அகநனறறல மவநதரகளன சறபபகள / Merits of the Moovendhers in Akananooru

The Sangam literary works serve as a representation of the ancient Tamil people's civilisation, culture and life. Among them, “Agananooru” holds an eminent position. It is one of the “Ettuthogai” books (Eight Anthologies) and comes under the title Agam (Inner Life). In general, Sangam literature portrays both the private (Agam) and public (Puram) life of the Tamil custom. At that time, kings excelled in valour and generosity and lived as exemplary figures and guides the society toward righteous living. “Agananooru” is one of the prominent Sangam texts that contains historical references to the Tamil triumvirs (Moovendhars) such as the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. It also mentions a hundred other rulers and patrons such as Tidiyan, Nannan, Pari and Kari for their bravery and charity. This article highlights how these triumvirs fostered supreme prosperity and social well-being, as documented in “Agananooru”. The poems illustrate how the governance of the great Tamil kings nurtured ecology, economic stability and culture. “Agananooru” documents the political history and also encodes the relationship between Tamil rulers and their land. The poems emphasise environmental protection and reverence (e.g., Marutham agrarian landscapes) and democratic values (e.g., patronage of poets and warriors). They reveal socio-ecological consciousness and highlight how “Agananooru” remains a resource for renovating Tamil civilizational ethics by its capacity to harmonise the world.