The Great "Velirs"
The vel refers to the "Velvi" (Yagam), (i.e) "Sacrificial Fire", "Agni-Kunda", "Yaga-Kunda", "Anala-Kunda". Therefore, the velirs (Kshatriyas) were referred in the history that, they were brought out from the "Fire-Pit" (Yaga-Kunda) to rule the earth and to establish Dharmam. This theory is to be taken for the origin of Kshatriyas and also a theory that, Kshatriyas came from the shoulders of Lord Brahma.
In the "Purananuru" (Hymn-201), the sangam age (2nd century B.C) poet "Kabilar" clearly says that, the velirs (Kshatriyas) were brought out from the "Fire-Pit" of sage "Vadapal Thava Muni" (Agathiyar), whom has been identified as "Sambu Maha Muni" by the eminent scholar Tamil Tatha U.V Saminatha Iyer with the help of Tamil Literatures such as "Vishwapurana Saram" and the "Ekkambaranathar Ula" of Irrattai Pulavar. 11-12th century A.D Sanskrit and Kannada inscriptions of Western Chalukyas mentions about the "Vanniya Vamsam" who came from the fire-pit of sage Agathiyar. The 11th century A.D Nagpur Sanskrit inscription mentions about the Rajput Parmar clan "Vanniya Vamsam" brought out from the fire-pit of sage Vashista. The "Rig-Veda" mentions the sage "Agathiyar" and "Vashista" as brothers. These vital evidences enables us to point out the Sage "Vadapal Thava Muni" (Sage of North side) (i.e) "Agathiyar", brought the Velirs clans from Northern India (Dwaraka) to Southern India. The 12th century A.D Tamil poet "Nachchinarkiniyar" points out that, the sage Agathiyar brought the Velirs from Dwaraka.
The "Irrattai Pulavar", who had contributed "Ekkabaranathar Ula" were patronised by the "Sambuvarayar Kings". The "Sambuvarayar Vanniya Kings", who hails from the Velir clans had ruled "Oyma Nadu" during the imperial cholas period as Chieftains/Feudatories.
The "Sambuvarayar Kings" clearly mentioned in the imperial cholas inscriptions that. they were from the line of "Sambu-Kulam", which means, they came from the "Fire-Pit" of sage "Sambu Maha Muni". The 12th century poet, Kambar in one of his great work "Silai Ezhupathu" clearly says about the "Vanniyas" (Agni Kulas) came from the "Fire-Pit" of sage "Sambu Maha Muni" and ruled the earth to establish Dharma. Vanniya Puranam and several copper plates pertaining to "Vanniya history" says the similar origin. Obviously, the "Vanniyas" are from the line of "Agni" is the reality. In Sanskrit "Vanni" means "Fire". Both are synonyms.
The Prakasam District Podili inscriptions mentions the Sambuvarayas as "Saluvas" (Chalukyas) and "Lunar Race". The 12th century A.D Chola inscription very clearly mentions the Sambuvarayas as "Kandara Kuliyan". The 14-15th century Saluvas mentioned them as "Kandara Kuliyan". Epigraphia Indica volume VII very clearly mentions that, the Sambuvarayas were senior branch of Saluvas (i.e) "Yadhu kula Yadavas". The Sambuvarayas mentioned as "Pallavas" in the Cholas inscriptions. Obviously the Pallavas from the line of "Lunar Race" is very clear from the 8th century A.D "Nandhi Kalambagam" of Nandhi Varma Pallava-III. The "Irattai Pulavars" also praised the Sambuvaraya King in the Ekkambaranathar Ula as "Pallavan Sambu-Kula Perumal".
In the "Purananuru" (hymns-201&202), the sangam age poet "Kabilar" (Belongs to Bramin community) says that, the velir king (Kshatriya) "Irungovel" was the 49th generation king and their ancestors were the rulers of "Dwaraka". The poet "Kabilar" also describes velir "Irungovel" as "Pulikadi Mall" (A valour hero, who killed a Tiger). The eminent scholars in the opinion that, Irungovel belongs to "Hoysala Clan", since, the velir king Irungovel described as "Pulikadi Mall" by sangam age poet "Kabilar".
The "Hoysala Dynasty" founder "Sala" is said to be "Killed a Tiger" in many "Kannada Inscriptions". Even many ikons of "Sala killing a tiger" have been placed in the Hoysala temples as their symbol. The "Hoysala" rulers hails from "Yadu-Kulam" (from the line of Moon, Lunar Race, Yadava, Kshatriya). They named their capital (Halibedu) as "Dwaraka", which resembles their ancestors ancient capital "Dwaraka", which was immersed in to the sea nearby the provinces of the present Gujarat. The ancient Dwaraka rulers hails from the line of "Yadu-Kulam" (Yadavas, Kshatriyas) and their clans had spread throughout India such as "Chalukyas", "Kalachuris", "Hoysalas", "Rashtrakutas", "Sambuvarayas", "Vilandai Vel", "Kodumbalur Irukkuvel" etc.
