The Reality of the Kumari Continent as Described in the Candrajiiana Agama

Dr.S.P.Sabharathnam

The richness of Tamil culture is greatly shared by architecture( both housing and temple),

sculpture, well-planned settlements such as villages, towns and cities and spiritual disciplines. Systematic rules, directions and details related to these fields have been enshrined in the Agamas and Silpa Siistras. As such, it is reasonable to hold that the Agamas and Silpa Sastras serve as the basic source-scriptures to know the vital cultural facets of Tamilnadu. Through a systematic study of

these scriptures, we are sure to have a beatific vision of highly enriched and much advanced ancient

Tamil culture.

Even though these Agamas and Silpa Sastras are in Grantha script, they originated in Tamilnadu

only. The term Grantha means 'scripture in which rules and directions are set forth in a systematic

way'. The specific system of alphabets used for writing treatises was also called Grantha and this

system was formulated by the sages of ancient Tamilnadu who were living in the vata forests of Mahendra mountains. That is why many key-terms related to architecture and other fields seem to be common to both Tamil and Grantha. AI]i, manikkam, nilam, kalam, miilam, viram, mIg, mantapam, kalliiri.mukam, karmukarn, VII]ai, taI]gavam - such terms are very common to both Tamil and

Grantha. Valid references are available in Tirumurukarruppatai, Netunalvatai, Maturaikkaiici, Paripatal , Patiguppattu, the first four katais of vancikkiiI]tam(Cilappatikiiram) and the first katai of Manimekalai to show that the concepts, directions and technical details given for town-planning, construction of houses, temples, palaces, mansions, forts, temple festivals and so forth had been accurately applied in ancient Tamilnadu.

The Agamas and Silpa Sastras are inter-related; they cannot be delinked. Some of the chapters

of the Agamas are to be understood only from the perspectives of the Silpa Siistras and many chapters of the Sipla Sastras are to be understood from the perspectives of the Agamas. Nor, these

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may be delinked from the classical Tamil works of Sangham period. It is in these inter-related ancient Scriptures that we are able to see hundreds of descriptive verses on the nature and extent of the Kumari continent.

Agamic references to the Kurnari Continent:

The philosophical background of Temple rituals and the doctrines of Saiva Siddhanta have

been elaborately explained in the knowledge-sectionfjiiiina pada) of the Saiva Agamas. Sadadhvarsixfold path) is one of the vital concepts of Saiva Siddhanta and the path related to

the planes of existence(worlds) is known as 'bhuvana adhva'. While explaining the nature and working of bhuvana adhva, most of the Agamas give a detailed description of the Earth in general and of Jambu Dvipamiivalam tivu) in particular. Jambu Dvipa consisted of nine varsas-

l!avp:a, Bhadrasva, Ketumiila, Harivamsa, Kimprusa, Ramya, Hiranya, Kuru and Bharata. The term 'varsa' denotes a vast land stretching between two great mountains. Actually, these were the names of nine sons of a king by name Agnidhra, the descendent of Manu. Each varsa was given to each son of Agnidhra and it came to be known after the name of that son. Bharata V ar~a consisted of nine divisions or islands and the king Bharata gave these nine divisions to his eight sons and one daughter named Kumari. The division shared by the daughter of Bharata came to be known as

Kumari Dvipa. Other divisions were known as Indra, Kaseru, Tamraparni, Gabhastiman, Naga, Saumya, Giindharva and Varuna.

Among the nine divisions of Bharata V ar~a, only the Kurnari Dvipa was held in high esteem by

the enlightened sages and learned persons because it was well recognized to be the land of righteousness and of serene path. More than 500 sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati, Kaveri and so forth nourished the great stretch of Kumari Land. It was in this land that

the ennobling path promulgated in the Vedas and the Agamas was pursued diligently by all the people. There were 68 sacred placestpunya sthalas) including Varanasi, Gaya, Kedara, Kaiici and others imparting divine energy to the Kumari Land. In its north-east was the Himiicala and it was bordered by the oceans and mountains on all other sides.

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Such is the general description of the Kumari Continent given in the following Agamas:

1. Kirana Agama - JUana pada - ch 8 - verses 69 to 74

2. Suprabheda Agama- JUana pjida - ch 3 - verses 125 to 135 3. Mrgendra Agama - Jfiana pada - ch 13 - 93 to 97

The Candrajiiana Agama:

Candrajiiana is the 19!h Agama in the list-of 28 Primary Aganmas and it was revealed by Lord Sadasiva to Ananta from whom it was received by Brhaspati. Bhuvanadhva patala is the 14th chapter in the know ledge-section of the Candra jiiana, The description of the Kumari Continent

given in this chapter is so complete that we are able to visualize the full dimension and form of this wonderful continent. It excels all other descriptions of Kumari Continent given in the other Agarnp_s. There are298 verses in this chapter. A brief summary of the whole chater is given below.

