Harichandra Purana

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: அரிச்சந்திர புராணம் ‎

Harischandra Purana is a historic saga of King Harischandra. Even though it is called a purana, it is written in epic grammar. This purana was learned by many until the early half of the 20th century. It is an adaptation of Harischandra Purana in sanskrit and is a derivative of Arichandra Venba in tamil. It is an epic written in the 16th century. Nallur Veeran Aasu Kavirasar  is the author of Harischandra Purana.

Author

Chakara mandapam at Tiruppullani temple Thanks: http://thulasidhalam.blogspot.com/

Nallur Veeran Aasu Kavirasar is the author of Harischandra Purana. He was born in Nallur,  Ramanathapuram district of Paandi mandalam. Nallur was once known as Kulothunga Chola Nallur. He belonged to the goldsmith community. Veeran was his given name as a child. As a renown poet he received the title  'Kavirayar' and became known as 'Veerakkavirayar’. He was given the title 'Kavirayar' and became known as 'Veerakkavirayar' as a renowned poet. He was referred to as a 'Aasukavi'. Aasukavis are poets who can write poems on the spot when given a prompt.

At the Saalivagana year 1446, Harischandra Purana was first performed in Chakara Thirthakkarai mandapam at Tiruppullani Thirumal temple.

Publications

archive.org

Arichandra Sarithiram was published in 1938 by Thanigai Saravanaperumal Iyer and Kanchi Kumaraswamy Desigar.

Eekadu Rathinavel Mudaliyar published Harischandra Purana in 1913, with Thirisirapuram Mahavithuan V. Govindan Pillai's interpretation. The original 1913 edition was reprinted multiple times.

Book

The Harischandra Purana is written in the style of an epic poem (Kaapiyam). It begins with Paayiram, a preface in classic tamil literature, and continues with Naatu Sirappu and Nagara Sirappu, commendations for country and city, and the ten Kandams, or chapters, that follow. There are 1215 songs in total.

1. Vivaha Kandam
2. Indira Kandam
3. Vanjanai Kandam
4. Vettanjai Kandam
5. Soolvinai Kandam
6. Nagar Neengia Kandam
7. Kasi Kandam
8. Mayana Kandam
9. Meetchi Kandam
10. Uthara Kandam

Paayiram

Vitiyiṉara ciḻanta aric cantiraṉ taṉ viyaṉkataiyām veṇkaviyai viruttamākki

ativitamaṅ kaliyukattil varuca kāttam āyirattu nānūṟṟu nāṟpat tāṟil

catumaṟaitēr pullāṇit tirumāl muṉṉē cakkara tīrt takkaraimēṉ maṇṭapattuḷ

katitarucīr nallūrvāḻ vīraṉ ācu kavirācaṉ kaviyaraṅkam ēṟṟi ṉāṉē

According to Paayiram, Harischandra Purana was first performed in Chakara Thirthakkarai mandapam at Tiruppullani Thirumal temple  in Saalivagana year 1446.

Naatu Sirappu, Nagara Sirappu

Naatu Sirappu depicts the prosperity and culture of Kosala in ten songs (11-21).

Nagara Sirappu portrays Ayodhya's beauty, prosperity, and glory.

Vivaha Kandam

Harischandra, the king of Kosala marries Chandramati, the princess of Kannauj in a svayamvara (In ancient India, bride chooses the groom from a group of suitors). Devadasa is their son's name.

This is the longest Kandam in the epic. "In this Kandam, the author has exhibited his entire poetic expertise. It has all of the elements of an excellent epic",  says V. Arunachalam in his book Tamil Ilakkiya Varalaaru.

Indira Kandam

At the court of King Indra in Heaven, sage Vasishta praises Harischandra for his integrity and truthfulness as a virtue. An envious Indra sends sage Viswamitra to test his integrity.

Vanjanai Kandam

Sage Viswamitra comes to Ayodhya, requests a contribution from Harischandra for performing a Yajna (ritual sacrifice). Harischandra vows to contribute. Viswamitra urges wildlife to invade Kosala's cattle and farmlands as part of his test. People in Kosala's kingdom become impoverished as their farmlands and cattle are destroyed. Harischandra exempts people from paying taxes for two years.

