Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) Fact File

Statue of Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்)

• Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) 
• Birth Name: Arunmozhivarman
• Dynasty: Chola Dynasty
• Capital: Thanjavur 
• Reign     985–1014 CE
• Ethnic Tamil
• Titles - 42

  1. Rajakandiyan இராசகண்டியன்
  2. Rajasarvagyan இராசசர்வக்ஞன்
  3. Rajarajan இராசராசன்
  4. Rajakesarivarman இராசகேசரிவர்மன்
  5. Rajachrayan இராசாச்ரயன்
  6. Rajamarthandan இராசமார்த்தாண்டன்
  7. Rajendrasimhan இராசேந்திரசிம்மன்
  8. Rajavinodhan இராசவிநோதன்
  9. Ranamukhabhiman இரணமுகபீமன்
10. Ravikulamanickan இரவிகுலமாணிக்கன்
11. Ravivamsasikamani இரவிவம்சசிகாமணி
12. Abhayakulasekaran அபயகுலசேகரன்
13. Arulmozhi அருள்மோழி
14. Arithurkkalangan அரிதுர்க்கலங்கன்
15. Periyaperumal பெரியபெருமாள்
16. Azhakiya Cholan அழகியசோழன்
17. Mumudi Cholan மும்முடிச்சோழன்
18. Panditha Cholan பண்டிதசோழன்
19. Nikali Cholan நிகரிலிசோழன்
20. Thirumuraikanda Cholan திருமுறைகண்டசோழன்
21. Jeyangonda Cholan செயங்கொண்டசோழன்
22. Uthama Cholan உத்தமசோழன்
23. Murthavikramaparanan மூர்த்தவிக்கரமாபரணன்
24. Uthangathungan உத்துங்கதுங்கன்
25. Uyyakondan உய்யக்கொண்டான்
26. Ulagalanthan உலகளந்தான்
27. Thelingakulakalan தெலிங்ககுலகாலன்
28. Keralanthakan கேரளாந்தகன்
29. Murthavikkaramaparanan மூர்த்தவிக்கரமாபரணன்
30. Cholendhrasimhan சோழேந்திரசிம்மன்
31. Cholanarayanan சோழநாராயணன்
32. Cholakulasundharan சோழகுலசுந்தரன்
33. Cholamarthandan சோழமார்த்தாண்டன்
34. Pandykulasani பாண்டியகுலாசனி
35. Sivapathasekaran சிவபாதசேகரன்
36. Singalanthakan சிங்களாந்தகன்
37. Chatrubhujangan சத்துருபுஜங்கன்
38. Chandaparakraman சண்டபராக்ரமன்
39. Jananathan ஜனநாதன்
40. Shatriyasikamani சத்திரியசிகாமணி
41. Keerthiparakraman கீர்த்திபராக்கிரமன்
42. Thailakulakalan தைலகுலகாலன்
 

• Date of Birth Tamil month Aipasi (15th October - 15th November) 943 CE; Tamil month Chithirai (15th April to 15th May) as per Thirupukalur and Ennayiram inscriptions (Ref:  Kallezhuthil kalasuvadukal கல்லெழுத்தில் காலச்சுவடுகள் by S Swiminathan pages 38 - 39)
• Natal star Shatabhisha, also known as Chathayam or Sadayam (Devanagari: शतभिषा)(Tamil: சதயம்), or Shatabhishak or Shatataraka is the 24th nakshatra in Hindu astronomy. (Ref: page 102 of Cholar varalaru (சோழர் வரலாறு ) by C Govindarasanar and C K Deivanayakam)
• Predecessor  Uttama Chola
• Successor   Rajendra Chola I
• Southern Wars    The southern kingdoms of Cheras, the Sinhalas and Pandyas joined hands to fight the Cholas.
• Kandalur Salai    994 CE : successfully campaigned in Kandalur a port town in Kerala.
• Malai Nadu    Defeated the Cheras in a battle, captured Udagai.
• Sri Lanka Conquest   993 CE : Invaded Sri Lanka 
• Northern Wars    Territory expansion in the north & northwest Captured Nolambapadi, Gangapadi and Tadigaipadi.
• Ganga Wars    973 CE: Invaded Ganga country in the absence of Rashtrakutas
• War against Vengi    Waged a war against Vengi, a ruler named Bheema was killed
• Kalinga conquest    Defeated the Andhra king Bhima and invaded the kingdom of Kalinga.
• Naval Conquests    Known for the naval conquest of the 'old islands' (most likely the present-day Maldives), which were 12,000 in number.
• Queens - 15

1. Ulaka Mahadevi உலக மகாதேவி - (Thanthisakthi Vitangi தந்திசக்தி விடங்கி) Queen பட்டத்தரசி
2. Chola Mahadevi சோழ மகாதேவி
3. Abimanavalli Mahadevi அபிமானவல்லி மகாதேவி
4. Thirailokiya Mahadevi திரைலோக்கிய மகாதேவி
5. Panjavan Mahadevi பஞ்சவன்மகாதேவி
6. Prithivi Mahadevi பிருத்திவிமகாதேவி
7. Lada Mahadevi இலாடமகாதேவி
8. Meenavan Mahadevi மீனவன் மகாதேவி - Pandya Princess பாண்டிய நாட்டு இளவரசி
9. Vanavan Mahadevi வானவன் மகாதேவி  (Thiribhuvana Madhevi திருபுவன மாதேவி. Vanadhi வானதி) - Mother of Rajendra Cholan I இராசேந்திர சோழனின் தாய்
10. Villavan Mahadevi வில்லவன் மகாதேவி- Chera Princess சேர நாட்டு இளவரசி
11. Veeranarayani வீரநாராயனி.
12. Nakkanthillai azhakiyar நக்கந்தில்லை அழகியார்
13. Kadan Thongiyar காடன் தொங்கியார்
14. Ilangon Pichiyar இளங்கோன் பிச்சியார்
15. Thailamadhevi தைலாமாதேவி
 

• Parents Parantaka Chola II (957–970 CE) (இரண்டாம் பராந்தக சோழன்) also known by the name Madhurantakan, Sundara Cholan (சுந்தர சோழன்) (Father) and Queen Vanavanmahadevi (Mother)
• Elder Brother  Aditya Karikalan (also referred to as Aditya II) Aditya’s inscriptions use the epithet "Vira Pandyan Thalai Konda Adithha Karikalan" - "...took the head of Vira Pandya".
• Elder Sister Kundavai I
• Sons Rajendra Cholan I (இராசேந்திர சோழன்,) Erivali Gangaikonda Chola (எறிவலி கங்கைகொ ண்ட சோழன் )
• Daughters Madhevadikal (), Arulmozhi Chandramalliyar alias Gangamadheviyar, Kundavai II
• Ascending the throne on the Day 22nd of Tamil month Aadi (15th July to 15 August) year 985 CE (18 - 07 - 985) at the age of 42 years
• Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple was built - Regnal year 25th Day 275 Saturday
• Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple consecrated - 22nd April 1010 CE (புனர்பூசம் Punarpoosam or Punarvasu -  7th Star)
• Died on 17th January 1014 (Regnal year 29, Tamil month Markazhi (15th November to 15 December) Purva paksha (the period of the brightening moon (waxing moon), Chaturdashi Tithi (moon day)
• Lived 71 years
• Ruled the Chola kingdom 28 years 8 months 29 days
• Religious Beliefs Hinduism, Saivism

In Tamil Nadu the temples have over 50,000 inscriptions the economic and socio-political records. The Chola edicts frequently refer about village assemblies (sabhas or mahasabhas), an elected body (represented by elite Brahman scholars of the village) of the ancient panchayat system , which public administered the Brahmadeya (gift to Brahmans) or Devadana (gift to presiding deity of the temple) villages. For every economic unit the Cholas built a temple.  The site for building temple was gifted by village elites. The Chola king donated the agriculture land for the maintenance of the temple. Provisions such as rice, dall. ghee, salt, pepper, vegetables, betel leaves, areca nut etc, were accepted as gift from public.  The Chola temples served not only as places of worship but also as centres of public administration, judiciary and community welfare institutions and secular and cultural spaces authorized to handle public finance. They were also run as corporations. They were authorized issue land grants and empowered to invest their assets as they considered fit. They also functioned as banks and edicted (recorded) the contributions and investments from the king and public. Temples also employed huge skilled manpower - artisans, padiyam (Thevaram) reciters, musicians, dancers (devadasis) etc.  The sabhas or assemblies also provided free Vedic education, food, shelter and even medication to the upper caste boys within temple premises. 

The Chola emperors gave Royal (verbal) orders (tiruvakya-kelvi) to the village assemblies which were drafted by the private secretary and confirmed by the Olainayakam (Chief Secretary) and a Perundaram (higher officials) before its despatch by the Vidaiyadhikari (despatch clerk).

Chola Edict (சாசனம்) Structure (Epigraphy)  into THREE parts: 1. Preamble (முகப்புரை); 2. Notification (குறிப்புரை); and 3. Imprecation (முடிவுரை)

1 Preamble (முகப்புரை)

1.1 Invocation (மங்கலத்துவக்கம்) - Meykeerthi
1.2 Place of the edict (சாசனம் வெளியிடப்பட்ட இடம் ) - ராஜராஜன் தஞ்சைப் பெரியக்கோயிலுக்குத் தானம் வழங்கும் பொழுது இருமுடிச்சோழனின் உள்ளால் திருமஞ்சனச் சாலையில் இருந்த செய்தியைக் கூறுகிறது.
1.3 Name of the king (or queen) who inscribed the edict with his Titles and Traditions (சாசன வெளியீட்டாளரின் பெயர் அவரது விருதுப்பெயர்களும் மரபும்)
1.4 Date of the edict (mentions the day and the regnal year of the king)

2 Notification (குறிப்புரை) - Royal Order Issued verbally (includes the following information)

2.1 Information about the gifts (endowments)
2.2 Name of the donor
2.3 Gifts donated under the specific circumstances if any
2.4 Reason for donation or gift or endowment
2.5 Land endowments are marked with their boundaries - Also mentions the specific geographical classifications like province (Nadu நாடு), District (kurram கூற்றம்), village (கிராமம்), Visayam (விசயம்), Pukthi (புக்தி).
 

