No. 85 to 86 Inscription at Tirumanikuli & Chidambaram

No. 87 to 88 Inscription at Chidambaram & Srirangam

No 85.- Inscription at Tirumanikuli

This inscription (No. 165 of 1902) is engraved on the right of the entrance into the east wall of the prakara of the Vamanapurisvara temple at Tirumanikuli in the Cuddalore taluka[1] of the South Arcot district.  This village is called Udavi-Manikuli by Tirunanasambandar, and Udavi-Tirumanikuli in some of its inscriptions.  According to the subjoined record (1. 3 f.) it belonged to the district of Rajaraja-valanadu, and according to other inscriptions to Melkkal-nadu, Merkanadu or Merka-nadu, a subdivision of Vadakarai-Rajendra-Chola-valanadu, Virudarajabhayamkara-valanadu,[2] or Rajaraja-valanadu.

The inscription is dated in the 3^rd year of Kulottunga-Chola III. on a day which corresponds to the 12^th August A.D. 1180.[3]  It records the gift of 32 cows for a lamp.  The donor was a native of Kudal, which was situated in the same district as Tirumanikuli and seems to be identical with the modern Kudalur (Cuddalore).[4]

(Line 1.) Hail ! Prosperity ! (The king) put on the beautiful crown in order to protect the earth to the end of the world, while clouds were abundant (and) increased the fertility (of his country) ; while the conduct (prescribed) in the four true Vedas prospered ; while the goddess of the Fortune and the goddess of Victory were greatly delighted (to be his wives) ; while (his) parasol shone like the white moon ; while victorious kings bowed at (his) feet; while the goddess of the Earth rejoiced ; while the rules of Manu flourished and spread ; (and) while (the king’s) discus and sceptre went (and) ruled every region.

(L. 2.) In the third year of (this) king Parakesarivarman alias the emperor of the three worlds, Sri-Kulottunga-Soladeva, who was pleased to be seated together with (his queen) Bhuvanamulududaiyal on the throne of heores (which consisted of) pure gold, - on the day of Asvini, which corresponded to a Monday and to the fifth tithi of  the second fortnight of the month Simha, - one perpetual lamp was given to Aludaiyanayanar of Tirumanikuli, the god of Rajaraja-valanadu, by Arasanarayanan Elisaimogan, alias Jananatha-Kachchiyarayan, of Kudal in the same nadu.  For (this lamp he) granted 32 undying and unaging cows.[5]

(L. 4.) Having received these thirty-two cows, we, the members of the assembly (in charge) of the store-room[6] of this temple, shall have to maintain this perpetual lamp as long as the moon and the sun shall last.

(L. 5.) Having agreed thus, we took charge of this gift.  This (gift is placed under) the protection of all Mahesvaras.

No. 86.- Inscription at Chidambaram

This inscription (No. 457 of 1902) is engraved on the west wall of the second prakara of the great Saiva temple of Nataraja at Chidambaram[7] in the South Arcot district.  It is dated on the 88^th day of the 9^th year of Kulottunga-Chola III. and records that the king sanctioned a grant of land to the temple by a certain Keralarajan (II. 6 and 10).  The land granted was situated in two hamlets of Chidambaram, the first of which bore the name Kadavaychcheri alias Tillainayaganallur (1. 6).  Kadavachcheri is found on the map about 2 miles south of Chidambaram,[8] and Tillainayaganallur survives as the name of a neighbouring village which has now been joined to Usuppur.[9] The second hamlet, Sattangudi alias Mahipalakulakalanallur[10]  (1. 7), I am unable to identify.

(Line 1.) Hail ! Prospertiy ! (The king) put on the beautiful crown in order to protect the earth to the end of the world, while clourds were abundant and (hence) the fertility (of his country) increased ; while the conduct (prescribed) in the four true Vedas prospered ; while the goddess of Fortune and the goddess of Victory were greatly delighted (to be his wives) ; while (his) parasol shone like the white moon ; while victorious king bowed at (his) feet ; while the goddess of the Earth rejoiced ; while the rules of Manu flourished and spread ; (and) while (the king’s) discus and sceptre went (and) ruled every region.

(L. 2.) While, by an army dispatched at the request of Vikrama-Pandya, the son of Vira-Pandya was subdued ; while Elagam[11] was subdued ; while the Mara army[12] was subdued ; while the Singala soldiers had (their) noses cut off and rushed into the rolling sea, (he) attacked Vira-Pandya, (forcing him) to turn (his) back, took Madurai and the throne, set up a pillar of victory, was pleased to bestow that (city of) Madurai, the throne and the country on the Pandya who had taken refuge (with him), and raised the banner of liberality, together with the banner of heroism which displayed the body (of the tiger ?).

(L. 3.) On the eighty-eighth day of the ninth year of (this) king Parakesarivarman, who was pleased to be seated together with (his queen) Bhuvanamulududaiyal on the throne of heroes (which consisted of) pure gold, alias the emperor of the three worlds, Sri-Kulottunga-Soladeva, who was pleased to take Madurai, -the following order was issued (by the king) and received.

