Ponniyin Selvan Varalaatru Peravai

Dear,

Karuvurar - who composed hymns on Rajarajeswara and Gangaikonda
choleeswara had evidently lived after RR also. Nambiandarnambi also
sang a hymn on GKCpm.Gandradithya calling himself of King of Kori and
lord of Thanjai. By these, we realise atleast 3 Thiruvisaippa authors
lived prior-during and after RR.(SI Vol II - Part I & II)

According to Venkaiah, Epigraphist to Indian Government during the
British Rule, until his 8th year of reign, RR had not undertaken any
expedition.Probably he engaged in recruiting powerful army.

In his first expedition, he destroyed a fleet in port Kandalur, which
belonged to Cheras but co-held by Pandyas. Prior to 1002 he completed
most of his conquests. In 1001, the Survey to the accuracy of
1/52,420,800,000 of a veli was completed by Ulagalanthan! He had 31
regiments. Chozha Mandalam comprised of 9 Valanadus; Tondai nadu
comprised of 7; Tondaimandalam : 12; Pandinadu: 7; Melai & Gangapadi:
1 each; Nulambapadi @ Nilgiri: 1; Muumudicholam : Ceylon etc : 2; 5
Divisions were also there in addition. Between 1002 and 1005 he
concentrated on demoestic matters and was not active in war fields.
As per Kongudesarajakkal, it may be derived that the Chidambaram
temple authorities conferred the title Rajaraja in 1003.
According to Hottur inscriptions, Satyasreya died in 1007-08 in the
war waged by Rajendra with 900000 (9 lakhs) soldiers- slaughtered
women, children, brahmins and taking the girls to wife and destroyed
their caste. Upon return he is said to have presented gold flowers
to Rajarajeswaramudayar @ peruvudayar!

Wait.. the consecration took place only on the 275th day of the 25th
year then how come Rajendra worshipped Peruvudayar two years prior to
that? The answer is the construction -in Mahudabaranam style - (ref.
my earlier mails)- commcned in the 19th year - reached an advance
stage in the 23rd year (gifts recorded from this year onwards) and
was consecrated in the 25th year 275 th day!

In RRswm temple, His gifts & those of his sister Kundavai alone
recorded on the Northern wall; His wifes' gifts on other walls;
then others gifts recorded. Rajendra's gifts on Chandeswara temple
etc., Thalicheri details on outer wall of Anukkan voil!

In Devaram & Thiruvisaippa - re: Chidambaram - the first hymn has
reference of Adalvallan, which is the name of the chief image in
Rajarajeswaram also. Meruvidankan is similarity of Kailash. It was
believed that Mount meru consisted of Gold. Hence Chidambaram was
gold covered...However, the author does not discuss the Golden
roofing possibility of Big Temple.. (Ref. Kudavoil details also).

Above are the excerpts by V.Venkaiah in 1909.

In the Big Temple, we all saw the painting - a person with a beard
and a person with a crown. I am beginning to concur with Gokul. The
person with beard may be RR and the crown prince may be Rajendra.
Whenever these Kings performed anything orthodox, they grew beard :
Thiruvisalur Hinyagarbam - Thiruvalanchuzhi Thila parvatham entry
etc. Our Kamal asked me a question yesterday. How do you confirm it
is RR or Rajendra? Who else then? - is my answer. On the Northern
side entrance of Thiruvalanchuzhi, we have seen Siva in sitting
postures followed by several Rishis.. a bearded and crowned person
also sit in obedience..One cannot avoid the influence of the monarchs
in such art - even whether they like or not. Of course, RR is very
methodical in recording most of the events.. He might have ..Probably
he had done so.. As Gokul says, it is a feeling!!

But our Dr. Kalaikkovan has taught us - without concrete evidence do
not commit. In PS Group, we are not reserchers.. we speculate..
rather enjoy speculations based on certain logics and circumstances...

Fondly, SB