Land was measured in (Kuzhi = 11 Cents or 2 Grounds or 4799.96 sft) using Ulagalanthan kol (Chola land measuring rod instituted by Rajaraja Chola) i.e, one rod in length and one rod in width. Three kuzhi of land made one Maa (மா = approx. 33 Cents or 6 Grounds or 14399.88 sft). 20 Maa land was computed as one veli (வேலி = 660 Cents or 120 Grounds or 287997.90 sft). One munthirikai (முந்திரிகை) of land was equivalent to  1/4 Kani or 2.0625 Cents or 0.375 Ground    or 899.99 sft and one kani (காணி) of land was equivalent to 4 Muntirikai or 1.33 Kuzhi or 8.25 Cents or 1 1/2 Ground or 3599.97 sft.

Paddy or rice (or other grains too) was measured in naazhi, padi and marakkal. One naazhi grain was equivalent to approximately 900 gms. Eight naazhi grain was equivalent to half padi. Adavallan Marakkal (Chola grain measuring vessel instituted by Rajaraja Chola) was used to measure grain.
Oil and ghee were measured in azhakku (168 ml), uzhakku (336 ml) and Naazhi (1344 ml)

Gold gifts expressed in weighing units such as Kalanju. Kundrimani (Abrus precatorius) and  Manjadi (Adenanthera pavonina) are very consistent in weight. Ancient Tamils  was used both the seeds as units of weight to weigh gold using a measure called kunrimani seed (0.133 gm) and manjadi seed (approximately 0.266 gm). Twenty manjadis or  forty kundrimanis made one Kalanju (5.320 gms or approximately 1.5 sovereign). Thirty manjadis or sixty kundrimanis made one sovereign or poun weighing 7.98 gm. 

They received gifts of gold, jewellery, paddy and cattle endowments for burning lamps; land endowments to disburse paddy wages to temple staff and supply contractors. If the gifts in coins (காசுக்கொடை), the interest  amount realised was mentioned as polisai kasu (பொலிசை காசு). The money was used to procure rice, dall, ghee, pepper, salt, vegetables, betel leaf, areca nut, sandal paste etc.

3. Imprecation - ஓம்படைக்கிளவி - (முடிவுரை)

The Chola administrative officials responsible for the implementation of the Royal orders (தர்மத்திற்குப் பொறுப்பேற்ற அலுவலர்களின் பெயர்(கள்), நாடு, கூற்றம், கிராமம்) and its authenticity and credibility. 

Edicts of Rajaraja Chola I found on the north-west wall of the Sri Vimana of Peruvudaiyar Temple, Thanjavur

1. Hail! Prosperity! This (is) the edict (sasana) of Rajaraja (alias) Rajakesarivarman, which is cherished by the multitude of the diadems of (i.e., which is obeyed by) the crowd of all princes.

2. On the twentieth day of the twenty-sixth year (of the reign) of Ko-Rajakesarivarman, alias Sri-Rajarajadeva, who – while (his) heart rejoiced, that, like the goddess of fortune, the goddess of the great earth had become his wife, — in his life of growing strength, during which, having been pleased to cut the vessal (kalam) (in) the hall (at) Kandalur, he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles, Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi, Tadigai-padi, Nulamba-padi, Kudamalai-nadu, Kollam, Kalingam, Ira-mandalam, (the conquest of which) gave fame (i.e., made (him) famous) (in) the eight directions, and the seven and a half lakshas of Iratta-padi, — deprived the Seriyas (i.e., the Pandyas) of their splendor, while (he) was resplendent (to such a degree) that (he) was worthy to be worshipped everywhere; — having been pleased to make gifts (in) the royal bathing-hall (tiru-manjana-salai) to the east (of the hall) of Irumadi-Soran within the Tanjavur palace (koyil), the lord (udaiyar) Sri-Rajarajadeva vouchsafed to say: — “Let the gifts made by us, those made by (our) elder sister, those made by our wives, and those made by other donors to the lord (udaiyar) of the sacred stone-temple (tirukkarrali), (called) Sri Rajarajesvara, — which we caused to be built (at) Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur –kurram, (a subdivision) of Pandyakulasani-valanadu, — be engraved on stone on the sacred shrine (sri-viman)!”.

 

"ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ் திருமகள் போல பெருநிலச் செல்வியுந் தனக்கேயுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் களமறூத்தருளி வேங்கை நாடும் கங்கைபாடியும் நுளம்பபாடியும் தடிகை பாடியும் குடமலை நாடும் கொல்லமும் கலிங்கமும் எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் இரட்டபாடி ஏழரை இலக்கமும் (முந்நீர்ப் பழந்தீவு பன்னீ ராயிரமுந்) திண்டிறல் வென்றி தண்டால் கொண்டதன் பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும் தொழுதகை விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழிஞரை தேசுகொள் ஸ்ரீ்கோவிராஜராஜகேசரி பந்மரான ஸ்ரீராஜராஜ தேவர்."

நாம் கொடுத்தனவும், நம் அக்கன் கொடுத்தனவும், நம் பெண்டுகள் கொடுத்தனவும்,கொடுப்பார் கொடுத்தனவும்..இந்த கல்லிலே வெட்டியருளுக என்று திருவாய்மொழிஞ்சருளி

    1.ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ (Swasti Sri)
    2.திருமகள் போலப் பெருநிலச் செல்வியும் (like the goddess of fortune, )
    3.தனக்கே யுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் (the goddess of the great earth had become his wife  — in his life of growing strength)
    4.காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் கலமறுத் தருளி (having been pleased to cut the vessal (kalam) (in) the port (at) Kandalur (= Kandalur is the port town in Chera country)
    5.வேங்கை நாடுங் கங்க பாடியுந் (he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles, Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi,) (Vengai Nadu = East Chalukya country located between Krishna and Godavari rivers; Ganga-padi = Southern part of Mysore province)
    6.தடிகை பாடியும் நுளம்ப பாடியும் (Nulamba - Padi = Chithaldurga and Bellary districts of Mysore state); (thadigai - padi = Located between Ganga-padi and Nulamba padi);
    7.குடமலை நாடுங் கொல்லமுங் கலிங்கமும் (Kudamalai Nadu = Present Kudagu region in Karnataka); (Kollan (Quilon) in Kerala); (Kalingam = Present Odisha state located between Godavari and Mahanadhi rivers)
    8.முரட்டொழிற் சிங்கள ரீழமண் டலமும் (எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் ) ( (the conquest made him famous) in the eight directions) (Singala = Sinhalese region; Eezha mandalam = Present Sri Lanka)
    9.இரட்ட பாடி யேழரை யிலக்கமும் ( the seven and a half lakshs of Iratta-padi) (Iratta-Padi = Southern regions of Maharashtra)
    10.முந்நீர்ப் பழந்தீவு பன்னீ ராயிரமுந் (Munneer Pazhantheevu = Maldives and islands of Arabian ocean)
    11.திண்டிறல் வென்றித் தண்டாற் கொண்டதன் (vendri = Conquered; Thandu = Army)
    12.னெழில்வள ரூழியு ளெல்லா யாண்டுந் (பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும்)
    13.தொழுதக விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழியரைத் (He was resplendent to such a degree that he was worthy to be worshipped everywhere; ) (deprived the Sezhiyars (i.e., the Pandyas)  of their splendor)
    14.தேசுகொள் கோராச கேசரி வர்மரான (Ko Rajakesarivarman) (Thesu = Thejas / splendor)
    15.உடையார் ஸ்ரீராச தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு (the lord (udaiyar) Sri-Rajarajadeva )

Reference

1. முதல் இராசராச சோழன் மெய்க்கீர்த்தி (Wikipedia)
2. முதலாம் இராஜராஜ சோழன்  Blogspot  

Uthiramerur Inscriptions on Chola Kudavolai Election System

Facade of Vaikundaperumal Temple - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam

Plaque 1: Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I Explained

Plaque 2: Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I Explained

Plaque 3: Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I Explained

South plinth (Upa-peeta, Upana, Jagadi, kumuda) showing inscriptions

West plinth (Upa-peeta, Upana, Jagadi, kumuda) showing inscriptions

View from North-East corner: Vaikundaperumal Temple - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam

Vaikundaperumal Temple Vimanam of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam

Vaikundaperumal Temple Pillared Hall - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam

Jayagandan, Sasi Dharan and D Kannan @ Vaikundaperumal Temple - General Village Assembly (Mahasabha) of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam

• Uttaramerur Inscriptions of Parantaka Chola I (முதலாம் பராந்தகன் )
• Location: Uttaramerur, Kanchipuram Taluk, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, India
• Chola Emperor: Parantaka Chola I (முதலாம் பராந்தகன்) (907 - 956 AD.)
• Regnal Years: 12th Regnal year (919 AD) inscription 12 lines and 14th Regnal Year (921 AD) inscription 18 lines
• Inscription Language: Tamil
• Inscription Script: Tamil Grantha of 10th century

Uttaramerur, an ancient Chola village once known as Chaturvedimangalam, is located about 85 km from Chennai.  This village, developed on the canons of the agama texts, has the village general assembly aka. mahasabha mandapa at the centre. The three temples well known for its architecture,  sculptures and epigraphy i.e, 1. Kailasanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, 2. Sundara Varadaraja Perumal Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and 3. the Balasubramanya temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya,  are oriented with reference to the mandapa. 

Background

The Chola administration was functioning on the principles of democracy and the Panchayat system flourished during their reign. The Chola self government was built up on 'general assemblies' or 'sabhas' or 'mahasabhas' of the villages. All aspects of village community life were administered by these general assemblies. The mahasabhas encouraged and accepted endowments from public towards temple functions and services and disposed services as per laid down procedure. In several occasions they exercised their authority in selling the land portions under their jurisdiction to individuals of various villages and towns. They also ascertained the purchase and accepted endowments offered by public. The mahasabha also to accept paddy grains or ghee as well as gold Kalanchu, accrued as interest of the principal, in certain stipulated measurements. The sabha also accepted gifts from royal king and his family members and the same was registered and documented with care.

