Thursday, December 15, 2005

Architectural Wonders...

After quite some time, am back to blogging again. Just had a breather to post some pics. Will post other informative articles in the days to come


Gangai Konda Cholapuram
(built by King Rajendra Cholan son of King RajaRaja Cholan)

Another view of Gangai Konda Cholapuram


Built in the memory of the victory over a King of the North
The sanctum sanctorum - The Shiva lingam is said to be bigger in size than the one at the Brahadeeshwara Temple


The huge Nandhi before the temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram


The Singamuga (Lion Face) Well


The glorious temple at Darasuram built by a Chola King


Entrance to the great Darasuram, the temple is built in such a way that anyone who wants to go into the temple has to wash their feet in the water pool before the temple


Architectural marvel inside the Darasuram temple (View 1)


Another view of the architectural marvel (View 2)


A Gestalt shift of a bull and an elephant at Darasuram



Brilliance in architecture at Thirubuvanam (again by another Chola King)


A Gestalt shift of a bull and an elephant at Thirubuvanam


More to come, until then...

Saturday, October 22, 2005

The Esoteric Edaikaadar

Edaikaadar or Edaikaatu Siddhar is one of the 18 Siddhars. He is known to have mastered the art of astrology besides the 8 maha-siddhis called the Ashtama Siddhis (great yogic powers - see here ). He is known to have won what the fate had for him and the country with his Siddhis. Of all his work, the awesome and the great work describing what happens each year in the world. It is quite esoteric that you have to believe it to understand it. It cannot be considered as a prediction or specific statement of what happens during 2005, 2006 etc, but rather it seems to me as more or less a mathematical calculation.

Well, let me explain it more clearly. Describing what would happen each in the world is not an easy task and that too in a generic way. What Edaikaadar has done, is that he has divided the time frame into 60 years, named from Prabava to Akshaya, and has given the generic happenings for each of those years. Those 60 years repeat as a cycle and each year starts from April 14 to the April 13 of the next year, i.e., the Chitirai month to the Panguni Month, in the Tamil Calendar. The following table lists the names of the years (1-60). The current year is Parthiba (14 April 2005 - 13 April 2006)


Year Name From Apr-14 To Apr-13
Prabava 1987 1988
Vibava 1988 1989
Sukila 1989 1990
Pramogadha 1990 1991
Prajorpaththi 1991 1992
Aangirasa 1992 1993
Srimuga 1993 1994
Bhava 1994 1995
Yuva 1995 1996
Thadhu 1996 1997
Easwara 1997 1998
Vegudhanya 1998 1999
Pramadhi 1999 2000
Vikrama 2000 2001
Vishu 2001 2002
Chithirabanu 2002 2003
Subanu 2003 2004
Dharana 2004 2005
Parthiba 2005 2006
Viya 2006 2007
Sarvasiththu 2007 2008
Sarvadhari 2008 2009
Virodhi 2009 2010
Vikrudhi 2010 2011
Kara 2011 2012
Nandhana 2012 2013
Vijaya 2013 2014
Jaya 2014 2015
Manmadha 2015 2016
Thunmughi 2016 2017
Hayvilambi 2017 2018
Vilambi 2018 2019
Vigari 2019 2020
Sarvari 2020 2021
Pilava 2021 2022
Subhakridhu 2022 2023
Sobakridhu 2023 2024
Kurodhi 2024 2025
Visuvavasu 2025 2026
Parabhava 2026 2027
Pilavanga 2027 2028
Keelaga 2028 2029
Sowmiya 2029 2030
Saadharana 2030 2031
Virodhikridhu 2031 2032
Paridhabi 2032 2033
Pramadheesa 2033 2034
Aanandha 2034 2035
Rakshasa 2035 2036
Nala 2036 2037
Pingala 2037 2038
Kaalayukthi 2038 2039
Siddharthi 2039 2040
Rowdhri 2040 2041
Thunmadhi 2041 2042
Thundhubi 2042 2043
Rudhrodhgaari 2043 2044
Rakthakshi 2044 2045
Kurodhana 2045 2046
Akshaya 2046 2047


