===About Karuneegar==

	About 2000 years ago,during vallalar Pandiyan period Seer Karuneegar Puranam was written by poet Paarisanadhar. In sanskrit other books about Karuneegar are the following:

Bramanda Puranam
Adithya Puranam
Saurakadha
Atharva veda surya sagasandhi
Kanaka smrithi..
=Sub-sectors in Karuneegar=

	Seer Karunnegar

Sarattu Karuneegar
Kaikatum Karuneegar
Atharva veda suryasagasandhi
Madhvazhi Karuneegar
The presiding God in the temple is Chitraguptar and the consort of the presiding God is Karnikaambaal. This temple is situated in Kanchipuram. The consort of the presiding God (Lord Chitragupta) is named Karnikambal. There are separate holy places in the temple devoted to God Selva Vinayaka, Goddess Vishnu Durga and the nine holy planets. It is a very popular temple. It is a temple devoted to Lord Chitragupta who is the next rightful heir to the throne of Lord Kethu. It is a temple known for removing the defects caused by the impact of Kethu on a person. This temple is the only sacred place devoted to Lord Chitraguptar. There is an idol in the sanctum- sanctorum of the temple (of Lord Chitragupta). The idol presents Lord Chirtragupta sitting his divine seat holding a nail (used for writing on palm leaves) in his right hand and a palm leaf on his left hand.
When the temple festival is held to mark the full- moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai there is a grand marriage procession of the Lord and his consort Karnikambal. Lord Chitragupta, the presiding God in the temple hails from the Sun God. He maintains a record of good and evil deeds of all creatures of the world including mankind) and assists the God of Death in his divine work. Lord Chitraguptar belongs to our karuneegar caste. In Shiva temple the accountant made some mistakes in accounts and he was caught by the king. At that time,Lord Shiva appeared as accountant and saved the treasurer.

In olden period MANIMEGALAI,SEETHALAI SATHANAR,NAKEERAR also belong to karuneegar caste. Vinayagar wrote"MAHABHARATHAM" story and he got a name as Pillaiyar. So our main occupation is accountant from olden days.

==Beliefs==

Karuneegars believe that they are descendants of Chitragupta. His wife is Karnagi Amman. Karuneegars are part of Kayastha family. The history of the Karuneegars are recorded in Karuneegar Puranam. There is a temple for Chitra Gupta in Kanchpuram.
Locations They are mainly concentrated in Tamil Nadu. But they are also located in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other states. Tamil Nadu: Karuneegar Population varies in different districts of Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Karuneegars are more concentrated in northern districts of Tamil Nadu. The south Tamil nadu have many Pillai but they are not thought to belong to Karuneegars. Andhra : In Andhra Pradesh, they are called Karnams. They speak Telugu as well as Tamil esp. Chittoor region. Karnataka: Some Karuneegars are predominantly found in Southern Districts of Karnataka. Kerala: They are also found in Kerala. Typically Menons are Karuneegars of Kerala. Other States: They also inhibit various parts of India like mumbai, delhi and other states of India. World Wide: There are also Karuneegars who live in US,UK,Australia and other countries. Occupation Occupation varies by people. Karuneegars mostly followed Accountancy/Mathematics in old times. These days they are in different occupations. Mathematics is natural in blood. Some of the subcaste named 'kanakkar' which is meaned in Tamil as " Mathematician " Ancestry & Caste

'Introduction:'

The Ancestry is concluded with various perspectives. Different Relationships in different ways.
Related by honorary title name "Pillai" & caste towards other divisions/communities of pillai. Related by Saivism with other subdivisions known to be "Saiva Pillai". Related by the blood towards "Kayastha and its divisions". The Relationships should not be confused. 'Kayastha:' Kayastha is the mother caste of Karuneegar. There are also striking similarities like worship of chitragupta etc. Both Kayastha and Karuneegar caste believe that they are descendants of Chitragupta (Please see Beliefs listed above). Kayastha's origin are believed to be brahmins who practiced kshatriya by occupation. Karuneegar Sangams has articles which confirm Karuneegar caste's lineage in Kayastha.

