Cobra symbolism in a Sri Lankan Hindu statue of the Nainativu Nagapooshani Amman Temple
According to Buddhist scripture the Naga king Muchalinda shielded the Buddha from getting wet in the rain by coiling round him and holding his large hood above the Buddha's head.[1]

The Naga people are believed by some to be an ancient tribe who once inhabited Sri Lanka and various parts of Southern India. There are references to Nagas in several ancient texts such as Mahavamsa, Manimekalai, Mahabharata and also in other Sanskrit and Pali literature. They were generally represented as a class of super-humans taking the form of serpents who inhabit a subterranean world.[2][note 1]

Certain places such as Nagadeepa in Jaffna and Kalyani in Gampaha are mentioned as their abodes.[3] The names of some Naga kings in Sri Lankan legends such as Mani Akkhitha (Mani Naga) and Mahodara are also found in Sanskrit literature among superhuman Nagas[note 2], and the cult of Mani Naga prevailed in India up to medieval times.[4]

The Jaffna Peninsula was mentioned in Tamil literature as Naka Nadu, in Pali literature as Nagadeepa and in Greek gazetteer as Nagadiba.[5][6][7][8] The name Nagabhumi was also found on a Brahmi-inscribed coin from Uduthurai, Jaffna and in a Tamil inscription from Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu referring to the Jaffna peninsula.[9]

Etymology

The word "Naga" literally means "snake" or "serpent" in Sanskrit, Pali, Sinhala & Tamil language.

Origin

According to Manogaran, some scholars also "have postulated that the Yakshas and Nagas [...] are the aboriginal tribes of Sri Lanka".[10] Scholars like K. Indrapala regard them as an ancient tribe who started to assimilate to Tamil culture and language from the 3rd century BCE.[11][lower-alpha 1] According to him, in the end of the 9th century or probably very long before that time, the Nagas assimilated into the two major ethnic groups of the island.

According to V. Kanakasabhai, The Oliyar, Parathavar, Maravar, Paraiyar[14] and Eyinar who were widespread across South India and North-East Sri Lanka are all Naga tribes.[15] According to several authors they may have been a Dravidian tribe.[16][10] Many Tamil poets who contributed to the Sangam literature attached Naga prefixes and suffixes to their names to indicate their Naga descent.[17][13]

Early references

Buddha's visit to Nagadeepa. Detail from Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara

Mahavamsa

The chronicle states that the Buddha, during his second visit to the island, pacified a dispute between two Naga Kings of Nagadeepa, Chulodara and Mahodara over the possession of a gem-studded throne. This throne was finally offered to the Buddha by the grateful Naga kings who left it in Nagadeepa under a Rajayathana tree (Kiri Palu) as an object of worship.[18] Since then the place became one of the holiest shrines of Buddhists in the island for many centuries. The references to Nagadeepa in Mahawamsa as well as other Pali writings, coupled with archaeological and epigraphical evidences, have established that Nagadeepa of the Mahawamsa is the present Jaffna Peninsula.[19][20][21]

The chronicle further states that in the eighth year after the Enlightenment, the Buddha visited the island for the third time, on an invitation of Maniakkhita, the Naga king of Kalyani (Modern day Kelaniya) who is the uncle of the Naga king of Nagadeepa.[22]

Manimekalai

In the Tamil epic Manimekalai, the heroine is miraculously transported to a small island called Manipallavam where there was a seat or foot stool associated to the Buddha. The seat in Manipallavam is said to have been used by the Buddha when he preached and reconciled the two kings of Naga land, and that it was placed in Manipallavam by the king of gods, Indra.[note 3][23] The legend speaks of the great Naga king Valai Vanan and his queen Vasamayilai who ruled over Manipallavam in the Jaffna Peninsula. Their daughter, the princess Pilli Valai had a liaison at the islet with the early Chola king Killivalavan; out of this union was the prince Tondai Eelam Thiraiyar born, who historians note was the early progenitor of the Pallava Dynasty.[24][25][26] He went on to rule Tondai Nadu from Kanchipuram. Nainativu was referred to as Manipallavam in ancient Tamil literature following this union. Royals of the Chola-Naga lineage would go on to rule other territory of the island, Nagapattinam and Tondai Nadu of Tamilakam.[27]

By the time Buddhism had reached Tamilakam, the twin epics of ancient Tamil Nadu Silappatikaram (5–6th century CE) and Manimekalai (6th century CE) were written, speaking of Naga Nadu across the sea from Kaveripoompuharpattinam.[28] The island according to the Tamil epic was divided into two territory, Naga Nadu and Ilankaitheevam.[29] Naga Nadu, or the whole island was also known as Cherantheevu, derived from Dravidian words Cheran (meaning Naga) and theevu (meaning island).[30]

Identifying Manipallavam

The similarity of the legend about the Buddha's seat given in the Mahavamsa to that in the Manimekalai has led certain scholars to identify the Manipallavam with Nagadeepa (currently Nainativu), which has caused the history to be extracted out of the legend.[3][note 4]

Cīttalai Cāttanār, the author of the Manimekalai, reflected the perception at the time that Naga Nadu was an autonomous administrative entity, kingdom or nadu stretching across coastal districts, distinguished from the rest of the island also ruled intermittently by Naga kings.[31]

