Cheraman Perumal myths

Cheraman Perumal myths are a group of unverified tales regarding the fate of the last Cheraman Perumal following his mysterious disappearance.

Legend of Cheraman Perumal

The order of succession of Cheraman Perumal is not clear, might be first or last of the series of Cheramans. But he is believed to have ruled for 12 years (20 years in some version).^[1] There were many Cheraman Perumals across the old Tamil Nadu and Kerala and this had made locating the original Cheraman Perumal difficult. There are speculations that Cheraman Perumal lineage is a lie spread by Namboodris of Kerala, to prove their superiority.^[1] It is said in one of the Brahmin legends that Brahmins from outside Kerala belonging to Chera kingdom brought the rulers to rule Kerala, accounting to the failure of the local village councils. These rules were called Cheraman and the title Perumal (god) was suffixed to elevate them. This legend points out of 12 Cheraman Perumals which contradicts the 25 Cheraman Perumals described in Keralolpathi. This is in conflict with the fact that Kerala was predominantly a Buddhist state and hence Perumal might be synonymous with Buddha.^[1]

Buchanan, in his book, Journeys from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Malabar and Kerala, brings out completely new tale in the Perumal lineage. Bhutaraya Perumal (also called as Cholu/Chozha) was murdered by Cheraman Perumal with the help of Brahmins, after the latter was defeated by the former forcing him to abdicate the throne. This made Brahmins to decorate Cheraman Perumal as Kshatriya King over the whole of Buddhist Kerala. Historians confirm that this tale is again spun to prove the superiority of Brahmins in Kerala and also their fight against the strong Buddhist monarchy of Kerala.^[1]

Mysterious disappearance of Cheraman Perumal

Upon the termination of tenure of the last Cheraman perumal, he is believed to have been ventured to one of the following places:

1. Mecca (which gave rise to the story of Tajuddeen Cheraman Perumal)
2. Kailash (which gave rise to the story of Cheraman Perumal Nayanaar)
3. Any Buddhist site such as Kapilavastu, Lumbini, Saranath
4. Nalanda university, which was once headed by Buddhists from Kerala.^[1]

But the lack of proof regarding his travel to any of these places made his disappearance, a mystery. There are however other tales that finalize the fate of Cheraman Perumal as:

• Husband of Kshatriya woman and three Sudra girls, who beget the future kings of Kerala.^[1]
• King who sent message to Ceylon to bring back the carpenters, under the protection of Ezhavas.^[1]
• One who went to Mecca in 843 A.D. and converted to Islam taking the name of Abdul Rahman Samiri.^[1]
• The one most popularly told in Muslim circles, as one who witnessed splitting of moon and converted to Islam by Mohammed with the name of Thiya-uj-uddan (Crown of Faith).^[1]
• One who gave sword to Nayar chief at Calicut making him the Samootri of Calicut.^[1]
• King who gave trade rights to Syrian Christian merchants Mar Sabor and Mar Proth.^[1]
• One who gave cap to Ayikkara Yajamanan, symbolising his authority.^[1]
• King who became Saivite saint, visited Siva temples across south India along with Sundarar, then believed to have become faithful steward of Siva in Kailasa.^[2]
• Had become Buddhist.^[1]

The controversy of Tajuddeen

The myth that is popular among the Kerala Muslims goes like this: Once Cheraman Perumal was walking with his queen in the palace, when he witnessed the splitting of moon. Shocked by this, he informed his astronomers to note down the exact time of moon split. Then, when a bunch of Arab merchants visited his palace, he asked them about this incident. Their answers led the King to Mecca, where he met Mohammed and converted to Islam. Mohammed named him as Thajuddin. Then, the king wrote letters to his kingdom to accept Islam and follow the teachings of Malik bin Deenar. Accompanied by Malik, Cheraman Perumal died on the way back to India. But the crew visited Musiris and gave the letter to the chieftain there, who welcomed them and helped in the construction of the first mosque in India. Arathalli temple was converted to Juma Masjid in 629 A.D and the crew settled around the mosque.^[3] This is the Islamic version which does not fit into the history of the 63 Nayanmars (Saiva Saints)[^[4]]. Cheraman Perumal, also known as Perumaakothaiyar and Kalarittu Arivaar was a Saintly Chera king who ruled from Kodungallur and an ardent devotee of the Lord Mahadeva of Thiruvanchikalam just 3 kms from Kodungallur. Researchers and experts conclude that there is no truth in this story since Prophet lived from 570 to 631 CE and Cheraman Perumal who was a contemporary of Saint Sundarar, who lived later than Saint Thirugnana Sambandar and Saint Thirunavukkarasar, who are contemporaries and dated to have lived in Prophet Mohammed's time. Saint Sundarar and his friend Saint Chraman Perumal are dated to have lived in the later part of 7th century and early part of 8th century CE. How do we know this? Saint Sundarar sang 'Thiruthondar Thokai' in which he describes the lives, achievements and miracles of Saiva saints who lived before him, which includes Saint Thirgnana Sambandar and Saint Thirunavukkkarasar. If he sang about these two saints who lived at the time of the Prophet, he must have lived later than them which means his friend Cheraman Perumal must have lived later than the Prophet Mohammed. The veracity of this story has to be verified.^[5]

But Sadasivan, in his book A Social History of India, argue that it was the king of Maldives, Kalimanja, who converted to Islam. Mali, which was known to seafarers then, might have been misunderstood as Malabar (Kerala) and this might have given rise to the tale of Tajuddeen in the Cochin Gazetter.^[1]

See also

• Cheraman Perumal

References