#6B8E23 Nagswamy R 2013-08-27 Rajasuya yāga performed by a Chola king One of the historic poems found in the saṅgam anthology gives a graphic description of the Rājasuya yāgasālas by the Chola king Perunar Kiḷḷi who was called "Perunar Killi who performed Rajasuya". The poet who sung this was none other than the famous poetess Avvaiyār. The poem is included as poem no 360 of puram anthology of 400 poem. It was customary in early period to invite all other kings to witness the Yāga. The Chola invited the Chera and also the Pāndya with all other chieftains. The Chera ruler of that time was one Māri Venko and the Pāndya Ugra Peruvaḻuti who conquered the place Kānappereyil accepted the invitation and attended the Yāga. The Pāndya Ugrap Peruvaḻuti was one of the earliest king who ruled in the very beginning of Tamil Nadu history and so was Avvaiyār one of the early group of poets. Evidently the poem gives us a glimpse of the life of the Tamils in very early period. Avvaiyār who saw the three crowned kings together was naturally elated and composed this poem. She says that, "you kings, you have made this whole world look like the Devaloka, divided into parts and made them the property of Brahmanas by placing gold and flowers in their hands and pouring water as the act of gift. Having made the gifts to them you have also made limitless gifts to others (the chieftains and soldiers) who were celebrating the great event as result of their valour in battles, who were happily consuming and enjoying liquor poured by well adorned young women from golden bowls. Remember this was possible because of your good deeds. puṇya nal vinai, for you are witnessing daily the morning Vedic sacrifices of muttī (Ahavaniya, Garha patya and Daksinagni) performed by the good Brahmanas enjoined by the Vedas. You the three crowned kings let you rule the country under your cool white umbrellas. Kings this is all that I know to praise thee that you should rule for long long time" Avvaiyār the greatest poet, she puts this last praise in a beautiful poetic way, "When there is rain the rain drops fall as if you can count their number. But when it rains torrentially it is impossible to count the number, and that too when it comes from the high heaven they are innumerable. I pray that you rule so many days as there are drops of water in torrential rain. This is the maximum measure I could think of", says Avvaiyār. This poem is important in many ways. As the three kings were present and were praised together symbolically indicates that the entire Tamil society is represented by them and so the culture reflects the culture of Tamilnad. The lands the kings gifted to Brahmanas were either in their own territory or conquered from the enemies. The gifts of land made were accompanied by placing gold and flowers in their hands and by pouring water over them. This is a Vedic custom prescribed in the dharma Sāstras which symbolically means that the donor relinquishes his right over the gifted property in favour of the donee. Evidently the Tamil kings followed this Vedic custom. The kings also honored others like chieftains and heroes who helped them by unlimited gifts and honors. The kings ruled happily by witnessing the daily performance of the Brahmanas the three Vedic sacrifices enjoined in the Vedas, which means the Brahmins enjoyed full liberty to follow their path and that was the merit accrued to the kings for their just rule. One should not forget these concepts come from the greatest and earliest of the Tamil poet Avvaiyār. Any suggestion that Tamil were Anti Vedic at the beginning has no support in their earliest writings.