virarajendra
21st August 2012, 07:53 AM
Virarajendra
Under Construction
A brief study on the Pandiyas (Paandiyar) of the "Second Sangam" Period of Tamil Nadu
(1) The rise of the new capital city Kapaadapuram in the east coast of Paandiya Nadu
After a great Submarine Avalanche (Under Sea Land Slide) swallowed up a vast land mass in the south of the present Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu around B.C.650, and with this great natural tragedy the region of Ilangai (present Sri Lanka)was seperated from the Indian mainland and remained as a seperate island. The Kapaadapuram adjacent to the sea which was situated 'then' on the east of present Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu in the Indian mainland (and now under sea), was made the new capital city of the Paandiyan kings.
It was in this Under Sea Land Slide the Srilanka became seperated from the Indian Mainland and became Island. During this period king Ravana was ruling Sri Lanka. His fortress and many palaces went under sea and had to seek the central regions of Sri Lanka around present Sita Eliya near Nuwaraeliya in Sri Lanka
Historically there had been a great mountain known as Mahendra Malai beond the present Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu which existed before the great Under Sea Land Slide but submerged. At the foot of the Mahendra mountain was the Illankai thesam and that give us a clue that the Mahendra Mountain range extended beyond the present Kanyakumari region along the west of the present Sri Lanka and the Illangai Thesam (Sri Lanka) was on the east of the Mahendra Mountain range at its foot hills which submerged in to the sea leaving back Sri Lanka as an island.
This above are confirmed by the following references
"........In the former times there was no sea between Tuttukudi and Lanka. but there stood the city of Ravana. Be it known that by the wickedness his fortress, 25 palaces, and 400,000 streets were all overhelmed by the sea....."
"........In the Dvarpara age of the world on account of the wickedness of Ravana, his fortress , 25 palaces and 400,000 streets situate between Mannar and Tuttukudiya were submerged by the sea......"
Rajavaliya (Sri Lankan Chronicle - 17th century) - Translated to English by B.Gunasekara, Page 22, & page 27
".......thungamali Pothith thenpaal thodarntha (Mahendra malaiyin) adivarathin kanaka Ilangaiyum earl varai saaral aditheesam......"
The explanatory not given to above by the Author to same is:
"......kanaka mayamaana Ilangai ennum thesam Rathina poomiyudan koodiya iyngnooru yosanai samuthiraththu utpuhunthu irukkumenka. Av Ilangai yolintha thesamaarum upaththiyenap perum....."
Sivatharumoththiravurai - by Maraignana Sambandar, chapter on Kopuraviyal, page 453.
(2) The Paandiyan kings of the early period of the new capital city Kapaadapuram
Period of Paandiyan Nediyoan alias Nilam Tharu thiruvit Paandiyan
With this loss of the large territories of the Pandiya country and the demise the Paandiya king Kadungkon, the next successor to Paandiyan throne was the king Paandiyan Nediyoan. This king escaped the great disaster and moved more towards the north and captured many new regions including parts of Chera and Chola countries and made them into a new Pandiyan country.
He distributed the captured lands to his subjects who met the loss of their own lands but possibly escaped this great tragedy, made him get the title "Nilam Tharu Thiruvit Pandiyan" (which means: "the Pandiyan who made the kind gesture of lands") and as "Nilam Tharu Thiruvit Nediyoan".
The Paandiyan king Nediyon built his new capital city at Kapaadapuram (Kavaadam) closer to the sea. The Paandiyan king with a view of preventing further sea disasters had a festival in celeberation for the Sea God, and hence he was known as "Munneer Vilavu Nediyon" (Munner Vilavu = Sea (God) celeberation) and also as "Vadivalamba nintra Paandiyan".
He also excavated a new artificial river named "Pahruli Aaru" flowing through the city of Kapaadapuram towards the sea of the Indian Ocean possibly to make the region fertile and self sufficient in water.
He also re-organised the Second Thamil Sangam at Kapaadapuram and as an initial measure requested the renowned Tamil Poet of the period the Tholkaappianaar to compose a new Tamil Grammer, as the original Tamil Grammer composed during the period of first Thamil Sangam by the great Poet Agaththiyar known as Ahaththiyam, apparently was lost in the great Land Slide in which the first capital city 'Then Mathurai' (South Mathurai) also known as "Naan maadak Koodal" went under sea.
Due to his greatness during this period the Paandiyan king Nediyon was also known by the title the 'Mahaakeerththi'.
Period of Paandiyan Vender Cheliyan
He re-instituted the Second Thamil Sangam at Kapaadapuram and continued fostering the growth of Tamil Literary compositions with many poets from various parts of Tamil Nadu forming an assembly at this Sangam. Much is not known of the Paandiya kings who ruled Kapaadapuram following him.
