Indian Antiquary Vol 37

SR No.: 032529
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 454
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 251

AUGUST, 1908.]
CELEBRITIES IN TAMIL LITERATURE.
285
defeated the nine Killis of the Chola family and thus restored his cousin [brother-in-law] to power. From tko Epic of the Anklet and the Jowel-Belt,' we learn he was the last ruler in Pohậr and it was in his nign that the ancient Chola capital was overwhelmed by the sea. It is this Kiļļi, whatever his distinguishing epithet, that is the father of the Tondamen referred to by Dr. Hultzsoh. While in the Peribanárruppadai, the commentator Nachchinêrkiniyar [who must have lived in the 13th century A. D. or thereabouts174] makes the Toncaman the son of a Naga princess with whom the Chola lived in a cave, which is generally taken to mean the nether-world, the Jewel-Belt' gives the following much less romantic version of the story, which agrees in all details except the cave, so far as it goes, while accounting for the destruction of Puhår. Without going so far out as the Hades, we find reference to Naga ralers in India and Ceylon, between whom a war once took place for the possession of some Buddha-relie, according to the Jewel-Belt.'18 The same also refers to another mace of the Nagas a "naked cannibals." The story goes on to state that Killi fell in love with * Naga princess, who appeared before him all alone like a damsel from the fairy-land, in what is called the Kali Kanal19" (the grove by the back-water ] at Pubår. After a month of happy life, she left him [ and this is explained away by preordination ), when she had taken ber residence in an island near the coast20 300 miles away from the Puhûr. Sometime after she became the mother of & beantiful son, she sont the child to the father through a merchant, whose ship called at the island on its homeward journey. While nearing Pubâr, the ship got wrecked off the coast and the baby's fate W&B not known for certain. On hearing of this disaster, the king ordered a thorough search to be made, and in his paternal anxiety forgot his duty to the god Indra, whose annnal festival had been forgottea. Tho wrath of the god shewod itseli, very likely, in a storm-wave which destroyed Pahar completely.21
This account taken from the Jewel-Belt' of the birth of the Tondamán makes Dr. Hultzsch's objection as to the myth, lose edge, and therefore it is quite possible - nay, even historical -- that there was a human ruler by Dame Killi, who ruled at Puhår after Karikala.
[Note. - The descent into the Hades, therefore, will have to be regarded as an eastern figure of speech and nothing more. There are other incidents throughout these epics, which interpreted literally would be quite as absurd; and these are easily accounted for by the author's belief in the doctrines of Karma and re-births, the main pillars of the Buddhistic faith, as also to a modified extent of the Brabmanio. It is this that makes them attempt to account for actual phenomens by caures supernatural. This modern European critics fail to bear in mind, and hence all appears grotesquely legendary and absurdly fabulous. These remarks find their full application in the • Jewel-Belt', though there is hardly any Indian work of a quasi-religious or ethical character in criticising which one could afford to forget them. ]
The destruction of Puhâr referred to above accounts for the association of Killi with Uraiyar at the end of the Epic of the Anklet,' in the course of which the catastrophe to Puhâr must have happened. The ruler at Kanchi during the period, according to the "Jewel-Belt,' was an 11am Killi, the brother of Kalar Killi.
176 . Anavaradha Vinayagam Pillai allots him to the 9th century A.D. (Christian Coll. Mag., vin, 1900. 16 We find reference to sneh wars in Maharathea, in the earlier chapters of the work.
19 Thin Kali KAnal is refered to in canto vii m the place of resort of pleasure-seekers nay, veritable "lover's arbour" in Puhar.
» Vida Manimdkhalai noto, pp. 97 and 98. The island of Ceylon, in which is Adam's Peak, is sacred to the Buddhirts. This hill is now known as Samantakatam and Samanelli, but referred to in the work as Samantam und Samanosi.
1 There is a story of similar import with respect to a Ceylonese king, whose wito was abducted by a Chola ling Ander trailer circumstances. There are no grounds to connect the two at presegt, at any rato.