The generic predictions of the happenings in each of these years have been sung by Edaikaadar as Verses called Venba in Tamil Literature. I have posted a few of those verses with their meanings




PARTHIBA (APRIL 2005-2006)


Desamisai Parthiba Varudam Singalathar
Desathar Nesam Kedum Ananda Desathu - Rajar
Aniyayam Seivar Radham Yerum Maari
Inidhaam Vilaivum Ulavaam

meaning, during the year Parthiba, the Srilankans would have a bad time, having their internal and external relations spoiled. Kings and Rulers of other countries would do blatant injustice. Rains will batter the world. The yield on crops would be very good.

This too seems to be correct, Rains battering all over the world, for the rest of the events we have to wait until April 2006



DHAARANA (APRIL 2004-2005)

Dhaaranathil Maari Arum Dharaniyil Kaedum Undaam
Oraai Seevangalukku Uyyadhu - Paarpiniyaal
Ayyamadiyumae Yakkam Kuraivaamae
Veiyar Bayame Migum

meaning, in the year Dhaarana, rains will fail, catastrophe and bad events would occur. The beings on earth would not attain comfort or salvation. The world would die of difficulties etc, divine activities like yaagams etc will reduce. Terrorist / Enemical threats would increase.

If we correlate Dharana year's happenings with this song and it seems concur with events like Tsunami etc happened


SUBANU

Sonnaen Subanuthanil Thodrum Mazhaikonjamam
Pinnae Vilaivu Perugathu Manne Munn
Mathima Kolundaam Madium NaarkaalJeevan
Sattrum Sugam Illai Than

meaning, in the year Subanu rainfall will dwindle as a result crops would not yield in the later part of the year. Moderate benefits during the middle of the year. Cattle would die in large proportions. In total, not a good year even to a small extent

CHITIRABANU

Chitirabanil Sirakka Mazhai Migundhu
Vithulla vellaam Vilayumae - Ethisaiyum
Parparukku Aagadhu Paarvendharkkolamam
Theerpaga Bhoomi Bayam Seppu

meaning, in the year Chitirabanu, rains will be good and adequate resulting in good agricultural yield. Though the year is quite good with people living a kinglike life, those involved in divine activies may have a bad time. Territorial disputes/natural land disasters/threats/fears will exist.


VISHU

Paaril Vishu Varudam Paalagarkku Peedaiundaam
Kaarpozhivadhillai Murkaalathil - Yeri
Perugadhu Pirrkaalam Peyyumae Maari
Irukaalamum Samannedru Enn

meaning, during the year Vishu, children will have a bad time, rains will fail during the early part of the year and water sources like lakes, reservoirs would not have their water levels increased. In the later part of the year rains will be good and consider the two parts of the year to be equal in giving benefits



VIKRAMA

Vikrama Aandathanil Meviya Nannmaari Konjam
Akkanuyar Kalazhiyumae - Thokka
Payirtheethaam Noyum Pazhiyumamam Pinbu
Seyirtheerndha Mazhaiyaam Seppu

meaning, during the year Vikrama, the expected rains will be lesser, crops will perish, diseases and curses will spread and during the later part of the year the rains would be remedial to the past effects

PRAMADHI

Veyya Pramadhiyil Vendhar Kodumaiyilum
Ayyakael Panjamadukkumae - Seyya
Pasukkal Meliyum Paarir kudigal
Sisukaludan Alaivaar thaer

meaning, in the year Pramadhi, even the kings will be in a torment, and heed with fear that famine will strike. As a result, all the cattle would starve, and the people of the world would make an exodus with their children.