Verses 1 - 86: There are five planes of existencerworlds) in descending order. In the highest plane called santyatita, there are 15 worlds. In the immediate lower plane known as santi, there are 18 worlds. In the next lower plane called vidya, there are 27 worlds. Below this is the fourth plane called pratistha in which there are 56 worlds. In the last and the fifth plane known as nivjtti, there are 108 worlds. The names of these 224 worlds and the names of the governing authoritiesfbhuvanadhipah) under whose care these worlds are placed, names oftattvas in which these worlds are distributed, the nature of the souls which are reaching these worlds according to their level of perfection and to the fruits of their deeds and the stock of enjoyments available to them in these worlds - all such details have been given in these verses.

Verses 87 -118: The extent of the Earth(bhUloka) which is one of the 108 worlds of

the lowest plane, description of Mount Meru and of four directional mountains - mandara, gandhamadhana, vipula and suparsva - which prop up the Mount Meru, the details related to the

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nine varsas - all these are told by Ananta to Brhaspati. After giving the full description of the eight divisions of the Bharata var§a, Ananta reveals the greatness of Kumari Dvipa: " The Kumar! Nagara is in the likeness of invaluable and incomparable diamond among the islands of

the Earth. It is the most exalted place where the perennial and sacred rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna and others are in constant flow. More than 64 sacred shrines are seen in the length and breadth of the Kumari Land. People belonging to all the social orders are living there harmoniously, being devoted to the righteous path. All other divisions of Bharata var~a have become vitiated". Upon this eulogy, Brhaspati asks Ananta to speak more elaborately on the divisions and natural resources of the Kumari Land.

Verses 165 - 272: As request~ by Brhaspati, Ananta gives a complete description of the Kumari Land with a plethora of essential details including the town-planning, defensive system and other related matters.

The Four Major Divisions of the Kumari Land

The Kumari Continent consisted of four important divisions - Kubja, Kheta, Kharvata and Pagat:ta. Of these four, Kubja was the largest part of the Kumari. Since this part remained slightly raised to be higher than its adjacent divisions Kheta and Kharvata, it was called kubja or kubjika( kubja means hump-backed). In its southern border were the Kumari ocean and Mahendra mountain. Its southern region and northern region were in the shape of bow and the stretch of land which was lying between the bow-shaped regions was rectangular in shape. Its length was 1200 krosas and its breadth at the southern end was 400 krosas and at the northern end was 600 krosas. It was nourished by two great rivers - Kumari in the south and Bahlabindutpahruli aru) in the north. Kapatapura , the capital

as well as the portal city Wf!rs in south-east, situated in a place where the waves of Kumari ocean were constantly caressing the foot of the sacred Kumari mountain. Kapatapura WaS also known. as Kana-sa. There W(:lS a harbour and a water-forttjala durga) equipped with mysterious weapons. Temples for Siva, Skanda, Yi~f.lu and Durga were In their appropriate dierections. Since this Great Land was inherited by Kmnwi, t.he daughter of "Uhfl.fllta,llhagavti worship was held in utmost importance and the dominant temple of the Kubja division of the Land was the Bhagavati temple oriented towards the ocean and it

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was at the centre of the Kubja division. On the eastern side of this temple, there was a unique shrine known as Ambaralaya dedicated to Natya Sivafl.ord Nataraja) and oriented towards south.

The Kheta division of the Land was lying between the Kumari river and Bahulabindu river. It was

in the eastern side of the Kubja. Kheta was mainly a coastal land whose eastern side was bordered by the ocean and the sky-reaching Kumari mountain which was also known as the Dravida mountain. The term "dravida' denotes the number 8. Since the Kumari mountian was eight-sided and was

treasured with 8 kinds of minerals, 8 kinds of metals, 8 kinds of luminous trees(jyotir vrksa), 8 kinds of diamonds and 8 kinds of divine trees which could give flowers and fruits in all the six seasons, the

Kumari mountain was given the specific name 'Dravida'. It was studded with three kinds of mountainfort(giri durga) -sikhara durga at the top, dro1}l durga in its valley and kii!ak:a durga in its southern slope. The Kheta division was with a length of 700 krosas and a breadth of 300 krosas. It consisted of seven cities - Sapta Nalika, Sapta Tala, Sapta Gairika, Sapta Mathura, Sapta Piirva ssu. Sapta Apara SMa and Sapta Priicltira. The dominant temple of Kheta division was that of Skanda built at the centre of the region and oriented towards west.

