Amarabujanga Devar: Some clarifications
  • * The earliest reference to Amarabhujanaga Devar occurs in an
    inscription from Kochadaiyan Ranadheeran in the temple of Suchindram.
    Here, the king is said to have installed the deity of Amarabhujanga.

    The term amarabhujanga requires clarification. It signifies the
    celestial snake - the king of Naga world. If you want a good
    sculptural representation of amarabhujanga, look at Sri Silpi's
    drawing of Sholingar Narasimhaswami shrine. An excellent portrayal
    wherein the snake king is shown with clasped hands. Not surprisingly,
    the nagerkoil shrine is built for this god.

    There was a place near Nagerkoil which was known as "Amarabhujanga
    Nallur" in early times.

    * The Amarabhujangan Nedunchezhiyan - who surprisingly does not figure
    in any of the Inscriptions but suddently appears in Thiruvalangadu
    copperplates - is one of the pandiyan kings (not the main king) - who
    should have probably resisted Rajaraja during his Kanthaloor chalai
    exploit. In pandiyas the one who sits in madurai is the main one and
    around 4 other kings will be ruling different parts of kingdom. (Pandi
    aivar). That is why rajaraja mentions pandiyas as sezhiyar in plural.

    * The Amarabhujanga devar provided by sembiyan madeviyar is a bronze
    statue meant for worship.
  • ->
    > * The Amarabhujangan Nedunchezhiyan - who surprisingly does not figure
    > in any of the Inscriptions but suddently appears in Thiruvalangadu
    > copperplates - is one of the pandiyan kings (not the main king) - who
    > should have probably resisted Rajaraja during his Kanthaloor chalai
    > exploit. In pandiyas the one who sits in madurai is the main one and
    > around 4 other kings will be ruling different parts of kingdom. (Pandi
    > aivar). That is why rajaraja mentions pandiyas as sezhiyar in plural.
    >

    Hi gokul thanks,

    This takes care of amarabhujanga. But what about the young boy who is
    crowned in thirupurambiam forest - kalki in his footnote mentions that
    he too conspires for the pandya throne and is defeated by Rajendra
    chola. Any references to his name?

    Also why did Rajendra, appoint Rajadhiraja as yuvaraja in 1018 itself.
    Rajadhiraja must have been the longest yuvaraja - 26 years !! and then
    ruling for another 10 years as Raja.
  • Dear Gokul,

    That is enlightening ... from various points of view !

    * Snake God and/or Gods associated with Snake ..
    Siva .. with snake-lace !
    Krishna .. dancing above the Snakehood

    * NAGA connections .. which Ancient Foreign travellers talks about

    * Obviously Amarapujangan varies from Siva with snake or Kalinga
    Krishnan .. what is special ?!

    * Why Amarapujangam? How many other Kings established this deity
    else where?


    Dear Vijay - Your PS related queries too motivating.

    let us continue to look around.

    thanks. anbudan / sps

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