This above are confirmed by the following references
(3) The Paandiyan kings of the Ramaayana period at the capital city Kapaadapuram
It was after this period the Ramaayana Episode took place around the year B.C.600 short time after the great Under Water Land Slide. Though the Paandiyar ruling from Kapaadapuram never participated in the Raamaayana war the Paandiya Country and the capital city Kavaadam (Kapaadapuram) adjacent to the sea was well known to the people of the North India of this period. The city of Kavaadam (Kapaadapuram) of Pandiya country was very rich during this time with abundance of gold, pearls a nd precious stones.
There is no indication as to the name of the Paandiyan kings who ruled during this period. None of the Paandiyan kings of the Raamaayana period have participated in the Raamayana War or given any assistance to the participants of the Rama-Raavana war of the then Sri Lanka (Ilangai). The Paandiyan kings who ruled from Kapaadapuram immediately after the Ramaayana Episode are not evident from any Literary or historical sources.
This above are confirmed by the following references
(4) The Paandiyan kings of the Mahaabhaaratha period at the capital city Kapaadapuram
The period of Mahaabhaaratha War is fixed tentatively around B.C.450. Many South Indian kings have participated in the Mahhabharatha War among which was the Paandiya king Saarangathuwaja as refered in the Sanskrit Mahaabhaaratha of Sage Viyaasa. The Saarangathuvaja Paandiyan who fought in the Bharatha war on the side of the Paandavas and proved himself as a heroic warrior as per the Sanskrit Mahaabhaaratha of Sage Viyasa.
From the references in the original Sanskrit Mahabharatha by Sage/Poet Viyasa which was composed after Valmiki Ramaayana, we are able to gather that the Paandiya capital city was adjacent to the sea. Further we are aware the first Pandiyan capital city the (first) Mathurai (Nanmaadakkudal) and the third Pandiyan capital city the present Mathurai were in the mainland and not adjacent to the sea. Hence the Pandiyan capital city during the Mahabharatha period too was undoubtedly was the Kapaadapuram.
This above are confirmed by the following references
"......and the king of Magadha of great strength bought with him for Yudhishthira am akshauhini of troops. And similerly Pandya who dewlt on the coast-land near the sea came accompanied by troop of various kinds to Yudhishthira the king of kings....."
Mahaabhaaratha by Sage/Poet Viyasa - Ganguli's English Translation, Udyoga parva, Page 31
It was during this period the Mahaabhaaratha episode took plave in the Northern India at Kurusheththra in present Haryaana district. During this period the Suyamvara ceremony of pricess of Draupathai took plave in the court of the king.....of ......country. In this Suyamvara ceremony Kings and Princes from the kingdoms from many parts of India were present at this Royal Court to seek the hands of Draupathai. Among them was the Paandiyan king who was named Saranghathuvajan and his presnce in the at this Suyamvara Ceremony was noticed by Lord Krishna himself. But the Prince Tharuma among the five Pandava brother won thr glance of Pricess Draupathai and was married to him.
This above are confirmed by the following references
".......Kshatriyas assembled in that amphitheatre, each desirous of winning the daughter of Drupatha (i.e.Draupadi)....those princes Karna, Duryodhana, Salwa, Salya, Aswatthaman, Kratha Sunitha, Vakra, the ruler of Kalinga and Banga, Pandya, Paundra the ruler of Videha, the chief of the Yavanas and many other sons and grandsons of kings, sovereigns of territories with eyes like lotus petals one after another began to exhibit prowess for (winning) that maiden of unrivalled beauty....."
Mahaabhaaratha by Sage/Poet Viyasa - Ganguli's English Translation, Adi parva, Page 373/374
At a subsequent period theb Tharuma the eldest among the Paandava Brothers had the Asvameda Yagam which was attended by many kings from different kingdoms attended including the Paandiya king Saarangathuvajan.
At the time the Mahabhaaratha war broke the Paandiyan king Sarangathuvajan came from his kingdom adjacent to the sea the Kapaadapuram came with immense forces tom Kurusheththra and fought on the side of the Paandavas. After his many outstanding heroic deeds in the Mahabharatha was finally was killed in the war. (under construction0
This above are confirmed by the following references
This is confirmed by the follows:
"......yuktam Kavaatam Paandyaanaam gataa draksyatha Vaanaraah tatah samudram......"
which means: "...... having reached Kavaatam of Pandiya ongoing you shall see Vaanarah (Oh! Anuman) then ocean...."
