409. DSC 253- Ilango Adigal's 'The Book of Banci,' in Cilappatikaram/The Tale of an Anklet (3)


C(S)ilappatikaram is an epic poem by Ilango Adigal. It is considered to be one of the best great epics of Tamil literature. The meaning of Cilappatikaran means jewelled anklet.

According to an astrologer, Ilango will become the next Chera king and not his elder brother, Chenguttuvan. To disprove the prophecy, Ilango became a Jain monk so that his brother could become the king. So, Ilango was a Jain monk and a Chera prince. The meaning of Ilango in Jain means saint or ascetic.

Time of Composition
This epic poem by Adigal is based on a real incident and it was written in between 2nd or 3rd century. The exact time of writing is contested.

Structure
The epic contains three chapters and a total of 5270 lines of poetry. The three chapters are Puharkkandam, Maduraikkandam, and Vanchikkandam. 


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