There are indirect conclusions which can be drawn based on certain references. The Karuneegars are known as Karnams in Andhra Pradesh. There is a caste named Karanam or Karana in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa whose primary jobs are village head or village accountants. This Karana is part of Kayastha according to Kayastha community and Karana community. The surnames of Karana are Patnaik etc. which are recognized as part of Kayastha community. 'Saiva Pillai:'

It is claimed that Karuneegar is a part of Saiva Pillai. Saiva Pillai is a part of big Pillai community. But there are also claims that Karuneegar itself a separate community of Pillai instead falling under Saiva Pillai. See Pillai, Karuneegar & Matrimony below 'Pillai, Karuneegar & Matrimony:'

Karuneegar Pillai is one of the classifications of Pillai according to matrimonial services. The listing is seen as Pillai--> Karuneegar, eg. KM Matrimony (Kalyanamaalai). 'Pillai, Karuneegar & Kayastha:' It is said that pillai itself a part of Kayastha which is questionable to some people. Pillai started as title but it became a separate community. There are controversies whether whole pillai community is part of kayastha. Some people said, only karuneegar is part of kayastha which received 'pillai' title (the honorary title) name in old times resulting as a community name 'Karuneegar Pillai'. 'Kayastha's Misconception of considering Whole Pillai:' According to Kayastha, which recognizes the communities by surname mistakenly considers people with pillai surname as Kayastha. This confusion comes because castes are recognized by surnames in North India. So Kayastha mistakenly considers people with pillai as Kayastha. However the system in Southern India is different. Different castes received title names making it a different. So Karuneegars have Pillai as surname. Pillai originated as title name as people were honoured for the excellence in the courts of kings. So do some of the castes received title name which was confused to family name by kayastha. Moreover only Karuneegars have the beliefs of Kayastha and other commonness. The other divisions of pillai doesn't worhsip chitragupta and people of other divisions doesn't have commonness with kayastha. The Karuneegars' closest relatives are karnams who are related to kayastha as well.

So Only Karuneegar division of Pillai is the true Kayastha and not the other divisions of Pillai 'Conclusion:' In Short Karuneegars are Pillais by honorary title, Saiva Pillai by Saivism, Kayasthas by blood. Karuneegars belong to Pillai caste, recognized as Saiva Pillais and considered as a part of Kayastha. They are known to belong to all these three different ones. Legends & Personalities Vallalar : Vallalar is also known as ramalinga swamigal. Vallalar was a great saint who lived in Tamil Nadu. Vivekananda : Swami Vivekananda is a Kayastha by birth, and beyond religion by thoughts. Karnam Malleswari: Malleswari is the first woman olympic medallist of India and only Indian medallist in the Sydney Olympics 2000.Books & Magazines Karuneegar Puranams Karuneega Mithiran (monthly) Karuneega Nalavazhvu (monthly) References Karuneegar caste and its Divisions ( Schedule I, Part A, No:53 )- Tamil Nadu State And Subordinate, http://www.tn.gov.in/acts-rules/pandar/tnsssr.web.htm Kayastha - Welcome to Kayastha Parivar, http://www.kayasthaparivar.org/index.htm Kayastha Locatiions( Pillai Verification ), Place mouse over SouthIndia & Tamil Nadu points of this india map - Welcome to Kayastha Parivar,http://www.kayasthaparivar.org/our_community.htm http://saivaneri.org/who_are_saiva_vellalars_or_saivapillais.htm

VEDIC origin -

The Kayastha trace their genealogy from Adi Purush Shri Chitraguptaji Maharaj. It is said that after Lord Brahma had created the four Varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras), Yama snonym Dharamraj requested Lord Brahma to help him record the deeds, good and evil, of men, and administer justice.