Valmihi Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda - Chapter (Sarga) 41
This is further confirmed by the follows.
".......maasil vaan munneer parantha thonnilam aalum kilamaiyodu punarnththa enko vaaliyar im malarthalai ulake......"
which means: (let) our king (long) live in this wide world, who is ruling with the right to rule the speckless sky - wide seafront ancient land]
Hence the 'wide seafront ancient land' could possibly refer to Kapaadapuram
Kaliththohai - Mullaikkali - 3rd poem
In this new city of Kapaadapuram the Paandiyan king establised the second Thamil Sangam which is confirmed by the follows.
"......Irandaam Uliyathakiya Kapaadapuraththin Idai Sangam......."
which means: "the middle (second) Sangam of the Kapaadapuram of second Uuli" (Uuli – period after great disaster
Silappathikaram - Uraipayiram, Adiyaarkku Nallaar Urai Kaathai, Page 6-7 (U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
".......Idaich Sangam vinnakam paravu methahu keerththik Kannakan parapit Kapaadapuram enba....."
which means: "the middle (second) Sangam at Kapaadapuram the land of Kannakan (the Pandiyan) of great fame spreading to the heaven"
Silappathikaram - Page 7, Poem found in an old Ola Manuscript in the house of Sevvur Sittampalak Kavirayer, (U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
It was in this second Thamil Sangam at Kapaadapuram (during the Ramayana Epic period) the poet Agaththiyar wrote the treatise on Tamil Grammer known as “Agaththiyar Illakkanam” and some time later the poet Tholkaappianar too wrote a treatise on Tamil Grammer named the “Tholkaappiam” in the presence of the Pandiyan Nediyon also known as Nilam Tharu Thiruvit Pandiyan. This is confirmed from the follows:
"......mahathuvamudaiya Agaththiya Illakkanam vaduvaru kaatchi naduvat sangath Agaththiyar Tholkaappiyath Thamil Munivar.......an naal Illakkanam Agaththiyam athanodu pinnaat seitha pirangu Tholkaapiam......"
which means: "the Naduvar Sangam where the Agaththiya Illakanam of esteem was (staged), to weed off the faults (there the) Agaththiyar and Thokaapiya Thamil sage"
Silappathikaram - Poem found in an old Ola Manuscript in the house of Sevvur Sittampalak Kavirayer, Page 7
(U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
"........irrandaam Uliyathakiya Kappaadapuraththin idaich Sangaththu Tholkaappiam pulappaduththiya Maakeerthiyaakiya Nilam tharu thiruvit Pandiyan avaikkalaththu Agathiyanaarum, Tholkaappianaarum......"
which means: "the middle (second) Sangam of the Kapaadapuram of second Uli where the Nilam tharu thiruvit Pandiyan who brought forth the Tamil Grammer Work the Tholkaappiam, in his auditorium where the Agathiyanaar and Tholkaappianaar were present"
Silappathikaram - Uraipayiram, Adiyaarkku Nallaar Urai Kaathai, Page 7-8
“….vada vengadam thenkumari aayidai thamil kurum nalulakaththu….”
“…..Nilam thiruvit Paandiyan avaiyaththu…….”
“….malku neer varaippin iyinthiram niraintha
Tholkaappian enath than peyar thotrip
Palpuhal niruththa padimaiyone….”
This further confirms that Tholkaappiam was staged during the time of "Nilan tharu thiruvit Pandiyan"
Tholkaappiam - Sirappu Paayiram by Poet Panampaaranaar
'.......munneer vilavin Nediyon nalneer Pahtruli manalinum palave......"
Puranaanooru - Verse No 9, by Poet Nettimaiyaar
(5) The duration of the new capital city Kapaadapuram in the east coast of Paandiya Nadu
The earliest known reference to Kapadapuram was in the original Sanskrit Ramaayana by Sage/Poet Vaalmiki could be tentatively placed around B.C.650, and the period of Arathasastra was around B.C.342 being the period of fall of Nanda dynasty and the rise of Mauriya dynasty at Magadha kingdom (in present Bihar State).
Since the second Pandiyan capital city Kapaadapuram was already in existance at the time of Raamaayana War we could presume Kapadapuram existed at least some years earlier and tentatively 100 years earlier in the year B.C.750 (650+100), when the great Sea Erosion took place and many lands in the South of India under sea.
The last known reference to Kapaadapuram was found in the Arathasastra of the Poet Kautilya. Here too we could tentatively fix the end of this city a few years after Arathasastra we could at least presume it existed 50 years more. Hence we could tentatively arrive at the year the great sea erosion took place as in the year B.C.292. From the foregoing we could approximately determine the period of duration of the Kapadapuram as the second Pandiyan capital city as from B.C.750-292being 458 years.