During Chola Empire the Uttaramerur village was gifted to 1200 Vaishnava Brahmins and hence known as Chaturvedimangalam (சதுர்வேதிமங்கலம்) or Brahmadeya or Devadana type of villages (Brahman settlements). The village gained more popularity as the temples became the centres of life and these villages were administrated by the mahasabha. The mahasabhas were apparently an exclusively Brahman assembly of the  villages. The inscriptions on the temple walls speak about prevalence of village general assemblies in  Manur (Tirunelveli), Tiruninravur (Thiruvallur), Manimangalam (Kanchipuram), Dadasamudram (Kanchipuram), Sithamalli and Thalaignayiru (Thanjavur), Jambai (Villupuram) and Ponnamaravathy (Pudukottai).

Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam

The village general assembly or mahasabha of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam,  also known as Vaikunta Perumal Temple, is the huge granite structure with sanctum sanctorum and the huge pillared hall with roof measuring about 2500 s.ft. The Dravidian kind of vimanam adorns on top of the sanctum. The village assembly appears to be the dynamic hub from 9th century A.D. to 11th century. Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity of  Vaikunta Perumal Temple and the Lord of Just, would have presided over the transactions of the village assembly sessions. The present sanctum has no deity.

Two complete inscriptions were copied from the plinth of the sabha mandapa walls of the temple complex of Vaikundaperumal at Uttaramerur (Uthiramerur Taluk , Kanchipuram District) by ASI (now popularly known as 'Uttaramerur inscriptions.'.  Both inscriptions belong to the Chola King: Paranthaka I (907–955).

The inscription details the resolutions of the general assembly of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam relating to the Royal orders of Parantaka Chola I issued on the 11th and 14th regnal years on the constitution of the sabha or mahasabha and the 'Pot ticket election procedures' (Kudavolai (குடவோலை முறை) system) to be followed for the village general assembly or sabha of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam. The village general assembly met and resolved about the qualification for the members of the sabha, election procedures for the 30 wards of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam.

Chola Emperor

Paranthaka I (907–955) who conquered Madurai (மதிரை கொண்ட கோப்பரகேசரிவர்மர்)

Regnal Year

12th Regnal year of Paranthaka I  (யாண்டு பனிரெண்டாவது)  (12ஆம் ஆட்சியாண்டிலும் (Approximately 919 AD கி.பி919), and
14th Regnal Year sixteenth day of Paranthaka I ) (யாண்டு பதினாலாவது நாள் பதினாறு)   14ஆம் ஆட்சியாண்டிலும் (Approximately 921 AD கி.பி. 921) 

Royal (Letter) Order

The Chola emperors gave Royal (verbal) orders (tiruvakya-kelvi) which were drafted by the private secretary and confirmed by the Olainayakam (Chief Secretary) and a Perundaram (higher officials) before its despatch by the Vidaiyadhikari (despatch clerk).

The Royal (letter) Order of Devendhran, the Emperor, Sri Viranayana Sri Parantaka Deva (who also assumed the title as) Parakesari varman was in receipt and was shown to us (members of mahasabha) (தேவேந்திரன் சக்ரவர்த்தி ஸ்ரீ வீரநாராயண ஸ்ரீ பராந்தக தேவர் ஆகிய பரகேசரி வர்மர் ஸ்ரீ முகம் அருளிச் செய்து வரக்காட்ட) 

Village Under Reference

We the members of the Mahasabha of the village Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam of Dhana Kurru forming part of Kaliyur Kottam (காலியூர் கோட்டத்து தன கூற்று உத்திரமேரு சதுர்வேதி மங்கலத்து சபையோம்)

General Assembly met in the Presence of the Village Assembly Officer

We the members met this day as general assembly in the presence of Karanjai Kondaya - Kramavitha bhattan (Brahmin caste title) alias Somasiperumal of Srivanga nagar (name of town) in Purangarambainadu (name of district), of the Chola Nadu (country) (சோழ நாட்டுப்புறங் கரம்பை நாட்டு ஸ்ரீ வாங்க நகரக்கரஞ் செய்கை கெண்ட யக்ரமவித்த பட்டனாகிய சோமாசி பெருமாள்)

Resolution of the Assembly and the Settlement

The village general assembly of the Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam met in the general assembly hall of the village, where it deliberated the resolution:

The village general assembly of the Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam was convening the committee as directed in royal order and was resolved and settled as per the terms given in the royal letter. Accordingly it was resolved to choose the member  for the 'Annual Committee,' (ஸம்வத்ஸர வாரியம்) 'Garden Committee,' (தோட்ட வாரியம்) and the 'Water bodies Committee' (ஏரிவாரியம்) commencing from this year. (உத்திரமேருச்சதுர்வேதிமங்கலத்து சபையோம் இவ்வாண்டுமுதல் எங்களூர் ஸ்ரீமுகப்படி ஆஞையினால் தத்தனூர் மூவேந்த வேளான் இருந்து வாரியமாக ஆட்டொருக்காலும் ஸம்வத்ஸர வாரியமும் தோட்ட வாரியமும் ஏரிவாரியமும் இடுவதற்கு வ்யவஸ்தை செய்த பரிசாவது..)

Village ward or Kudumbu' (குடும்பு) 

According to the inscriptions, each village was divided into wards or Kudumbu' (குடும்பு), and each ward or Kudumbu' (குடும்பு) could send one representative to the general assembly.

There shall be thirty wards in Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam; (முப்பதா முப்பது குடும்பிலும் )

In all these thirty wards, all people who live in each ward shall fore gather and shall elect anyone possessing the following qualifications through "pot-tickets" (Kuda Olai - குடவோலை) election system: (குடும்பு முப்பதா முப்பது குடும்பிலும் அவ்வவ் குடும்பிலாரே கூடிக் )

 Specific qualifications were prescribed for those who wanted to contest: 1. age, 2. possession of immovable property and 3. education. Thus, those who wanted to be elected had to be above 35 years of age and below 70 years. Only those who owned land that attracted tax could contest. And such owners had to own a house built on a legally-owned site to qualify for the elections. A person serving in any of the committees could not contest again for the next three terms, each term lasting a year.

Those who wanted to contest:

1. Must own more than a quarter veli (One Veļi = 6.17 acre 6.17 ஏக்கர் ஒரு வேலி Tamil Wikipedia) tax-paying land (காணிலத்துக்கு மேல் இறை நிலமுடையான் );

2. Must own a house built on a legally-owned site (தன் மனையிலே அகம் மெடுத்துக் கொண்டிருப்பானை );

3.  Must be above 35 years of age and below 70 years (எழுபது பிராயத்தின் கீழ் முப்பத்தைந்து பிராயத்தின் மேற்ப்பட்டார் );

4. Must have knowledge of 'Mantrabrahmana' (Mantra Text) as well as experience in teaching the same to others (மந்த்ர பிராமணம் வல்லான் ஒதுவித்தறிவானைக் );

5. Can own only one - eighth (1 / 8) veli of land and must have learned one Veda and one of the four Bhashyas and experienced in explaining them to others, then he shall be eligible  to contest i.e, voters write his name on the pot-ticket (ballot) to be cast into the pot (ballot pot) (அரக்கா நிலமே யுடையனாயிலும் ஒரு வேதம் வல்லனாய் நாலு பாஷ்யத்திலும்  ஒரு பாஷ்யம் வக காணித்தறிவான அவனையுங் குட வோலை எழுதிப் புக இடுவதாகவும்);

6. Must be among those possessing qualifications such as expertise in business and are known for their virtues (அவர்களிலும் கார்யத்தில் நிபுணராய் ஆகாரமு டையாரானாரை யேய் கொள்வதாகவும்);

7. Must be among those who possess honest earnings and pure mind; (அர்த்த சௌசமும் ஆன்ம சௌசமும் உடையாராய்);

 

Those Disqualified to contest

1. Are those who have served in any of the committees for the last three years and have not submitted their accounts and all their relatives mentioned in the following classes. (மூவாட்டினிப்புறம் வாரியஞ் செய்து கணக்குக் காட்டாதே இருந்தாரையும்);

The relatives of the defaulter

2. The sons of the younger and elder sisters of defaulter's mother (இவர்களுக்குத் தாயோடு உடப் பிறந்தானையும் = தாயின் சிறிய, பெரிய சகோதரிகளின் மக்கள்);

3. The sons of defaulter's paternal aunt and maternal uncle (அவர்களுக்கு அத்தை மாமன் மக்களையும்);

4. The uterine brother of defaulter's mother (மாமன்);

5. The uterine brother of defaulter's father (இவர்கள் தகப்பநோடுப் பிறந்தானையும்);

6. Defaulter's uterine brother (இவர்களுக்குச் சிற்றனவர்);

7.  Defaulter's father-in-law (மாமனார்);

8. The uterine brother of defaulter's wife (பேரவ்வைக்களையும்);

9. The husband of defaulter's uterine sister (தன்னோடுப் பிறந்தாளை வோட்டானையும் = உடன் பிறந்தாளை திருமணம் செய்தவர்);

10. The sons of defaulter's uterine sister (உடப் பிறந்தாள் மக்களையும்);

11. The son-in-law who has married defaulter's daughter (தன மகளை வேட்ட மருமகனையும் = தன் மகளை மணம் புரிந்த மருமகன்):

12. Defaulter's father (தன தமப்பனையும்);

13. Defaulter's son (தன மகனையும்);

14. One against whom incest (agamyagamana) or the first four of the five great sins are recorded (இடப்பெருதாராகவும், அகமியாகமனத்திலும் மகா பாதங்களில் முன் படைத்த நாலு மகா பாதகத்திலுமெழுத்துப் பட்டாரையும்);

15. All defaulter's relations above specified shall not have their names written on the pot-tickets and put into the pot (இவர்களுக்கும் முன் சுடப்பபட்ட இத்தனை பந்துக்களையும் குடவோலை எழுதிப்புக);

16. One who is foolhardy (சாகசிய ராயிரைப்பாரையும்);

17. One who has stolen the property of another (பரத்ரவியம் அபகரித் தானையும்);

18. One who has taken forbidden dishes (?) of any kind and who has become pure by performing expiation (கிராம கண்டகராய் ப்ராயஸ்சித்தஞ் செய்து சத்தரானாரையும்);

19. One who has committed sins and has become pure by performing expiatory ceremonies (பாதகஞ் செய்து பிராயச் சித்தர் செய்து சுத்தரானாரையும்);

20. One who is guilty of incest and has become pure by performing expiatory ceremonies (அகமியாங்கமஞ் செய்து ப்ராயஸ்சித்தஞ் செய்து சுத்தரானாரையும்);

21. All these thus specified shall not to the end of their lives have their names written on the pot-ticket to be put into the pot for any of the committees (ஆக இச்சுட்டப்பட்ட அனைவரையும் ப்ரானாந்திகம் வாரியத்துக்குக் குடவோலை எழுதி எழுதிப்புகவிடப் பெருதாக).