Lord Brahma went into meditation for 11000 years and when he opened his eyes he saw a man holding pen and ink-pot in his hands and a sword girdled to his waist. Lord Brahma spoke: Thou hast been created from my body (Kaya), therefore shall thy progeny be known as the Kayasthas. Thou hast been conceived in my mind (Chitra) and in secrecy (gupta), thy name shall also be Chitragupta. Brahma then enjoined him to dispense justice and punish those who violated the dharma. Thus, the Kayasthas were accorded a dual caste, Brahmin/Kshatriya.

In the legends of Shree Chitraguptaji Maharaj, he is referred to as the greatest King, while the rest are rajakas or little kings.

चित्र इद राजा राजका इदन्यके यके सरस्वतीमनु । पर्जन्य इव ततनद धि वर्ष्ट्या सहस्रमयुता ददत ॥ RIG VEDA 8/21/18

In the Garud Puran, Chitragupta is hailed as the first man to give the script.

“Chitragupta namastubhyam vedaksaradatre” (Obeisance to Chitragupta, the giver of letters)

ka_yastha, ka_yata a man belonging to the writer-caste; a tribe of bra_hman.as whose employment is writing (Ka.)(Ka.lex.) Sanskrit Dictionary at The Hindu Universe - Hindu Resource Center The 12 clans of Brahma Kayastha:

• Mathur
• Bhatnagar
• Srivastava
• Saxena
• Surdhwaja
• Ambashtha
• Gour
• Nigam
• Karna
• Asthana
• Kulashreshtha
• Valmik

ALs

These twelve sub-castes are further divided into ALs. A Vansh originates from a King, a Rishi or a Deity and as it grows it divides itself in to several branches. The descendants start to build their own sub-Vansh depending upon the places and situations met, at the same time acknowledging their submission to the MOOL Vansh. These sub-Vansh add specific nouns to their names which in case of the Chirtagupta Vansha(Chitranshi) are called the Als (Kindly be clear upon the point that the 12 main sub-castes are acknowledged divisions based on the family of the 12 Sons, they are not called Als, their further divisions are what Als are) One has to be careful to avoid confusing them with Gotra. Gotra goes after the name of a Vedic Rishi, who was either a Guru, RajGuru or Progenitor of that Vansh. The gotra for a MOOL Vansh is always the same. It is Kashayap for the Kayasthas. Thus, a Vanshaz can be known from his Gotra and Al (The term Kul is often used for Al, though the former has a much broader meaning).The Als can be thousands in number and must be added to the name in conjunction with one of the 12 main sub-castes. The ignorance of this law is precisely the reason why so many can not find their surnames mentioned amongst the 12 main sub-castes.

NOTE: The second sub-group of Kayasthas is called CHANDRASENIYA KAYASTHA PRABHU of Maharastra and Punjab. Their linkage is from Sahastrajita-Haihey- Sahastrarjuna Chandrasen and Somsen. Aspects of Kayastha culture

Endogamy

Kayasthas practice family exogamy and caste endogamy preferring to marry only within their sub-castes. The individuals of same Al can not intermarry, while those of same caste and different Als can. Thus an individual from Srivastava subcaste and Pandey Al should not marry another Pandey of the same subcaste but can marry an individual belonging to another Al of the same subcaste. Though not required, it is still widely practiced as a tradition.

Worship

Kayasthas worship ShreeChitraguptaji and on Bhai-Dooj, they celebrate Kalam-Dawaat Pooja (pen, ink-pot and sword worship), a ritual in which pens, papers and books are worshipped. This is the day when Shree Chitraguptji was created by Lord Bramha and Yamaraj got relieved of His duties and used this leave to visit His sister Devi Yamuna; hence the whole world celebrates Bhaiya dooj on this day and the Kayastha celebrate ShreeChitraguptajayanti, i.e. the ‘Birthday’ of their progenitor.

