8. Uthiyan Cheralathan in Sanskrit literature

In Sanskrit literature, there are few evidences are available about Uthiyan Cheralathan. Mushikavamsha of Atula, K. N Ezhuthachan’s Keralodaya and K. Balarama Panicker’s Annadatricarita are the Sanskrit works which gives references Utiyan Ceralatan.

1. Uthiyan Cheralathan in Mushikavamsha

Mushikavamsha of Atula is an important ancient historical kavya from Kerala. It explains the history of Mushika clan. The Mushikas ruled the northern part of Kerala. Ezhimala was their capital city. “Nannan” was the most strong and famous King of Mushika dynasty. This work directly not referred the name of the Cera kingUtiyanceral, but it mentions about the king “Keralan”. The 12^th sarga of Mushikavamshadepicts Utiyan’s (Keralan) battle with Keraladesha samanta.

2. Uthiyan Cheralathan in Keralodaya

In Keralodaya, the poet introduced Utiyan Ceralatan in the first part itself. Author depicts him as a suitable groom for Kerala, the daughter of Parashurama. The coronation of the first King of Kerala is symbolically depicted here in three verses.

[...]

Here, the author used the simile of Kumara (Subrahmanya) to depict Utiyan Ceralatan. While seeing that prince, Parashurama forgot about his deep antagonism towards the Kshatriya clan and without any doubt, he gave his daughter to Utiyan Ceralatan in marriage. That means, Utiyan Ceralatan was the first king of Kerala region and Parashurama himself did the coronation of the first king.

The 13^th Sargaof the Smriti Manjari part, elaborately describes about the history of Uthiyan Cheralathan. The author illustrates the story in some historical and logical perception and he tried to avoid the mythical stories about the king.

The author introduces Uthiyan as a perfect king and personality.

[...]^[1]

Here also Uthiyan compared with the pancabhutas (five elements) similar as the Purananuru.

[...]^[2]

According to historians Kuzhumur was the capital city of Utiyan Ceralatan. Even though the poet mention about Kuzhumur, he describes the famous and prosperous “Mahodayapuram”as the capital city of Uthiyan. But, Mahodayapuram was identified as the capital of second Cera dynasty (the Kulashekharas).

[...]^[3]

Utiyan and his wife Nallini (daughter of “Tittan, a landlord) were worried because they had no child. One night, the king met the “Goddess of war” in his dream. The deity asked him to please his ancestors who were expired in the dreadful Kurukshetra war from the side of Pandavas. After death, they achieved heaven and saw the heavenly nectar, but they were not able to drink it. Goddess asked Utiyan to pay the proper rituals for the happiness of his ancestors. Thus they could achieve the sanctity and they would be able to enjoy the heavenly facilities. When they became pleasant, the king would also bless with a child. Their conversation conveys some philosophical perspectives about life.

A brief summary of the some of the philosophical aspects from their conversation is given below:

Sweetness of victory is always demanding to the competitor of life. Birth and death are the two sides of the life which is similar to a coin. If it marked with the symbol of warrior king it becomes valuable. That means struggle for the survival is the best way to lead a meaningful life. The dream is better than a sleepy, rather than it a practical diligence is better. Demise amidst the brave and adventurous activities is the best and there is nothing auspicious than it.

[...]^[4]

Thus the goddess encouraged the king to do his duties. He followed her words and conducted the rituals to please his ancestors. Consequently, after a while those couples blessed with a baby boy. The king donated much wealth for the poets and food for common people to express his delight by the birth of his successor.

[...]^[5]

In the end of the sarga, King Utiya bestowed his power, wealth and kingdom to his son and expired like a commercial by thinking of memories.

[...]^[6]

Here also the author avoids widespread story of Uthiyan Cheralathan’s demise by the fasting after facing the defeat by Karikala Cola in the Vennibattle. Thus, the author interprets the history of the first renowned king of Kerala history without applying any exaggerations.

The history of Tamilakam especially the Kerala region is not complete without the references about Utiyan Ceralatan. Unfortunately even now also his real history is behind the curtain of myths and gossips. Obviously it is sure that the first king very much influenced in the culture and history of Kerala. Many posterior kings and kingdoms accredited the legacy of Utiyan, particularly the Travancore dynasty. Travancore’s ancient capital was famous as “Tiruvankotu” before it shifted to “Kalkkulam” or “Padmanabhapuram”. This name may derive from the combination of “Tiru” and “Ankotu”. “Ankotu” is derived from “Atankotu”. Atan is derived from the Sanskrit word “Arhata” and “Kotu” means hill. Hence, “Atankotu” transformed into “Ankotu”.^[7] The rituals like “Murajapam”, “Bhadradipam” and “Annadanam” etc. in the templewere begun by Uthiyan and they were renewed by Marttandavarma in later period.^[8]

Not only by these, but also there are many places of Kerala are still related to the name of Utiyan. “Udayamperur”, “Kulashekharamangalam”, and “Kulashekharapuram” are related with the legacy of Uthiyan Cheralathan. Consequently the first celebrated king of Kerala is still dissolved in the cultural aspects of Kerala.

The next chapter “An Introduction to Annadatricarita”, is about the myth of grand feast done by Utiyan Ceralatan in Kurukshetra war. Prof. K Balarama Panicker accepted this myth of the Cera king and linked it with Travancore dynasty.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

. Keralodaya (Prathamah Khandah), Dr. Ezhuthachan K.N., (Thiruvanthapuram: Kerala Cultural Publication Department, Kerala Govt., January 1992, First Edition), 83

[2]:

Idem

[3]:

Ibid, 90

[4]:

Ibid, 94

[5]:

Ibid, 104.

[6]:

Ibid, 108.

[7]:

Nair Ramachandran, Pattam G, Thiruvananthapurathinte Ithihasam, (Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Bhasha Institute, 2013), 32.

[8]:

Idem.