Lot of debates going on about the Chola dynasty's religious identity.

Thankfully, the Cholas themselves have left plenty of surprising data that answer such debates.

Leaving politics and ideologies aside, if we look at history, the truth emerges without a shadow of doubt!

A🧵!

The Cholas were paranoid.

They recorded every detail about themselves they could: on temple inscriptions, on copper plates, on palm leaves.

Sometimes they said the same data on 3 these sources.

So even if someone tweaks one source, the others remain intact for corroboration!
Chola Copper Plates provide a detailed lineage that tracks their geneaology.

Starting with Thirumaal (Vishnu), Brahma and eventually Surya.

Cholas considered themselves Suryavanshis.

Interestingly, the devout Shiva bhakts Cholas, name Vishnu as the first king of their dynasty!
The list goes on with Puranic kings like Harishchandra, Dushyanth, Bharatha and Bhagiratha.

Then we arrive at Raghu-vamsa.

Raghu is listed as the 36th king, promptly followed by Dasharath and Lord Rama.

Cholas consider themselves belonging to the lineage of Shri Ram!
Kochchenganan, a legendary king is referenced in Puranas as a spider which constructed web over the linga to prevent Sunlight directly falling on Shiva.

The spider was reborn as a Chola king.

He is credited for building 70 Shiva temples, by Vaishnavite Thirumangai Azhwar!
Chola's family deity (kula deivam) was Nisumbasoodhani, a form of Durga/ Kaali.

Vijayalaya Chola constructed temple for the deity immediately after reinstating Chola rule!

Link: https://t.co/6ULkngIrxv
Murugan Temple, Saluvankuppam has inscriptions from Parantaka and Rajaraja periods.
Sembiyan Madhevi gave grants for building Nallur Kamdasamy temple, in Sri Lanka.
Chola imagery are filled with images of Ganesha.
Kulotunga gave the highest grants for Srirangam Ranganathar temple
Chola copper plates and inscriptions had both languages - Sanskrit and Tamil.
Rajaraja gave equal wages of Rs.1200 (in 1978 value) to singers of Vedic and Tamil hymns.
Chola kings did yagnas, followed scriptures.

Being Hindu kings, they were also respectful of other faiths!
To Summarise:
1. Vishnu is their first king - Vaishnavam
2. Descendents of Surya - Shouram
3. Family Deity is Nisumbasoodhani - Shaktham
4. Built Skanda temples - Kaumaram
5. Sculpted Ganesha - Ganapatyam
6. Devout Shiva Worshippers - Shaivam

But Cholas were not Hindus?!
Such historically ignorant statements like "Tamils are not Hindus" have been peddled since 1973, when Kannadasan wrote Arthamulla Hindu Madham Part -2.

He has systematically dismantled these hypocrisies.

He said that Tamils have religion since Indus Valley civilisation.
Tamilnadu was Madras State before. It got its name officially only in the year 1969.

It is ignorant to claim that the Tamil country did not exist before naming such.

Similarly, Hinduism existed before the coinage of such a term.
Such ignorant statements could come from your favorite director, actor or political leader.

But it is your duty to not be influenced by them and understand the truth, by doing your due diligence.

That is the tribute to Thiruvalluvar - who wanted you to see the Truth, meiporul!
The Cholas were aware of how easily men are tempted to lie, for the sake of money, ideology & power.

That is why they took every measure - to document their truths.

It feels right to tell the truth about Cholas - who considered themselves descendants of Raja Harishchandra.
Everything in this thread is evidence-based, from inscriptions, copper plates etc.

Source Books:

1. Chozhar Varalaaru: https://t.co/F36dcWwsd8
2. Raja Raja Chozhan: https://t.co/evxYxzAL0n
3. Studies in Ancient Tamil Law: https://t.co/tmuoHskMd1
4. Chozhar Kaala Seppedugal
If you liked this content, RT the first tweet to help us reach more audience.

Follow the handle @thamizhlab for more such well-researched, high-quality and interesting content.

Tag your friends, and let the love for Cholas increase!
Link to RT the first tweet of the thread:

https://t.co/umnArABPPg

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दधीचि ऋषि को मनाही थी कि वह अश्विनी कुमारों को किसी भी अवस्था में ब्रह्मविद्या का उपदेश नहीं दें। ये आदेश देवराज इन्द्र का था।वह नहीं चाहते थे कि उनके सिंहासन को प्रत्यक्ष या परोक्ष रुप से कोई भी खतरा हो।मगर जब अश्विनी कुमारों ने सहृदय प्रार्थना की तो महर्षि सहर्ष मान गए।


और उन्होनें ब्रह्मविद्या का ज्ञान अश्विनि कुमारों को दे दिया। गुप्तचरों के माध्यम से जब खबर इन्द्रदेव तक पहुंची तो वे क्रोध में खड़ग ले कर गए और महर्षि दधीचि का सर धड़ से अलग कर दिया।मगर अश्विनी कुमार भी कहां चुप बैठने वाले थे।उन्होने तुरंत एक अश्व का सिर महर्षि के धड़ पे...


...प्रत्यारोपित कर उन्हें जीवित रख लिया।उस दिन के पश्चात महर्षि दधीचि अश्वशिरा भी कहलाए जाने लगे।अब आगे सुनिये की किस प्रकार महर्षि दधीचि का सर काटने वाले इन्द्र कैसे अपनी रक्षा हेतु उनके आगे गिड़गिड़ाए ।

एक बार देवराज इन्द्र अपनी सभा में बैठे थे, तो उन्हे खुद पर अभिमान हो आया।


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IMPORTANCE, ADVANTAGES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BHAGWAT PURAN

It was Ved Vyas who edited the eighteen thousand shlokas of Bhagwat. This book destroys all your sins. It has twelve parts which are like kalpvraksh.

In the first skandh, the importance of Vedvyas


and characters of Pandavas are described by the dialogues between Suutji and Shaunakji. Then there is the story of Parikshit.
Next there is a Brahm Narad dialogue describing the avtaar of Bhagwan. Then the characteristics of Puraan are mentioned.

It also discusses the evolution of universe.(
https://t.co/2aK1AZSC79 )

Next is the portrayal of Vidur and his dialogue with Maitreyji. Then there is a mention of Creation of universe by Brahma and the preachings of Sankhya by Kapil Muni.


In the next section we find the portrayal of Sati, Dhruv, Pruthu, and the story of ancient King, Bahirshi.
In the next section we find the character of King Priyavrat and his sons, different types of loks in this universe, and description of Narak. ( https://t.co/gmDTkLktKS )


In the sixth part we find the portrayal of Ajaamil ( https://t.co/LdVSSNspa2 ), Daksh and the birth of Marudgans( https://t.co/tecNidVckj )

In the seventh section we find the story of Prahlad and the description of Varnashram dharma. This section is based on karma vaasna.