96 
ON THE ORIGIXAL INHABITANTS 
same meaning by tbe Bbillalas, Mabars and Gronds. Tbe "vrord 
VaUuvan (su'srr(er^isiisn^, (PI. Valluvar) I take to mean " tbe 
honorable Palla;" Vallu or rather Pallu being tbe colleetive 
name of the Palla caste and an {ar) tbe honorific pronominal 
affix. Tbe present position of tbe Valluvar is highly inter- 
esting. He is famous for his superior attainments in Astro- 
logy, and is much consulted when horoscopes are to be cast. 
Though socially an outcaste, be is respectfully treated by 
Brahmans and especially by Brahman ladies, who often have 
recourse to his advice. He wears tbe holy brahmanical 
thread or yajmjMvita, in Tamil pummiil ot punulJ'- At tbe 
weddings of Pariahs and Pallar he utters Sanskrit passages 
daughter in marriage. He consented and the marriagi&was celebrated when 
Bhagavan returned from Ramesvaram. On his anointing, according to the 
eei-emonial, the head of his bride, he saw the sear on her head and recog- 
nised her as tbe girl he had beaten. Ashamed he ran a'way, but the 
girl — who was henceforth called Ati (^^) — ran behind him. At Panacceri 
she overtook him at last, when Bhagavan exacted from her the promise that 
she would leave behind her all the children which they might have on their 
journeys. She consented and much against her inclination kept her word, 
advised by her babies to do so. Thus were born Aivni ^^a.3x<su) or 
Auvai (ggsrrsroaj) as an incarnation of Sarasvati, Uppai (s-UeiBu) in 
Tondamandalam, Atikaman (^^^^LDtreisr') inKaruvur, Uruvai (a_^;eSEeu) 
in Kaveripattanam, Kapilar (siSeoir) in Tiiuvarur, T'«//i near the VsU 
mountain and Tirwvalluvar in an oil nut tree tope at Mailapur. 
All these children play important parts in the legends and poetry of 
Southern India. Avvai was nursed by hunters. I'ppai was brought up by 
■washermen and married a Pariah giave- digger. They were very poor, and she 
was attacked by smaU-pox and went about covered only with margosa-tree 
leaves. Thus she became known and worshipped as ilariyamman. Adika~ 
■mdn was educated by C6raman, Uruvai by brewers, Eapilar by the Brah- 
man Papaiya, and Valli by Kuiavar. The names of TiruvaUuvar and of most 
of his so-called brothi-rs and sisters are no pro)ier names. 
^- See Nanavetti (;g,^^e^5rOaJ^J.ia-) ascribed to Tiruv;\lluva Xayauar 
edited by Arunacala Mudaly, p. 9, stiinza 40, which begins Lj,^n;j7nr6u 
fi ft^^rnQstrmQenrrm Ssu &6U (Pununul fcu-ittukkolvom, Si™, Siva) 
Let us wear the sacred thread, Siva, Siva, let us follow the promptings of the 
five senses ; let us carry all the insignia, especially the white umbrellas and 
wliite chowries, as well as the golden fans used by the gods and siiges, 
beautiful marks and clothes. Let us praise by worshipping the beginning and 
eudiug of Cm, in which lustre of wisdom and divine essence are mauifest." 