The Kharvata division of the Kumari Land was on the western side of the Kubja. In its west, it was bordered by the ocean and the Malaya mountains, the eternal abode of Agastya, the sage invincible. It was protected by water-fort(jala durga). The main temple of Kharvata was that of Visnu, built at its centre and oriented towards east. Kharvata was with a length of 600 krosas and breadth of 200 krosas.( one krosa is approximately 2 miles)

The P&Ha1)a division of the Kumari Land occupied me entire northern area. It was surrounded by ocean in its east, south and north, In its north-east was the Himacala, The interior of its southern region was strengthened by the Vindhya mountains. Like an affectionate mother, many sacred rivers such as the Ganga. Yamuna, Sarasvati and others were nourishing this division. It was ennobled by numerous centres for learning, enriched by numerous trade-centres and energized by numerous temples. The main temples of this division were the Siva Temple and the Vindhya Durga temple.

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At the southern border of Pattana, the length was 950 krosas and at its northern border, its length was 1100 krosas. Its breadth was 400 krosas.

Having revealed all these details to Brhaspati, Ananta continued: "There occurred an event here that made the glory of the Kumari Land to reach the greater heights. It was the revelation of the Agamas. The Mahendra mountain is adorned with four summits - one at the centre of the highest point of the mountain, one in the south-east, one in the south-west and one in the north. All these four summits are covered with thick forests of vata trees(kal al) and rudraksa trees. Seated under a vata tree of the central summit, Lord Siva revealed the Agamas to the competent Sages

in the same way as He revealed them in the Kailasa in previous kalpa. This is how the Agamas had their emergence in the Kumari Land".

The system of town-planning adopted in the Kumari Continent:

From the description of the Kumari Land given by Ananta, we are able to know the system of town-planning adopted for each division. In the Kubja division, town-planning was based on

the mandiika mandala in which the ground is to be reticulated into 64 grids. In the Kheta division, town-planning was based on the sthandila mandala in which the ground has to be reticulated into

49 grids(seven north-south rows and seven east-west rows). That was the reason for the formation of 7 towns within the area of Kheta, In the Kharvata division, town-planning was based on the parama sayika mandala in which the ground has to be divided into 81 equal grids by 9 north-south rows and 9 east-west rows. In the Pattana division, the town-planning was based on the padmagarbha mandala in which the ground has to be divided into 225 equal grids by 15 north-south rows and 15 east-west rqws.

All the descriptions and details given above are covered in the verses from 165 to 272. In the remaining verses from 273 to 298, the nature of the worlds below the level of Earthfbhiimandala) s~c4 a~ atala, vitala and so fof!:l1 ha~ been told. This chapter ends with the description of Kiilagnirudra bhHY<ma. th~ last one-in the lowest plane.

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Emergence of Agamas and Silpa Sastras in the Land of Kumari

How the Agamas were revealed to the competent sages by Lord Siva appearing in the form of Dak:~inamiirti(Al amar celvan) under the vata tree of Mahendra mountain has already been told.

The names of such sages to whom Lord Daksinamiirti revealed the Agamas have been listed in another Agama known as Sarvokta, One of the names given in this list is 'Silpa1qt' which means the Designer of cities, buildings and images. Technically, the term silpa denotes any construction or image designed in strict accordance with the system of proportionate measurements. Silpakrt was one of the names assumed by Maya Risi, the unrivalled Designer and Builder of ancient time. After receiving the all-encomposing knowledge from Daksinamiirti, Maya Risi founded a seat of learning in the same forest of vata trees situated in the northern slope of the Mahendra mountain. He trained hundreds of disciples in the science and technology of architecture, sculpture, music, grammar of Tamil and Grantha and dance. He composed many works in Tamil and Grantha. Aintiram, Pranava Vedam, Cirpamac cenniil, E! isaic cenniil, Elisai Nataniil - all such works were composed by him in Tamil.

It is to be noted that Maya Risi was the first poet to have coined the term "Cemmo!i"(Aintirarn,

verse 50). He composed more than 32 treatises on architecture and sculpture in Grantha, the important among them being Mayamata, Manasara and Siirya Siddhantaf an authentic astronomical work). He lived for a very long time in the southern part of Kumari. In the Padma Purana, Mayan has very often been mentioned as Kaumarika Mayan.