This was the parallel period whence the Rig Veda gradually being composed in the Sindu & Saraswathi region of north-west India the present Punjab region of Pakistan and India. The God Indiran and God Varunan seems to have been the Saivite Deities prevalent in North India long before the Vedic Religion gradually evolved in the Sindu and Sarawathi regions, and appears to have been absorbed into Rig Veda. This could have been the possible reason why the Saivaism which spread from Nepal to South India have found an important place in the life of the Tamils of South India and possibly found place in the earliest Tamil Grammetical work as the deities of the geographical regions Marutham & Palai as found in Tholkaapiam.
This above are confirmed by the following references
".......Thirutharaastirar padai muluthum kalaththu aviya Bharathaththu pahadu oatiyum......."
Sadaiyavarman Paraantha Paandiyan Cheppeukal - Lines 35-36, Paandiyar Cheppedukal.
"......Pandiya who dwelt on the coast land near the sea, came accompanied by troops of various kinds to Yudhishthira the king of kings....."
Mahaabhaaratha - Udoga Parva, Page 31
"......The mighty Saarangadhwaja endued with wealth of energy the king of Pandiyas on seeds of the hue of the moon's rays and decked with armour set with stones of Lap Lazuli advanced upon Dhrona streatching his excellent bow....."
Mahaabhaaratha - Udoga Parva, Page 311
"......Vasudeva's son Krishna ....It was he that slew king Pandiya by striking his breast against his....."
Mahaabhaaratha - Udoga Parva, Page 115
"......The mighty Pandiya that foremost of all wielders of weapons has been slain in battle by the Pandavas (with Kauravas), what can it be but destiny......"
Mahaabhaaratha - Saliya Parva, Page 5
(6) The Paandiyan kings of the Nanda Period of Magadha at the capital city Kapaadapuram
The Paandiyan King who lived towards the time of second sea erosion at Kapadapuram was Mudaththirumaaran escaped the erosion and moved to the region Manalur temporarily with his surviving countrymen. From there he built his new capital city at the present Mathurai which was then known as Vada Mathurai (not the Mathura in the North India) at that time differentiating between the Mathurai of first Mathurai (Then Mathurai) and the third Mathurai (Vada Mathurai) present Mathurai.
(7) The Sea Erosion (Tsunami) swallows the capital city Kapaadapuram
Many years after the period of the Mahabharatha Epsode during the period of Mauriya dynasty in the north, the destructive waves of the sea, again destroyed the Pandiyan capital Kapaadapuram in the south-eastwith the second Thamil Sangam.
This too would have been the destructive fierce Tidal Waves resulting again from a big Under-Sea Land Slides, with the destruction of part of the Paandiya country with its capital city the Kapaadapuram along with the river 'Pahruli Aaru' and some adjoing lands along the coastel regions and the Kumari Range of Mountains (Kumarkikodu) went under sea around B.C. 292
This above are confirmed by the following references
".........Pahtruli arttrudan pan Malai adukkaththuk Kumarik Kodum kodung kadal kolla vada thisaik Gangaiyum Imayamum kondu then thisai aanda Thennavan vaali......."
which means: "....long live the Pandiyan [who, when] the Pahtruli river and the many ranges of mountains of the Kumarik Kodu was swallowed up by the fierce sea, captured the the Ganges [river] and the Himalayas of the north and ruled the south"
Silappathikaram - Madurai Kandam, Kaadu Kaan Kaathai, Line 19-22, Page 289
(U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
This is further confirmed by another Sangam period Tamil Literary work Kaliththohai which states as follows.
".....Mali thirai oornthu than mann kadal vowvalin melivintri metsentru mewaar naadu idampadap puliyodu vil neekkip puhal priththa kilar kendai valiyinaal vanakkiya vaadaar seer thenavan....."
which means: when the sea with many waves rolled and swallowed his lands without depression went further captured the countries of those not subdued to him, removing the tiger and bow flags establised the fame of the kendai (fish) made to worship by his valour the Thennavan of unfading fame)
Kaliththohai - Mullaikkali - 4th poem
"........At this time on account of the wickedness of Kelantissa 100,000 seaport towns, 970 fisher's villagee and 470 villages of pearl fishers making altogether eleven twelfths of Lanka were submerged by the great sea. Mannar escaped destruction of the seaport towns Katupiti, Madampe escaped......."
