைப் புகர்முகத்து ஒற்றி,

வெண்கோடு புய்க்கும் தண்கமழ் சோலைப்

பெருவரை அடுக்கத்து ஒருவேல் ஏந்தித் 5

தனியன் வருதல் அவனும் அஞ்சான்;

பனிவார் கண்ணேன் ஆகி, நோய்அட,

எமியேன் இருத்தலை யானும் ஆற்றேன்;

பாங்குச் செய்வாம்கொல்- தோழி! ஈங்கைத்

துய்அவிழ் பனிமலர் உதிர வீசித் 10

தொழில்மழை பொழிந்த பானாட் கங்குல்

எறிதிரைத் திவலை தூஉம் சிறுகோட்டுப்

பெருங்குளம் காவலன் போல,

அருங்கடி அன்னையம் துயில்மறந் தனளே! –அகம் 252

Akam 252 was composed by poetess Nakkanaiyaar

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124.

Encyclopaedias like Wikipedia say they don’t know the origin of the word Caesar.

It is very simple: Kesa+ Ari= Haired animal (lion with mane)

Caesar+ Ari= Caesar= Kesar/i

By learning Sanskrit and Tamil, one can understand anything and everything in the world.

Look at the Ari in Hebrew Ariel!!

***

Here is my old article written 11 years ago:

Written by London Swaminathan
Post No. 981; dated 15th April 2014

Sonic boom and Sonic bomb
Tamil literature gives us very interesting information about a rare animal called ‘Asunam’. It is phonophobia. It has got a good taste for melodious music. It is more musical than most men. But the minute someone plays on a big drum it dies at once. Sangam Tamil literature is 2000 year old. We have three references to this ‘Asunam’and later literature gives more information. It is not a mythical animal like griffin or Makara or Yali. Somehow palaeontologists and paleo zoologists missed this. Now we get more scientific information about sonic bombs and low frequencies emitted by submarines that killed even giant squids. Dolphins and whales commit mass suicides because of sonar disturbances. So we may look into this extinct animal again armed with all the scientific facts.

Natrinai’ is one of the anthologies of Sangam Tamil literature and verses 244 and 304 give the following information:
In the mountainous ‘Kurinji’ area, ‘Asunam’ lives in the caves. It listens keenly to the buzzing sound (music) of the bees and beetles. The heroine of a love poem says, “My lover is like an Asunam. When he is near me it gives pleasure. When he is temporarily separated it gives me great sorrow. I am like Asunam attracted by melodious music and then killed by loud beating of the drums.

Yali in Tirupparankundram near Madurai

The commentator explains that the Tamils played on lyre to attract the Asunams from the caves and suddenly played on drums to kill them. Another verse from another Sangam Tamil anthology called ‘Akananuru’ (verse 88) gives similar information. The only difference is that the commentator describes Asunam as a bird here.


‘Nammanik kadikai’– is one of the 18 minor Tamil works. Verse three of the book is very clear about Asunam. It described it as an animal. It compares Asunam with several other people in public life.
The celebrated author Kamban of Kamba Ramayanam compared himself to Asunam! He said, “Among the stalwarts of Tamil language, probably my poems may be like playing drums to Asunams”. Kamban was so humble that he said his poems may not be of good quality, but the fact of the matter is that he is considered one of the great poets of the Tamil speaking world.

My Research Findings on ASUNAM:–

My research on the Asunam based on the above verses and Tamil encyclopaedia Abhidana Chintamani has found out the salient features of Asunam stories. I can summarise them as follows:–


1.Though there are only three references in the ancient Sangam literature, we know that it is not a bird, but an animal.
2.It lived in the caves of the mountains which ancient Tamils called ‘Kurinji ‘lands.
3.Asunam loved mellifluous music but susceptible to harsh music particularly high decibel noise. Modern research shows that sounds of 185 decibels or more can kill human beings.
4.Tamils deliberately played on lyre to attract it and killed them by playing on big drums. It may be one of the reasons for its extinction. The other reason is noise pollution. It might have slowly disappeared.
5. Very few references in the 2000 year old Sangam Tamil literature show that it was a rare animal even at that time. Other animals like tigers, elephants and bears are referred to hundreds of times.


6.Ancient Tamils knew the power of sound waves. Modern research in this field has led into the development of sonic bombs. We already knew the effect of sonic booms emitted by supersonic jets. We now know the effect of sonar waves on dolphins and whales.


7.It will be good that if Tamils do more research and find out the fossils from mountainous area.


8.I have given the full details of the poets names with full quotes in the Tamil version of this article and we know where those poets lived in ancient Tamil Nadu. So we can narrow down the area of our search.


9.Adi Shankara who lived in the first century BC or before, adds some interesting details about deer falling as a prey to singing hunters. ( I follow Kanchi Paramacharya in dating Adi Shankara, which is supported by Tamil literature. Please read my earlier article for the dating)

My Old Articles:-

யாளி என்னும் அதிசய மிருகம்! (Post No.11,298)

Post No. 11,298

Date uploaded in London – 26 SEPTEMBER 2022    

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Vedic Lion around the World!

tamilandvedas.com › tag › vedic-lion Vedic lion – Tamil and Vedas

Yali in Hindu temples. English word Leo is derived from Yali. Hari is a Sanskrit word for lion. Hebrew and Tamil use this word as Ari. In Tamil Ja, Ha, Sha, SH, S sounds don’t exist. So they are Tamilized.

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Singapore is Sanskrit (Post No.7109)

Date: 18 OCTOBER 2019; Post No. 7109

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Hindu Symbolism in Paris!

Research article Written by London Swaminathan
Post No.1249; Dated 24th August 2014.

–Subham—

Tags- Asunam, Yali, Leo, Caesar, Kesari, Ancient Tamil Encyclopaedia- Part 19; One Thousand Interesting Facts- Part 19 ,Akananuru wonders