EAP810/1/1/19

Title in original script: பஞ்ச சூத்திரம்- 500

The manuscript contains a text attributed to Akattiyar. The text, mixing various subjects such as esotericism, astrology, religion, physiology, etc. is extremely complexe.

Concerning astrology, the text explains the nine planets (navakaṇṭam), their colours and weight as well as the deities who dominate them. It also mentions zodiac signs and star influences and important lunar days.

Regarding philosophy and esotericism, the text describes how to attain wisdom and Ōm kārā mantiram. The methods of meditation, sometimes named by god’s name, mentioned in the text are: Akkiṉi pakavāṉ tiyāṉam, keruṭa tiyāṉam, Vairava tiyāṉam, Kāḻi tiyāṉam, Tēvatēvi tiyāṉam, Cūriya tiyāṉam, Carva ciṇṇu tiyāṉam, Kaṇapati tiyāṉam, Cuppiramaṇiyar tiyāṉam, Piremaṉ (Brahma) tiyāṉam, Viṣṇu tiyāṉam, Ruttiraṉ (Rudra) tiyāṉam, Makēṣvara tiyāṉam, Tampaņam iṉṉu tiyāṉam, Mōkaṉam, ucātanam, Vacīkaram, vatukaņ tiyāṉam, Vittu vecaņam, Pūtēvi tiyāṉam, Vetaṉam, Cuṭalai Māṭaṉ tiyāṉam, Māraṇam, Kālamūrtti tiyāṉam, Nīla kaṇṭa tiyāṉam, Eṭṭu vittai, Pām pāṭa vittai, Karaņa yaṭci tiyāṉam. The text describes some plans for the construction of a yāka cālai. It text explains the study and diagnosis of pañca paṭci (prediction using birds): mūla paṭci, pūta paṭci, koṇu paṭci, titi paṭci and amara paṭci. It describes the types of black paste used as eye liner to fascinate people (Pātāḷa mai, Pārvai mai, Urumāṟṟa mai, Vaciya mai, Kēcari mai). It also evokes how retaining sperm ejaculation (vintu tampaṉam).

Some information on religion are also provided: the birth of Lord Kaneṣā (sk. Ganeṣa); details about birth, origin of Lord Civa and his presence. It list diverse type of homam: appu homam, tēyu homam, vāyvu homam and ākāya homam.

Regarding physiology, the text describes the theory of the five elements (pañcapūtam); embryology; subtle and gross states of body; the five sense organs, features of five state of mind; weight of the body and hair; places of vāta, pitta and cilēṟpana in the body. It evokes the states of sleep (tūkkam) and of death (cāvu).

Lastly the text relates the life of saint Akattiyar, the origin, glory and details of the present text.

Size of the manuscript 34,5cm x 3,5cm. The text is numbered in Tamil and Arabic from 1 to 54. . At the end of the text, there is a leaf with an invocation to god. The manuscript contains also three blank leaves. It is in good condition but is incomplete.