VEGUDHANYAM

Vegudhanya Varuda Maydhaniyil Vellaam
Tharumari Perryumthaan munn - Mugil Soarndhu
Konja Mazhai Peyyum Kulavu Thazhai Thazhaikkum
Panjum Paruthi Uppu Paazh

meaning, during the year Vegudhanyam, rains will set a record though during the early part of the year rains will be less. But agricultural yields will be good, but wool, cotton and salt would be destroyed.

PRABAVA

Aadhi Pilavathil Ambuviyil Maanidarkku
Sodhanaiyai Saavu thunbam Thonumae - Needhi
tharu Pasukkal Maeya Thalaimazhai undaam
Paruthiuppu aamanukku Paazh

meaning, the during the first year Prabava, humans will see deaths, problems and difficulties. Rains will be sufficient enough to grow the grass grazed by cattle. Cotton, castor and Salt will get destroyed.

AKSHAYA

Achayathil Paaril Vilaivu Arrpamamena Sonnalum
Narrcheyalgal Mevum Nalamundaam - Ippuviyil
Maariundu Vellanmai vaavuravay Thaanvilayum
Seerananga Orum theerum

meaning, during the akshaya, though crops would give a meagre yield, good deeds would be on the rise and rains will be adequate to cultivate paddy and all things will get into order.

Though I don't have a historical track of the things to prove the above songs but with the happenings we could clearly estimate that these are indeed true. We would have to wait to see if these are correct. My belief, it works!!!!

More to come until then...

Here the other parts of this post

Monday, October 10, 2005

The 16 and The 10

Well, whats the big deal about 16 and 10? Go ahead read about interesting fact about the 16 and the 10.

You could hear the Tamil people telling these two phrases
  • "Pathinaarum Petru Peruvaazhvu Vaalga"
  • "Pasi Vandhal Paththum Paranthu Pogum"

"Pathinaarum Petru Peruvaazhvu Vaalga" means Attain all the 16 kinds of wealth and prosperity and live a long life. This phrase is used when the elderly people blessing the young people, when the younger people fall at the elders feet or during some auspicious events

"Pasi Vandhal Paththum Paranthu Pogum" means When you are hungry all your 10 characters/characteristics would go away from you. This is a song sung by Avaiyar in one of her works, Moodhurai. The phrase usually is used in times of penury

But what are those 16 kinds of wealth and the 10 things/characters. Here they go

The following song enlists the 16 kinds of wealth, I dont know the exact source of the song yet, but I guess that it could be one of the Shaivaites, Appar or Gnanasambandhar

Thudhivani Veeru Visayam Sandhanam Thunibu
Dhanam Madhi Dhaanyam Sowbhagyam Bhogam Arivu
Azhagu Perumai Aram Kulam Noikalpoon Vayadhu
Padhinaaru Paerum Tharuvai Paraparanae

  1. Thudhivani - Knowledge to Praise esp GODs
  2. Veeru - Courage
  3. Visayam - Wisdom
  4. Sandhanam - Children
  5. Thunibu - Daring Attitude
  6. Dhanam - Money
  7. Madhi - Intellect
  8. Dhaanyam - Food
  9. Sowbhagyam - Prosperity
  10. Bhogam - Harvest
  11. Arivu - brainpower
  12. Azhagu - Beauty
  13. Perumai - Pride
  14. Aram - Good things / Truth
  15. Kulam - Class in Society
  16. Noikalpoon Vayadhu - Long life without any ailment/disease

I have tried to give exact meaning to the the list above, however there are words that are used synonymously sometimes, for e.g. Veeru and Thunibu may mean the same thing in some contexts, but they have subtle differences though. Same goes for Madhi and Arivu.

The above song asks the GOD (Lord Shiva) to bestow all the 16 kinds of wealth.


