ENGLISH MONTHLY
S
ourashtra is one of the 56 Kingdoms of India mentioned in the traditional accounts
and the ancient books of the Hindus. During a period of anarchy, the people were
compelled to abandon their happy abodes, owing to the frequent invasions of the
Mahomedans. The people who migrated to the North have, according to the ranks of different
classes, gradually abandoned their mother tongue and blended with the natives of that
part of India; for, the languages, manners and customs of those were more or less similar
to their own.
Some of the Sourashtras left their country for the Kingdom of Vijayanagar in 1024 A.D.
during the eventful siege of Somnath by Mahomed of Ghazni, as their peaceful, modest and
religious nature prompted them to seek a country undisturbed by any warlike commotions.
After leaving the kingdom of Vijayanagar, in response to an invitation from Tirumalai Naik, the
greatest of the Naik rulers, they firmly settled themselves as a colony of Aryan weavers in
Madura. These were unable to mix themselves with the Dravidians of the south, as their
language and customs were not the same as theirs. Even to this day, they have not forsaken
their language, religion and social customs.
The Sourashtras are Aryans and their language, their institutions, their manners and
customs furnish ample evidence towards this fact.
2 Sonna Kodum May 2014
II. Evidence to show that the people in question are Sourashtras.
1. The Language which the Sourashtras speak is calles Sourashtra. It is the same as
Souraseni. It is an off-shoot of Sanskrit, i.e., it is one of the Prakrit languages.
Late S.V. Thomas, M.A., Medalist in Sanskrit, says that, on full examination, he found
Sourashtram to be a Prakrit language in all particulars.
2. Institutions:- When the Sourashtras settled in the South, they reproduced the institutions of
their mother country in the new land, but, owing to the influence of the Southern Dravidians,
some of the institutions became extinct. During their migrations, the men were under the
guidance of their leader and the process of migration tended to increase the power of kinship.
The people were divided into 5 heads called Goundans (Chiefs), Soulins (Elders), Voyduns
(Physicians), Bhoutuls (Religious men and Karesthals (Commons). Traces of this institution
still survive. The Goundans were supposed to be responsible for the acts and doings of their
men. They were the judges in both civil and criminal affairs. During the reigns of the Southern
Mahomedans, their extra-judicial powers were duly recognized for the collection of revenue
and for the preservation of peace. This fact will be amply proved by the still surviving family
names such as Musuvadi, Pagalleve. They were aided in deciding cases by a body of nobles
called Soulins. Voyuduns and Bhoutuls had their honours on all important occasions.
3. On solemn occasions of Nischiathambulam (betrothal), the heads of the families
concerned sit face to face amidst a large gathering, with hands full of pan supari and declare
their Gothra, Pravara and their genealogy. They invariably say at these times that they came
from the Kingdom of Sourashtra.
4. Mr. Grigg, the late Director of Public Instruction, has, in his Educational Proceedings
No. 2793 of the 1st March, 1892, been pleased to recognize the existence of a community as
the “Sourashtras”.
5. Dr. Buhler says that the emigration of the Sourashtras is mentioned in Gupta inscription
Corpus Inscriptionem, Book III, page 79.
III Evidence by records to show that there are Sourashtra Brahmins.
In the month of Avani of the Parthiva year, when the Sourashtra Vyshnava Brahmins in
Madura were returning, after performing their Upakarma or sacred thread-wearing
ceremony, Venkatarengiah Garu, the Astrologer and Athikari of the Madura Fort, arrested
forcibly 18 of them and sent them to Trichy, being of opinion that they were not authorized to
perform the rites and ceremonies peculiar to the Brahmins.
Her Majesty the Queen, Mangamma, hearing of this and being convinced of the truth,
that nothing ought to be done without proper enquiry, ordered Papanna Somayaji and the
other elites of the town to convene a meeting of the Achariyas, men of letters, and scholars
thoroughly conversant with the ancient histories of countries and to put the matter before
them. Accordingly, a meeting was convened of all those eminent personages of Trichy and
Tiruvanaikaval who were asked to base their decision upon the Shastras and reduce it to
writing. The meeting was held in the Raghunadaswami's Temple.
