Page:Tamil studies.djvu/293

266 The third book was composed by Palai Gautamanar (the தண்டமிழ் மறையோன் of Ilango-adigal) in honour of the Chera king Palyanai Chelkezhu Kuttuvan, a younger brother of Imaya Varman. He was a pious king and renounced the world after a reign of 25 years. He is stated to have performed ten Yagas or sacrifices for the sake of Gautamanar, directed his purohit Nedum-Bharatayanar to become an ascetic, and to have given away his kingdom to his relatives. He is further said to have decorated the temple of the family deity on the Ayirai Hill. Gautamanar was a Brahman poet who is believed to have ascended the heaven with his consort after completing the tenth sacrifice. All these facts are also alluded to in the last book of Silappadikaram. The Chera king Palyanaichelkezhu-Kuttuvan and the poet Gautamanar must, therefore, have lived during the latter half of the second century.

Kappiyarru-Kappiyanar was the author of the fourth book, which is addressed to the Chera king Kalangkaykkanni Narmudi Cheral. He was born to Seraladan by the wife of Velavikkoman Padman. He conquered Puzhi- Nadu and defeated Nannan. He succeeded Cheral Adan and reigned for 25 years. The real name of the king is not known, and the one by which he is known is a nom-de-plume meaning