The following song enlists the 10 characteristics

Maanam Kulam Kalvi Vanmai Arivudaimai
Dhaanam Dhavam Uyarchi Thalanmai - Thaenin
Kasivandha Solliyarmael Kaamurudhal Paththum
Pasivandhida Parandhu Poam

  1. Maanam - Dignity
  2. Kulam - Class in the Society
  3. Kalvi - Education
  4. Vanmai - Strength
  5. Arivudaimai - Knowledge
  6. Dhaanam - Donating Attitude
  7. Dhavam - Penance
  8. Uyarchi - Rank
  9. Thalanmai - Generosity
  10. Kamurudhal - Romance

Thaenin Kasivandha Solliyarmael Kaamurudhal - Romance with women uttering out words that are sweet as honey

Here too I have tried to give the exact meaning, but some of them are approximate. The overall meaning of the song is that If hunger strikes a human, then all the 10 characteristics mentioned above would go away from him/her until his hunger is over. None of the above in the list takes priority until the stomach is filled.

More to come. Until then...

Saturday, October 01, 2005

The Power of Aram (Truth)

Well, this time, let us take a digression by getting introduced to two great poets of the Tamil Literature, Avaiyar and Kaalamega Pulavar. Well the reason for choosing these two persons is that of the special power or talent or gift, i dont know how to say, they had; The power to sing Aram (Truth), rather more clearly if they sing Aram, things will happen as they wish to happen in their song. I would like to tell about two incidents that well explain the power of Aram, the Truth.

One instance, is when Thiruvalluvar the wanted to publish his exemplary work, The Thirukkural. Well, here goes.

During the Sangam period, for any one to publish any work in Tamil, it is necessary that it is approved at the Tamil Sangam at Madurai. So Valluvar took his masterpiece for approval, but the lead poets (Pulavar)s at Madurai rejected his work saying that it does not follow any of the grammatical category of Tamil Literature (Venba, Aasiriyappa..). But Valluvar said he categorises it a KURAL VENBA but the intelligent poets we not ready to accept his categorisation and rejected his work. So Valluvar went sadly out of Madurai Tamil Sangam. On the way he met Avaiyar and then when they had a chat, Avaiyar came to know that Valluvar's work getting rejected at the Tamil Sangam. Avaiyar read the work and found it to be a masterpiece of all times and it should be made known to the world. So she took Valluvar with her saying that she will help him get the approval and went to meet the King of Madurai to talk about this. But the Poets and Ministers planned against Avaiyar and locked the gates locked together with 4 chains and asked her to meet the King, if possible, by breaking the chains off. This made Avaiyar very angry and intolerable at the action of the Ministers and Poets and she used her power to sing the aram for the good purpose and sang 4 songs. Here go the songs, i will rather give the meaning of the stanzas rather than paraphrasing them.

Aartha sabai nootru oruvar Aayirathu Ondraam Pulavar
Vaarthai Pathinaayirathu oruvar Pootha malar
thanda marai thiruvay Thatha kodikku oruvar
Undayin Undendru Aru

meaning, One in hundred could speak in a gathering/stage; One in thousand is a Poet; One in 10,000 will keep their word; And One in a crore (1,00,00,000) would have characteristics that they can be considered equal to GOD himself. If the above is true, let the chain break apart.

And there blew the first chain!!!

Thandamal Eevathu Thaalanmai Aduthupin sendrakkaal
Eevathu vanmai aduthupin sendrakkaal eevathu
kaarkooli aduthupin Sendrum iyyathan
echcham pol aru

Now the song about different name for different attitudes in providing help. Providing help or money just by understanding the situation of the persons is called (thaalanmai) benefaction. And providing help or money after being asked is Vanmai (donation). Providing help or money after going back again and again is Kaarkooli (roughly Alm). And like the one who would be cursed for not helping even after persistent attempts for help asked, let the chains blow off. And there blew off the second chain

Ulla vazhakku irukka ooraar podhuvirukka
Thalli vazhakadhanai thaan pesi kaikooli
Vaangum Thaan aruvaan thann kilayum
Echcham arum endral aru

This one is quite heavy in meaning and rather quite true, and it is for the Judges of the courts. What the song means is that, With the case before him, and the people of the country before him, the judge who gives a biased judgement and gets the money for it, will perish and so will his descendants and family. If this is true, let the chains blow up. And the third chain blew off.