The Naga king Valai Vanan was stated in the Manimekalai to be the king of Naga Nadu, one of the two territories in Sri Lanka, the other being Ilankaitheevam.[29] Several scholars identify Naga Nadu with the Jaffna Peninsula, and Manipallavam with Nainativu.[32][33][34] Other scholars identify Karaitivu as Manipallavam.[35]

Senarath Paranavithana rejects the identification of Manipallavam with Nainativu and the Jaffna Peninsula, because Manimekalai states the island to have been uninhabited, whereas the Jaffna Peninsula have been inhabited centuries before the date of the epic.[36][note 5] He also notes that Manimekalai does not mention that the two Naga kings had their abode in Manipallavam as stated in the Mahavamsa, nor did it mention that the holy seat was placed there by Gautama Buddha, but by Indra.[note 6] Further states Canto IX, II. 13–22 that an earthquake destroyed a city in Gandhara which in turn affteced 100 yojanas of Naga Nadu, thus rejecting the identification of Naga Nadu with Jaffna Peninsula.[36]

Ramayana

In the Indian epic Ramayana, the mythological island Lanka has been often identified with Sri Lanka. The inhabitants of Lanka were mentioned as non-humans, mainly referring to the Rakshasas and Yakshas, but also mentioning the Nagas.[10] Indrajit, the son of Ravana was married to Sulochana, a Naga princess.[37]

Others

Ptolemy in his 1st century map of Taprobane mentions Nagadibois.[8] Ptolemy mentions in 150 CE that King Sornagos, a descendant of this lineage, ruled from the early Chola capital of Uraiyur during this time.[38]

Culture

Irrigation

It is also believed they were great irrigation engineers who built water storages. The Giant's Tank dam and reservoir system in Mannar, Sri Lanka is considered by some (such as Author, Mudaliyar C. Rajanayagam) to have been built by the Nagas based on the extensive ruins and the presence of villages with surrounding the port with Naga name (e.g. Nagarkulam, Nagathazhvu and Sirunagarkulam).[39]

Snake worship

Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus since ancient times have regarded the cobra as a divine being by the passing down of Naga traditions and beliefs. Further, a cobra can be found entwining itself round the neck of the Hindu god Shiva as the serpent-king Vasuki. Cobras can also be found in images of god Vishnu.[1][16]

Religion

There is substantial evidence to say that Nagas were Buddhist followers after the 4th century B.C . One such example is Buddha's second visit Sri Lanka mentioned in both the Manimekalai and Mahavamsa.[40]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Kathiragesu Indrapala writes that "In the traditions preserved in the early Sri Lankan chronicles as well as in the early Tamil literary works the Nagas appear as a distinct group".[12] He further writes that "the adoption of the Tamil language was helping the Nagas in the Tamil chiefdoms to be assimilated into the major ethnic group there".[13]
  1. ↑ In the Mahavamsa as indeed in the ancient Sanskrit and Pali literature in general, the Nagas are never represented as human beings, but as a class of superhuman beings, who inhabited a subterranean world.
  2. ↑ Mahabharata, Bhandarkar oriental research institute edition, Adiparva, chapter 31, v.15
  3. ↑ Manimekalai, V. Saminatha Aiyar, Cantos X-XII, Madras (1921)
  4. ↑ The similarity of the legend of the holy seat given in the Mahawamsa to that in the Manimekalai has led certain scholars to identify Manipallavam with Nagadeepa, and as the former refers to the two kings as having their habitat in the Nagadeepa, the Nakanatu (the Naga land), wherever it is mentioned, has been taken as referring to the Jaffna peninsula. Continuing this method of extracting history out of the legend, a Naga damsel who is said in the Manimekalai to have appeared in a garden near Pukar, remained for sometime with a legendary Cola king and disappeared after conceiving a child, is taken to have been a princess form Jaffna and father an ancient ruler of Jaffna
  5. ↑ Anku valvor yavarum inmaiyin, Canto XIV, I.86
  6. ↑ Tevar-kon itta mamanippilikai, Canto VIII, I.52

