Which river is praised in the fifth century Tamil epic, Sila.ppadika.ram?

The Silappadikaram, a fifth-century Tamil epic attributed to Ilango Adigal, is a foundational work of classical Tamil literature [1]. The epic begins with a series of invocations, one of which specifically praises the river Cauvery (Kaveri). It describes the river as a source of prosperity for the Chola kingdom, celebrating its perennial flow and its role in sustaining the fertile delta. The text highlights the river's significance by personifying it as a virtuous woman who remains faithful to the Chola king, ensuring the land's abundance. This praise is part of the 'Mangala Vazhthu' (benedictory verses) where the poet pays homage to the Moon, the Sun, and the Cauvery before commencing the narrative of Kannagi and Kovalan. The river's delta served as a vital agrarian and political geography for the Chola dynasty.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > 6.3 The Tamil Kingdoms > p. 82