Vazhakudaiyaan iruppa valiyarai koodi
Vazhakkai Azhivazhakku seithon
Vazhakudaiyaan Sutramum Thaanum Azhudha Kanneraal
Echcham Arum Endral Aru

This one is more heavier than the previous one. With the plaintiff before the court, the person who uses undue influence by joining hands with the stronger guy (rather hooligan) and makes the case to nothing, will perish by the effect of the tears in the eyes of the plaintiff and his people. If it is true, let the chains blow up.

And there, blew off all the 4 chains and Avaiyar met the king and then the Thirukural was put in the Por thamarai kulam (Pond with the Golden Lotus - which inside the Madurai Meenakshi amman Temple even today) and the por thamarai accepted it, making Thirukural universally accepted.

I don't know whether there is any other proof - than these songs and some picturisation of the incident in the good old movie Avaiyar - that Avaiyar blew up the chains by singing Aram. But there is one that still exists even today, the song by Kaalamega Pulavar, the place affected was Koothanampatti - near Madurai.

Kaalamega Pulavar, a great poet during that time had also the power of Aram. Normally great poets of that era would not intend to save any wealth. Their intention would be to sing some songs in praise of the kings or Gods and get the money, gold, red carpet welcome and other valuables from the kings. But they never saved it for their own purpose rather they would help the kith and kin with that wealth earned, and they would come to pecuniary after that. This is one of the reason that some many songs have been sung in the Tamil Literature. And apart from that some would never even mind to have a neat appearance.

And Kaalamega Pulavar is one such person. He would travel to places and sing songs in praise of the king and get part in the contest of skill in Tamil literature, win prizes and donate to the poor and needy. Eat and sleep at places called Sathiram (A cottage), where food and shelter was provided for free. And he had another habit of eating betel leaves and having a bunch of them in pouch tied to his hip. The characteristic of betel leaves is that it would stop the hunger for brief periods of time. And this would be useful for him until he reaches the next sathiram.

And once when he went to the place called Koothanampatti, near Madurai, he went to field where betel leaves where cultivated. And hoping that it would help if he gets some of the leaves. So he asked the farmer cum owner of the field for some leaves. That farmer on seeing his appearance being like a beggar. Shouted at him to go away and saying that the beggars have started begging even at the cultivation field itself. And Kaalamega Pulavar, did not mind then thinking that he is shouting for some reason and cleared off the place.

Later he walked he way to Nagapattinam, when he was terribly hungry and when he looked into the pouch in his hip for betel leaves, the reserves were over and there were no betel leaves. And damn, hunger made him more frustrated and then he remembered someone shouting for asking betel leaves and from where he was, that is Nagapattinam a distant place from Madurai, he sang his Aram which went like this. Rather a powerful one!!!

Koothanampattiyilae Vada-Kizhakku Moolayilae
Poothaanamaai
Pudhu kodikaal undu panna
Ilai Karuga Sedi Karuga Kodi Karuga

meaning, In the north east part of Koothanampatti where land is cultivated with the mercy and grace of earth, to establish plantation. Let the leaves, plants and climbers incinerate.

And that was it, all the crops were just charred like anything. And even today no cultivation is possible in that area. Only a plant called Vellai Erukan (i dont know the name in English for that), that would survive extreme conditions and is not edible even to animals, would grow even today. I am not going to justify the reason for what he did, but it is a proof for the power of Aram.

And the interesting part happened next, when he was in search of a Sathiram for getting food to fill his tummy. He went in search of a sathiram, and he asked the kids who were playing Gilli (the older Indian version of cricket, played with a small stick and a small round stone or betel nut etc), in a rather poetic sense, "Siruvargaal, Ingae Saapaadu Engae Virrkkum" (Where the food would be available/sold). The kids in the playful mood said "Thondai-la thaan ayya vikkum" ( it would hiccup in your throat). Here the words "Virrkkum" and "Vikkum" sound similar but have different meanings the former meaning availability for Sale and the later meaning hiccup.

