The first chapter presents an account of sources in both Tamil and Sanskrit. The Tamil sources examined are those of the Cankam classics and the pre-Pallava Cilappatikāram and Manimekalai. In addition to the Devimahātmyam, some liturgical works (e.g. Lalitasahasranama) and the Mattavilāsaprahasana are examined. The results of these sources have been published simultaneously in journals, East and West and Acta Orientalia. The nutshell of ideas from these articles is incorporated in the present volume.