By worshipping Chitragupta who is their ancestor, kayasthas have the singular distinction of being the only “Ancestor-worshipping” sect of Hinduism.

Food

Unlike most Baniya (Vaishya) or Brahmins, Kayasthas eat onions, garlic, meats like mutton and chicken, fish and eggs, though a large number are also vegetarians. Meat eating kayasthas do avoid beef as the cow is considered sacred for Hindus.

Kayasthas of holy towns like Prayag, Mathura, Varanasi, etc. are purely vegetarians, while in other areas they may be mixed. It is said that Kayasthas started eating meat during the Muslim period when they socially mixed with the Muslims.

History

Kayastha ministers find mention in Hindu mythology. Prior to the Raghuvanshis, Ayodhya was ruled by Mathur Rulers, progeny of Shree Chitraguptaji. The Kayastha who are represented by the “Kayats” or the hereditary caste of the scribes of the present day, formed originally a sub-military class. The Anthropological Survey of India conducted a survery during the British Raj which concluded that the Kayastha community were also influential during the Mauryan period as administrators. Also, many proof have been found that the Hindu Kings used to grant lands to the Kayasthas, a practise enjoyed only by a particular caste. Also, it is but logical to consider the status of the Kayasthas when Sanskrit was the state language under the Hindu Kings. The Kayastha were one of the most influential Caste in Kashmiri politics around 7th century. The economic status of the Kayastha community bettered than that of other castes when the Muslims conquered India. Other Indian castes would typically not find employment under the Muslim rulers, as they could not learn the Muslim languages of Persian and Arabic. On the other hand, the Kayastha community as a whole traditionally put a lot of emphasis on education and prospered during the Islamic period of India.

Kayasthas down the ages Kayasthas were valued in the second millennia by most kingdoms and princely states as desired citizens or immigrants within India. They were treated more as a race rather than a caste because they developed expertise in Persian (the state language in Islamic India), learnt Turkish and Arabic, economics, administration and taxation. This gave them an edge over the Brahmins (the priestly caste), who traditionally had reserved the study of Sanskrit shastras to themselves. They successfully adapted themselves as scribes and functionaries under Islamic rule and later on under the British. Their secular viewpoint to life, adaptability and lifestyle was an asset which allowed them to succeed. The Kayastha community also adapted to changes, such as the advent of the British rule in India. They learnt English, the more affluent ones sent their children to England, they became civil servants, tax officers, junior administrators, teachers, legal helpers and barristers. They rose to the highest positions accessible to natives in British India.

Kayasthas in modern India

Post independence Kayasthas rose to the highest positions including the first President of India , Dr. Rajendra Prasad,third Prime Minister of India , Lal Bahadur Shastri , judges, top civil servants and high ranking officers in the Indian armed forces. Kayasthas also emigrated to the West in the 1970s and 80s, most of them as knowledge workers in medicine, academia, engineering, computing etc.

Prominent Kayasthas

With the passing of time, the Kayasthas have surged ahead. They have broken new grounds in vocations other than those relating to writing and record-keeping, and excelled in them. Thus, in public life, Dr Rajendra Prasad rose to become the first President of the Republic of India, whereas Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister. Dr Sampuranand was the Chief Minister of U.P. and Governor of Rajasthan, besides being a literary figure. Jayaprakash Narayan brought down Indira Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose fought the British rule militarily. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and Jagdish Chandra Bose were eminent scientists. Munshi Prem Chand, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Raghupat Sahai “Firaque” Gorakhpuri, Dr Vrindavan Lal Verma, Dr Ram Kumar Verma and Dr Dharm Vir Bharti have been men of letters. Swami Vivekanand and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi were philosophers. Alakh Kumar Sinha, C.I.E, O.B.E, was the first Indian Inspector-General of Police , his son Mithilesh Kumar Sinha, KPM, President’s Police Medal, was the longest serving Inspector-General of Police and a noted philanthropist, and his grandson Gen. S.K. Sinha, PVSM, has served as Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Governor of Assam and Governor of Jammu & Kashmir. Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha have excelled in the film world, Mukesh and Sonu Nigam in the world of music.

