பக்கம்:தமிழியல் கட்டுரைகள்.pdf/87

80 3.7 The significant reference to Tamil in Cirupanárruppatai (66) that reveals both the anxiety and authenticity of for the ... establishment of a powerful centre (Sangam) for Tamil learning has other strong references also in support” 3.8 However the etymological root-meaning of the word Tamil is not clear by the old references. 3.9 More memorable are the references” wherein Tamil is itself used as epithets to the rivers Vaiyai and Kāveri of which we get to the latter a reference a reverential clue for the worship of Nature as Mother-goddess also. Probably the earliest reference to Tamil (land including) as Mother-goddess is clearly available in Silappadikāram.” So also Manimékalai appears to give the earliest direct reference to Tamil subject for critical study of its quality.” - - 3.10 Thus the various references to Tamil, its land and people reveal that the ancients were not merely vociferous (unlike us, the moderns!) but had the local, national and world visions.” NOTES 1. I am thankful to Thiru P. Krishnan (Research scholar) who is working under my supervision for his Ph.D. thesis on ‘ālāgh guisi)essif & Guorg8 Gisaruh, pin G” (Language, Nation and State in Tamil works) for his assistance in checking the relevant data, 2. (a) Dr. S. Ilakkuvanār, Tolkāppiyam (in English) with critical studies, (1963) [Ph. D. Thesis of the University of Madras], p.9. (b) Vide Dr. N. Sarjeevi, Vadamoji: Sanskrit in ancient Tamil literature — Annals of Oriental Research – Vol. 24, Part H. 3. Vide also Dr. K. V. Zvelebil, Tamil Literature (1975) — р. 53. 4. Tolkāppiyam (Text – Kazhakam), 385. 5. Tolkāppiyam, Eccaviyal, 2, 4, 6. Puram – 19, 35, 50, 51; Akam, 227.