Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 8i 



He was said to be the elder brother of Minakshi. The plan de- 

 vised was to bring Alg-ar every year from his temple to give 

 his sister in marriage to Siva. But he invariably arrives two 

 days late, and disgusted that they did not wait for him he refuses 

 to cross the river or to have anything to do with the wedding. 

 He consents, however, to remain on the other side of the river for 

 two or three days, and it is during this time that the festival 

 reaches its climax. During these days Saivites and Vaishnavas 

 readily mingle together, and unite to raise a considerable sum of 

 money with which to appease the wrath of Algar so that he will 

 go home in peace, and cause no troubles during the year. 



The following account^" of the marriage of Minakshi with Siva 

 shows the Brahmanic interpretation and explanation of the mar- 

 riage. It may usefully be compared with the description of the 

 actual ceremonies, since it shows the tendency of the Brahmans 

 to provide the necessary Hindu explanation for these ceremonies. 



"When the Invincible (Minakshi) was ruling, her foster 

 mother represented to her the propriety of marriage, to which 

 she replied that she would assemble an army and go to fight with 

 the neighboring kings in order to discover among them her des- 

 tined husband. Accordingly her minister, Sunathi, assembled a 

 very large army with which she conquered all the neighboring 

 kings. She next conquered Indren and then proceeded to Kai- 

 lasa, the abode of Siva, in front of which she was met by Narada, 

 messenger of the gods, whom she forced to retreat. He went 

 and reported the same to Siva, who, smiling a little, arose and 

 came forth. As soon as he appeared, the before-mentioned sign 

 appeared (one of her three breasts withered) at which the amazon 

 being ashamed, dropped her weapon, and the minister said, * This 

 is your husband.' The god (Siva) told her to return to Madura 

 where he dwelt, and on Monday he would come and marry her ; 

 desiring all preparations to be made. All was arranged accord- 

 ingly, and the gods inferior and superior were present, bringing 



1* From Oriental Manuscripts, translated by Wm. Taylor, Madras, 1835, 

 I, p. 58. The " Marriage of Minakshi with Siva by the name of Sunteras- 

 vara," is translated from the Fifth Tiruvilliadel of the Madura Stalla 

 Purana. 



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