EAP810/23/65

Titles in original script:

நூல் 1: கொங்கணர் கடை காண்டம்நூல் 2: பூஜாவிதி- 200நூல் 3: கருவூரார் சூத்திரம்- 32நூல் 4: பல திரட்டு- 124நூல் 5: தலைப்பு இல்லை (வேதியல் குணம்)நூல் 6: தலைப்பு இல்லை (மந்திரம்);

The manuscript is composed of 6 texts which approach diverse subjects related to siddha tradition: yōkam, iatrochemistry and alchemy and esotericism. The manuscript is in average condition; the palm leaves are more and less damaged by larvae infestation, and the 4th text, the most affected, has some leaves which are broken.

Text 1- The text, entitled Koṅkaṇar Kaṭai Kāṇṭam, contains 11 palm leaves numbered from 1 to 12, the leaf 11 is missing. The text, written in verses, concerns the method of meditation to achieve blissfulness (yōka nilai). It describes the fundamental elements to be observed compulsory before starting meditation such as diet, application of incense (puṉuku) on the body during three days, meditation beginning the 4th day. The text mentions that meditation on the 10th day after the no moon day (vaḷarpiṟai tacami) is considered as particularly effective. It explains that the person who attains the state of blissfulness is able to visualise an aura as bright (oḷi pirakācam) as sun light (cūriyaṉ pōl).

Text 2- The text, written by Akattiyar is entitled Pūjāviti- 200. It is formed by 14 palm leaves numbered from 1 to 14: it is incomplete. The text, written in verses, describes kuṇṭaliṉi yōkam and the practice of breathing in meditation (vāciyōkam). It explains how to worship properly Kaṇapati, Cuppiramaṇiyaṉ, Civaṉ and Cakti are mentioned.

Text 3- The text, entitled Karuvūrār Cūttiram- 32, is written in verses on 9 palm leaves numbered from 89 to 97; it is complete. The text describes the process to practise alchemy by using plants (taṅkam veḷḷi ceyyum muṟai). It specifies some formulation of medicines for acquiring longevity and immortality (kaṟpam).

Text 4- The text, entitled Pala Tiraṭṭu- 124, is from Koṅkaṇar. It comprises 29 palm leaves from 112 to 141; the leaf n°129 is missing and those numbered from 128 to 132 are damaged.

The text, written in verses deals with asceticism. It explains the first (mūlātāram) of the six nerve plexus (āṟātāraṅkaḷ) where the serpent power (kuṇṭaliṇi) curls up and the characteristic of anus which acts as a body’ door (apāṉavācal) in meditation; the importance of breathing (vāciyōkam), notably the appropriate ways of inhaling (pūrakam), holding the breath (kumpakam) and exhaling (rēcakam), methods to train oneself for attaining salvation (apyāsatiṟkku cūttiram) by using techniques of breathing (vāciyōkam); the state of blissfulness (amuta nilai, nittirai aṟṟa iṉpam), the different stages to attain it by controlling the five senses and harmonising the three humors and the means of achieving it; as well as initiation (tīṭcai) of knowledge before practising the eight branches of yōkam. The text provides information on mantiraṅkaḷ and tantiraṅkaḷ related to the 6th cakra (kapālattil mukkuṇṭam) and on the description of the eternal enlightment (jōti viḷakkam), self-realisation and way of becoming one with the Eternal (jōtiyil uḷḷe āṭum). It mentions how a guru has to guide to his/her disciples to reach the Eternal (kuruvai kātta coṉṉatu).

Text 5- The text, written in verses, comprises 11 palm leaves numbered between 142 and 153 and 129 and a broken leaf; the leaves 149 and 152 are missing. The text presents the formulations of Veṭiyuppu ceyanīr and Uppu kuru ceyanīr, and a medicine (maruntu; not named) to stop diarrhea (vayiṟu pēti). It exposes the process to prepare camphor (cūṭaṉ).

Text 6- The text has 3 leaves without numbering. It exposes a mantiram for the invocation of Karuṭan (Sanskrit, Garuda) and of Cakti (Tiripuracuntari) and presents a yantiram (cakkaram) representing the Citamparam.

Size of the manuscript: 23,0cm x 3,3cm. The text 1 has 11 palm leaves numbered from 1 to 12 (leaf 11 is missing); the text 2 has 14 leaves numbered 1 to 14; the text 3 has 9 leaves numbered 89 to 97; the text 4 has 29 leaves numbered 112 to 141 (leaf n°129 is missing); the text 5 has 11 leaves numbered from 142 to 153 and a broken leaf; (leaves 149 and 152 are missing); and the text 6 is formed by 3 leaves without a number. Two blank leaves open and close the manuscript. The manuscript is in average condition; the palm leaves are more and less damaged by larvae infestation, and the 4th text, the most affected, has some leaves which are broken.