A tradition current in Telingana, and noticed by many of its best native[1] Authors, states the original name of this language, as well as that of the country in which it is spoken, to have been Tri-lingum, or in pure Teloogoo Modaga-lingum;[2] namely the language or country of the three lingums: a name derived from the three lingums, or mystic symbols of the divinity, in the form, of which Shiva, the destructive and re-producing power in the Indian Trinity, is reported to have descended upon the mountains of Shri Shuelum or Purvatum, Caleswarum, and Bheemeswarum or Dracharamum, where he is supposed still to hold his awful abode, and is worshipped under the respective names of Mullecarjoona, Calanadha, and Bheemeswara.
These three lingums are said to have marked the chief boundaries of the country known in modern times by the name of Telingana. The first, that of Shri Shuelum,
- ↑ See the Preface of Maumidi Vencayab, a learned native inhabitant of Masulipatam, to his Teloogoo Dictionary, the copy right of which has been purchased by the Madras Government; and the original authorities therein referred to. Among others, the Adhurvana Vyacurnum, as given in the Andhra Cowmudi, from which the following is a quotation. శ్రీశైల భీమకాళేశ మహేంద్రగిరిసంయుతం- ప్రాకారంతుమహత్కృత్వాత్రీణిద్వారాణిచాకరోత్ - త్రిలోచనోమహేశస్స త్రిశూలంచకరేవహ - త్రిలింగరూపీన్యవసత్ త్రిద్వారేషుగణైవృతః - ఆంధ్రవిష్ణుస్సురయుతోదను జేననిశంభునా - యుద్వా త్రయోదశయుగా హత్వాతంరాక్షసోతమం - అవస త్తత్ర ఋషిబియు తోగోదావరీతటె - తత్కాప్రభృతిక్షేత్రం త్రిలింగమితివిశ్రుతం
He (alluding to Andhra Vishtnoo, the son of Soochundra hereafter mentioned) having built an immense wall, connecting Shri Shuelum, Bheemeswaram, and Caleswaram, with the Mahendra hills, formed in it three gates, in which the three-eyed Ishwara, bearing the trident in his hand, and attended by a host of divinities, resided in the form of three lingums. Andhra-Vishtnoo, assisted by angels, having fought with the great giant Nishumboo, for thirteen yoogs, killed him in battle, and took up his residence with the sages on the banks of the Godávery, since which time, this country has been named Trilingum. Then follows the passage given in the last Teloogoo quotation in the notes to this introduction. - ↑ Tri in Sanscrit, and Moodoo in the inferior, or Modo or Modooja in the superior dialect of the pure Teloogoo, all mean three.
the countries where the Tamil and Karnataca tongues are prevalent.”—Speaking of a cast known by the name of Baydaru, he observes—“Those in the North-eastern parts of the Mysore Rajah’s dominions are of Telinga descent, and retain that language.—They seem to be the true Sudra cultivators and military of Telingana, and to have been introduced in great numbers into the southern countries of the Peninsula, when these became subject to Andray or Telingana princes.”