Mode of Election

1. Excluding all these, thus specified (ஆகா இச்சுட்டப்பட்ட இத்தனைவரையும் நீக்கி);

The names shall be written for pot-tickets in the thirty wards (இம்முப்பது குடும்பிலும் குடவோலைக்குப் பேர் தீட்டி);

2. Each of the wards in these twelve streets of Uttaramerur shall prepare a separate covering ticket for each of the thirty wards bundled separately. These packets shall be put into a pot.   (இபன்னிரண்டு சேரியிலுமாக இக்குடும்பும் வெவ்வேறே வாயோலை பூட்டி முப்பது குடும்பும் வெவ்வேறே கட்டிக்குடம் புக இடுவதாகவும்);

3. When the pot-tickets have to be drawn, a full meeting of the Great Assembly, including the young and old members, shall be convened (குடவோலை பறிக்கும் போது மகா சபைத் திருவடியாரை சபால விருத்தம் நிரம்பக் கூட்டிக் கொண்டு);

4. All the temple priests (Nambimar) who happen to be in the village on that day, shall, without any exception whatever, be caused to be seated in the inner hall, where the great assembly meets  (அன்றுள்ளீரில் இருந்த நம்பிமார் ஒருவரையும் ஒழியாமே மகா சபையிலேரும் மண்டகத்தி லேயிருத்திக் கொண்டு);

5. In the midst of the temple priests one of them, who happens to be the eldest, shall stand up and lift that pot looking upwards so as to be seen by all people (அந்நம்பிமார் நடுவே அக்குடத்தை நம்பிமாரில் வருத்தராய் இருப்பா ரொரு  நம்பி மேல் நோக்கி எல்லா ஜனமுங் காணுமாற்குலெடுத்துக் கொண்டு நிற்க);

6. One ward, i.e., the packet representing it, shall be taken out by any young boy standing close, who does not know what is inside, and shall be transferred to another empty pot and shaken. From this pot one ticket shall be drawn by the young boy and made over to the arbitrator (madhyastha) (பகலே யந்திர மறையாதானொரு பாலனைக் கொண்டு ஒரு குடும்பு வாங்கி மற்றொரு குடத்துகே புகவிட்டுக் குலைத்து அக்குடத்திலோரோலை வாங்கி மத்யஸ்தன் கையிலே குடுப்பதாகவும்);

7. While taking charge of the ticket thus given to him, the arbitrator shall receive it on the palm of his hand with the five fingers open. (அக்குடத்த வோலை மத்தியஸ் தன வாங்கும்போது அஞ்சு விரலும் அகல வைத்த உள்ளங்கையாலே ஏற்றுக் கொள்வானா கவும்);

8. He shall read out the name in the ticket thus received (அவ்வேற்று வாங்கின வோலை வாசிப்பானாகவும்); 

9. The ticket read by him shall also be read out by all the priests present in the inner hall (வாசித்த அவ்வோலை அங்குள் மண்டகத்திருந்த தம்பிமார் எல்லோரும் வாசிப்பாராகவும்); 

10. The name thus read out shall be put down (and accepted). Similarly one man shall be chosen for each of the thirty wards (வாசித்த அப்பர் திட்டமிடுவதாகவும் இப்பரிசே முப்பது குடும்பிலும் ஒரே பேர் கொள்வதாகவும்);

Constitution of the Committee

11. Of the thirty men thus chosen, those who had previously been on the Garden committee and on the Tank committee, those who are advanced in learning, and those who are advanced in age shall be chosen for the Annual Committee. ( இக்கொண்ட முப்பது பேரினுந்தோட்ட வாரியமும் ஏரி வாரியமும் செய்தாரையும் விச்சையா வருத்தரையும் வயோவ்ருத்தர்களையும் சம்வத்ஸர வாரியராக கொள்வதாகவும்);

12. Of the rest, twelve shall be taken for the Garden committee and the remaining six shall form the Tank committee. (மிக்கு நினாருட்பன்னிருவரைத் தொட்ட வாரியங் கொள்வதாகவும் );

13. These last two committees shall be chosen by showing the Karai (நின்ன அறுவரையும் ஏரி வாரியமாகக் கொள்வதாகவும்); 

Duration of the Committees

14. The great men of these three committees thus chosen for them shall hold office for full three hundred and sixty days and then retire ((இவ்வாரியம் செய்கின்ற மூன்று திறத்து வாரியப் பெருமக்களும் முன்னுற்றருபது நாளும் நிரம்பச் செய்து ஒழிவதாகவும்);

Removal of Persons Found Guilty

15. When one who is on the committee is found guilty of any offence, he shall be removed at once (வாரியஞ் செய்ய நின்றாரை அபராதங் கண்டபோது அவனை யொழித்துவதாகவும்);

16. For appointing the committees after these have retired, the members of the Committee “for Supervision of Justice” in the twelve streets of Uttaramerur shall convene an assembly kuri with the help of the Arbitrator (இவர்கள் ஒழித்த அனந்தரமிடும் வாரியங்களும் பன்னிரண்டு சேரியிலும் தன்மைக்ருதயங் கடை காணும் வாரியரே மத்யஸ்தரைக் கொண்டு குறிகூட்டிக் குடுப்பராகவும்);

17. The committees shall be appointed by drawing pot-tickets according to this order of settlement (இவ்வியவஸ்தை யோலைப்படியே...க்ருக்குடவோலை பரித்தக் கொண்டே வாரியம் இடுவதாகவும்).

Pancavara and Gold Committees

18. For the Pancavara committee and the Gold committee, names shall be written for pot-tickets in the thirty wards. Thirty packets with covering tickets shall be deposited in a pot and thirty pot-tickets shall be drawn as previously described. (பஞ்சவார வாரியத்துக்கும் பொன் வாரியத்துக்கு முப்பது குடும்பிலும் குடவோலைக்குப் பேர் தீட்டி முப்பது வாயோலை கட்டும் புக இட்டு முப்பது குடவோலை பறித்து முப்பதிலும் பன்னிரண்டு பேர் பறித்துக் கொள்வதாகவும்);

19. From these thirty tickets chosen, twenty-four shall be for the Gold committee and the remaining six for the Pancavara committee. (பறித்த பன்னிரண்டு பேர் அறுவர் பொன் வாரியம் அறுவர் பஞ்ச வாரியமும் ஆவனவாகவும்);

20. When drawing pot-tickets for these two committees next year, the wards which have been already represented during the year in question on these committees shall be excluded and the reduction made from the remaining wards by drawing the Karai. (பிற்றை ஆண்டும் இவ்வரியங்களை குடவோலை பறிக்கும் போது இவ்வரியங்களுக்கு முன்னம் செய்த குடும்பன்றிக்கே நின்ற குடும்பிலே கரை பறித்துக் கொள்வதாகவும்);

21. One who has ridden on an ass and one who has committed forgery shall not have his name written on the pot-ticket to be put into the pot (கழுதை ஏறினாரையும் கூடலேகை செய்தானையும் குடவோலை எழுதிப்புக் இடப் பெருததாகவும்).

Qualification of the Accountant

1. Any Arbitrator who possesses honest earnings shall write the accounts of the village (மத்தியஸ்தரும் அர்த்த சௌசமுடையானே கணக்கெழுது வானாகவும்); 

2. No accountant shall be appointed to that office again before he submits his accounts for the period during which he was in office to the great men of the big committee and is declared to have been honest (கணக்கெழுதினான் கணக்குப் பெருங்குறிப் பெருமக்களோடு கூடக் கணக்குக் காட்டி சுத்தன் ஆச்சி தன பின்னன்றி மாற்றுக் கணக்குப் புகழ் பெருதானாகவும்);

 3. The accounts which one has been writing, he shall submit himself and no other accountant shall he chosen to close his accounts (தான் எழுதின கணக்குத் தானே காட்டுவானாகவும் மாற்றுக் கணக்கர் புக்கு ஒடுக்கப் பெருதாராகவும்);

Implementation

1. The Royal Order shall implement Pot Ticket Procedure (Kudavolai System) from this year and shall  continue till the existence of Moon and Sun (இப்பரிசே இவ்வாண்டு முதல் சந்த்ராதித்யவத் என்றும்  குடவோலை வாரியமே இடுவதாக )

Received From

1. Royal Order received from Devendhran, the Emperor, Sri Viranayana Sri Parantaka Deva (who also assumed the title as) Parakesari varman (தேவேந்திரன் சக்ரவர்த்தி பட்டிதவச்சவன் குஞ்சர மல்லன் சூரா சூளாமணி கல்பகசரிதை ஸ்ரீ பரகேசரிபன்மர்கள் ஸ்ரீ முகம் அருளிச் செய்து);

Received and Submitted by Village Assembly Officer

1. Royal Order received and shown (submitted) to the Members of the general assembly of Uttaramerur Chaturvedhi Mangalam by Karanjai Kondaya - Kramavitha bhattan (Brahmin caste title) alias Somasiperumal of Srivanga nagar (name of town) in Purangarambainadu (name of district), of the Chola Nadu (country) (வரக் காட்ட ஸ்ரீ ஆளஞயால் சோழ நாட்டு புறங்கரம்பை நாட்டு ஸ்ரீ வங்க நகர்க் காஞ்சை கொண்ட யாக்ரமவித்த பாட்டனாகிய சேர்மாசி பெருமானுடன் இருந்து இப்பரிசு செய்விக்க);

Madhyasthan

1. Kadadippottan Sivakkuri Rajamallamangalapriyan functioned as the madhyasthan of Uttaramerur Chaturvedimangalam sabha (நம் கிராமத்து அப்யுதயமாக துஷ்டர் கேட்டு விசிஷ்டர் வர்த்திப்பதாக வியவஸ்தை செய்தோம் மத்யஸ்தன் காடாடிப் போத்தன் சிவகுறி இராஜமல்ல மங்கலப்பிரியனேன்);

The Scribe

1. At the order of the great men, sitting in the assembly, the Arbitrator Kadadippottan Sivakkuri Rajamallamangalapriyan, thus wrote this settlement.  (உத்தரமேரு சதுர்வேதி மங்கலத்துச் சபையாம் இப்பரிசு குறியுள் இருந்து பெருமக்கள் பணிக்கு வியவஸ்தை மத்யஸ்தன் காடாடிப் போத்தன் சிவகுறி இராஜமல்ல மங்கலப்பிரியனேன்.)