The persons then assembled were:- 1. Kavitharkika Simmam Acharyulu. 2. Thandalam
Venkatakrishnaiyangar. 3. Ananthayangar. 4. Satagopalacharlu. 5. Singapiran Deekshithar.
6. Smrithi Iyen Iyengar. 7. Nithyananda Sastry. 8. Tirumalai Sastry 9. Rama Sastry and
others.
This learned assembly, being fully aware of the facts, that there are different countries
with different customs and manners and that there are several kinds of Brahmins and that
they should, therefore, discuss the question in the light of the Shastras, called before them
May 2014 Sonna Kodum 3
the said Sourashtra Brahmins and asked the elderly portion of them what their country,
caste, gothram and profession were. They replied as follows:-
“Our country is Sourashtra. We are the Brahmins of that country. We have 64 Gothrams.
Our profession is weaving, (buying), and selling cloths. This much we know and others must
have been known to you. What is there to be said by us?”
The illustrious assembly, having well consulted the Smrithies of Bodhayana,
Kathyayana, Manu, Devala and the Sruthies and the Puranas, gave the following decision in
writing:-
“There is the country of Sourashtra, and there are Sourashtra Brahmins. Gothrams also
are those warranted by Pravas and Suthras. It is true that their profession is that of weaving,
(buying) and selling cloths.
Since Desacharas are varied, it is just and proper that a certain caste should follow their
hereditary customs and manners. We must not view them with contempt”.
Seeing this written decision, Sree Mangamma issued the following Proclamation, with a
reward to the said Sourashtra Brahmins:-
“We in our Kingdom unfailingly follow the footsteps of our ancestors; you are also at
liberty to do as your fore-fathers have done and live and prosper here.”
When we read the Smrithies of Manu, Bodhayana, Kathyayana and Devala and the
Sruthies and the Puranas, we find the following Slokams and others:--
“Sourashtra dese jee vanthi / patam nirmaya vyavijah
Salihothranvayopbhoothah / vichithra Patakarinah.”
“Dvijajeevanthi bahavah / chathu shashti kulothbhavah
Thaththaddeseshu vipranam / vriththayo vividhasthadh.”
Therefore, the Brahminical rites and ceremonies which you perform are in accordance
with the Shastras.
In the light of the saying, “Yasmin dese ya acharah,” the Sourashtras are the
descendants of Salihothra and are those who live and prosper, following the doings and
performances of their forefathers, generation after generation”.
This was written by Dinachari Venkatapathiah and signed by the following persons:--
Venkatanaranappa, Baliah, Sreenevasa, Parasara Bhattar, Sreeranga Narayana Jiyyar,
Sreevedavyasa Bhattar, Venkatakrishna Charlu, Satagopaha, Ananthaiyangar, Jaganatha
Charlu, Ramalinga Sastry, Krishna Sastry, Gopalakrishna Sastrulu, Narasimma Charlu,
Devarajar, Muthu Venkiah, Devottamiah, Pradhani Ragaviah, Thimmappiah, Achaiya,
ELECTROTECH SYSTEMS
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May 2014 Sonna Kodum 7
T.G. AYYAN MEMORIAL
'KUSO' GUEST HOUSE
SPONSORED BY
DHANALAKSHMI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
T.G. Ayyan
CHENNAI
(An Institution run by Dhanalakshmi Educational Trust)
We are glad to announce that the 'KUSO' Guest House functions at the following
address:-
No. 155/A, Ground Floor,
38th Cross, 11th Main,
Near ESI Hospital, 2nd Block,
Rajajinagar, Bangalore - 10.
Bus Route: No. 80 Series from
Majestic Bus Stand (7th Platform), 78,
and No. 63, 68, 74 from Shivajinagar
Bus Stand, 77, T12, 91D from KR
Market, alight at Old Police Station.
Sourashtra students who visit
Bangalore to attend to Written
Examinations / Interviews can utilise
this facility. They will be permitted to Dr. V.P. Ramamurthi, Ph.D.,
Founder and Managing Trustee,
stay in the Guest House for 3 days only. Dhanalakshmi Educational Trust.
