was acting cruelly are much admired (4:14–16; V. Purana 1.18:39–43). Portents were noticed when the Lord made His appearance from the pillar (4:19-20, V. Purana 1,20:5-7). (11) Tirumal is stated to do three kinds of activities (13.40 V. p. 12–4) namely creation as Piramma, protection as Vittunu and destruction as Civa. It is only in this collection that Tirumaal is described to have liked to be the protector and preferred this work to the other two (V.P. 1, 2, 61, 62, 63, 67). (12) There is catholicity of the application of theistic principle in treating the Supreme God as displaying His presence as the deity of learning (Thakkinaamuurthi), as Muruka, as Tirumaal in rivers, and as Tirumaal, Civa and Murnka on hills (4:66–73). (13) Pulh, the vehicle of Tirumaal is graphically described and as having snakes as ornaments all over his body, a description not to be traced to Sanskrit Sources (4:36-48). (14) Balaraama is specifically mentioned as Aathi cetha in descent (15:18), (15) When the milky ocean was churned by the Lords and demons to get ncCtar, Vaasuki, the king of serpents was used as a rope twined around the Mandara mountain (Bhagavata 8:7–1). In another context, Aathi ceta is mentioned to have been used as a rope (Pari Tirattu 1:64–72). (16) The hill, which is chosen by the Lord for His stay so as to be within the easy reach of His devotes, is to be respected and worshipped as the Lord Himself (15:29–37, 46–48). This aspect of worship seems to have gained prominence in later days mainly due to this Tamil tradition. (17) Following the ritualistic tradition represented in the Sanskrit texts, Tirumaal is identified with every part of the sacrifice (2:58–68). (18) In one context however, a mistake seems to have crept in (3:31–32). The demon whom Mayon killed was called Kecin. The Lord won the appellation Kesava. The word Keca which means hair on the head does not appear to have formed part of the word Kecin while referring to the demon. Or, it is quite possible that the Tamil author finds a reference to the thick 404