Reference

1. An 1100 years-old Constitution http://satyameva-jayate.org/2008/07/12/1100-yrs-constitution/
2. Ancient Epigraphical Inscription on elections: Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur, Kancheepuram District http://tnsec.tn.nic.in/historical/Epigraphical%20Inscription.html
3. Constitution 1,000 years ago. The Hindu Chennai 11 July 2008
4. Status of Panchayati Raj in the States of India, 1994 http://books.google.co.in/books?isbn=8170225531
5. Temple of democracy Business Standard July 20, 2014 http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/temple-of-democracy-112070700027_1.html 
6. Temple inscriptions point to early Chola inroads into Pallava region by T.S. Subramanian The Hindu Chennai Nov 20, 2008 http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112057012200.htm
7. Uttaramerur http://reachhistory.blogspot.in/2006/12/uttaramerur.html
8. Uttaramerur model of democracy The Hindu Chennai March 13, 2010 http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/uttaramerur-model-of-democracy/article243997.ece 
9. Village Administration in Ancient India by Shriram Yerankar http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/41855799?uid=3738256&uid=2129&uid=2&uid=70&uid=4&sid=21104509300513 
10. வியக்க வைக்கும் சோழர்களின் தேர்தலும், ஆட்சி முறையும் http://www.mayyam.com/talk/showthread.php?10963-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95-%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%B4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%A9%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%9F

Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple

Prime Deity Pazhaiya Seevaram Temple - Lord Lakshmi Narasimha with Mahalakshmi on His lap.

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple on top of Padmagiri Hillock in Pazhaiya Seevaram

Pazhaiya Seeavaram Hillock viewed from Palar River: Hillock Padmagiri, Temple Gopuram, and Palar River Bridge

Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple Rajagopuram (Front view)

Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple Rajagopuram (Interior view)

Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Temple Main Entrance and Vimanam

Pazhaiya Seevaram Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy Vimanam (Rear side view)

Goddess Ahobilavalli Thayar Shrine

Gujarati Devotees' sculpture found on the pillar of the Mandapam

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy temple, seated on top of Padmagiri hillock in Pazhaiya Seevaram village, is located on the  Kanchipuram - Chengalpattu State Highway SH58 and it is about 16 km from Chengalpattu and about 20 km from Kanchipuram. In reality the temple is located on the midway to the hillock i.e, about 100 steps to be climbed up to reach the temple.

The nondescript village Pazhaiya Seevaram, aka. 'Sripuram' is also on the northern bank of the holy river Palar and the Thirumukkoodal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal temple on the southern bank.  The village is surrounded by lush green paddy fields, swaying coconut palm, huts and tiled houses and the winding streets.  There is 'Sudharasana Hill,' another hillock found opposite to Padmagiri.

The name Sripuram has a hoary past. After the annihilation of Hiranyakasibu, Lord appeared ferocious. From the legends it is learned that the Lord was pacified by goddess Mahalakshmi at this shrine. Since  goddess Mahalakshmi played the key role in appeasing the Lord and hence the village got the name 'Sripuram,'as a token of gratitude. Legends equate it as 'Sathya Varadha Kshetram.' The inscriptions of the Pallava King Vijaya Nripathunga found at Thirumukkoodal mention this village as 'Siyapuram' ('Siyam' means lion and 'puram' means place or shrine). It is difficult to make out the significance for the word 'Pazhaiya' or old.

Pazhaiya Seevaram village is also marked by the confluence of three rivers - Palar (Ksheera Nadhi), Seyar or Cheyyar (Bahu Nadhi) and Vegavathi (Saraswathi). The three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati unite together at the holy shrine Triveni Sangamam or Prayag, in Uttar Pradesh state, India. However the river Saraswati's presence is not visible to our eyes and hence marked as 'Antharvahini' meaning flowing below the earth. At the confluence point,  known as Thirumukkudal (aka. Dakshina Prayag), one can physically witness the confluence of three rivers with the naked eye. Therefore Thirumukkudal is yet more holier than Triveni Sangamam or Prayag.

The hill temple complex is considerably big and the east facing temple has five tier rajagopuram,  a tall dwajasthambam and balipeetam. The sanctum of the prime deity is facing west. The imposing six feet high (seated) prime deity,  Sri Lakshmi Narasimha swamy  appear with His consort Sri Mahalakshmi on His left lap and graces His devotees. Unlike many shrines where the Lord appears ferocious and with un-quenched anger, He appears with cool and composed emotions (as santhamoorthy)  at this shrine. The Lord is adorns with a five yards by three yards (pathaaru) dhoti and angavastra and the consort wears the traditional nine yards sari.  There is a separate sanctum for the consort Sri Ahobilavalli Thayar (Ahobilam). Also separate east facing  sanctum exists for Andal, consort of Lord Vishnu at the north western corner. At the south eastern side corridor there are shrines for Nammaazhvaar, Thirumangai Aazhwar and Vishnu Chithar (Vaishnavitie saints). The temple also include one ornate (granite) pillared hall at the northern side and yet another four pillared hall at the eastern side of the corridor. The temple's antiquity can be established with 11th century Chola inscriptions. They speak about grants offered by the kings and the public. Some consider that this shrine might be still older.

The holy temple tank (pond) is located at the feet of the hillock and can be viewed while climbing up through steps.

The temple legend, Padmagiri Mahatmiyam, in chapter 17 of Brahmaanda Puranam speaks about the pursuit of a saint by name Vishnu Chithar for the best shrine to have darshan (glimpse) of Lord Vishnu after severe penance. When approached to Mareecha Muni, the saint guided Vishnu Sithar to Padmagiri. The glimpse (darshan) of Lord Narasimha (the fifth manifestation of Vishnu) would fulfill the purpose of his penance. Mareecha Muni also quoted the pursuit of Athri Rishi in getting glimpse (darshan) of Vishnu in the manifestation of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhar after observing penance. Saint Athiri made an appeal to the Lord Narasimha to stay at Padmagiri to bless His devotees and the Lord fulfilled the wish of Athiri rishi and blesses the mankind with His benign grace.

Few Gujarati Vaishnava philanthropists, residing at Chennai for many generations, undertake the administration of the temple and Sri Gokulnathji of Vallabha Sampradaya remained here for years together and attended temple duties. The charity trust under the presidentship of  Govinda Das Purushotham Das have extended various restoration work including rajagopuram and vimanam renovation, de-silting and deepening the holy tank of the temple.

Festival

Since the wooden idol of the prime deity Lord Varadaraja at Kanchipuram was worn out, the granite idol was  sculpted out of the boulder obtained from Padmagiri. As a token gratitude, the festival of Paari Vettai Festival is observed and the procession deity of Lord Varadaraja proceeds to Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Pazaiya Seevaram on every 'Mattu Pongal day'  i.e, the day next to Sankranthi day every year, wherein thousands of ardent followers accumulate here for vana bhojanam (meal at the jungle) and aradhana.

Timings

Morning 6 am – 11 am and 5 pm – 8 pm

How to get there?

Pazhaiya Seevaram, Kanchipuram district PIN  631606, is a small village located about 20 km from Kanchipuram on the road going towards Chengalpattu. While going from Chengalpattu, one can reach Pazhaiya Seevaram 5 kms before Walajabad.

Reference

1. Narasimhar temples in and around http://rangacharirama.blogspot.in/2009/06/narasimhar-templse-in-and-around.html
   Pazhaiya seevaram http://mukurnarasimha.blogspot.in/2007_04_01_archive.html
2. Pazhaiya seevaram Narasimha Temple http://allaboutmadras.blogspot.com/2013/10/pazhaya-seevaram-narasimha-temple.html
3. Raju's Temple Visit http://shanthiraju.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/6/

Nisumba soodhini Temple, Thanjavur: War Deity of Imperial Chola

Ugra Kali Amman Temple (உக்ரகாளி அம்மன் கோவில்), Kuyavar street in Keezha Vaasal

Ugra kaliyamman Sanctum houses 19th Century (Maratta) image of Nisumba Soodhani

Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple (வடபத்ரகாளி அம்மன் கோவில்), Poomal Rauther Koil street in Keezha Vaasal, Thanjavur (Photo Courtesy: Sasi Dharan, Facebook)

Goddess Nisumba soodhani at Vada Bhadra Kali Temple (Photo Courtesy: © Daily Thanthi )

Nisumba Soodhani Idol Now Damaged (Photo Courtesy: MyThanjavur)

Niuumba soodhani (Photo Courtesy: MyThanjavur)

Many travelers may come to Thanjavur (தஞ்சாவூர்) solely to visit the Big Temple (பெருவுடையார் கோயில்) (‘ராஜராஜுச்சுரம்’) (Rajarajeswaram temple), an outstanding example of Chola (சோழர்) architecture and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. Over a total of 30,000 foreign tourists and 4.10 lakh domestic tourists passing through Thanjavur, making it the fastest growing tourist spot in Tamil Nadu, India. Thanjavur, an important pilgrim centre and a major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu, also includes many other interesting heritage temples.