Former Professor of Anna University
We solicite Donors for furnitures like cots and chairs etc. for the Guest House.
For further enquires, contact: Sri T.S. Jayabalan, Gen. Sec., KUSO (0-9902000295)
Sri K.K. Devadoss Babu, Treasurer, KUSO (0-9341236996)
Head Post Ofce No.155/A
R.T.O.
Police Station KUSO Guest House
36th Cross
Veera Anjaneya
Vaariyaar Backery
Temple
37th Cross
12th Main Road
38th Cross
Note: We have pleasure to present the fresh details of horoscopes of Nowrin / Nowran registered
in the 20th Jadhaga Parivarthanai Mela held on Sunday, the 23-3-2014 in instalments
NOWRIN cms. Height wheatish colored girl works
G Kashyaba Rishi H Lambiyan as Process Associate in Hewlett Packard
N Puuram P 2 R Simmam (HP), Chennai with a salary of
D/B 19.12.1989 O Kumbakonam Rs. 15,000/pm seeks suitable alliance
B.Sc.(Comp. Sc.) std. 5’1" height from graduate boys of any origin working
wheatish colored girl works as BPO in in Chennai / Bangalore with a min. height
TCS., Chennai with a salary of 150 cms. Ref: KMB/G/20/008.
Rs. 18,000/pm seeks suitable alliance G Saliya Rishi H Ramappan N Mulam P 2
from graduate boys from Kumbakonam, R Dhanush D/B 16.10.1988 O Chennai
Tanjore, Trichy and Chennai origin B.E. std. 5’3" height wheatish colored girl
working in Chennai. Ref: KMB/G/20/006. works as Associate Engineer in CTS.,
G Kashyaba Rishi H Vaidya N Visagam Chennai with a salary of Rs. 3,00,000/pa.
P 2 R Thulam D/B 03.01.1989 seeks suitable alliance from graduate
O Ayyampettai, Tanjore M.Pharm., boys of any origin (B.E., and Software
(M.B.A.) std. 155 cms. Height fair girl field preferred) and working anywhere
works as Project Associate in IIT., in India with a min. height 5’5".
Chennai with a salary of Rs. 20,000/pm Ref: KMB/G/20/009.
seeks suitable alliance from graduate G Srivastava Rishi H Singan N Kettai P 1
boys of any origin working anywhere in R Viruchigam D/B 01.05.1991 O
India with a min. height 5’. Rasipuram B.Tech. std. 164 cms height
Ref: KMB/G/20/007. fair girl works as Software Engineer (IT)
G Pippala H Kombu N Mirugaseeridam in TCS, Chennai with a salary of
P 3 R Midunam D/B 22.09.1989 Rs. 30,000/pm seeks suitable alliance
O Madurai B.Sc.(CS)., M.Sc.(IT) std. 150 from graduate boys from Chennai,
Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy and Tanjore
May 2014 Sonna Kodum 9
(except Madurai) origins and working in Interested parents may contact
Chennai / Bangalore with a min. height Sri P.R. Saravana, Mobile: 09786304175
165 cms. Ref: KMB/G/20/010. Ref: KMB/B/20/113.
NOWRAN G Sounaga Rishi H Kutti N Magam P 1
G Mouthkalya Rishi H Busunaa N Rohini R Simmam D/B 26.08.1984 O Madurai
P 3 R Rishabam D/B 02.04.1979 MCA std. 5’7" height wheatish colored
O Trichy M.Sc. (CS) std. 173 cms. Height boy works as Software Engineer in L & T
fair boy works as Software Engineer in Infotech, Bangalore with a salary of
Ericsson, USA with a salary of Rs. 6,00,000/pa seeks suitable alliance
US$ 96,000/pa seeks suitable alliance from post graduate girls of Madurai origin
from girls of any origin std. BE, MBA, (any PG degree) living / working
MCA, B.Tech., and M.Sc., living / working anywhere in India with a min. height 5’.
anywhere in India with a min. height 5’4". Ref: KMB/B/20/114.