This really fuelled fire to the already enraged Kaalamega Pulavar and he started off with the song and began writing on the wall

"Paaku tharithu vilaydum palagarrkku naakuth
Thirithu poga kadavathu"

meaning, "let the tongues of the kids who play with the betel nut here be cut off". By the time he wrote "naakuth" (normally in Tamil songs, the last word of a line would end with a syllable that the word in the next line starts with), the bell in the sathiram rang indicating that food is ready to be served. Kaalamega Pulavar in great hunger left immediately hoping to complete after taking his food. And when he returned after his food to complete what he left incomplete, he found surprised for having it to be complete. It went like this.

"Paaku tharithu vilaydum palagarrkku naakuth
Thamizh Manakkum Nann naagai"

meaning, "Let tongues of the kids spell the fragrance of good tamil in the town on Naagai (Nagapattinam)". Kaalamega Pulavar on seeing the shrewdness of the kids, blessed them and went on his way.

More to come, until then...

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Some more of the majestic splendours!!!

The 360-degree view of the Brahadeeshwara Temple
(download it to your computer to see in its original size)


Front View of the Brahadeeshwara Temple


Another majestic view from the front of the Brahadeeshwara Temple



Brahadeeshwara Temple from behind


SriRangam Main Gopuram


SriRangam Gopurams (view from inside the temple)



Fine Carvings and Statues



Chidamabaram Temple


More to come until then...

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Some pictures for comparison



Some pictures to show the comparison of the size of the magnificent masterpiece of all times, the Brahadeeshwara Temple


There are 8 such nandhis atop the Cupola, just compare the size with the person sitting nearby. Each such nandhi is carved out of a single rock

The base of the Periya Kovil, just compare the size of the Vimanam (Tower) with the people standing at the base. the view is from the behind of the Temple Vimana

This is the view from the terrace above the Mandapam

This is the image of the Big Nandhi of the Big Temple carved out of a single rock

The Periya Kovil not only contains massive pieces of architecture but also finest pieces and here is one such example of micro-technology, a small strand goes through the hole of the carvings

More to come, until then...


Saturday, July 09, 2005

Some pics of the massive and exemplary pieces of architecture....

Take a glimpse at the massive pieces of architecture. More to come in the next blogs....



The Brahadeeshwara Temple (Front View)


Entrance to the architectural splendour


Overall View of the Magnificience


Gangai Konda Cholapuram (Built by King Rajendra Cholan - son of RajaRaja Cholan)

Ekambareshwarar Temple (Kanchipuram)

Another View of Ekambareshwarar Temple (Kanchipuram)

Monday, June 27, 2005

If only I could turn back time....

If I could turn back time, i.e., travel back in time. I would like to meet at least the following 3 persons from the past

1. Thirumoolar
2. Thirumangai Azhwar
3. King RajaRaja Cholan

Why I chose these three people was because of their masterpieces that they have created or in fact have bestowed for us and the generations to come!!!

Thirumoolar - famous for his exemplary masterpiece, The Thirumandhiram - stands out of the crowd because I am surprised at how he visualised and found great things that scientists of this modern era have found out after years of research. For e.g. he mentions the size of a human cell, with that of a cows hair, being divided into 1,00,001 parts is the size of the cell. However, I have not actually compared his measurement with the actual human cell's size. In spite, I am amazed at the way he says the proportion he mentions. In addition, he mentions that the pituitary gland is the control centre of the human body and he even infers it as the third eye of the human and compares it to Lord Shiva who is said to have 3 eyes. In fact, the reason, why Hindu women apply kumkum or stick the bindi and the men apply the holy ash on their forehead is to stimulate the pituitary gland that maintains the hormone levels intact and this helps prevent children attaining physical maturity at an early age. There are many interesting things to explore in his exemplary work. Nevertheless, the reason why I want to meet him is that I want to know, where he learnt all these great information from and who is his Guru? How long did he take to understand and get the knowledge of the things he mentions? Is it possible for us humans to attain such knowledge in our lifetime? More about him in the next blogs...

