ThePurra-poruḷ Veṇbā-Mālaiis a very ancient work, professing to be founded upon a still older composition called "The Twelve Chapters," by one of the twelve disciples ofAgastiyar. This points to a mythic origin, but we cannot historically go further than its Tamil author, or compiler, as he would represent himself. It is quite essential for a Tamil writer who would become a classic to cite his original, or the authoritative 'first-work' from which he draws (or professes to draw) his materials.

more »

... SeeNannul, 4–10, and Pope's3rd Grammar, p. 142.) Where there is no such 'first-work' (, Muthanūl), he or his commentators must suppose or invent one, and ascribe it to some venerable personage. The real author here is Aiyanār-Ithan, of whom nothing is known but that he is said to have been a descendant of the old Çēra kings, and the compiler of this very interesting composition. It can hardly be less than ten centuries old.