Rajavaliya (Sri Lankan Chronicle - 17th century) - Translated to English by B.Gunasekara, page 27
Under Construction
A brief study on the Pandiyas (Paandiyar) of the "Second Sangam" Period of Tamil Nadu
(1) The rise of the new capital city Kapaadapuram in the east coast of Paandiya Nadu
After a great Submarine Avalanche (Under Sea Land Slide) swallowed up a vast land mass in the south of the present Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu around B.C.650, and with this great natural tragedy the region of Ilangai (present Sri Lanka)was seperated from the Indian mainland and remained as a seperate island. The Kapaadapuram adjacent to the sea which was situated 'then' on the east of present Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu in the Indian mainland (and now under sea), was made the new capital city of the Paandiyan kings.
It was in this Under Sea Land Slide the Srilanka became seperated from the Indian Mainland and became Island. During this period king Ravana was ruling Sri Lanka. His fortress and many palaces went under sea and had to seek the central regions of Sri Lanka around present Sita Eliya near Nuwaraeliya in Sri Lanka
Historically there had been a great mountain known as Mahendra Malai beond the present Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu which existed before the great Under Sea Land Slide but submerged. At the foot of the Mahendra mountain was the Illankai thesam and that give us a clue that the Mahendra Mountain range extended beyond the present Kanyakumari region along the west of the present Sri Lanka and the Illangai Thesam (Sri Lanka) was on the east of the Mahendra Mountain range at its foot hills which submerged in to the sea leaving back Sri Lanka as an island.
This above are confirmed by the following references
"........In the former times there was no sea between Tuttukudi and Lanka. but there stood the city of Ravana. Be it known that by the wickedness his fortress, 25 palaces, and 400,000 streets were all overhelmed by the sea....."
"........In the Dvarpara age of the world on account of the wickedness of Ravana, his fortress , 25 palaces and 400,000 streets situate between Mannar and Tuttukudiya were submerged by the sea......"
Rajavaliya (Sri Lankan Chronicle - 17th century) - Translated to English by B.Gunasekara, Page 22, & page 27
".......thungamali Pothith thenpaal thodarntha (Mahendra malaiyin) adivarathin kanaka Ilangaiyum earl varai saaral aditheesam......"
The explanatory not given to above by the Author to same is:
"......kanaka mayamaana Ilangai ennum thesam Rathina poomiyudan koodiya iyngnooru yosanai samuthiraththu utpuhunthu irukkumenka. Av Ilangai yolintha thesamaarum upaththiyenap perum....."
Sivatharumoththiravurai - by Maraignana Sambandar, chapter on Kopuraviyal, page 453.
(2) The Paandiyan kings of the early period of the new capital city Kapaadapuram
Period of Paandiyan Nediyoan alias Nilam Tharu thiruvit Paandiyan
With this loss of the large territories of the Pandiya country and the demise the Paandiya king Kadungkon, the next successor to Paandiyan throne was the king Paandiyan Nediyoan. This king escaped the great disaster and moved more towards the north and captured many new regions including parts of Chera and Chola countries and made them into a new Pandiyan country.
He distributed the captured lands to his subjects who met the loss of their own lands but possibly escaped this great tragedy, made him get the title "Nilam Tharu Thiruvit Pandiyan" (which means: "the Pandiyan who made the kind gesture of lands") and as "Nilam Tharu Thiruvit Nediyoan".
The Paandiyan king Nediyon built his new capital city at Kapaadapuram (Kavaadam) closer to the sea. The Paandiyan king with a view of preventing further sea disasters had a festival in celeberation for the Sea God, and hence he was known as "Munneer Vilavu Nediyon" (Munner Vilavu = Sea (God) celeberation) and also as "Vadivalamba nintra Paandiyan".
He also excavated a new artificial river named "Pahruli Aaru" flowing through the city of Kapaadapuram towards the sea of the Indian Ocean possibly to make the region fertile and self sufficient in water.
He also re-organised the Second Thamil Sangam at Kapaadapuram and as an initial measure requested the renowned Tamil Poet of the period the Tholkaappianaar to compose a new Tamil Grammer, as the original Tamil Grammer composed during the period of first Thamil Sangam by the great Poet Agaththiyar known as Ahaththiyam, apparently was lost in the great Land Slide in which the first capital city 'Then Mathurai' (South Mathurai) also known as "Naan maadak Koodal" went under sea.
Due to his greatness during this period the Paandiyan king Nediyon was also known by the title the 'Mahaakeerththi'.
Period of Paandiyan Vender Cheliyan
He re-instituted the Second Thamil Sangam at Kapaadapuram and continued fostering the growth of Tamil Literary compositions with many poets from various parts of Tamil Nadu forming an assembly at this Sangam. Much is not known of the Paandiya kings who ruled Kapaadapuram following him.
