Template:Infobox royalty Template:Pandyan Koon Pandiyan ("The hunch-backed Pandyan") was the nickname of a king who ruled Madurai around 7th century. Some historians identify him with the Pandyan king Arikesari Parankusa Maravarman.[1]
He converted from Shaivism to Jainism, but then re-converted under the influence of Sambandar. According to a Shaivite legend, after his re-conversion, he ordered a massacre of 8000 Jains in Samanatham.[2] Sambandar is said to have cured his hunched back, after which he was known as Sundara Pandya ("Beautiful Pandyan").[3]
Conversion to Shaivism
In the 7th century, Jainism was one of the major religions in South India. Koon Pandian had embraced Jainism,[4] but his wife, Mangayarkkarasiyar, and his minister, Kulachirai Nayanar, were both Shaivites. When the king suffered from boils and incurable fever, the two invited the Shaivite saint, Sambandar, to Madurai. Sambandar is said to have cured his fever and his hunched back. After this, the king became a Shaivite, and several of his subjects converted to Shaivism during his rule. The Tamil poet Sekkizhar honoured Koon Pandiyan, Kulachirai and Mangaiarkkarasi by naming them among the 63 Nayanars in Periya Puranam.[5]
According to a Shaivite legend, when the Jains in Samanatham refused to convert to Shaivism, the king ordered their killings with the consent of Sambandar.[6] Around 3,000 Jains were said to have committed suicide impalement and put themselves over sharp, tall, conical structures in sitting posture.[7] However, this legend is not found in any Jain text and is believed to be a fabrication made up by the Shaivites to prove their dominance.[8][9]
Legacy
Koon Pandiyan's son Kochadaiyaan ranadheeran ascended the pandiyan throne after his father.[10]
References
- ↑ The Temple At Thirunallar. District Administration, Karaikal. Retrieved 2013-02-25.
- ↑ The Jains{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Routledge(2002). ISBN 978-0-415-26606-2
- ↑ The Book of Sir Marco Polo, the Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East: Newly Tr. and Ed., with Notes, Maps, and Other Illustrations{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. J. Murray(1875). ISBN 9780404115425
- ↑ [{{{url}}} Jainism - Its relevance to psychiatric practice; with special reference to the practice of Sallekhana].
- ↑ Staunch devotion. The Hindu(2009-05-15). Retrieved 2013-02-25.
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 9{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Kessinger Publishing(2003). ISBN 978-0-7661-3680-9
- ↑ Tamil Literature - M. S. Pillai - Google Books{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}(1994). ISBN 9788120609556
- ↑ A history of the Jainas{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Gitanjali(1984)
- ↑ A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Oxford University Press(1976)
- ↑ The Madura Country: A Manual{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Asian Educational Services(1989). ISBN 978-81-206-0424-7