Among plants, the tulasi or sacred basil (Ocimum sanctum) is the most sacred of all. It is supposed to be pervaded by the essence of both Vishnu and Lakshmi: according to some legends, it is a metamorphosis of Sita and Rukmini. The daily prayer offered to the tulasi is thus rendered by Monier Williams. "I adore that tulasi in whose roots are all the sacred places of pilgrimage, in whose centre are all the deities, and in whose upper branches are all the Vedas." The udumbara (Ficus glomerata) is also sacred. Under this tree Dattatreya, the incarnation of the Trinity, performed his ascetic austerities. The Nambutiri says that, according to the sastras, there must be one of these trees in his compound, and, if it is not there, he imagines it is. The bilva (Ægle Marmelos) is specially sacred to Siva all over Southern India. To the Nambutiri it is very sacred. Its leaves are supposed to represent the three attributes of Siva--Satva, Raja, and Tama--and also his three eyes and his trisulam (trident). They are used by the Nambutiri in propitiatory ceremonies to that god. An offering of a single leaf of this tree is believed to annihilate the sins done three births or existence. Kusa grass (Eragrostis cynosuroides) is very sacred, and used in many ceremonies. At the churning of the ocean, the snakes are said to have been greedy enough to lick the nectar off the kusa grass, and got their tongues split in consequence. The asvaththa (Ficus religiosa) is also very sacred to the Nambutiris. It is supposed to be pervaded by the spirit of Brahma the Creator. From the sun (Surya, the sun-god) emanate light and heat, and to its powers all vegetation is due, so the Nambutiri worships it daily. He also offers puja to the sun and moon as belonging to the nine navagrahas (planets). The planets are the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. They influence the destinies of men, and therefore come in for some worship. The three last are sinister in their effects, and must be propitiated. Namdev.--A synonym of Rangari. Nanchi Kuruva.--A name for Kuruvas, who inhabit Nanchinad in Travancore. Nanchinad Vellala.--The Nanchinad Vellalas, to the number of 18,000, are found scattered all over Travancore, though their chief centre is Nanchinad, composed of the taluks of Tovala and Agastisvaram. Their manners and customs at the present day are so different to those of the Tamil Vellalas that they may be regarded as a separate caste indigenous to Travancore and Cochin. Like other Sudras of Travancore, they add the title Pillai to their name, which is often preceded by the title Kannaku.