This above are confirmed by the following references
(3) The Paandiyan kings of the Ramaayana period at the capital city Kapaadapuram
It was after this period the Ramaayana Episode took place around the year B.C.600 short time after the great Under Water Land Slide. Though the Paandiyar ruling from Kapaadapuram never participated in the Raamaayana war the Paandiya Country and the capital city Kavaadam (Kapaadapuram) adjacent to the sea was well known to the people of the North India of this period. The city of Kavaadam (Kapaadapuram) of Pandiya country was very rich during this time with abundance of gold, pearls a nd precious stones.
There is no indication as to the name of the Paandiyan kings who ruled during this period. None of the Paandiyan kings of the Raamaayana period have participated in the Raamayana War or given any assistance to the participants of the Rama-Raavana war of the then Sri Lanka (Ilangai). The Paandiyan kings who ruled from Kapaadapuram immediately after the Ramaayana Episode are not evident from any Literary or historical sources.
This above are confirmed by the following references
(4) The Paandiyan kings of the Mahaabhaaratha period at the capital city Kapaadapuram
The period of Mahaabhaaratha War is fixed tentatively around B.C.450. Many South Indian kings have participated in the Mahhabharatha War among which was the Paandiya king Saarangathuwaja as refered in the Sanskrit Mahaabhaaratha of Sage Viyaasa. The Saarangathuvaja Paandiyan who fought in the Bharatha war on the side of the Paandavas and proved himself as a heroic warrior as per the Sanskrit Mahaabhaaratha of Sage Viyasa.
From the references in the original Sanskrit Mahabharatha by Sage/Poet Viyasa which was composed after Valmiki Ramaayana, we are able to gather that the Paandiya capital city was adjacent to the sea. Further we are aware the first Pandiyan capital city the (first) Mathurai (Nanmaadakkudal) and the third Pandiyan capital city the present Mathurai were in the mainland and not adjacent to the sea. Hence the Pandiyan capital city during the Mahabharatha period too was undoubtedly was the Kapaadapuram.
This above are confirmed by the following references
"......and the king of Magadha of great strength bought with him for Yudhishthira am akshauhini of troops. And similerly Pandya who dewlt on the coast-land near the sea came accompanied by troop of various kinds to Yudhishthira the king of kings....."
Mahaabhaaratha by Sage/Poet Viyasa - Ganguli's English Translation, Udyoga parva, Page 31
It was during this period the Mahaabhaaratha episode took plave in the Northern India at Kurusheththra in present Haryaana district. During this period the Suyamvara ceremony of pricess of Draupathai took plave in the court of the king.....of ......country. In this Suyamvara ceremony Kings and Princes from the kingdoms from many parts of India were present at this Royal Court to seek the hands of Draupathai. Among them was the Paandiyan king who was named Saranghathuvajan and his presnce in the at this Suyamvara Ceremony was noticed by Lord Krishna himself. But the Prince Tharuma among the five Pandava brother won thr glance of Pricess Draupathai and was married to him.
This above are confirmed by the following references
".......Kshatriyas assembled in that amphitheatre, each desirous of winning the daughter of Drupatha (i.e.Draupadi)....those princes Karna, Duryodhana, Salwa, Salya, Aswatthaman, Kratha Sunitha, Vakra, the ruler of Kalinga and Banga, Pandya, Paundra the ruler of Videha, the chief of the Yavanas and many other sons and grandsons of kings, sovereigns of territories with eyes like lotus petals one after another began to exhibit prowess for (winning) that maiden of unrivalled beauty....."
Mahaabhaaratha by Sage/Poet Viyasa - Ganguli's English Translation, Adi parva, Page 373/374
At a subsequent period theb Tharuma the eldest among the Paandava Brothers had the Asvameda Yagam which was attended by many kings from different kingdoms attended including the Paandiya king Saarangathuvajan.
At the time the Mahabhaaratha war broke the Paandiyan king Sarangathuvajan came from his kingdom adjacent to the sea the Kapaadapuram came with immense forces tom Kurusheththra and fought on the side of the Paandavas. After his many outstanding heroic deeds in the Mahabharatha was finally was killed in the war. (under construction0
This above are confirmed by the following references
This is confirmed by the follows:
"......yuktam Kavaatam Paandyaanaam gataa draksyatha Vaanaraah tatah samudram......"
which means: "...... having reached Kavaatam of Pandiya ongoing you shall see Vaanarah (Oh! Anuman) then ocean...."
Valmihi Ramayana - Kishkindha Kanda - Chapter (Sarga) 41
This is further confirmed by the follows.
