The Cheras were the ruling dynasty of the Chera Kingdom—one of the three renowned kingdoms of ancient Tamil Nadu—situated along the western coast. Their royal emblem was the bow. It can be inferred that the Cheras were highly skilled in archery. As one of the *Muvendar* (the Three Crowned Kings), they held Karur and Vanji as their capitals; some Chera kings also ruled with Thondi as their capital.
In this very Chera land, the festival of Onam, celebrated annually during the month of Avani, is immensely popular. It is believed that on this day, their king, Mahabali (Mavali), visits his people. While Sangam and later literature identify the Cheras as the rulers of this land, one might wonder how Mavali—an Asura—could be considered the king of the Cheralam.
If Mavali—celebrated by both Chera kings and the common people—was an Asura, it is possible that the Cheras belonged to a distinct lineage. It is quite plausible that the names of Chera kings correspond to the translated Sanskrit names of Mahabali’s ancestors and descendants.
Let us delve into the research...
The Mavali dynasty ruled the region extending southwards from the Vindhya Mountains to the Western Ghats.
Here are the observations made by Mr. Ram.Ki regarding this matter:
The term 'Vanar' signifies the Mavali dynasty. Mavali’s preceptor was Shukracharya (also known as Bhargava). Mavali was a Chera king; the claim that he was an Asura is merely a myth. Puranic texts often label southern kings as Asuras; thus, the Chera dynasty—descended from Mavali—were the rulers of the hill country (*Malai Nadu*).
He is described in *Kadukan Kadhai* (11:148)(ManiMegalai) as the "crowned lord who traversed the vast earth." There is a strong possibility that King Mavali (or Mahabali), a figure in this story of divine incarnation, was a Chera king.
(To this day, Mavali is commemorated in Kerala during every Onam festival.) His depiction as an *Arakkan* (demon/Asura) likely stems solely from his complexion—specifically, a reddish-brown hue—rather than anything else; after all, the reddish-brown *arakku* (lac) color is characteristic of Tamils. Is the color of a tender mango leaf not akin to this reddish-brown shade? Sangam literature mentions various kings and chieftains bearing names like Cheraman Mavan Ko, Vilangil Mavan Kadalan, Mavan Pulli, and Mavan Killi. The prefix "Ma" clearly indicates that he was a Tamil king. Furthermore, the name of Mavali’s grandfather, Perugalathan, could well be a derivative of *Peruncheralathan* > *Perunkeralathan* > *Perunkalathan* > *Pragalathan*. There are two reasons to consider this hypothesis. First, the suffix "Aathan" was common among many Chera kings. Second, the epic *Manimekalai*—specifically in the chapter titled "The Prison Transformed into a House of Virtue" (16:53-55)—records that a descendant of Mavali gave his daughter in marriage to the Chola king Mavan Killi:
"The glorious, divine daughter of Mavali’s kinsman...
The noble lady named Keerthi..."
Ilango Adigal also records in *Silappathikaram* that this same Mavan Killi was the brother-in-law of Senguttuvan. While *Silappathikaram* identifies Senguttuvan’s mother as the daughter of "Gnayitru Cholan" (Sun-Chola), the *Pathitruppathu* (specifically the *pathigam* or colophon for the fifth decade) describes Senguttuvan as the son born to Neduncheralathan (King of the Kudavar/Cheras) by the daughter of "Manakkilli." This reference to "Manakkilli" points to Senguttuvan’s maternal grandfather, "Gnayitru Cholan." Given these kinship ties, it is highly probable that Mavali was a Chera king. Let us consider the word "Chera" as "Asura" and examine the comparison.
Indeed, Puranas have referred to the Chera king as an "Asura." Both
ruled over mountainous regions.
List of Asura Kings
---------------------------------------------------
Kashyapa
|
|-------------------------|
Hiranyakashipu Hiranyaksha
|
Prahlada
|
Virochana
|
Mahabali
|
Bana
List of Chera Kings:
---------------------------------------------------
Early Cheras:
Cheraman Perunchotruthiyan Cheralathan --- 1200 BC - (?)
