EAP810/1/1/1

Titles in original script:

நூல் 1: கும்பமுனி மதிவெண்பா- 100நூல் 2: அகத்தியர் தண்டகம்- 100நூல் 3: கும்பமுனி பரிபாசை திரட்டு

The manuscript comprises three texts written by Akattiyar, also named Kumpamuṇi. The manuscript is in excellent state.

Text 1- The text is entitled Mati Veṇpa, written by Kumpamuṇi (Akattiyar). It contains palm leaves numbered from 1 to 18 on which one hundred verses. The text concerns spirituality and philosophy and mentioned some diseases which are curable by medicines.

Text 2- The text is entitled Akattiyar Taṇṭakam-100. It is formed by palm leaves numbered from 1 to 8 and is incomplete. The text concerns magic and alchemy; it exposes the eight kinds of magical actions (aṭṭakarmam) and the paths of yōka and ñāṉam (philosophy).

Text 3- The text, entitled Kumpamuṇi Paripācai Tiraṭṭu is a compilation of terminologies on the siddha tradition. It is composed of the palm leaves numbered from 1 to 111 divided into 5 parts.

3-1 The 1st part (leaves 1 to 25) consists in one hundred verses that present the nomenclature of raw materials such as calcium stone, piramma salt (common salt), etc. It specifies that it exists ninety-six categories of medicines and one hundred and twenty-five inorganic ingredients used for medicinal purposes. It also indicates the perfect process to prepare diverse categories of medicines, notably paṟpam, and details five types of calcined salts.

The text concerns alchemy and esotericism: it exposes methods to attain salvation and to be initiated (tīkcai) to the Cakti cult. The meaning of the five sacred letters (pañcāṭsaram) praising Civaṉ is explained.

3-2- The second part of Akattiyar Paripācai Tiraṭṭu (leaves 26 to 52) is composed of one hundred verses which deal with salts. It details how to obtain diverse salts (potassium nitrate, rock salt, soap stones, common salt) and to clean and purify them. It presents the method to purify and calcine oyster and egg shells, to purify vaḻalai (fuller’s earth), and to prepare kuru, a category of medicine considered as powerful.

3-3- This part (leaves 53 to 70) consists in one hundred verses which present iatrochemistry processes, methods of purification, spirituality and magic. It speaks about Śiva, the Universe, and details how to perform pūcai (Sanskrit, puja) to Ganeṣan, Pirammaṉ (Brahma), Viṣṇu, Ruttira (Rudra), Makēsuvara (Mahesvar) as well as Atāciva and Mavuṇa Kuru pūcai before starting the iatrochemistry process. As certain alchemical procedures are explained by the eighteen cittarkaḷ, if for some reason, the practitioner is not able to finalise the process, he/she has to pray to the cittarkaḷ to avoid curse. A remedy to avoid curse is explained.

The practice of meditation and attainment of salvation is mentioned as well as the use of karpam plants for increasing longevity, such as vallarai (Centella asiatica) and the diet to observe with them. Lastly, it gives recommendations on the cleanliness of the upper and lower part of the body.

3-4- The 4th part (leaves 71 to 90), consisting in one hundred verses, deals with alchemical principles of sulphur and mercury, iracakaṭṭu (a bead of mercury), five types of paṣaṇam (arsenic salts). It approaches as well some esoteric knowledge: micro and macrocosm in the universe, the five primordial elements, the six cakra-s (ātāraṅkaḷ) and ascetic practices, and the benefits from mantiram. The purity of water according to it is flowing or stagnant is mentioned. The part presents an invocation to nine cittarkaḷ used to attain perfection (nirmala jōti).

3-5- The last part of Akattiyar Paripācai Tiraṭṭu (leaves 91 to 111) is in continuation to the previous part. It deals with alchemical materials such as pūraṇa vaḻalai (fuller’s earth), mercury and sulphur and the five mercurial compounds; with magic, notably the means to get rid off curse; with esotericism and the process to attain salvation; and rituals among them the homa ritual and purification with water of Ganga. This part also explains different types of initiation, astrological features and palmistry of yogis, as well as kaya karpam principles.

Size of the manuscript: 24cm x 3,1cm. Text 1: 18 leaves numbered 1 to 18; text 2: 8 leaves numbered 1-8; text 3 numbered 1 to 111 composed of part 1: 25 leaves, part 2: 26 leaves, part 3: 27 leaves, part 4: 29 leaves, part 5: 20 leaves (the last leaf is broken). Six leaves, not numbered and disparate, have been placed at the end of the manuscript; there are telugu scripts in the last leaf. The manuscript is in excellent condition.