________________
128
THE SANGAM AGE. raries make similar references to the coming in of the Mauryas. Thus, Parankorranār :"விண்பொரு நெடுவரை யியறேர் மோரியர் பொன்புனை திகிரி திரிதரக் குறைத்த வறை.''
(Aham. 69). Referring to the same incident, Attiraiyanar mentions the following :-- '' விண்வொரு நெடுங்குடைக் கொடித்தேர் மோரியர் திண்கதிர்க் திகிரி கரிதரக் குறைத்த , RNA GL-4511"."
(Puyan. 175). Putting these poems together the following account of the Mauryan invasion can be constructel:-- "The Mauryas started southwards on a great career of invasion, pushing the Vadugar and the Kösar in front. The Kosar, ever victorious and with their war-drums beating, appeared suddenly before the chief of Mōhoor, who not yielding, the Mauryas themselves had to come with it large army. This they did cutting a path across a mountain that'stood in their way." The information thus furnished by Māmūlanār is in substance corroborated byʻthe other two poets, Parankorranār and Attiraiyanar.
The first point requiring consideration is whether the incidents referred to took place in the time of our poets, or whether the poems. merely give us an account of events that took place centuries before. According to Professor S. Krishnaswami Ayyangar, the various references to the Mauryas in Māmūlanār, as well as the reference to their cutting their way through the rock, are to a great southward invasion of
