Kundalakesi-Tamil Epic

Tamil language is as old as Sanskrit and Tamil has a hoary past. The Epics in Tamil literature revealing the relativity of our own values. The Five Great Epics in Tamil literature which are large narrative in Tamil namely Cilappatikaram, Manimekalai, CivakaChintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. 

The 5 Great Epics, also known as Aimperumkappiyam.. The Five Great Epics were composed during the period between 1st Century CE and 10th Century CE..Out of these, only Kundalakesi and Valayapathi are in existence. Amongst the Five Great Epics, Kundalakesi and Manimekalai are Buddhist religious literary works, Valayapathi and Civaka Cintamani are Jain literary works and Cilappatikaram has a neutral religious observation. then the 'discovery' and enjoyment of Tamil literature.

Recently I read  one of the unique epic Kundalakesi. These epic provide the historical verification of cultural, social, religious and academic life of the people of that era and it points out the common folly in being attached to worldly things and how important it is to follow the path to enlightenment through a religion or by wisdom. I am glad that I could explore a small part of Tamil literature today.

The Story of Kundalakesi has inspired me a lot ever since I read .. Kundalakesi was composed before fifth century. Originally there are ninety nine verses but only nineteen verses are available. The story of these epics too, is not clear. However, from what is available, we know that epics belonging to other religions were destroyed, though they have their own literary merits.

 The poet who composed this epic was Nagakutthanaar. He was an ardent Buddhist, who is believed to have known all about his previous births. He is supposed to have lived during the 10th century A.D.   ‘Kesi’ means a lady’s plait. As her hair was curly, she was called Kundalakesi. Her name has been taken as the title of this epic..

Story Of Kundalakesi:

Kundalakesi was the leading character and was born in a merchant family in Puhar. Initially she was known as Bhadra. She lost her mother at a young age and lived a sheltered life. One day she saw a thief being paraded in the streets and falls in love with him. His name was Kaalan and he was sentenced to death. Obsessed with Kaalan, she begs her father to save him. Her father appeals to the king for the release of the thief. In order to release Kaalan he pays Kaalan's weight in gold and 81 elephants to the treasury.

 Kundalakesi and Kaalan are married. Although she loved her husband very dearly, her husband being a thief, was only attracted to her property and her jewels. One day in a light vein she refers to him as a thief. This enrages Kaalan and he decides to kill his wife. One day, he coaxed her to put on all her jewellery and led her to a mountain saying that he wanted to make some offerings to the guardian spirit of the mountain because that guardian spirit had saved his life when he was about to be killed. Kundalakesi went along with her husband, but when they reached their destination, the thief revealed that he intended to kill her and take her jewels. She is shocked to hear this and. She pleaded with him to take her jewels, but to spare her life, but it was of no avail. She then realized that if she did not get rid of her husband, there would be no way of escape for her. She felt she must be cautious and crafty. So she asks him to grant a final wish - she wishes to worship him by going round him three times said to her husband, she wanted to pay respect to him for the last time. So saying, and going round the man respectfully. He agrees and when she gets behind him, Kundalakesi pushes him, thereby killing him. 

After this, she had no desire to return home. She left all her jewellery hanging on a tree, and went on her way, without any idea where she was going. She happened to come to a place of some Paribbajikas (female wandering ascetics) and she herself became a Paribbajikas a Buddhist monk and spends the rest of her life spreading the teachings of Buddha. She carries out theological battles with Jains and Hindus, defeating them in debates. She finally attains superior liberation. In one of the versions, it is believed that she was a Jain in her initial life and she shattered conventions by becoming a nigrantha or naked monk.

The story actually amazed me! Feminism was so strong and bold those days. We preach these days about being bold women, do not know actually know if we are !

There is also a small message in this story True penance is controling your feelings. pleasure and Praise belongs to those who having Mind Purity.everything is  seemed to be predestination

A man may conquer a million men in battle, but one who conquers himself is, indeed, the greatest of conquerors.Real freedom is freedom from all forms of bondage. It can be achieved only through proper spiritual development and purification of one's own mind - purging and cleansing oneself from all taints of greed, hatred and delusion.

Links: Verses with Meaning- 

 http://temple.dinamalar.com/news_detail.php?id=6864

http://ilakkiyam.com/iyal/25-tamil/iyal/imperunkapiyam/3971-kundalakesi

http://searchko.in/literature/ta-cached.jsp?idx=0&id=388

Akshaya thrithiai...

(Thanks pictures source from http://moralstories.wordpress.com)

What is so special about Akshaya thrithiai? What is the history behind it? Which god is special on that day? What is the significance of buying gold on that day? What are the other thigs aspicious to purchase apart from gold?
Akshaya Tritiya, variously spelt as Akshya Thiritiya, Akshaya Tritiiya and also called Akshaya Trithi.Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. This is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Indians. The word Akshaya, a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.
'Atchayam' means growing without reducing or waning. Like the divine vessel 'Akshaya pathiram' with undiminishing food, one celebrates this day which bestows prosperity as 'Akshaya Thirthiya'.

And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Ramachandra respectively.
The legends associated with Akshaya Thruthiyai are thus:
The main legend is from Mahabharata. When Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi a bowl called the Akshaya Pathram. The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes and this bowl is said to have given infinite food to the Pandavas.
In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord Krishna on this day. The Akshaya Pathram provided unlimited food for the Pandavas during their exile. Due to this reason, people believe that anything that is acquired on this day will be replenished
Kuchela, the poor friend Of Krishna went to see Krishna with some aval (poha) tied in his upper cloth. Kannan welcomed Kuchela happily and putting a handful of poha in his mouth uttered the word “Akshayam”. At once, the humble abode of Kuchela became a palace & he became a very prosperous man.
Associated with the Mahabarata, is another story for the day. It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that decided their victory over the Kauravas. Also, it is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed Asura on this day. It is on this day that Veda Vyasa, along with Lord Ganesha, started writing the Mahabharata.
And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Ramachandra respectively.
According to the Vedas, it was on the day of Akshay Tritiiya that Veda Vyasa along with Lord Ganesha started writing the epic, Mahabharata
There is also another legend associated with the day, also known as Akha Teej, in North India. This is celebrated as the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu marking the beginning of Golden Age. Parshuram is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. One day, when Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka, he commanded Parshuram to kill her. In obedience to his father’s command, he killed his mother. In return, when Jamadagni offered his son a boon, he got his mother back to life.

Many people offer tharpanams to forefathers on this day. This is done to incur their blessings. It is very good to worship, Shiva Parvathi, Shriman Narayanan, Sri Lakhmi Devi on this day. Lakshmi is supposed to have chosen this day to worship Lord Kubera on this day, to be blessed with Kubera Sampath. Krutha Yuga is said on have started this day. Just like a yuga lasts for millions of years, any action done on this day is supposed to yield, benfits, multifold times. Any new venture started on this day will last long and well. So this day is supposed to be auspicious for registering a business deal, buy a new property, open new accounts and last but not least to buy new clothes, jewellery etc. It does not end there, it is the most ideal day to do charity, help the physically challenged, do financial helps for higher studies for needy, deserving people as well. It is said that giving curd rice to others improves longevity of life. Distribution of sweets, helps to get over the obstacles in getting married. Distribution of grains and cereals, prevents accidents and untimely death. By giving cattle feed, prosperity will increase. So, let us do good deeds on this auspicious day and pray for good things in life.
This is why this day is considered to be a good time to bring home Goddess Lakshmi, in any form, gold, silver or platinum. Valuables that are acquired on this day are said to be replenished endlessly.

(collection from net)