“The Legend of Caṇṭecuvara Nāyaṉār” (The young Brahmin Cowherd), Pope wrote about since it was an ancient and popular one which was referred to in the Tiruvācakam.¹³⁹

Writing about Cekkilar and Periyapurāṇam, Pope says, “It is hardly fair to give extracts from writings which are beautiful in the main, without noticing the fact that many of them are exceedingly silly and some of them most repugnant to all good feeling. There is a good deal of Indian Wisdom in these poems; there is alas! mingled with things that are affecting and admirable, very much folly, inepitude and evil.”¹⁴⁰ It is obvious that this work was not highly regarded by Pope. It is obvious that this work was not highly regarded by Pope. It is nevertheless doubtful whether this opinion can be accepted.

Māṇikkavācakar on the contrary was highly esteemed by Pope. About him he writes, “Few of the World biographies are more interesting than that of this man of rare genius, instant in labours, patient in suffering, constant in devotion.” His poems have caught his appreciation and Pope expressively writes: “These remarkable poems are full of a simple fervour which Tamil people find absolutely irresistable and hence with Saivas they quite taken the place occupied among Christians by the Book of Psalms.”¹⁴¹ Pope translated first the “Morning Hymns” of this great Tamil poet and later took up the “Tiruvācakam.” “The fifty one poems...... are edited, translated and annotated” by Pope and occasionally he has criticised one or two. He notes that these hymns are sung in all the Saiva Temples of South India by all Hindus of both sexes and all ages. In this context, Pope declares that the Caiva Cittāntā System itself is the choicest (Pure South Indian) product of Dravidian Intellect and ought to be studied by all who seek to influence the Tamil mind.”¹⁴² The reason for his translating the Tiruvācakkam was to help in the understanding of the Hindu religion and the Tamil people by the English.¹⁴³

139. P.L.T. Vol.1, No.4; 1897, Pp. 89-91

140. Ibid. Pp. 88 to 89

141. Ibid. No. 1 1897; Pp. 11-12

142. Ibid. Pp.11-12

143. P.T. Preface P. IX