Thirumangai Azhwar - The most well known of the 12 Azhwars, the devotees of Lord Vishnu venerated as saints. His original name being Kaliyan, he was an army chief of the Chola king and then he was crowned as a king for a small land called Thirumangai. And hence the name, Thirumangai Mannan (means King - in Tamil). He has sung so many songs in praise of Lord Vishnu. I am really astonished how a normal man who plundered, had weakness for women and what not.., was able to be exalt himself to a position of an Azhwar. I have read a few of his pasurams and it really stands out of the crowd. The reason why I would like to meet him is because his attitude to accept all the mistakes and crime plainly without any justification to his act is simply the most divine aspect of a human. Most of us usually try to justify our mistakes but no one accepts them plainly that they have done a mistake/crime. One example of his pasuram is

Kondraen palluyirai kurikol ondrillamayinal....

meaning, "I have killed lots of lives, without any reason......"

Maanay kann madavar mayakirrpattu maanilathu naanay naanavidha naragam pugum pavam seidhaen...

meaning, "For the love of women, I committed sins that would take me to all the four types hell.."


The absolute surrender to GOD accepting all his mistakes and crimes without any justification has exalted him to an Azhwar. I really admire him for his devotion to GOD and his pasurams are really out of this world. You need to read them, understand them, feel them to realise the ethereal and blissful connection with GOD, and hence the name Dhivya Prabandham, for all the pasurams by all the Azhwars.

King RajaRaja Cholan - I really admire this great Chola king for many things esp, the magnificient masterpieces that he has left for the his next generations and the generations to come. What really make me think that i need meet him are
  • His passion to construct the stupendous masterpiece of all times, The Brahadeeshwara Temple at Thanjavur (Tanjore) - The Granary India.
  • The engineering behind the great temple and the massive efforts
  • The administrative skills becoz without it, it is almost impossible to build such a massive architecture within 6 years, yes I mean SIX years.

It is simply awe-inspiring to just even imagine these details. Some thought provoking questions arise viz.,
  1. How was he able to have such great engineers, called Sthabadhees, at that time?
  2. What tools did they use to decide the plan, select the land, transport such heavy granites?

    For splitting apart massive pieces of granite, the technology is from Avaiyar's song


    "Methenavai Vettenavai Vellavam Vezhathil
    Patturuvum Kol Panjil Paayaathu
    Nettirupaaraikku Nekku Vida Paarai
    Pasumaraththu Verukku Nekku Vidum"

    meaning, "Hard and Aggressive things will never win over Soft and Humble things. The spear that pierces through an elephant will never pierce through cotton. Likewise, a hard rock that never gives way to strong iron crowbar gives way to the slender root of a green tree". Amazed!!!!. Still to come, but how did this song help him!!!, The thing is that the rock was cut with such a precision, where the rock was selected and lots of small shaft like holes were made in the rock across a stretch and then in those holes, tree roots were driven and water was poured into it. As water, soaks the root, the root starts to expand and that would slowly break the rock apart. And those large rocks were transported the temple spot using elephants. More about this in the next blogs...

  3. Where did he learn the technology from?
    I guess it should be anscetral, as there is a literature and rules on how to build temples called Aagama Vidhis

  4. Who was behind him to build such a massive piece of architecture?
    I found that the person behind him was his sister
    Kundavai Naachiar and his grandmother Chembian Maadevi
  5. How was he able to handle such a great kingdom and then administer the temple building activites?
For some of the questions, that I have provided the answers by probing into Tamil Literature and many other books to find answers to those questions, but for the rest that are unanswered, I have to meet him...