".......maasil vaan munneer parantha thonnilam aalum kilamaiyodu punarnththa enko vaaliyar im malarthalai ulake......"
which means: (let) our king (long) live in this wide world, who is ruling with the right to rule the speckless sky - wide seafront ancient land]
Hence the 'wide seafront ancient land' could possibly refer to Kapaadapuram
Kaliththohai - Mullaikkali - 3rd poem
In this new city of Kapaadapuram the Paandiyan king establised the second Thamil Sangam which is confirmed by the follows.
"......Irandaam Uliyathakiya Kapaadapuraththin Idai Sangam......."
which means: "the middle (second) Sangam of the Kapaadapuram of second Uuli" (Uuli – period after great disaster
Silappathikaram - Uraipayiram, Adiyaarkku Nallaar Urai Kaathai, Page 6-7 (U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
".......Idaich Sangam vinnakam paravu methahu keerththik Kannakan parapit Kapaadapuram enba....."
which means: "the middle (second) Sangam at Kapaadapuram the land of Kannakan (the Pandiyan) of great fame spreading to the heaven"
Silappathikaram - Page 7, Poem found in an old Ola Manuscript in the house of Sevvur Sittampalak Kavirayer, (U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
It was in this second Thamil Sangam at Kapaadapuram (during the Ramayana Epic period) the poet Agaththiyar wrote the treatise on Tamil Grammer known as “Agaththiyar Illakkanam” and some time later the poet Tholkaappianar too wrote a treatise on Tamil Grammer named the “Tholkaappiam” in the presence of the Pandiyan Nediyon also known as Nilam Tharu Thiruvit Pandiyan. This is confirmed from the follows:
"......mahathuvamudaiya Agaththiya Illakkanam vaduvaru kaatchi naduvat sangath Agaththiyar Tholkaappiyath Thamil Munivar.......an naal Illakkanam Agaththiyam athanodu pinnaat seitha pirangu Tholkaapiam......"
which means: "the Naduvar Sangam where the Agaththiya Illakanam of esteem was (staged), to weed off the faults (there the) Agaththiyar and Thokaapiya Thamil sage"
Silappathikaram - Poem found in an old Ola Manuscript in the house of Sevvur Sittampalak Kavirayer, Page 7
(U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
"........irrandaam Uliyathakiya Kappaadapuraththin idaich Sangaththu Tholkaappiam pulappaduththiya Maakeerthiyaakiya Nilam tharu thiruvit Pandiyan avaikkalaththu Agathiyanaarum, Tholkaappianaarum......"
which means: "the middle (second) Sangam of the Kapaadapuram of second Uli where the Nilam tharu thiruvit Pandiyan who brought forth the Tamil Grammer Work the Tholkaappiam, in his auditorium where the Agathiyanaar and Tholkaappianaar were present"
Silappathikaram - Uraipayiram, Adiyaarkku Nallaar Urai Kaathai, Page 7-8
“….vada vengadam thenkumari aayidai thamil kurum nalulakaththu….”
“…..Nilam thiruvit Paandiyan avaiyaththu…….”
“….malku neer varaippin iyinthiram niraintha
Tholkaappian enath than peyar thotrip
Palpuhal niruththa padimaiyone….”
This further confirms that Tholkaappiam was staged during the time of "Nilan tharu thiruvit Pandiyan"
Tholkaappiam - Sirappu Paayiram by Poet Panampaaranaar
'.......munneer vilavin Nediyon nalneer Pahtruli manalinum palave......"
Puranaanooru - Verse No 9, by Poet Nettimaiyaar
(5) The duration of the new capital city Kapaadapuram in the east coast of Paandiya Nadu
The earliest known reference to Kapadapuram was in the original Sanskrit Ramaayana by Sage/Poet Vaalmiki could be tentatively placed around B.C.650, and the period of Arathasastra was around B.C.342 being the period of fall of Nanda dynasty and the rise of Mauriya dynasty at Magadha kingdom (in present Bihar State).
Since the second Pandiyan capital city Kapaadapuram was already in existance at the time of Raamaayana War we could presume Kapadapuram existed at least some years earlier and tentatively 100 years earlier in the year B.C.750 (650+100), when the great Sea Erosion took place and many lands in the South of India under sea.
The last known reference to Kapaadapuram was found in the Arathasastra of the Poet Kautilya. Here too we could tentatively fix the end of this city a few years after Arathasastra we could at least presume it existed 50 years more. Hence we could tentatively arrive at the year the great sea erosion took place as in the year B.C.292. From the foregoing we could approximately determine the period of duration of the Kapadapuram as the second Pandiyan capital city as from B.C.750-292being 458 years.