Cheras of the Last Sangam Era: Uthiyan Cheralathan 45-70 AD
Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan 71-129 AD
Palyanai Selkezhu Kuttuvan 80-105 AD
Kalankaikkanni Narmudi Cheral 106-130 AD
Senguttuvan 129-184 AD
Pon Manthan Cheral Irumporai (Period unknown)
Selva Kadungo Vazhiyathan Irumporai 123-148 AD
Adukotpattu Cheralathan 130-167 AD
Tagadur Eritha Peruncheral Irumporai 148-165 AD
Ilamcheral Irumporai 165-180 AD
Kuttuvan Kothai AD 184-194
The era of Māri Venkō is unknown.
The era of Cheraman Vanjan is unknown.
The era of Ilankadunkō (who sang the *Marutham* poems) is unknown.
The era of Cheraman Kanaikkāl Irumporai is unknown.
The era of Cheraman Mākōthai (who died at Kōttambalam) is unknown
Peruncheralathan, known as Asura Prahalathan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sangam literature states that the name 'Aathan' refers to a Chera king. A poem by Orampokiyar from the *Ainkurunuru* serves as evidence for this:
"Long live Aathan, long live Avini;
May the fields yield a bountiful harvest."
"Long live Aathan, long live Avini;
May the yield of milk be abundant."
Meaning:
Avini, who was born into the lineage of the Chera King Aathan—our mother-figure—
May he live long; under his reign, may the fields flourish and milk production increase...
Prahlada, of the Asuras, was the grandfather of Mavali (Mahabali).
The prefix 'Praha' means 'great' or 'large'. For instance, the Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple is known in Sanskrit as 'Brihadisvara' (Great Lord).
'Prahlada' can be interpreted as 'Great + Lada'; if one adds the name 'Asura' or 'Chera' to it, it yields the meaning 'Peruncheralathan'.
The name 'Prahlada' corresponds 100% to 'Peruncheralathan' or 'Neduncheralathan'.
Asura Hiranyakasipu as Manthacheral Irumporai
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hiranyan was the son of Kashyapa. 'Hiranyan' means "Golden One" (Ponnan); thus, 'Hiranyakasipu' signifies "Golden Man" (Pon Manthan). It is possible that Ponmantha Cheral Irumporai is the historical figure behind Hiranyakasipu.
Asura Hiranyaksha as Kanakkal Irumporai
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as Hiranyan corresponds to the Golden Man, Hiranyaksha could correspond to Ponmantha Kanakkal Irumporai.
Asura Virochana as Udhayan Cheralathan:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virochana was the son of Prahlada. 'Virochana' means 'Sun'. While the Sun is common to both Devas and Asuras,Virochana is revered as the Sun God specifically within the Asura underworld (Patala). This Virochana is [linked to] Ayodhya's Dasaratha... He is cited as an ancestor to Sri Rama. His name can be interpreted as Udayan (Sun) Cheralathan.
(a) Cheraman Mavanko, also known as Asura Mavali
He was the son of Mahabali Virochana. "Mavali" signifies a king of immense might. The name "Mavan-Ko" (King Mavan) can be understood as Cheraman Mavanko. He is the central figure of the Onam festival.
(a) Villavan Kothai, also known as Asura Bana
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vanan (Bana), the son of Mahabali, bears a name that implies "one who wields the arrow-point."
His name eventually became the bow-and-arrow emblem of the Cheras. He can be identified as Villavan Cheraman Kothai.Thus, the collective names of the Cheras were recorded in Puranic texts as "Asuras.
"
The capital of the Cheras was Mahodhayapuram. Similarly, we learn that the Vanakovaraiyars had their capital at Magadhai, located in the Attur region of Salem; some texts refer to this place as Salem (or Cheralam).
The Cheras marched as far as the Himalayas and conquered territories, leading to the establishment of a "Magadha" kingdom there.Mavali—belonging to the Chera lineage (often termed Asuras)—is recognized as an ancestor to the Chera, Ganga, Katti, Tulu, Bengali, and Nepali peoples.
Among the Cheras of the Mavali lineage, the last ruler, known as Pana Perumal, was later renamed Kulasekhara Varma by the Nambuthiris.
Source: Sangam Literature.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.