More to come in my next blogs, until then....

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Fascinating Thirumandhiram

Thirumandhiram, the name seems to sound like something that is involved with some magic etc. But it is a great work that describes various parts of the human life - Birth, Living, Death. Not only the book describes a great deal of Science that really makes me wonder, how it was possible to ponder about such things at that time , having no modern tools or technological advances as we have now. Thirumandhiram is written by a Siddhar (loosely a saint, rather a discipline one), Thirumoolar, whose real name was Sundarar and then later due to reason that he had to transfuse his soul into to the body of a sheperd named Moolan, he got the name Thirumoolar. But the work that he has given to the work is an extraordinary piece of work, that even if he is reborn, it is a doubt that he could produce such a work. It is vast and cannot be explained in just one blog entry like this. His work consists of medical information, human virtue, scientific terminology and many others that one has to delve deep into it to understand and realise the truth he has described. For example, he states that human's have 10 senses, contrary to what the world believes, six. The song that says this is

"Uttrarivu Ainthum Unarntha Arivu Arum Ezhum
Kattrarivu Yettum, Kalantha Arivu Onbadhum
Pattriya Pathum Pala vagai naazhigai
Attrathu Ariyathu Azhigindra Vaaray"

The five senses, Vision, Hearing, Touch, Taste, Hearing is inbuilt. The sixth one being Common Sense. The seventh one that you get out of Experimenting. The eighth one is the one you get by Experience. The ninth one being Public Relations. The tenth one being realisation of GOD. And it takes a long time to attain all these. So don't let bad things disturb you in the process of attaining these senses.

Not only this, he gives the size of human cell, the position of the pitutary gland, the components of the gene ( A,C,T,G), in such a simple manner that I really wonder how he got the knowledge and how he was able to identify them. Apart from the physiological aspects of humans. He also describes about the practices of Yoga and how that would have a positive impact on the life of humans.

More to be explored. Lets do that in the upcoming blogs. Till then take a look at Thirumandhiram by downloading it from the site

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Proud to be an Indian!!!

I am proud to be an Indian, because India has a very long tradition and heritage and numerous things that makes the people of the world wonder. From art, architecture, engineering, medicine, mathematics and what not. For art, Ajanta Ellora caves are the best examples and the arts; for Architecture and Engineering, the various temples built across the subcontinent - the Meenakshi Temple - Madurai, The Brahadeeshwara Temple - Tanjore, The Srirangam Temple - Srirangam - to name a few, and the various dams, the Kallanai for example across the Cauvery. For medicine- Ayurveda, Siddha - these medicinal treatment are known to cure most diseases without any side effects. For mathematics, many stalwarts Aryabhatta (for PI), Bhaskara (Calculus), Bramhagupta (for the numbers that we are using even today) and so on. And the list grows on. Not only in these fields, there were people who mastered astronomy. Infact, the father of surgery, Sushrutha did many complicated surgery even before others civilisations knew that humans could be cured by operating them. if we consider the engineering and architecture of the temples, it is a herculean task to move the massive granite rocks. But how did they cut such huge rocks and shaped them without any tools that are available today and how they transported. In fact, I know how they cut it the rocks so precisely, the technology is from Avaiyar's song and they transported the them using elephants It is still a wonder how these people gained the knowledge. There are answers to these and more informations to be posted in this blog. But for the lack of time, I will continue posting them as i find time. A lot of people need to be described and made known to the world. Their achievements, works are what they have left for us and the generations to come. Lets unravel them in the days to come. Until then read more in Wikipedia

Hello World!!!!!

As the subject itself implies, I am a programmer, and every programmer starts with the Hello World Program 😊. So do i started this blog. Will post more info abt many things that i aspire, wonder and yearn to know how it happened.... Coming soon on these blogs.... Till then view my homepage at its initial stages.