The task of reducing these names to an ordered scheme in which the different generations of contemporaries can be marked off one another has not been easy.

Asked once why though old, his hair had not turned gray, he gave this answer: There are a number of poems in Purananuru in sequence describing the sad end of this king.

(Excerpt from Purananuru, song 213): In the thick of the battle you show your strength, your white umbrella shines, king of victories.

And if you lose, your enemies will be happy..Oh lord of furious battle, put down your weapons and quickly rising, show your courage.

But before he sits facing north with the sword by his side he informs his men of his desire to see his friend Picirāntaiyār, a poet in the neighboring Pandya kingdom.

Another poet, Karuvūrp Peruñcatukkattup Pūtanātanār is distressed that the king forgot to invite him and sings thus: (Purananuru 219): On an island in a river, in spotted shade, you sit and your body dries up.

[3]After the king's death, Pottiyār another poet, unable to bear the loss of his patron, sits facing north amidst the heroes' stones and commits suicide by vadakirruttal.

He reasons that the spirit of the dead king has given him permission to do so: (Purananuru - song 223); You gave shade to many, the world praised you.