Descriptions of Kumari Land found in the Tamil works tallying with the Agamic Descriptions:

These descriptions which enable us realize that the entire stretch of Bharat was identical with the

name of Kumari Continent in the days of distant antiquity are not to be set aside as imaginary accounts. Same descriptions are noticeable in the writings of other poets and saints of Tamilnadu. We have to compare these details with those given in the commentary by Nakkirar on Iraiyanar Kalaviyal, In addition to these, valid references are available in the commentary by Atiyarkkunallar on the

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Cilappatikiiram, in the Tiruvacakam of St Mavikkavacakar, the Kandapuranam of Kacciyappa Sivaccariyar and in the commentary of Sivafiana Mugivar on the Sivaiiagapotam to ascertain the credibility of the Agamic descriptions of the Kumari Land.

"Pahruli river was on the northern boundary of Tegpali. There was a great stretch of land between Pahruli and the Kurnari river with an extent of 700 kavatastkrosas). Vitalized by these rivers there were in this stretch E!teIikana!u, Elmaturainatu, Ejmugpalainatu, Elpigpiilainiitu, E!kugrana!u, Elkunakarainiitu and Elkurumpanainatu"

A!iyarkkunallar - Vegirkiitai - PukarkkiiI).!am

"In the Mahendra mountain, Lord Siva revealed all those Agamas which were revealed by Him in the pervious kalpa"

"maggu mamalai mayentiram atanil

conna agamma torrvittu aruliyum"

St. Manikkavacakar - Klrttit Tiruvakaval - 9,10

" Bharata divided his kingdom into nine divisions and gave them to his eight sons

and one daughter named Kumari. The land bequeathed to Kumari came to be known as Kumarik kantam, Ganga, Gautami, Yamugai, Gauri, Va1}i, Kaviri, Narmatai, Pali, Kampai, Turikapattirai, Kucai, Komati, Paiicali ..... Porugai, Pennai and many such rivers were flowing in this Kumari Land. The whole Land was strengthened by seven great mountains - Mahendra, Malaya, Saiya, Sakti, Nirutam, Parlya!!iram and

Vintam. The seven great cities renowned for granting the final liberation - Kiiiici and

others and 1008 sacred places dedicated to Lord Siva were in this Kumari Land" Kacciyappa Sivacciiriyfir- Kanta Puranam - 2:11: verses 45,46,47

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"Out of these nine divisions, adherence to the righteous path of the Vedas and the Aganas was in its full measure in the Kumari Continent only. Sacred rivers such as the Ganga and others and sacred places such as Kasi(VaraI}asi) and others were in this Kumari Land only".

Sivaiiaga Mugivar - SivaIHiQapa!iyam - siitra 2, atikaranam 3

Such references are, no doubt, very much supportive to the Agamic descriptions of the Kumari Continent. In the Aintirarn and Pranava Vetam of Mayan and in the Vaicarnpayagarn which gives us the full history of Mayan, we have copious references well tuned to the above statements.

An unbiased study of the Agamas and the Sipla Sastras is inevitable to know the vastness, richness and multiple dimensions of Tamil Culture.

Town Plan of Kubja Division

A _ Ambarruaya B _ Bhagavati Temple 1. Bow-shaped region in the south

2. _ Mahendra Mountains 3. - Kumari Mountains 4. - Bow-shaped region in the north

5. _ Kumari Ocean H. -Harbour J. - Jaladurga

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... ~:::

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-"-~" --I L-=J

LLJ

Town Plan of Kheta Division

1. Sapta Mathura 2. Sapta Piirva SaIa 3. Sapta Nalika

4. Sapta Tala 5. Sapta Apara Sala 6. Sapta Priici lira 7. Sapta Gairika

S. Skanda Temple

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Town Plan of Kharvata Division

1. Vi~1}.u Temple 2. Eastern border of Kharvata/ Western border of Kubja

3.1aladurga 4. Malaya Hills

,----1 I--~___""""---

L j .. _ .. _ .. _ .. _ .. __ --! ~ 1........-._ . ....====01 1-

o ,~ .. ----- -~ _- .. _~ __ ,._ ~ __ ._._f~ C==] 0 I

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Town Plan of Pan~a Division

Padmagarbha Mandala

1. brahma pada 2. daivika pada 3. manusa pada 4. paisaca pada

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