Pugal Chola
Pugal Chola | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Born | |
Religion | Hinduism |
Organization | |
Philosophy | Shaivism, Bhakti |
Honors | Nayanar saint, |
Pugal Chola, also known as Pukal Chola, Pukazhchozha Nayanar, Pugazh, Pukazhcchozhar, Pukal Cholan and Pugal Chola Nayanar, is described as a
Life
The life of Pugal Chola is described in the
Pugal Chola ruled the Chola kingdom from its capital
Pugal Chola is described as an ideal monarch who served his subjects, Shiva and devotees of Shiva. Shaivism prospered under his reign. He was the emperor of the region and had numerous vassals. Once, he visited Karuvur, which was one of the chief towns of the Chola kingdom. Once on the day of
The enraged king reached the spot of the massacre. While the king expected an army who challenged his authority, he saw a lone crusader standing over the elephant. Upon enquiry, the guards pointed to and introduced Eripatha as the slayer of the elephant. Pugal Chola alighted from his horse and bowed to the angry Eripatha in reverence and asked about the crime of his elephant and men. Eripatha informed him of the events leading to the killing and said that he had punished them for a sin against Shiva. The Chola felt it was his moral responsibility. He bent before the Nayanar and presenting his sword asked the Nayanar to kill him too, as the king is ultimately culpable for the actions of his elephant and army. Eripatha was taken aback by the king's devotion and actions and felt remorseful. He thought it would be best to commit suicide by the sword as penance for the murders. As Eripatha raised the sword to cut his head, the horrified king held his hands to stop him. As they struggled with the sword to sacrifice their lives, Shiva appeared pleased with their devotion and blessed them. He also resurrected the elephant and the king's men. Sivakami Andar's basket was also restored with flowers. Eripatha was given the honour of seating on the royal elephant, while the king held the royal umbrella over his head, like a slave. Both of them went to the Pasupateeswarar temple and worshipped Shiva.[4][5]
While in Karuvur, the Chola king learnt that a vassal prince named Adigan (Adiyaman) was due to pay tributes to the king. The king declared war on the vassal and ordered his troops to destroy the enemy fort. An account of a fierce battle is told in the Periya Puranam. Ultimately, the Chola army triumphed, annihilating the armies of Adigan and razing this fort to dust. Adigan escaped death, by abandoning his citadel. The Chola warriors arrived with the wealth and women from Adigan's city and brought severed heads of their fallen foes as a sign of valour. As the king surveyed the pile of heads, he saw a head with
Remembrance
Pugal Chola is depicted wearing regal clothes and a crown, with folded hands (see
One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) mentions Pugal Chola in hymn to various Nayanar saints. He is described to have been killed in war in Karuvur.[6]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
- ^ "The Puranam of Pukazhchozha Nayanar". T N Ramachandran. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
- ISBN 978-81-85638-16-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-215-0044-9.
- ^ Swami Sivananda(1999). Sixty-three Nayanar Saints (4 ed.). Sivanandanagar: The Divine Life Society.
- ISBN 978-1-4008-6006-7.