Vettanjai Kandam

During the Invasion, Harischandra hunts down a Mighty Boar (Maya Varaha ) created by Viswamitra. After the hunt, he rests in Viswamitra's oasis. In his dream, he foresees a dark future. Chandramati urges her husband to be true to his dharma (integrity) in all circumstances. Viswamitra hears the injured Boar's pleas.

Soolvinai Kandam

Viswamitra, enraged by the wounded Boar's appeal, creates two women to seek revenge. He tells them to use music to lure Harischandra into marriage and ask for his venkotrakudai (a symbol of royalty and victory). The women entertain the king with music and ask as instructed,  but he refuses.  An enraged Viswamitra prepares to curse, Harischandra pleads to give him anything else. Viswamitra requests the kingdom of Kosala as well as the yajna contribution that was promised earlier. Harischandra accepts the offer and departs from the kingdom. He also commits to pay the yajna contribution in 48 days by working outside the kingdom.

Nagar Neengia Kandam

People of Ayodhya bid farewell to Harischandra with great sorrow. He departs the kingdom with minister Sathyakirthi, wife Chandramati, and son Devadas. Sukra is sent by Viswamitra to disturb and test him.

Kasi Kandam

Harischandra sells Chandramati and Devadas to a Kasi priest and pays Viswamitra the agreed-upon payment. When Sukra demands payment, he sells himself to Veerabagu, the crematorium's caretaker.

Mayana Kandam

In Kasi, enslaved Devadas goes to gather dharpai (grass for a ritual). A snake bite kills him. Chandramati arrives at the crematorium for his burial. Harischandra notices his wife's gold thali and recognizes her. Regardless, he refuses to bury his child without payment. Chandramati is also held responsible for the murder of the young Kasi prince. Harischandra is assigned to carry out the sentence. When he puts the sword on her neck, it transforms into a garland.

Meetchi Kandam

Viswamitra appears and concludes that Harischandra persevered his tests and upheld his dharma and integrity. Devadas and the prince of Kasi come back to life. Harischandra regains his kingdom.

Uthara Kandam

Viswamitra narrates his enmity towards Harischandra's father, Thrisangu.

Literary Significance

People and pundits learned and cherished Harischandra Purana until the early half of the 20th century.  It has all of the elements of an excellent epic. Thanigai Saravana Perumal Aiyar's eloquent interpretation of Naattu Sirapu songs is available. Sandam songs are regarded for their exquisite poetry.

Many of the Mayana Kandam's songs are intense. They were incorporated in the Tamilnadu Government High School curriculum. The 13 songs that accompany Chandramati's mourning for his son's death are well-known.

Paṉiyā ṉaṉaintu veyilāl ularntu paciyā lalaintu mulavā

aṉiyāya veṅka ṇaravā liṟanta atipāva meṉko laṟiyēṉ

taṉiyē kiṭantu viṭanōy ceṟintu taraimī turuṇṭa makaṉē

iṉiyārai nampi uyirvāḻva meṉṟa ṉiṟaiyōṉum yāṉu mavamē"

Niṟai yōcai peṟṟa paṟaiyōcai yaṟṟu niraiyāy niṟainta kaḻukiṉ

ciṟaiyōcai yaṟṟa ceṭiyū ṭiṟakka  vitiyā riḻaitta ceyalō

maṟaiyō ṉirakka vaḷanāṭa ṉaittum vaḻuvā taḷitta vaṭivēl

iṟaiyō ṉaḷitta makaṉē uṉakku mituvō vititta vitiyē

Arichandran's claim that he does not lose his dharma and integrity even after losing everything.

Patiyi ḻantaṉam pālaṉai yiḻantaṉam paṭaitta

nitiyi ḻantaṉam iṉi'emak kuḷateṉa niṉaikkum

katiyi ḻakkiṉum kaṭṭurai yiḻakkilē meṉṟār;

matiyi ḻantu taṉ vāyiḻan taruntavaṉ maṟaintāṉ

References

Harishchandra Purana, Archive.org

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