Cult of Kali in Thanjavur

Thanjavur is also popular for the cult of 'Kali' (காளி) (the mother goddess - specific Sakthi cult). In Thanjavur there are eight Kali temples as guardian deities with different names:

1. Nandhi Makali; 2. Selliamman; 3. Ugra Kali (Nisumba soodhanai); 4. Kodiamman (Karanthai); 5. Vanchiamman; 6. Samavarthiniyamman; 7. Vada Bhadra Kali (Nisumba soodhani); and Kunthalamman. Kali is an incarnation of Parvati 'Kali' means black or kala (Hindi). Kali is a warrior goddess, who protects humanity and the gods from horrible demons, but she is also a deity of feminine energy, creativity, fertility, guardian, protector, ruler of eternal time, goddess of death and doomsday. 

Hindu iconography depicts Kali all the more gruesome and she appears in absolute rage, with lolling tongue and protruding fangs  as well as with her ornaments of necklace of snakes, skulls and heads of her sons and a belt from, which hangs demon's hands. The deity often appear with the number of arms being four (Kali, Ruthra Kali), eight (Chamundi), ten (Bhadra Kali), twelve, fourteen (Mahakali), eighteen (Bhadra Kali)  or even one hundred (Bhadra Kali) and each of hand holding weapon or other objects including a sword, dagger, trident dripping with blood, cup, drum, chakra, lotus bud, whip, noose, bell, and shield. She is the destroyer of demons such as Mahisasura, Chanda, Munda, Shumbha, Nishumbha as well as Madhu and Kaitabha.

History

It is also interesting to witness the cult of Nisumba soodhini (நிசும்பசூதினி), a form of Kali in mythology and the war deity of Imperial Cholas associated with war, combat or bloodshed. The cult of Korravai was present during Sangam period and the Tamil kings of Sangam period worshiped Korravai (கொற்றவை),  a local presiding deity of war and victory in the Tamil region. Perumpidugu Mutharaiyar II (c. 705 - 745 A.D.) (பெரும்பிடுகு முத்தரையன் சுவரன் மாறன்  II) ruled over Cauvery Delta Region  - Mutharaiyar Nadu (முத்தரையர் நாடு) before the Cholas. The cult of Pidari (பிடாரி) (a form of Kali and the protecting deity as well as war deity) probably evolved in the sixth and seventh centuries AD and is generally restricted to southern India. The feudatory king was a formidable Warrior and was engaged in 12 battles with Pandya and Chera and was victorious in all the battles i.e., Kodumbaalur, Manalur, Thingalur, Kaandhalur, Azhindhiur, Kaarai, Maangur, Annavoil, Semponmari, Thanjaisembulanattu Venkodal, Pugazhi and Kannanur. He built the temple devoted to Pidari at Niamam (நியமம் பிடாரி அம்மன் கோயில்). The four pillars erected by the king bears the inscriptions (27 stanzas) reciting the wars, victories and other accomplishments. Inscriptions found at mandapam of Sundareswarar temple, Senthalai states:

செந்தலை சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் கோயில் முன் மண்டபத்தில் காணப்பெறும் .செந்தலை கல்வெட்டுகளில் "சுவரன் மாறன்னானவன் எடுபித்த பிடாரிகோயில் அவநெரிந்த ஊர்களும் அவன் பேர்களும் அவனை பாடினர் பேர்களும் இத்தூண்கள் மேலுழுதின இவை "என அக்கல்வெட்டு கூற்கின்றது.

Goddess Pidari was also worshiped by Pandya king Maranchadaiyan  Paranthaka Veeranarayanan alias  Nedum Chadayan (பாண்டியன் மாறன் சடையன் பராந்தக வீரநாராயணன் என்ற நெடுஞ்சடையன் ( 866 - 911 A.D.), Nandivarman II (Pallavamalla) (இரண்டாம் நந்திவர்மன் (பல்லவமல்லன்) (720–796 CE) and Aditya Chola I (பரகேசரி முதலாம் ஆதித்த சோழன் (கி.பி 871 - 907 A.D.).

In the same tradition Vijayalaya Chola (848-891 A.D.) aka. Parakesarivarman (விசயாலய சோழன் என்ற பரகேசரிவர்மன்) built the temple for goddess Nisumba soodhani to commemorate his victory. The Chola king was once a feudatory of the Pallavas.  This Thirupurampiyam (திருப்புறம்பயம் போர்) (Near Kumbakonam) war hero captured Thanjavur in 848 A.D. from Elango Mutharayar (final ruler of Mutharaiyar dynasty) and established as a semi autonomous state.  He became the real founder of the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur and his dynasty rose to its prominence during the middle of the 9th century A.D. The Imperial Cholas believed that goddess Nisumba soodhini as the personification of valour and would bless them with victory in the battle. This faith made them to pray for goddess 'Nisumba soodhini' before leaving for the battle field. This information was recorded in Thiruvalangadu copper-plate inscriptions:

“தஞ்சாபுரீம் சௌத சுதாங்காராகாம
ஐக்ராஹ ரந்தும் ரவி வம்ச தீப:
தத:பிரதிஷ்டாப்ய நிசும்ப சூதனீம்
சுராசுரை:அர்ச்சித பாத பங்கஜாம்
சது : சமுத்ராம்பர மேகலாம் புவம்
ரஹாஜ தேவோ தத்பராசதந”

Meaning: The idol of Nisumba soodhani, who conquered and annihilated the demons Shumba and Nishumba, was consecrated in Thanjavur. With the grace of the worshipful feet of Nisumba soodhani, the king ruled the earth surrounded by ocean with the ease, as if wearing like a garland.  

The original temple built by Vijayalaya Chola is not existing at present. Now there are two temples devoted goddess  Nisumba Soodhani located in the heritage town Thanjavur.

Present Temples

Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple (வடபத்ரகாளி அம்மன் கோவில்), Poomal Rauther Koil street in Keezha Vaasal.

The 1160 years old deity (!) comes under Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) administration and well maintained by Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.

The temple was built by Vijayalaya Chola (848-891) aka. Parakesarivarman, once a feudatory of the Pallavas. The temple has the sanctum sanctorum, ardhamandapa and the mahamandapa (temporary tin sheet shed). The deity of goddess Nisumba soodhini

The temple is 2 km away from Old Bus stand of Thanjavur and there are number city buses and auto rickshaws available from here.

Temple Timings: 07.00 am - 11.00 pm and 05.00 pm - 08.00 pm. Temple popularly known among the local people as "Ragukaala Kali Temple".

Ugra Kali Amman Temple (உக்ரகாளி அம்மன் கோவில்), Kuyavar street in Keezha Vaasal.

The 1160 years old deity (!) comes under Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) administration and well maintained by Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.

The temple was built by Vijayalaya Chola (848-891) aka. Parakesarivarman, once a feudatory of the Pallavas. The temple has two sanctum sanctorums, ardhamandapa and the common spacious mahamandapa. In the main sanctum the 19th century idol of goddess Nisumba soodhini appears seated. The priest told that this deity belongs to Maratta period. All poojas are performed to this deity in the main sanctum. The other sanctum sanctorum on the left side of the main sanctum lies another sanctum housing the 9th century CE idol of Nisumba soodhini.

The iconography of seated Nisumba soodhani depicts annihilation of the  Nisumba with her right and left legs engaged pressing against demon. One of her right hand holds the Trident (Trishul) and pointing towards Nisumba.  The goddess also appears seated on the bodies of four demons (Chanda , Munda, Raktha Bheeja, and Shumba) with head slightly tilted.

The temple is 2 km away from Old Bus stand of Thanjavur and there are number city buses and auto rickshaws available from here.

Temple Timings: 06.00 am - 12.00 pm and 05.00 pm - 08.00 pm. Temple popularly known among the local people as "Ukkira Kali Temple".

Legend

According to Devi Mahathmyam (Chandi), Raktha Bheeja, the commander of Shumbha and Nishumba opposed to goddess Parvathi. Goddess Parvathi created 'Kaushiki.'  Kaushiki was spotted by Chanda and Munda, Shumbha Nishumba's two assistants and reported about Kaushiki. Shumba and Nishumba sent proposals of marrying Kaushiki through a messenger. Kaushiki invited both for a fight and the winner could marry her.  There was fierce fighting between the demons Chanda and Munda and the goddess Kaushiki and killed them. Hence the name (Chamundi (Chanda+Munda). On seeing the death of Chanda and Munda the demons attacked the goddesses Kaushiki. At that moment, from the bodies of the various devas, women forces began emerging and took the form of Kali.  Among the asuras there was one commander known as Raktha Bheeja. Every drop of blood oozing from the body of Raktha Bheeja turns another demonic form of Raktha Bheeja. Kali was instructed to drink all the blood that oozes from the body of Raktha Bjeeja. On hearing death of Raktha Beeja, Nishumba assaulted Kaushiki and the goddess retaliated with a weapon known as 'Khura' and made him unconscious. Shumba came to the rescue of Nishumba and fell unconscious. At the end of the fight both Shumba and Nishumba were annihilated and the goddess Kaushiki became victorious.

Reference

1. Seminar on the eve of the 1337th Birthday Celebrations of Perarasar Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II: The King Who ruled Mutharaiyar Nadu with Tanjore as Capital. Held at Valasaravakkam, Chennai on 27th May 2012 from 10 am to 6 pm. http://www.mutharaiyar.in/
2. Thiruvalangadu copper plates discovered in 1905 C.E. is one of the largest so far recovered and contains 31 copper sheets. The copper plates, issued by emperor Rajendra Chola (1012-1044 A.D., regnal years), contain text written in Sanskrit and Tamil.
3. Vada Bhadra Kali Amman Temple at Tanjore. July 27, 2013 http://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2013/07/NisumbaSoodhani.html
4. அசுரனை அழித்த அன்னை Dina Thanthi http://202.191.144.181/2014-03-10-The-monster-Deleted-Mother-Spiritual-News
5. சசிதரன் (Sasi Dharan) https://en-gb.facebook.com/SasidharanGS/posts/581917588538232
6. சோழர்களின் குல தெய்வம் - நிசும்பசூதனி https://www.facebook.com/arivarsangam/posts/604887932890161
7. நிசும்பசூதினி – சோழர்களின் குல தெய்வம் தஞ்சையின் காவல் தெய்வம் – Nisumbasoothini By lokesh.  April 22nd, 2014 http://www.mythanjavur.com/2014/04/nisumbasoothini/

Thirumukkudal Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple Inscriptions on Vedic College, Hospital and Village Sabha II

Thirumukkudal Village Sign board.

Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. View 1

Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. View 2

Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. Information on Archaeology and Architecture

Veera Cholesvara Aadhular Salai (medical center) . Information on the Drugs Stored in the dispensary

ARE 248/1923 Inscriptions on Vedic College, Hospital and Village Sabha (Vira Rajendra Chola) Explained by Sasi Dharan

Rajendra Chola I Meikeerthi (Prologue of an inscription recording great accomplishments of the emperor) found in tripatta-kumuda of the east prakaram wall

Team members visited Thirumukkudal Temple with Temple and ASI staff

Thirumukkudal Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple Inscriptions on Vedic College, Hospital and Village Sabha (Vira Rajendra Chola)

Location: Thirumukkudal, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India Pin code 631606. Located about 58 km southwest of TN's capital city of Chennai.

Chola Emperor: Vira Rajendra Chola (1063-1068 A.D.)

Titles earned: From an inscription of his from Tirunamanallur dated in the fourth year of his reign, we understand that Virarajendra Chola held the titles Sakalabhuvanasraya, Srimedinivallabha, Maharajadhiraja Cholakula-Sundara, Pandyakulantaka, Ahavamallakula-Kala, Ahavamallanai-mummadi-ven-kanda Rajasraya, Vira-Chola, The Glory of the Solar race, Karikala-Chola, Sri-Virarajendradeva, Rajakesarivarma Perumanadigal (similar to the Nolamba Pallava titles of Permanadi from Kannada country) and Konerinmaikondan. (Wikipedia)

Regnal Year: 5th regnal year (1067 A.D.)

Inscription: ARE 248/1923

Language: Tamil

Script: 10th century Tamil Grantham

Length: 55 lines located on the east wall of the first prakaram

Identified by: K V Subramanya Iyer, epigraphist

Village Sabha of Thirumukudal:  Village Sabha of Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam, Madhurantaka-Chaturvedimangalam (nadu), Kalatur-kottam or valanadu (district), Jayamkondasola-mandalam (Province).

1. The Cholas had three major administrative divisions called Central Government, Provincial Government and Local Government. The king was the head of the administration. The king  and the council of ministers formed the central government; the Chola Empire was divided into nine provinces or mandalams and was administered by the 'viceroys.' Each mandalam was divided into several kottams or valanadu (districts); Each kottam or valanadu was sub-divided into 'nadus.' Each nadu was further sub-divided into villages or 'ur.' 
2. The autonomous local government and the systematic local adminsitration was well developed and enjoyed more  powers. 
3. The land revenue was the main source of income of the Chola Government. Customs and tolls were other income sources. Taxation  (mines, ports, forests, salt pans, domestic house taxes and on professional taxes) was heavy and over burdened the society. 
4. The semi-autonomous provinces and districts of the Chola administration were successfully administered by  the administrative officials and staff.  
5. The local residents of village or ‘Ur’ maintained the executive body known as “Abunganam” or “ganam” or “Miyalunganam” and this body gathered together to discuss matters on their villages, but not empowered to make any formal rule or procedure. 
6. Sabha or Mahasabha was the assembly of the Brahmin Settlement (Agrahara) and this complex machinery of local administration empowered to form policies or procedures, redressed disputes, implemented penalty and punishments.  
7. The sabhas or mahasabhas were empowered to administer public finance linked to the temple and the temples under Chola rule enjoyed huge annual income from land (lease) revenue,  taxes, interests acrued from deposits and the offerings of devotees. 
8. The sabhas also acted as moneylenders to the cultivators and even financed commercial endeavors across the ocean. 
9. The Saivite and Vaishnavite Hindu temples also acted as the center for social and economic life in Chola Empire and the sabha or mahasabha assembly sessions were held at temple premises. 
10.  The Chola temples employed number skilled staff (both male and female) and administered by the villagers  as autonomous multipurpose institutions. 
11. The temples under sabhas offered Vedic education through schools, ran choultries and nurtured arts and crafts including dance, drama and music.

This post attempts to bring out one such 1200 years old Vaishnavite temple which offered Vedic education and cared the disciples with an hostel and the charitable dispensary.

Throughout the Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple walls and pillars, we have come across inscriptions, some of which date back to the Pallava ruler, Vijaya Nripatungavarman of the (854-860 A.D.), Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) (985-1014 A.D.), Rajendra Chola I (முதலாம் இராஜேந்திர சோழன்) (1012-1044 A.D.),  Vira-Rajendra Chola (1063-1070 A.D.) and Kulottunga Chola I (முதலாம் குலோத்துங்க சோழன்) (1070-1120 A.D.). All these inscriptions stand as a source of interesting information about endowments and gifts made to this temple and the Chola kings attached much importance to this temple.

An inscription (ARE 248/1923) of Vira Rajendra Chola dated in his 5th regnal year (1067 A.D.) was found by epigraphist K V Subramanya Iyer. The 55 line inscription in Chola Tamil script was viewed on the east wall of the first prakaram. The record mentions about the Vedic College conducted in the ‘Jananatha Mandapam’ of the Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal temple. The Vedic education included Vedic and Vedanta subjects like Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Vyakaranam (வியாகரணம்), Roopavatharam (ரூபாவதாரம்), Siavagamam (சிவாகமம்), Maha Pancharathram (மகா பாஞ்சராத்ரம்), Vaikanasam (வைகானசம்); grammar, agamas and Hindu logic.

The inscription also provide information about the strength of the enrolled student disciples in the college, the number of Vedic teachers engaged for the prescribed subjects and remuneration in measures of rice-wages / paddy-wages and kasu (Chola coins). The hostel was attached to the college to enable the students to stay and learn Vedic education. The epigraph also details the servants and cooks engaged to take care of the inmates.

The unique and distinctive inscription also documents about the organization and administration of Veera Cholesvara Aadhular Salai (charitable dispensary or medical center), to treat students and temple staff, comprising fifteen beds.

The sabha of Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam made an endowment of 45 veli cultivable land (‘வைத்தியக் காணி' ) to receive land revenue to meet the annual expenses  of the Vedic college and dispensary. The endowments of cultivable land was accepted from devotees and treated as deposit in this temple.

The grant of rice ration for each patient (‘வியாதிப்பட்டுக் கிடப்பார்' ) for each day was one measure or nazhi (நாழி ). (வியாதிப்பட்டு கிடப்பார் பதினைவர்க்கு பேரால் அரிசி நாழியாக அரிசி குறுணி எழுநாழிக்கு நெல் தூணி ஐந்நாழி உரியும் ).

The epigraph details dispensary, its functional staff and the grants given to included the following:

1. One local physician of hereditary nature by name ‘Savarnan Kodhandaraman Aswathaaman Bhattan’ of Alapakkam (‘ஆலப்பாக்கத்து சவர்ணன் கோதண்டராமன் அசுவத்தாம பட்டன்'). Physician attended the medical needs of students and temple staff without expecting any return. Diagnosis was based on traditional pulse reading and prescription of ayurvedic drugs. The physician received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 90 kalam) Payment in coins (to be paid 80 kasu (coins).

2. One surgeon (Calliyakkiriyai Pannuvan) (சல்லியக் கிரியைப் பண்ணுவான்' ) received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 30 kalam) and Payment in coins (to be paid 2 kasu (coins) .

3. Two male nurses to collect herbs and firewood, and prepare drugs (ஆதுலர்க்கு மருந்துகளுக்கு வேண்டும் மருந்து பறித்து விறகிட்டு பரியாரம் பண்ணுவரிருவருக்கு )  received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 30 kalam) and Payment in coins (to be paid 1 kasu (coins).

4. Two female nurses to administered doses of medicines, feed the patients, and to look after cooking (ஆதுலர்க்கு வேண்டும் பரியாரம் பண்ணி மருந்திடும் பெண்டுகளிருவருக்கு) received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 30 kalam) and Payment in coins (to be paid 1 kasu (coins).

5. Barber (ஆதுலர்க்கும் கிடைகளுக்கும் பாத்திரருக்கும் வேண்டும் பணிசெய்யும் நாவிசன் ), for discharging duties to patients, students and temple staff, received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 15 kalam).

6. One Waterman (தண்ணீர் கொடுவந்து வைத்துச் சாய்ப்பான் ஒருவனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியாக நாள் நூற்றெண்பதுக்கு நெல் பதினெண்கலமும்) received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 15 kalam).

Grant of azhakku oil was also made (fluid measurement) for each lamp to be kept burning in the hospital during the nights and computed to 45 nazhi oil (fluid measurement) for 360 days costs 2.30  kasu (coins) (ஆதுலசாலையில் இரா எரியும் விளக்கு ஒன்றுக்கு எண்ணெயாழாக்காக நாள் முன்னூற்றறுபதுக்கு எண்ணெய் நாற்பத்தைந்து நாழிக்கு காசிரண்டேகாலும்).

The names of different medicines that were kept in the store of the hospital were also mentioned in that inscription:

Haritaki - Ayurvedic haritaki herbal formulation in powder form; Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal oil; Ghrita – Ayurvedic medicated herbal ghee; Ayurvedic medicated water with cardamom and lemon as ingredients. Medicated herbal oils were prescribed for head / body massage to neutralize excess heat in human body. Ayurvedic oils also prescribed for 'tuvalai' or external applications. The ayurvedic drugs were administered through fumigation (vatu pitita), oral administration (consumed through mouth); nasal administration (naisyam); and ocular administration (kallikam). 