This was the parallel period whence the Rig Veda gradually being composed in the Sindu & Saraswathi region of north-west India the present Punjab region of Pakistan and India. The God Indiran and God Varunan seems to have been the Saivite Deities prevalent in North India long before the Vedic Religion gradually evolved in the Sindu and Sarawathi regions, and appears to have been absorbed into Rig Veda. This could have been the possible reason why the Saivaism which spread from Nepal to South India have found an important place in the life of the Tamils of South India and possibly found place in the earliest Tamil Grammetical work as the deities of the geographical regions Marutham & Palai as found in Tholkaapiam.
This above are confirmed by the following references
".......Thirutharaastirar padai muluthum kalaththu aviya Bharathaththu pahadu oatiyum......."
Sadaiyavarman Paraantha Paandiyan Cheppeukal - Lines 35-36, Paandiyar Cheppedukal.
"......Pandiya who dwelt on the coast land near the sea, came accompanied by troops of various kinds to Yudhishthira the king of kings....."
Mahaabhaaratha - Udoga Parva, Page 31
"......The mighty Saarangadhwaja endued with wealth of energy the king of Pandiyas on seeds of the hue of the moon's rays and decked with armour set with stones of Lap Lazuli advanced upon Dhrona streatching his excellent bow....."
Mahaabhaaratha - Udoga Parva, Page 311
"......Vasudeva's son Krishna ....It was he that slew king Pandiya by striking his breast against his....."
Mahaabhaaratha - Udoga Parva, Page 115
"......The mighty Pandiya that foremost of all wielders of weapons has been slain in battle by the Pandavas (with Kauravas), what can it be but destiny......"
Mahaabhaaratha - Saliya Parva, Page 5
(6) The Paandiyan kings of the Nanda Period of Magadha at the capital city Kapaadapuram
The Paandiyan King who lived towards the time of second sea erosion at Kapadapuram was Mudaththirumaaran escaped the erosion and moved to the region Manalur temporarily with his surviving countrymen. From there he built his new capital city at the present Mathurai which was then known as Vada Mathurai (not the Mathura in the North India) at that time differentiating between the Mathurai of first Mathurai (Then Mathurai) and the third Mathurai (Vada Mathurai) present Mathurai.
(7) The Sea Erosion (Tsunami) swallows the capital city Kapaadapuram
Many years after the period of the Mahabharatha Epsode during the period of Mauriya dynasty in the north, the destructive waves of the sea, again destroyed the Pandiyan capital Kapaadapuram in the south-eastwith the second Thamil Sangam.
This too would have been the destructive fierce Tidal Waves resulting again from a big Under-Sea Land Slides, with the destruction of part of the Paandiya country with its capital city the Kapaadapuram along with the river 'Pahruli Aaru' and some adjoing lands along the coastel regions and the Kumari Range of Mountains (Kumarkikodu) went under sea around B.C. 292
This above are confirmed by the following references
".........Pahtruli arttrudan pan Malai adukkaththuk Kumarik Kodum kodung kadal kolla vada thisaik Gangaiyum Imayamum kondu then thisai aanda Thennavan vaali......."
which means: "....long live the Pandiyan [who, when] the Pahtruli river and the many ranges of mountains of the Kumarik Kodu was swallowed up by the fierce sea, captured the the Ganges [river] and the Himalayas of the north and ruled the south"
Silappathikaram - Madurai Kandam, Kaadu Kaan Kaathai, Line 19-22, Page 289
(U.V.Saminatha Iyer's Edition)
This is further confirmed by another Sangam period Tamil Literary work Kaliththohai which states as follows.
".....Mali thirai oornthu than mann kadal vowvalin melivintri metsentru mewaar naadu idampadap puliyodu vil neekkip puhal priththa kilar kendai valiyinaal vanakkiya vaadaar seer thenavan....."
which means: when the sea with many waves rolled and swallowed his lands without depression went further captured the countries of those not subdued to him, removing the tiger and bow flags establised the fame of the kendai (fish) made to worship by his valour the Thennavan of unfading fame)
Kaliththohai - Mullaikkali - 4th poem
"........At this time on account of the wickedness of Kelantissa 100,000 seaport towns, 970 fisher's villagee and 470 villages of pearl fishers making altogether eleven twelfths of Lanka were submerged by the great sea. Mannar escaped destruction of the seaport towns Katupiti, Madampe escaped......."
Rajavaliya (Sri Lankan Chronicle - 17th century) - Translated to English by B.Gunasekara, page 27