The Kulottunga Chola-I, referred in the 12th century "Kulottunga Cholan Ula" as he belongs to the clan of "Duvarapathi Velir" (முகில்வண்ணன் பொன்துவரை இந்து மரபில்) and also "Thee Kon" (Fire Race King), (தீக்கோன் நிகழ்நிலா அன்று நிருப குல துங்கன்). The noted poet "Kambar" of 12th century A.D. in his work "Silai Ezhupathu" also says, the Kulottunga Chola-I as "Vanni Kulottungar" (கலையா வன்னி குலோத்துங்கர்) and his son as "Agni Kulatharasar Vikramar" (அக்கினி குலத்தரச விக்ரமர் ). The great Hoysala king "Vira Vallala Deva-III" referred as "Vanni Kulathinil Varum Manna" (வன்னி குலத்தினில் வரு மன்னா) and "Anal Kulathon" (அனல் குலத்தோன்) in the the authentic work "Arunachala Puranam" of 16th century A.D. The Velir "Irungovel" (Pulikadimal) of Sangam Age is considered as the ancestors of "Hoysalas".
The "Hoysalas" mother tongue is "Kannadiga" (The old Kannada inscriptions is almost in the form of Tamil script only). The "Kodumbalur Irukkuvel" also refer them as "Irungolan", which is evident from the name "Parantaka Irungolan", one of the Chieftains of imperial cholas. According to the Muvarkoil Inscription, Bhuti Vikrama Kesari built Kodumbalur temple with three shrines. A fragmentary "Kannada Record" found at Kodumbalur mentions "Vikramakesarisvara" (A.R.E. No.140 of 1907) thus confirming the Muvarkoil Sanskrit record which also says that they are from "Yadu Vamsa" and "Yadava". The Sanskrit record also mentions one of the Kodumbalur Irukkuvel kings name as "Aditya Varma", which denotes them as "Kshatriyas" (Varma).
Irungovel was one of the Velir Chiefs of the sangam age, who ruled from his capital city "Pidavur" was defeated by Karikala Chola. His capital city "Pidavur" has been identified with the modern "Pudaiyur" in Kattumannar Kudi Taluk. Imperial cholas inscriptions refers a territory called "Irungolappadi", which comprising parts of Udaiyarpalayam, Kattumannarkudi, Tittakudi, Virudachalam taluks on both the banks of the vellar river (The river vellar obtained its name from the Velir as "Vel Aar" (வேலாறு). The "Irungolappadi" was ruled by the "Irungolar Chieftains" during imperial cholas times. The "Vilandai Kuttram" was one of the nadu which existed in the "Irungolappadi Region" was ruled by "Vilandai Vel", a chief of Vilandai in the sangam period.
During the period of Vikrama Chola in the year 1130 A.D, a Velir Chieftain named "Palli Kuttan Madurantakan alias Irungola Raman" referred in the Pennadam inscription (A.R.E. No.259 of 1928-29, Tittakudi Taluk). He belongs to "Vanniya Caste". The "Erumbur" (situated on the northern bank of river Vellar) inscription mentions a Velir Chieftain named "Irungolan Gunavan Aparajitan" as a feudatory to Parantaka Chola-I. The Kattumannar Kudi taluk, Srimushnam inscription refers a Velir Chieftain named "Irungolar Kon alias Narayanan Pugalaippavar Kandan" during the period of Sundara Chola. In Virudhachalam, during the period of Uttama Chola, a Velir Chieftain named "Irungolar Naranan Pirutivipatiyar" had ruled as feudatory to imperial cholas. Similarly during the period of Raja Raja Chola-I, the Velir Chieftains named "Irungolar Prithivipathi Amani Mallar" and "Irungolarkkonar Amani Mallan Sundara Cholar" were referred in the Virudhachalam inscriptions. During the period of Rajadhiraja Chola-I (1050 A.D), a Velir Chieftain named "Visayapurattu Palli Amani Mallan Palli Kondan alias Maravattumalai" mentioned in Virudhachalam inscription (A.R.E No.55 of 1918). The "Irungolar Chieftains" had the close matrimonial relationship with imperial cholas.
The Tittakudi taluk, Vasistapuram inscription of Kulottunga Chola-III, mentions "Kulothunga Choliyar, daughter of Navalur Irungolar and wife of Tundarayan Tiruchchirrambalamudaiyar of Tenur". A line of Chieftains, who ruled the Ariyalur region during the period of imperial cholas were called as "Tundarayar". Around 20 inscriptions mentioned about them, they are "Palli" (Vanniya) by caste. Tittakudi taluk, Tiruvattaturai inscription pertaining to Virarajendra Chola (1067 A.D) mentions, a Chieftain named "Palli Kuttan Pakkan alias Jayankonda Chola Tundanattalvan". The "Irungolar" and "Tundarayar" Chieftains had matrimonial relationship with each other.
The "Kadanthaiyar" Vanniya Chieftains, who had ruled the Tittakudi, Pennadam areas during the Cholas period were mentioned in the inscriptions as "Rasukulavar" (i.e) "Raja kulathavar" (Royal clans of Kshatriyas). The name "Rasukulavar" mentions to Velir line of Chieftains in the Cholas inscriptions. Therefore, the "Kadanthaiyar Chieftains" from the line of Velir clan is very clear.
Thus the above points clearly shows that, the "Vanniya kula Kshatriyas" (Agni Race) belongs to Velir clans and they brought out from the "Fire-Pit" (Yaka-Kunda) to rule the earth and to establish Dharmam.
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