About Karuneegar

	About 2000 years ago,during vallalar Pandiyan period Seer Karuneegar Puranam was written by poet Paarisanadhar. In sanskrit other books about Karuneegar are the following:

	Bramanda Puranam

	Adithya Puranam

	Saurakadha

	Atharva veda surya sagasandhi

	Kanaka smrithi..

Sub-sectors in Karuneegar

	Seer Karunnegar

	Sarattu Karuneegar

	Kaikatum Karuneegar

	Atharva veda suryasagasandhi

	Madhvazhi Karuneegar

The presiding God in the temple is Chitraguptar and the consort of the presiding God is Karnikaambaal. This temple is situated in Kanchipuram. The consort of the presiding God (Lord Chitragupta) is named Karnikambal. There are separate holy places in the temple devoted to God Selva Vinayaka, Goddess Vishnu Durga and the nine holy planets. It is a very popular temple. It is a temple devoted to Lord Chitragupta who is the next rightful heir to the throne of Lord Kethu. It is a temple known for removing the defects caused by the impact of Kethu on a person. This temple is the only sacred place devoted to Lord Chitraguptar. There is an idol in the sanctum- sanctorum of the temple (of Lord Chitragupta). The idol presents Lord Chirtragupta sitting his divine seat holding a nail (used for writing on palm leaves) in his right hand and a palm leaf on his left hand.
When the temple festival is held to mark the full- moon day in the Tamil month of Chithirai there is a grand marriage procession of the Lord and his consort Karnikambal. Lord Chitragupta, the presiding God in the temple hails from the Sun God. He maintains a record of good and evil deeds of all creatures of the world including mankind) and assists the God of Death in his divine work.
Lord Chitraguptar belongs to our karuneegar caste. In Shiva temple the accountant made some mistakes in accounts and he was caught by the king. At that time,Lord Shiva appeared as accountant and saved the treasurer. In olden period MANIMEGALAI,SEETHALAI SATHANAR,NAKEERAR also belong to karuneegar caste. Vinayagar wrote"MAHABHARATHAM" story and he got a name as Pillaiyar. So our main occupation is accountant from olden days.

