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பாடம் - 3
c01213 - திரிகடுகம்,சிறுபஞ்சமூலம்,ஏலாதி

These three books carry medicinal names as their title. Hence, they are taken up together for study.

சுக்கு, மிளகு, திப்பிலி are the three ingredients used in cooking. They are used, as well, in சித்தர் மருத்துவம் (Tamil medical system), for they contain therapeutic value also. The combination of these three ingredients is indicated by the term திரிகடுகம். Poet நல்லாதனார் has used this term as the title of his work. He says, "the book is a medicine like திரிகடுகம்".

திரிகடுகம் contains 101 வெண்பா. It speaks of virtues. Following நாலடியார் and திருக்குறள், திரிகடுகம் deals with abstention from killing and meat-eating. It recommends kind words and compassion and giving up desires. திரிகடுகம் insists upon leading a spiritual life, which is needed for the cessation of birth and death. Each poem puts forth 3 ideals, thus justifying its title.

சிறுபஞ்சமூலம் is also a medicinal term. It is a combination of five medicinal roots. பஞ்ச means five. The author, காரியாசான், says that the five points expressed in each poem, like the five medicinal roots, will cure the illness of birth of the mankind.

சிறுபஞ்சமூலம் describes in detail the right path to be followed by the people. Righteousness, deeds that would help the fellow-beings, problems in life, the ways for leading a useful life etc., are some of the things discussed in this book, சிறுபஞ்சமூலம்.

ஏலாதி is the name of the powder consisting of 6 ingredients. They are ஏலம், இலவங்கம், சிறுநாவற்பூ, சுக்கு, மிளகு and திப்பிலி, which will increase vim, vigour and vitality of a man. So also this book, bearing the same name as its title, will remove the mental illness and provide a new life.

கணி மேதாவியார், also called கணி மேதையார், is the author of the ஏலாதி. On the basis of the word கணி, it is said that கணி மேதாவியார் was an expert in astrology. He was a Jain and belonged to the 4th Century A.D.

The ஏலாதி contains 82 poems in வெண்பா metre. This book also follows the மகடூஉ முன்னிலை pattern. It speaks of married life, ascetic life, and the common ethical codes like absention from killing and meat eating, thieving and lying; avoidance of lust and alcohol etc. Providing food to the poor and the disabled, importance of learning, honouring the guests, fearing the death, performing penance are some of the other matters discussed in the ஏலாதி.