Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s6.t1.2

c23.s6.t1.2

Añci was a great warrior and a liberal patron.¹ Once, the poetess Auvaiyār went as his ambassador to the court of Toṇṭaimān.² The most famous legend connected with Añci is that when he was presented with a miraculous *nelli* (gooseberry) fruit which would confer immortality, he chose to give it away to Auvaiyār on the ground that her longevity would be more beneficial to the public good.³ Añci was defeated by Peruñcēral Irumporai, the Cēra king, who took Takaṭūr in a famous battle.⁴