The name aniruddha is derived from one of the Vyuha manifestations of Lord Vishnu. Altogether there are 4 forms (Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Sankarshana and Aniruddha).
Anbil was a recognized town in chola regime - probably because of its proximity to Uraiyur. Today it is a small village near trichy. There is a Vishnu temple of ancient origins located here. (Lord name is Appak kudathan)
Being born in a staunch vaishnavite family, the man we are talking about naturally got his name Aniruddha. Brahmarayan or Brahma marayan are various names given to brahmins involved in high society royal services - under the chola regime. Some of them enjoyed high privileges - under the power of autocracy.
We come to know of many details reg. sundara chola's period from anbil copper plates - which is dealt with in detail - in PS as well. The anbil plates not only talk about royal family but also about the brahmaraya's family and these details are finely made use of by Kalki during the Rameswaram meeting between Azhvarkadiyan Nambi and Brahmarayar.
I don't find many details about this brahmaraya in some of the historical references I've been reading. In fact - as a rule - we find very little info about people who were associated with the royal service. The entire society seems to have revolved around the king and we only find details about the kings and their conquests:(.
importance. Perhaps he is the only person who is aware of the birth secret of Nandhini as well as several other things concerning royal family. We find his role changing - and sometimes we even get confused as to which side he really belongs to (Kundavi once remarks - "Even God may not know what is in this man's mind !").
Aniruddha is a personification of intelligence and royal wisdom gained over a period of time. In the entire novel - he is perhaps the only one who behaves like a typical politician.
It is not clear whether he served Madhurantaka Uttama chola as well. Considering the fact that the killers of Aditya were brahmins - serving under chola regime (I'll talk about this - in detail later) - and as on date historians are unable to identify the real motive behind this killing - we are unable to acquitt the historical Aniruddha whole heartedly.
But - thanks to PS - at least a section of tamil reading society will have the character created by Kalki in mind - percieving Anirudhha Brahmarayar as a person who keeps the welfare of chola kings above everything else.
If I happen to read the details of Anbil plates, I'll update you with further info on Aniruddha and his family.
A small clarification. Aniruddha was not the prime minister during the brief time of Uttama Chozhas rule. He came back under RajaRajan's rule. - Lavanya
Thanks to lavanya for adding this very interesting account that Aniruddha removed himself from the post during Uttama chola's time and came back during Rajaraja's time. I'd like to request Lavanya to share the evidence that supports this - if possible. It actually contradicts certain things and raises many questions.
* If I remember correctly, Uttama chola reigned for 15 years. If Aniruddha was minister during Sundara chola's time - resigned himself for the next 15 years - and came back once again - then either he should have been too old during R.Raja's time or too young during Sundara's time.
* Going by PS, Aniruddha and Sundara are approximately of same age. Assuming that aniruddha was around 40 during sundara's reign, then he should be 55 during Rajaraja's reign - and could have served him for some years. But the problem with this is that Sundara died almost within a year of Aditya's death - unable to cope up with the loss of his son - and became "Pon Maaligai Thungiya Devar" in pages of history. Thus we have to conclude that sundara died quite early - without even completing 50 years. I'm not sure whether this is true or not - considering the lifetime, reign and achievements of sundara.
* The other arguement is of course - to assume that Aniruddha was much younger than Sundara - around 40 during the latter's times - as I said earlier. But becoming a prime minister at 40 is no joke and we may not have enough evidences to support this.
* But beyond all this age and other stuff, perhaps the most interesting question that shoots us is : WHY DID HE RESIGN DURING MATHURANTHAKA UTTAMA CHOLA'S REIGN ?
- Was it true that he was one of the suspects in Aditya's murder(as I've pointed out) and was acquitted only after the original criminals were nabbed - during Rajaraja's reign?
- Or was he so devoted to Sundara and Family and did not want to serve anybody else ?
- Did he wish ..like many of the citizens of his imes...(as proven by Thiruvalangadu plates)...that Arumozhi should succeed Sundara? seeing that the throne was given to Uttama - he resigned from the post ?
- What did he do when he was not in post ? Kept quiet or continued to serve chola dynasty and guide arumozhi ?
To me, one thing is very clear : Unless somebody comes up and writes another 5 Volumes of Ponniyin Selvan - from that point where Kalki leaves us - many of the questions that are raised by history - may not be answered at all!
I am sorry for not substantiating my ideas with historical evidences, right now I dont have access to any info. But these are things I heard from another person and I am just passing it on to you. When I go to Chennai I will try and give you more historic details for the same.
Please be assured that the Brahmin mentioned was not Aniruddha Brahmarayar. The person under mention is none other than our Ravidasan himself - he is a Brahmin. He held a high post(Mummudi Chozha Brahmathirayar, if i remember the title right) during Uttama Chozhan's rule.
Thats is one reason why Aniruddhar must have thought it best to keep away from the politics during Uttam Chozha's time. After Rajarajan came to power there is a kalvettu which says that he found out the murderers and confiscated all their lands (and those of their relatives) and since the person involved was a Brahmin he did only that much - that is didnt kill him. (though he destroyed Ravidasan under a different pretext altogether). So obviously, if Aniruddha was Rajarajan's minister, he is not in any way related to Adithya's murder.
Now how did Ravidasan get framed by Rajarajan ? After he was banished from the Chozha empire, where would he have gone? Pandyas would not have accepted him nor would the Cheras. Now, at this time, there was a common "military school" in an area bordering Chera, Chozha, Pandya ki