Ancient Literature

Introduction

Sangam Literature

• The Sangam period was between the 3rd century B.C. and the 3rd century A.D. in South India
• Sangam literature is the earliest recorded Tamil literature and was composed during the reign of the Pandya kings in Madurai
• It is believed that most of the literature from this era was composed between 100 A.D. and 250 A.D
• Sangam literature was very popular amongst the masses
• Its classification is based on the period of composition, and the context and interpretation
• The classification of Sangam literature on the basis of the period of composition is as follows:

1. Patinen Melkanakku: This collection comprises the poems composed between 200 BCE and 100 BCE which are the oldest surviving Tamil poetry
2. Pathinenkilkanakku: This collection comprises poems that were written between 100 CE and 500 CE. The poetry during this period was primarily written before the age of the Pallavas, and the chief works include Palamoli, Naladiyar, and Thirukkural

• The classification of Sangam literature on the basis of context and interpretation is as follows:

1. Aham: The context and interpretation of Aham Sangam literature discuss human emotions and experiences such as love and sexual relations
2. Puram: Puram Sangam Literature discusses human experiences such as philanthropy, ethics, social life, and customs

Silappadikaram

• Silappadikaram is a Tamil epic that was written by Ilango Adigal, a Jain monk. It is believed that he was an ascetic prince and was the younger brother of Senguttuvan, a Cheran king
• This tragic love story was composed in either the fifth or the sixth centuries C.E
• This is an epic that has 5,730 lines

• The story of Silappadikaram is set in the backdrop of a flourishing seaport city during the early Chola Kingdom
• The epic tells the tale of Kovalan and his wife, Kannagi. Over time, Kovalan meets Madhavi, a courtesan, and leaves Kannagi for her. He spends lavishly on Madhavi. Kannagi, who is heartbroken, awaits the return of her husband’s unfaithfulness
• When Kovalan confesses his mistake to Kannagi and apologises for the pain he caused her, Kannagi forgives him and tries to rebuild their lives together. However, one day, tragedy strikes the young couple when Kovalan is falsely framed for stealing jewellery
• After Kovalan is executed for his crime without a trial, Kannagi goes on a mission to protest the injustice. In the end, she curses the kingdom of Madurai, due to which the kingdom burns to the ground

Manimekalai

• Manimekalai is a Tamil-Buddhist epic composed in the 6th century C.E. by Kalavanikal Seethalai Sathanar, who is also known as Chithalai Chathanar
• The epic is a sequel to Silappadikaram and consists of 4,861 lines

• Manimekalai is the name of Kovalan and Madhavi’s daughter

• It is a belief among many people that Chathanar wrote Manimekalai to propagate Buddhism in South India
  • The story of the epic contains a lot of information that has historical and cultural significance. It gives a good portrayal of Tamil society and the economic and political changes that occurred in it
  • In the epic, Manimekalai is a beautiful Buddhist nun and a dancer who catches the fancy of a young Chola prince. However, she completely rejects his advances and seeks the guidance of her mother and Buddhist teachers. They offer her guidance by teaching her Buddhist mantras that can help free her from fears

• Eventually, Manimekalai takes the form of a married woman; however, the prince continues to tease her. When the husband of the woman that Manimekalai takes the form of sees the prince teasing her, he protects his “wife” by killing the prince

• Manimekalai is soon sentenced to death by the king and the queen. However, she is saved by angels that intervene at the time of her arrest. Afterwards, she is set free and preaches the teachings of Buddha to the king

The Puranas

• The Puranas cover many subjects such as astronomy, medicine, genealogy, grammar, heroes, sages, demigods, cosmology, and gods and goddesses
• The Puranas were composed between the 3rd and 10th century A.D. and were completed during the reign of Parikshit
• The coronation of Parikshit marks the beginning of the “Kali Age
• It is observed in the Puranas that history is used to illuminate the present and the future
• In total, there are 400,000 verses covering over 1 Maha Purana, 17 Mukhya Puranas, and 18 Upa Puranas

The Mahabharata

• The Mahabharata was written by Lord Ganesha and composed by Veda Vyas. It was written because Maharishi Veda Vyas would continuously speak the Shlokas without taking a break
• Many people believe that the Mahabharata borrows different philosophies from the Vedas and the Upanishads and presents them in an easy-to-understand form
• The epic chronicles the story of two families called the Kauravas and the Pandavas, and their battle for the throne of Hastinapur
• It is the longest poem ever written and has at least 100,000 verses. It is believed that the poem was composed in the 4th century
• The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata