Decad: 14 Thiruvunthiyaar Sub-titie: Gnaana vettri (Victory through Gnosis) (Sung at Thillai) Summary: The first four stanzas of this decad deal with His burning the three flying fortresses. It is said that they were cities of Asuras (Demons) one of iron, another of silver and the third of gold. Entrenched in these fortresses they were harassing the Devaas who prayed to Civan to save them. In order to destroy the Asuras the devaas fashioned the earth as a chariot for Civan; Brahma was the charioteer; Meru-the mountain was His bow; Vishnu was the arrow. The devaas were proud that they had erected a wonderful chariot. But when Civan set His foot on it, the axle broke (14:3). The bow was bent (14:1) and the battle perhaps began. They saw only one arrow-not more-in His hands (14:2) and He laughed. All the three fortresses were burnt up (14:1.3). Bereft of these they were powerless. Civan took them under His service as His door-keepers(14:4). Stanzas 5 to 16 deal with the triumph of Civan in destroying the sacrifice of Thakkan. As per the legend Thakkan had many daughters. One of them Uma was married to Civan and 12 of them to a saint Kasiban. Once all the gods, the saints and Thakkan visited mount Kailas, the abode of Civan. They were all received with condescension and kindness by the mighty Head. But Civan did not rise to receive His father-in-law. So he was angry and abused Civan. Then he invited all the gods, devaas and saints except Civan for a sacrifice. Despite the protests by sages like Thadeesi that the 478