1. Haritaki (ஹரிதகி) (Terminalia chebula (Botanical) Chebulic Myrobalan (English) Haritaki in Sanskrit, Kadukkai (கடுக்காய்)in Tamil) 2 padi
2. Gomutra haritaki (கோமூத்திர ஹரிதகி) 2 padi (Ayurvedic herbal formulation in powder form);
3. Dasamula haritaki (தசமூலஹரிதகி) (Drug for treatment of mental illness) 1 padi (Ayurvedic herbal formulation in powder form to improve digestion);
4. Piplathaka haritaki (பிப்லாதக ஹரிதகி) 1 padi
5. Gandiram (கண்டீரம்) 1 padi
6. Balakoranda thailam (பலாகோரண்டதைலம்) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
7. Pancharka thailam (பஞ்சார்கதைலம்) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
8. Srilasratthakoranda thailam (ஸ்ரீலஸ்ரத்தா கோரண்டதைலம் ) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
9. Kanyathi thailam (கண்யாதிதைலம் ) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
10. Sakrutham (சாக்ருதம்) 1 pathakku;
11. Bilvadi ghritam (வில்வாதி க்ருதம் ) 1 pathakku (Ghrita – Ayurvedic medicated herbal ghee);
12. Mandukara vatakam (மண்டூரவாகம்) 2000;
13. Mahasumanathri (மஹாசுமனத்ரி) 2000;
14. Thanrathi (தந்த்ராதி) 2000;
15. Panchakalpam (பஞ்சகல்பம்) 1 thooni/pathakku
16. Kalyana lavanam (கல்யாணலவணம்) ( Lavan means salt. Kalyana lavanam used for treatment of insanity in general, epilepsy and stammering)

The Original Text:

ஆதுரசாலை வீரசோழனில் வியாதிப்பட்டு கிடப்பார் பதினைவர்க்கு பேரால் அரிசி நாழியாக அரிசி குறுணி எழுநாழிக்கு நெல் தூணி ஐந்நாழி உரியும் வியாதிப்பட்டு கிடப்பார்க்கு பலபடி நிபந்தக்காரர்க்கும் கிடைகளுக்கும் பாத்திரர்க்கும் சிவஸ்யஞ்சொல்லியாணியாக தனக்கும் தன் வர்க்கத்தாருக்கும் பெற்றுடைய ஆலப்பாக்கத்து சவணன் கோதண்டராமன் அசுவத்தம்பட்டனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் முக்குறுணியும் காசெட்டும் சல்லியக்கிரியை பண்ணுவானுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியும் ஆதுலர்க்கு மருந்துகளுக்கு வேண்டும் மருந்து பறித்து விறகிட்டு பரியாரம் பண்ணுவரிருவருக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியாக நெல்பதக்கும் காசொன்றாக காசிரண்டும் ஆதுலர்க்கு வேண்டும் பரியாரம் பண்ணி மருந்திடும் பெண்டுகளிருவருக்கு பேரால் நாநாழியாக நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியும் பேரால் காசரையாக காசொன்றும் ஆதுலர்க்கும் கிடைகளுக்கும் பாத்திரருக்கும் வேண்டும் பணிசெய்யும் நாவிசன் ஒருவனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நாநாழி ஆதுரசாலை வீரசோழனில் ஆண்டொன்றிலருமருந்து ஸ்ரீப்ராஹ்ம்ய மகருக்கு இப்படியொன்றும் … இப்படி ஹரிதகி படி இரண்டும் கோமூத்திர ஹரிதகி படியிரண்டும் தசமூலஹரிதகி படியொன்றும் பிப்லாதக ஹரிதகி படியொன்றும் கண்டீரம் படியொன்றும் பலாகோரண்டதைலம் தூணியும் பஞ்சார்கதைலம் தூணியும் ஸ்ரீலஸ்ரத்தா கோரண்டதைலம் தூணியும் கண்யாதிதைலம் தூணியும் ….. பதக்கும் சாக்ருதம் பதக்கும் வில்வாதி க்ருதம் பதக்கும் மண்டூரவாகம் இரண்டாயிரமும் மஹாசுமனத்ரி இரண்டாயிரமும் தந்த்ராதி இரண்டாயிரமும் பஞ்சகல்பம் தூணிபதக்கும் கல்யாணலவணம் தூணி பதக்கும் இவையடுகைக்கு வேண்டும் மருந்துகளுக்கும் நெய்யும் … வும் உள்ளிட்ட …. ஆண்டுதோரும் புராண.. சர்வ பசுவிநெய் பதக்கும் கொள்ள காசுநாற்பதும் ஆதுலசாலையில் இரா எரியும் விளக்கு ஒன்றுக்கு எண்ணெயாழாக்காக நாள் முன்னூற்றறுபதுக்கு எண்ணெய் நாற்பத்தைந்து நாழிக்கு காசிரண்டேகாலும்.. ஜனநாதன்… ல தன்யனுக்கு பங்குனி உத்திரம் தொடங்கி புரட்டாசி திருவோணத்தளவும் பரம்பாலூர… தண்ணீர் கொடுவந்து வைத்துச் சாய்ப்பான் ஒருவனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியாக நாள் நூற்றெண்பதுக்கு நெல் பதினெண்கலமும் ஏலத்துக்கும் இலாமிச்சத்துக்கும் நெல் இரு… ண்ணியாஹம் பண்ணின பிராமணர்க்கு தக்ஷிணாகம் வெற்றிலை வெருங்காய்க்கும் நெல் கலனே தூணி இருநாழி முழக்கே முச்செவிடும் வயலைக்காவூர் காணியுடைய மாதவன் தாயன் வர்க்கத்தார்க்கு புரட்டாதி திருவோணத்து நாள் உடுக்கும் பரிசட்டம் இரண்டுக்கு காசொன்றே எழுமாவும் மூவாயிரத்து இருநூற்று நாற்பத்து முக்கலனே இருதூணி பதக்கு அறுநாழி உழக்கே முச்செவிடுக்கும் காசு இருனூற்றொருபத்து ஆறறையே இரண்டு மாவுக்கும் இக்காசு பத்ராவிடில் காசொன்றுக்கு தண்டவாணி ஒன்றோடொக்கும் பொன்காசு நிறைகால் இடுவதாகவும் இப்படியாண்டு ஆறாவது நிபந்தம் செய்தபடி இந்நிபந்தம் தழுவக்குழைந்தானான அபிமானபேரு பிரம்ம மாராயன். (Source: Sri LV Krshnan REACH Foundation http://reachhistory.blogspot.com/2010/03/field-trip-of-second-batch-of-epigraphy.html)

Chola Units and measurements: Measure of Grain Volume

360 nel          - 1 soadu (33.6 ml)
5 soadu         - 1 aazhaakku
1 aazhaakku            - 168 ml
1 uzhakku               - 336 ml (2 aazhaakku)
1 Uri            - 672 ml (2 Uzhakku / 4 aazhakku)
1 Nazhi    (Padi)        - 1. 344 lit. (2 Uri / 4 Uzhakku / 8 aazhakku)   
1 Kuruni (Marakkal)    - 10. 752 lit. (8 nazhi / 16 uri / 32 uzhakku / 64 aazhakku)
1 Pathakku         - 21.504 lit. (2 kuruni / 16 nazhi / 32 uri / 64 uzhakku /128 aazhakku)
1 Thooni        - 43.008 lit (2 pathakku / 4 kuruni / 32 nazhi / 64 uri / 128 uzhakku / 256 aazhakku)
1 Kalam        - 86.016 lit (3 kalam / 6 pathakku / 12 kuruni / 96 nazhi / 192 uri / 384 uzhakku / 768 aazhakku)

Chola Units and measurements: Measure of  Fluid volume

5 sevidu= 1 aazhaakku
2 mahani = 1 aazhakku (arai kal padi)
2 aazhaakku= 1 uzhakku (Kal padi)
2 uzhakku= 1 uri (Arai padi)
2 uri= 1 padi
8 padi= 1 marakkaal
2 marakkaal(kuRuNi)= 1 padhakku
2 padhakku= 1 thooNi
21 Marakkal = 1 Kottai

Chola Units and measurements: Measure of Gold weights

1 Nel edai        - 0.0625 gram
1 Kundrimani         - 0.25 gram or (4 Nel edai)
1 Manjadi (Panavedai)    - 0.50 gram (or 8 Nel edai / 2 Kundrimani)
1 Kalanju        - 2.5 gram (5 Manjadi (Panavedai)
1 Varaganedai        - 4 gram (8 Manjadi (Panavedai) / 1.6 Kalanju)
1 Sovereign (Poun)    - 8 gram (16 Manjadi (Panavedai) / 1.5 Kalanju

Reference

1. Field trip of second batch of epigraphy students to Thirumukoodal. Reach Foundation. March 12, 2010. http://reachhistory.blogspot.com/2010/03/field-trip-of-second-batch-of-epigraphy.html
2. In typical Pallava style  by Chitra Madhavan. The Hindu Feb 04, 2005.
3. Treatment of the mentally ill in the Chola Empire in 11th -12th centuries AD: A study of epigraphs by Vijaya Raghavan. D, Tejus Murthy. A. G, and Somasundaram,  O. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2014 Apr-Jun; 56(2): 202–204.
4. Medicinal plants to grow again at ancient temple Julie Mariappan http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp
5. Reminiscing the Chola legacy Chitra Madhavan Indian Express Jan 29, 2014
6. South Indian Inscriptions. Volume 12. Stones No.75 (A. R. No. 179 of 1915). Tirumukkudal, Conjeeveram Taluk, Chingleput District. On a slab supporting a beam set up in the inner enclosure of the Venkatesa-Perumal temple. http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_12/stones_51_to_75.html
7. Thirumukkoodal Sri Appan Prasanna Venkatesa Perumaal. In Dhivya Dharsanam. Tuesday, May 24, 2011 http://www.dharsanam.com/2011/05/thirumukkoodal-sri-appan-prasanna.html
8. Worship of Lord Brahma, Part 61 
9. ஆயிரம் வருட பழமையான கல்லூரி by Sasi Dharan March 4, 2013 https://www.facebook.com/SasidharanGS?hc_location=timeline 
10. வரலாற்று வரைவுகள் இரா. கலைக்கோவன்    http://www.varalaaru.com/design/article.aspx?ArticleID=359