Last seven great patrons (Template:Langx) are a group of seven kings from ancient Tamilagam mentioned in the Sangam literature. These kings were noted for their generosity and charitable deeds.
Literature
There are seven kings who are mentioned as the last seven great patrons in the Pattuppattu text Sirupanaatruppadai.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn[1] It is dated to sometime between the late 3rd century CE and 5th century CE,Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn and the stanza is attributed to Nattatranar.Template:Sfn A poem by Perumchittiranar from the Sangam literary work Purananuru also lists the seven great patrons and their deeds.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn Dated to between 2nd and 5th century CE, it is part of the Ettuthogai texts.Template:Sfn Sangam poet Avvaiyar also lists them in one of her poems.Template:Sfn There are also mentions of lists of first and middle seven great patrons in the Sangam literature.Template:Sfn
Patrons
The seven patrons mentioned in the literature are described as amongst the most generous of the kings.Template:Sfn These kings were regional monarchs known as velir, who ruled small kingdoms under the larger triumvirate of Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas.Template:Sfn During the sangam period, poets and scholars generally sung praises on the rulers, who in turn bestowed them with gifts. Amongst the various patrons, these seven were described as the greatest amongst them by the poets.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
In Sirupanaatruppadai, Nattatranar lists them as Pegan, Pari, Kari, Aay, Adigan, Nalli, and Ori. Avvaiyar also lists the same seven as Perumchittiranar, but in a different order.Template:Sfn Perumchittiranar lists the seven kings as Pari, Ori, Malayan Kari, Elini, Pegan, Aay, and Nalli in Purananuru.Template:Sfn Six of the names are common across the lists with the only name being different is Elini in Perumchittiranar and Avvaiyar's list, and Adigan in Nattatranar's list. Based on the description and timeline, both the names have been attributed to the same king from Athiyaman clan.Template:Sfn
Pegan
Template:Main Pegan was the lord of the aviyar clan, who ruled over the hill country of Palani Hills. He was a contemporary of Tamil poets Kabilar, and Paranar.Template:Sfn Once Pegan saw a male peafowl displaying its elaborate tail feathers. He presumed the bird's actions to be the result of shivering because of cold weather.Template:Sfn He took his upper garment and wrapped it as a blanked around the bird to protect it from cold.Template:Sfn
Kari
Template:Main Kari belonged to the Malayaman clan and ruled over with his capital at Thirukovilur.Template:Sfn He had a horse, also named Kari, which helped him win multiple battles.Template:Sfn He is described as bestowing poets with riches and gifts like rainfall including his mount.Template:Sfn He lost to Athiyaman in battle, and defeated Ori.Template:Sfn
Pari
.JPG){kind=link}
Template:Main Pari was the ruler of Parambu country, and patron of poet Kabilar.Template:Sfn Once when Pari was traveling along country side, he noticed a jasmine vine struggling for support.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn He immediately disembarked from his chariot, and offered it as a support for the plant.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Ay Andiran
Ay Andiran ruled over the Pothigai hills with his capital at Aaykudi.Template:Sfn His deeds have been sung in poems by Mosiyar.Template:Sfn He had the habit of donating elephants to the poets and needy.Template:Sfn An ascetic once donated Aay a divine snake skin garment, which purportedly gave prosperity and good health.Template:Sfn However, Aay did not care for material things, and donated the garment to lord Shiva.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Athiyaman
Template:Main Athiyaman was the ruler of Mazhanadu, and was the contemporary of poet Avvaiyar.Template:Sfn There was an Indian gooseberry tree in the forests of Kanchamalai in Athiyaman's realm. The fruit of the tree was purported to have medicinal effects, and bestowed longer and healthier lifespan for those who consume it. The tree did not bear any fruit for a long time, and ultimately bore one single fruit which ripened.Template:Sfn However, instead of consuming the fruit himself, he gave the fruit to Avvaiyar and stated that she was more befitting of the fruit due to her literary service.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Ori
Ori was the ruler of Kolli Hills, and was known for his skill in archery.Template:Sfn Paranar details his archery skills, and his donations to the hill people.Template:Sfn He was also known for his generosity in granting gifts to poets, and the needy.Template:Sfn After defeating Kari in multiple battles, he was finally killed by Kari with the help of the Cheras.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Nalli
Template:Main Nalli is described as the ruler of Kandeera country.Template:Sfn His deeds have been described by Paranar and Perunthalai Sathanar.Template:Sfn He has been described to help people irrespective of class and caste.Template:Sfn He maintained a lot of cows.Template:Sfn
References
- ↑ Last seven great patrons. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
Bibliography
- Puranaanutril kadai elu vallalgal. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts({Template:Date).
- Pandai thamilarin Arasamaippu Chindhanaikal{{#if:Anbuselvan|, Anbuselvan}. Bharathi Puthakalayam(2010)
- Historical Heritage of the Tamils{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. International Institute of Tamil Studies(1983)
- Elu perum vallalgal{{#if:Jaganathan|, Jaganathan}. Amutha Nilayam(1959)
- Kadai elu vallalgal. Shanlax({Template:Date).
- The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India{{#if:Zvelebil|, Zvelebil}. BRILL(1973). ISBN 978-90-04-03591-1
- Tamil Literature{{#if:Zvelebil|, Zvelebil}. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag(1974). ISBN 978-3-447-01582-0