A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c12.39

c12.39

From the Maduraikkāñji of Māṅguḍi Marudan and elsewhere, we learn something of three of Neḍuñjeḷiyan's predecessors on the Pāndyan throne. The first is an almost mythical figure called Neḍiyōn (‘the tall one’), whose achievements find a place in the ‘Sacred Sports’ of Śiva at Madura and among the traditions of the Pāndyas enumerated in the Veḷvikuḍi and Śinnamanūr plates. He is said to have brought the Pahruli river into existence and organized the worship of the sea. The next is Palśālai Mudukuḍumi, doubtless the same as the earliest Pāndya king named in the Veḷvikuḍi grant and about whom there are several poems. He is a more life-like figure than Neḍiyōn, and is said to have treated conquered territory harshly. He also performed many sacrifices, whence he derived his title palśālai meaning ‘of the many (sacrificial) halls’. It is not possible to say what distance in time separated these two kings from each other or from their successors. The third ruler mentioned in the Maduraikkāñji was another Neḍuñjeḷiyan, distinguished by the title ‘he who won a victory against an Aryan (i.e., North Indian) army’. The tragedy of Kovalan's death at Madura occurred in his reign, which according to the Śilappadikāram caused the king to have died of a broken heart. A short poem ascribed to this king puts learning above birth and caste.