title: Manimekalai: The ancient Buddhist Tamil epic, its relevance to psychiatry.
abstract: This article refers to materials of psychiatric interest found in the Manimekalai written by the 2(nd) Century CE Buddhist poet Sathanar. From the early description of a wandering psychotic in the streets of Pukar, the ancient maritime capital of the Cholas it is opined that this description fits that of present-day schizophrenia. A drunkard making fun of a Jain monk and a cross-dressed individual are also found in the same streets. Manimekalai's request to the Chola king to convert the prison to a place of piety with Buddhist monks is mentioned. Lord Buddha's teachings on the compassionate way of life are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Ottilingam
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Somasundaram
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Tejus Murthy
keywords: Buddhism; history; psychiatry; schizophrenia