References

  1. 1 2 Godwin Witane . (2003). The growth of the cobra cult in Sri Lanka kuhanjith and indrajith ruled kindoms of srilanka. Available: "Online edition of Sunday Observer - Business". Archived from the original on 8 October 2003. Retrieved 9 May 2016.. Last accessed 7 March 2010.
  2. ↑ Senarath Paranavitana (1961). Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic society# The Arya Kingdom in North Ceylon. Vol. VII, part II. Colombo apothecaries Co. Ltd. p. 181.
  3. 1 2 JCBRAS, S. Paranavitana 1961, p. 181.
  4. ↑ B.Ch.Chhabra, ed. (1950). Epigraphia Indica. Vol. XXVIII Part VI. pp. 330–334.
  5. ↑ Nicholas, C.W. (1963). Historical topography of ancient and medieval Ceylon. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, New Series (Vol VI). p. 10. Other obvious identifications are Nagadiba with Nagadipa or Nakadiva (the Jaffna peninsula) and Rhogandanoi with the inhabitants of Rohana (Ruhuna).
  6. ↑ "Claudius Ptolemy's Sri Lankan Map". Archaeology.lk. 2 November 2020.
  7. ↑ Intirapālā, Kārttikēcu (2005). The evolution of an ethnic identity: the Tamils in Sri Lanka c. 300 BCE to c. 1200 CE. M.V. Publications for the South Asian Studies Centre, Sydney. p. 172. ISBN 9780646425467.
  8. 1 2 Rajeswaran, S. T. B. (2012). Geographical Aspects of the Northern Province, Sri Lanka. University of Jaffna: Governor's Office, Department of Geography. p. 61.
  9. ↑ K. Rajan - Situating the Beginning of Early Historic Times in Tamil Nadu: Some Issues and Reflections (2008) p.56-57
  10. 1 2 3 Manogaran 1987, p. 21.
  11. ↑ Indrapala 2005, p. 172,174.
  12. ↑ Indrapala 2005, p. 173.
  13. 1 2 Indrapala 2005, p. 174.
  14. ↑ › ca... Castes and Tribes of Southern India Vol. I-A and B | INDIAN CULTURE "Castes and tribes of Southern Indian". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  15. ↑ Kanakasabhai, V. (1904). The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120601505.
  16. 1 2 Laura Smid (2003). South Asian folklore: an encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Great Britain: Routledge. 429.
  17. ↑ Pillay, Kolappa Pillay Kanakasabhapathi (1963). South India and Ceylon. University of Madras. p. 37.
  18. ↑ Geiger, W. (1950). Mahawamsa, Chapter 1, vv. 44–70 (English translation). pp. 5–8.
  19. ↑ C.W. Nicholas (1963). Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic society#Historical Topography of Ancient and Medieval Ceylon. Vol. VI, Special number. p. 83.
  20. ↑ Paul E. Pieris (1917). Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic society# Nagadipa and Buddhist Remains in Jaffna (Part I). Vol. XXVI (no.70). pp. 11–30.
  21. ↑ Paul E. Pieris (1919). Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic society# Nagadipa and Buddhist Remains in Jaffna (Part II). Vol. XXVIII (no.72). pp. 40–60.
  22. ↑ JCBRAS, C.W. Nicholas 1963, p. 119.
  23. ↑ S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar (1928). Manimekalai in its Historical Setting. London. p. 129.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  24. ↑ Ordhendra Coomar Gangoly. The art of the Pallavas, Volume 2 of Indian Sculpture Series. G. Wittenborn, 1957. p. 2.
  25. ↑ Schalk, Peter; Veluppillai, A.; Nākacāmi, Irāmaccantiran̲ (2002). Buddhism among Tamils in pre-colonial Tamilakam and Īlam: Prologue. The Pre-Pallava and the Pallava period. Almqvist & Wiksell. p. 148. ISBN 9789155453572.
  26. ↑ C. Rasanayagam (1926). Ancient Jaffna. Madras. pp. 26–28.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  27. ↑ Rao, Conjeeveram Hayavadana; Rice, Benjamin Lewis (1930). Mysore Gazetteer. Government Press. p. 519. chola manipallavam.
  28. ↑ Cāttan̲ār; Kōpālayyar, Ti Vē (1 January 1989). Manimekhalai: The Dancer with the Magic Bowl. New Directions Publishing. ISBN 9780811210980.
  29. 1 2 Journal of the Institute of Asian Studies. Institute of Asian Studies. 1991. p. 31.
  30. ↑ Gunasegaram, Samuel Jeyanayagam (1985). Selected writings. Wim Gunasegaram. p. 33.
  31. ↑ Samuel, G. John; Śivagaṇēśamūrti, Ār Es; Nagarajan, M. S. (1998). Buddhism in Tamil Nadu: Collected Papers. Institute of Asian Studies. p. 45.
  32. ↑ Spolia Zeylanica. National Museums of Sri Lanka. 1955. p. 176.
  33. ↑ Kantacāmi, Cō Na (1978). Buddhism as Expounded in Manimekalai. Annamalai University. p. 113.
  34. ↑ Annals of Oriental Research. University of Madras. 1957. p. 9.
  35. ↑ Rao, Tangsal Narayana Vasudeva (1979). Buddhism in the Tamil Country. Annamalai University. p. 156.
  36. 1 2 JCBRAS, S. Paranavitana 1961, p. 182.
  37. ↑ Saklani, Dinesh Prasad (2006). Rāmāyaṇa tradition in historical perspective. Pratibha Prakashan. ISBN 9788177021295.
  38. ↑ Chattopadhyaya, Sudhakar (1980). The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea & Ptolemy on Ancient Geography of India. Prajñā. p. 103.
  39. ↑ Lionel Wijesiri . (2009). The giant wakes up Revival of Yoda Wewa . http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/10/20/fea21.asp. Last accessed 7 March 2010.
  40. ↑ Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Mahāvaṃsa". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Sep. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahavamsa . Accessed 26 January 2021.

Bibliography

  • Manogaran, Chelvadurai (1987), Ethnic conflict and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, University of Hawaii Press
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