(L. 4.) In order to lay out a flower-garden (which shall furnish) the garlands to be placed on (the image of) Aludaiyar, and in order to (provide) tax-free (land) for the maintenance[13] of the flower-garden, (viz.,) for (supplying) clothing[14] and food[15] to the two attendants who work in this flower-garden, - Tiru Vegambam-udaiyan[16] Tiruvanantisvaram-udaiyan alias Keralarajan, a native of Perunallur in Kil-Vengai-nadu, (a subdivision) of Rajaraja-valanadu,[17] purchased (the following) land from several persons in the name of another, (viz.,) in the name of Ulaichcharanan Vadugan Tirunattamudi[18] of Perumbarrappuliyur.[19]

(L. 6.) In Kadavaychcheri alias Tillainayaganallur, a hamlet of this village, one twentieth (veli) of dry land in the second square of the first kannaru to the west of the road of Sundara-Sola (and) to the south of the channel of Uttama-Sola ; and in Sattangudi alias Mahipalakulakalanallur (near) that seri (i.e., Kadavaychcheri), a hamlet  (of this village), one half (veli), three twentieths, three eightieths, one hundred and sixtieth and one three-hundred-and-twentieth ; and 1/220 of[20] three quarters, four twentieths, one hundred-and- sixtieth and one three-hundred-and-twentieth – more or less – of classified land[21] in the first square of the fourth kannaru to the west of the road of  Kundavai (and) to the south of the channel of Uttama-Sola, - altogether, including the dry land, according to the village (accounts), one half (veli), four twentieth ; and 1/320 of three quarters, four twentieths, one hundred and sixtieth and one three-hundred-and-twentieth of land.

(L. 8.) Of (this), one hundred-and-sixtieth (veli) and one three-hundred-and-twentieth ; 1/320 of nine twentieths and three eightieths ; and (1/320)2 of three quarters and three eithtieths (is) second-crop land.

(L. 9.) (This land) has to be added to the various plots in this village (which are) the temple property of (the god) Aludaiyar, as a flower-garden, and as tax-free (land) for the maintenance of the flower-garden.  Out of the money which this village has decided to levy from this land, the

money which accrues, from the second-crop assessment (?) has to be deducted from (the amount due by) the village.  This has to be engraved (on) stone on the wall near the Tiruppumandapam[22] in the temple.  The services & c. which have to be rendered by the attendants of (other) flower-gardens shall note be demanded from the two attendants of (this) flower-garden. (L. 10.)[23] “Keralarajan having submitted to us that (the above request) might be sanctioned, we ordered that it should be done thus, and directed the revenue officers[24] to enter (that land) as such in the account (book).” (L. 11.)[25] From the ninth (year of the king’s reign) forward, this land has to be added to the various (other) plots (of this village) and has to be considered as a flower-garden and as tax-free (land) for the maintenance of the flower-garden, (viz.,) for (supplying) clothing and food to the two attendants of the flower-garden.  This has to be engraved (on) stone in the temple.  The garlands to be supplied by the attendants of this flower-garden, (and) amounting to one kuruni and four nali (of flowers) per day for each person, have to be supplied in advance to the Tiruppumandapam.  The services & c. which have to be rendered by the attendants of (other) flower-gardens shall not be demanded from these (attendants).”  Written by the royal secretary, Rajanarayana-Muvendavelan. (L. 13.) (The above) was copied from the order received, which was written (by the royal secretary) and signed by Viluppadhirajar, Nulambadhirajar, Pandiyarajar, Kalappalarajar, Nandiyarajar, Rajavallabha-Pallavarayar and Vayiradhirajar. [1]  No. 154 on the Madras Survey Map of this taluka, where the name is spelt ‘Tirumankuli.’ [2]  Compare page 152 above. [3]  See Ep. Ind. Vol. VII. P. 171, No. 66. [4]  Compare Koval for Kovalur in Ep. Ind. Vol. VII. P. 146.  In Tamil literature Kudal is used as a synonym of Madurai (Madhura).  In an inscription of Virarajendra I. Kudal occurs as a shorter form of Kudalsangamam ; see page 64 above. [5]  Compare Ep. Ind.  Vol. VII. P. 134, note 2. [6]  See above, p. 20, note 5. [7]  Two inscriptions from the same temple have been published in Ep. Ind. Vol. V. pp. 103 f. and 105 f. [8]  No. 108 on the Madras Survey Map of the Chidambaram taluka. [9]  No. 107 on the same map. [10]  This surname seems to be derived from one of the titles of Rajendra-Chola I., who is stated to have defeated a certain Mahipala ; see above, Vol. 11, p. 109. [11]  This place is probably identical with Tiruvedagam near Kodimangalam in the Madura taluka, which is referred to as ‘Edagam’ by Tirunanasambandar. [12]  I.e., perhaps, the army of the Maravas. [13]  On puram  see above, p. 6, note 9. [14]  With ilakkai compare ilakkar in the Tamil dictionaries, and its synonym pudavai  in No. 68 above, text line 4. [15]  On p. 141 above, note 13, korru was unnecessarily corrected into kottu.  According to Dr. Gundert’s Malayalam Dictionary it means ‘food, victuals, rice’ [16]  This name is derived from the Tamil designation of the Ekamranatha temple at Conjeeveram. [17]  See page 209 above. [18]  This is a Tamil synonym of Nataraja, the name of the god of the Chidambaram temple. [19]  This is one of the Tamil names of Chidambaram ; see page 214 below. [20]  Here and in the next paragraph 1/220 is substituted for the arithmetical term kil, and (1/220)2 for the second kil. Compare above, Vol. II. p. 48, note 2 and 3. [21]  I.e. land assessed according to the quality of the soil. [22]  I.e., the building in which the flowers for the use of the temple were kept. [23]  The following passage contains the order of the king on Keralarajan’s request. [24]  Compare above, p. 44, note 10. [25]  The following passage is an endorsement of the royal secretary.  I have omitted the two words panni, ‘having caused’ (1. 12), and pannuvadu, ‘it shall be caused’ (1. 13), which would make the translation unintelligible. Home Page

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