H e r e m p l o y m e n t i s o p t i o n a l . G Mathanga Rishi H Suri N Moolam P 2
Ref: KMB/B/20/111. R Dhanusu D/B 22.12.1984 O Madurai
G Jabali Rishi H Rayapalayam MCA std. 5’6" height fair boy works as IT
N Punarpuusam P 1 R Midunam professional in Suber Ltd., Adarsh Tech
D/B 28.12.1985 O Trichy B.Com. std. Park, Bangalore with a salary of
5’6" fair boy is the Proprietor of Raju Rs.70,000/pm (approx.) seeks suitable
Weaving Factory (Cotton, Fibre & Foam) alliance from graduate girls from Madurai
with an income of Rs.40,000/pm seeks / Dindigul / Bangalore origin
suitable alliance from under graduate living anywhere in India with a min. height
girls of any origin living anywhere in 5’. Her employment doesn’t matter.
India with a mix. Height 5’4". Ref: KMB/B/20/115.
Ref: KMB/B/20/112. G Sounaga Rishi H Ramiyan/Jolin
G Vishwamithra Maharishi H Pithan N Uthiram P 4 R Kanni D/B 14.04.1984
N Sathayam P 2 R Kumbam O ‘Indian’ B.Sc., B.Ed. std. 5’8" height
D/B 05.06.1980 O Thirupuvanam wheatish colored boy doing own
10th std. boy is in Business of Articles business under the style ‘Karthik Babu S.
and Finance with an income of Bharani Metal’, Kolar with an income of
Rs. 20,000/pm seeks suitable alliance Rs. 30,000/pm seeks suitable alliance
from graduate/undergraduate girls of any graduate girls of any origin living
origin living/working anywhere in India. anywhere in India with a min. height 5’.
SOAP CHEMICALS
Soap Chemicals can cause male infertility
London, May 12: Chemicals in
common household products such as
toothpaste, soap and plastic toys have
a direct impact on human sperm which
could help explain rising levels of male
infertility, scientists were quoted as
saying in 'The Independent'.
One in three “non-toxic” chemicals
used in the manufacture of everyday
items significantly affected the potency
of sperm cells, which may account for
the high incidence of unexplained
infertility in the human population, the
researchers said.
It is the first time that a study has found a direct effect of the many ubiquitous man-made
chemicals in the environment on a vital function of human sperm. The findings will raise
further concerns about the hidden toxicity of chemicals deemed safe by toxicology tests.
The study was part of wider research into so-called “endocrine-disrupting” chemicals.
….. Agencies.
Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle, Coimbatore Edition dt. 13.05.2014
May 2014 Sonna Kodum 11
Presided by
SRI B.A. VISWANATH
Managing Director, Aditya Group of Institutions, Bangalore Sri B.A. Viswanath
HONOURING
Sri V.G. Gopalakrishnan, President, KUSO, Bangalore
Sri Shrihari L. Khoday Sri K.K Thirumal Rao, Ex-President, Rukmini Sametha Panduranga Temple
Sri T.S. Jayabalan, General Secretary, KUSO, Bangalore
Sri V.H. Jagadish, Trustee, Rukmini Sametha Panduranga Temple, Salem
May 2014 Sonna Kodum 15
naasirE naasi meni nasaDi ...!
… Rasipuram Koochun K.L. Anantharaman
(kaDavuL manidanaagap pirakka vEnDum….meTTu….paDam – VaanampaaDi)
dEvu menigukan ujulDuno
teno prEmumpoDi baaDaampoDi vaDijano
suTTini menan sunduurumu buTTuguno
teno beTki meneth kaayi meni kaLayiluno
kikko beTkik shrusTi kerEs
aski tenko doLo diyEsi
tikko doLaanum meLLi aasto menan vikku diyesii
tiye gaam aski chollithkisi hunjalaagu
nasaDi soDi unchaamu rE:Disi (dEvu
teko bolli avikin aastaamu telaDikinu
naasirE naasi meni nasaDikinu seil rhovu
lagayee allaDyee poDeththe phujjaai menai
paabi tenaa beTkin kulamuk
shrusTi kernaaththak hibbaDi thovan (dEvu
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