saraswati mahal library-thanjavur,tamilnadu

The Sarasvati Mahal Library has a rich collection of Tamil manuscripts. Second part in the series.
WELL-PRESERVED: Manuscripts of Sangam age.
The Tamil manuscript section of the Sarasvati Mahal Library, Thanjavur, comprises more than 3,000 manuscripts. Several of these deal with medical practices based on observations of the hospital Raja Serfoji established. Many others are those with rare commentaries of ancient Tamil works on religion and philosophy.
A rare treasure that shows the privileged status women enjoyed is the commentary on Saint Nammazhwar's Thiruvaimozhi written by Koneri Dasi, a Devadasi presumably from Kumbakonam.
Religion and philosophy are well represented with several versions of famous epics and myths as well as works on the main schools of Hindu philosophy. Several of these have rare commentaries and are the only ones of their kind. Ancient Tamil poetry and grammar of the Sangam Age are also well represented.
On astrology
Among the most fascinating of the works on astrology are the several versions of the Pakshi Sastram. The treatise tells us we should begin a task to see it bear fruit. If you are hesitant to carry a thick palm leaf bundle with you as a ready reckoner, never fear, there is an ancient edition that fits neatly in your palm!
The logic is fairly elementary. Based on natal asterism (birth star, e.g. Pooram or Vishakam), the individual is assigned to one among the five birds — the Owl, Crow, Peacock, Cock and Vulture (bird of prey). Each bird has, depending on the phase of the moon, different time slots when the person belonging to the bird group is, sleeping/eating or fully awake. Using this, a person must ensure when his opponent is sleeping and catch him unawares.
A rare work on astrology that is much more complex is the Jain work, "Jinendramalai." This work offers extensive tips on making predictions not only for humans but also for animals.
While manuscripts with commentaries for the ancient classics are aplenty, the later period literature is confined largely to the Maratha rule. Sarabhedra Bhoopala Kuravanji is of particular interest, for this genre of music-drama is among the few if not the only one written on a human. The Kuravanji gives us a fascinating glimpse of life in the king's times. Another drama with a strong music emphasis is the Vellai Pillayar Kuram of circa 1650.
The hero of this story it the deity of the Vellai Pillayar temple in Thanjavur and the gypsy in a song lists the various fruits and trees she has seen on the way and mentions even a tomato! Proudly describing the prosperity she sings, "Groves of sugarcane vie for space with banana groves,
INSIDE THE LIBRARY: Access to rare documents.
The waters of the Kaveri lash the banks in the Chola country, Coconut trees bend down with the weight of their fruits,
The teeming fish in the large ponds have no space to swim!"
In the final song, she praises the different castes of the town, the peace that prevails and hopes that name of the hero will live through music and the great acts he has done.
Not all plays extol good times. An 1876 famine is the inspiration for the `Thathu Varushathu Kummi.' Treatises on dance are represented by Bharatasastram.
Healing
Medical treatises include those for Siddha systems, comprising 18 volumes. Snake bites and scorpion bites as well as more complex diseases are treated. A remarkable set among the 1697 manuscripts is one that is written based on the actual treatment of patients in the Dhanvanthri Mahal or hospital established by Raja Serfoji.
The hospital seems to have been one of his primary interests. His case notes, especially on optical surgeries and diagnoses, are on display at the museum attached to the library.
Medications were not restricted to humans. Cows and horses were also taken care of. There is a mention of the remedy after a description of the symptoms. One of the preparations for cows is a mixture of the leaves of cotton plant and a particular variety of freshwater fish.