Beliefs
Karuneegars believe that they are descendants of Chitragupta. His wife is Karnagi Amman. Karuneegars are part of Kayastha family. The history of the Karuneegars are recorded in Karuneegar Puranam. There is a temple for Chitra Gupta in Kanchpuram.
Locations
They are mainly concentrated in Tamil Nadu. But they are also located in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other states.
Tamil Nadu:
Karuneegar Population varies in different districts of Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Karuneegars are more concentrated in northern districts of Tamil Nadu. The south Tamil nadu have many Pillai but they are not thought to belong to Karuneegars.
Andhra :
In Andhra Pradesh, they are called Karnams. They speak Telugu as well as Tamil esp. Chittoor region.
Karnataka:
Some Karuneegars are predominantly found in Southern Districts of Karnataka.
Kerala:
They are also found in Kerala. Typically Menons are Karuneegars of Kerala.
Other States:
They also inhibit various parts of India like mumbai, delhi and other states of India.
World Wide:
There are also Karuneegars who live in US,UK,Australia and other countries.
Occupation
Occupation varies by people. Karuneegars mostly followed Accountancy/Mathematics in old times. These days they are in different occupations. Mathematics is natural in blood. Some of the subcaste named 'kanakkar' which is meaned in Tamil as " Mathematician "
Ancestry & Caste
'Introduction:'
The Ancestry is concluded with various perspectives. Different Relationships in different ways.
Related by honorary title name "Pillai" & caste towards other divisions/communities of pillai. Related by Saivism with other subdivisions known to be "Saiva Pillai". Related by the blood towards
"Kayastha and its divisions". The Relationships should not be confused.
'Kayastha:'
Kayastha is the mother caste of Karuneegar. There are also striking similarities like worship of chitragupta etc. Both Kayastha and Karuneegar caste believe that they are descendants of Chitragupta (Please see Beliefs listed above). Kayastha's origin are believed to be brahmins who practiced kshatriya by occupation. Karuneegar Sangams has articles which confirm Karuneegar caste's lineage in Kayastha.
There are indirect conclusions which can be drawn based on certain references. The Karuneegars are known as Karnams in Andhra Pradesh. There is a caste named Karanam or Karana in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa whose primary jobs are village head or village accountants. This Karana is part of Kayastha according to Kayastha community and Karana community. The surnames of Karana are Patnaik etc. which are recognized as part of Kayastha community.
'Saiva Pillai:'
It is claimed that Karuneegar is a part of Saiva Pillai. Saiva Pillai is a part of big Pillai community. But there are also claims that Karuneegar itself a separate community of Pillai instead falling under Saiva Pillai. See Pillai, Karuneegar & Matrimony below
'Pillai, Karuneegar & Matrimony:'
Karuneegar Pillai is one of the classifications of Pillai according to matrimonial services. The listing is seen as Pillai--> Karuneegar, eg. KM Matrimony (Kalyanamaalai).
'Pillai, Karuneegar & Kayastha:'
It is said that pillai itself a part of Kayastha which is questionable to some people. Pillai started as title but it became a separate community. There are controversies whether whole pillai community is part of kayastha. Some people said, only karuneegar is part of kayastha which received 'pillai' title (the honorary title) name in old times resulting as a community name 'Karuneegar Pillai'.
'Kayastha's Misconception of considering Whole Pillai:'
According to Kayastha, which recognizes the communities by surname mistakenly considers people with pillai surname as Kayastha. This confusion comes because castes are recognized by surnames in North India. So Kayastha mistakenly considers people with pillai as Kayastha. However the system in Southern India is different. Different castes received title names making it a different. So Karuneegars have Pillai as surname. Pillai originated as title name as people were honoured for the excellence in the courts of kings. So do some of the castes received title name which was confused to family name by kayastha. Moreover only Karuneegars have the beliefs of Kayastha and other commonness. The other divisions of pillai doesn't worhsip chitragupta and people of other divisions doesn't have commonness with kayastha. The Karuneegars' closest relatives are karnams who are related to kayastha as well.
So Only Karuneegar division of Pillai is the true Kayastha and not the other divisions of Pillai
'Conclusion:'
In Short Karuneegars are Pillais by honorary title, Saiva Pillai by Saivism, Kayasthas by blood.
Karuneegars belong to Pillai caste, recognized as Saiva Pillais and considered as a part of Kayastha. They are known to belong to all these three different ones.
Legends & Personalities
Vallalar :
Vallalar is also known as ramalinga swamigal. Vallalar was a great saint who lived in Tamil Nadu.
Vivekananda :
Swami Vivekananda is a Kayastha by birth, and beyond religion by thoughts.
Karnam Malleswari:
Malleswari is the first woman olympic medallist of India and only Indian medallist in the Sydney Olympics 2000.Books & Magazines Karuneegar Puranams
Karuneega Mithiran (monthly)
Karuneega Nalavazhvu (monthly)
References
Karuneegar caste and its Divisions ( Schedule I, Part A, No:53 )- Tamil Nadu State And Subordinate, http://www.tn.gov.in/acts-rules/pandar/tnsssr.web.htm
Kayastha - Welcome to Kayastha Parivar, http://www.kayasthaparivar.org/index.htm
Kayastha Locatiions( Pillai Verification ), Place mouse over SouthIndia & Tamil Nadu points of this india map - Welcome to Kayastha Parivar,http://www.kayasthaparivar.org/our_community.htm
http://saivaneri.org/who_are_saiva_vellalars_or_saivapillais.htm