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Glory of Jain Culture
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF Jaina TAMIL LITERATURE
S. Krishnachandd Chordia M.A. (Journalism & MC) M.A., M.Phil (Jainology) P.hd. Research Scholar, Department of Jainology, University of Madras
India is well known for its most ancient literature in different languages. Tamil is one of the languages of India having the claim for its ancient literature of great humanistic value. Scholars have proposed three phases in the Tamil Literature :
to be written by a Jaina Scholar. This grammatical treaties consists of three great chapters - Eluthu, Sol and Porul i.e. letters, words and meaning respectively. Each chapter consists of nine Iyals or Sections. On the whole, it contains 1612 Sûtras. This forms the foundation of the later grammatical works in the Tamil Language. It is said that there are five commentaries on this treatise written by llampuranãr, Perãsiriyãr, Senavaraiyãr, Naccinarkkiniyãr and Kallãdãr.
1. Literature prior to Sangam Age; 2. Literature of Sangam Age; and 3. Later Literature
Scholars are of the opinion that most of the literature belonging to the phase of prior to Sangam Age is lost. But, fortunately, we should say one work by name Tolkāppiyam, belonging to this age is surviving and it throws a flood of light not only on the grammatical structure of Tamil language, but also on the culture and the way of life of our Indian People in more particular about the Tamil people.
2) Kural : This ethical work is the most
important work in Tamil Literature, composed in the form of couplets known as Kural Venbã. This work is considered so important by the Tamil people that they use various names to designate this great work, such as "Uttara Veda", "Tamil Veda", "Divine Scripture", "The great truth", "Nondenominational Veda" and so on. The work is claimed by almost all the religious sects of the Tamil land.
In addition to this, the Siddha literature "Siddhar Padalgal", it appears has its own claim to be included in this first phase of Tamil Literature.
I.
(1) Tolkāppiyam : This authoritative work on Tamil Grammar is supposed
This book contains three great topics aram, porul, inbam i.e. Dharma, Artha
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and Kāma. These three topics are interpreted and expounded as to be in thorough conformity with the basic doctrine of Ahimsa. This great ethical work, which contains the essence of Tamil Wisdom, consists of three parts and of 133 chapters. Each chapter contains 10 verses. Thus, we have 1330 verses in the form of couplets. There are commentaries which are written by Ilampooranãr, Kālingar and many others. Of these, one is by the great commentator Naccinarkkiniyār, whose creation is unfortunately lost to the world. We can see the influence of this magnanimous work on such great literary pieces as :- Neelakesi, Jeevaka Cintamani, Cûdamani, Arungalacheppu and many others.
and 260 quatrains. The third chapter on inbam i.e. Kāma, contains 10 quatrains. Thus 400 quatrains are arranged into 3 sections. This arrangement is attributed by one tradition to the Pandya King Ugraperuvaludi and by another tradition to the Jaina Scholar named Padumanãr. There are 18 didectic works in Tamil language among which Kural and Nãladiyâr are considered to be the most ancient and the important work.
(4) Aranericcăram : "The essence of the
way of virtue", is composed by a Jaina author by name Thirumanaippadiyãr. He is said to have flourished in the last Sangam period. He describes in this great work, five moral principles, associated with Jainism. These principles go by the name of "Pañca Vratăs", the five rules of conduct governing the house holder as well as ascetic. These are Ahimsā, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacarya and Parimita - Parigraha.
(3) Náladiyâr : Nãladiyõr derives its name
from the nature of the metre i.e. a Quatrain or 4 lines in Venbã metre. The work consists of 400 quatrains and is also called the "Velălar - Vedam", the Bible of the cultivators. It is not the work of a single author. Tradition supposes that each verse is composed by different Jaina monks and put together to form a single work.
(5) Palamoli : The author of Palamoli
(means proverbs) is a Jain by name Munruraiaraiyanır. It consists of variable old sayings containing not merely principles of conduct, but also a good deal of worldly wisdom.
The 400 isolated stanzas are arranged according to a certain plan after the model of the Kural. Each chapter consists of 10 stanzas. The first part on aram i.e. Dharma consists of 13 chapters and 130 quatrains. The second section on porul i.e. Artha, contains 26 chapters
(6) Tinaimalai - Nutraimbadu : The
author's name is Kanimoliyār, who is also said to be one of the Sangam poets. This work treats of the principles of love and war and quoted freely by the great
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Glory of Jain Culture
commentator like Naccinarkkiniyâr and others. Of the same author, the other book is called 'Elādi'.
Elādi : "Cardamom and others" refers to the mixture of the perfumes of Ela (cardamom), Karpuram (Camphor), Erikarasu (the oderous wood), Candanam (Sandal), and Tên (honey). The name is given to this work because each quatrain is supposed to contain 5 or 6 such fragrant topics.
is having its place among the ancient Tamil Literature. Its impact of Tamil Society is vast and wide. From top most scholars to a man of lowest, it is known to all. 'Kannagi' happens to be centre figure of this great work and happens to be "Sita" of Dravidian culture. She is deitified and worshipped.
(7) Nãnmanikkadigai: "The Solver of the
four gems" by the Jaina author by name "Vilanbināthar". This is also in the Venbã metre, well known in the other works. Each stanza deals with 4 important moral principles like jewels.
The sentiment of pathas is well known throughout the work. In addition to this Sambhoga Shringāra, Vipralambha Shringāra and also the other Rasas are well brought up in the extraordinary prose Kavya. Not only this much, it potentially depects what exactly is the Grhastha Dharma, but also presents a valuable material on all arts such as vastu, music, dance, folk dance music, global trade and economics. In fact, it is a store house of every thing that human life requires.
So far we have spoken of Jaina Ethical Poetries and next the Kõvyas shall be dealt with.
II. Kãvyas are classified into 2 main
heads :
The work is having its own message and the same can be brought in three important valuable truths :
(a) Mahã kãvyas :- Silappadikāram,
Jeevaka Cintamani and Valaiyãpathi.
(1) If a king deviates from the path of
righteousness even to a slight extent, he will go down and his kingdom meets with catastrophe. In this context, the couplet in Tirukkural is worth noting.
(b) Laghu Kavyas :- Yašodhara Kõvyam,
Cúdamani, Perum kathai, Nãga Kumãra-Kãvyam and Nilakesi.
"Seiyāmai Setrărkum innādha seidhapin Viya Vijuman tharum.
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Silappadikāram : The author of this great work is a Chera prince, who became a Jaina ascetic by name "Elango Adigal". It is considered to be composed by about 2nd century A.D. and hence it
"Even in the case of a person, who causes injury without any provocation, retaliation by doing evil for evil is sure
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to cause innumerable inescapable woes".
or chapters. The first beginning with the birth and education of the hero, "Jeevaka", and the last ending with his Nirvãņa.
(2) A woman walking on the path of
chastity deserves adoration and worship not only by human beings, but also by devas.
The names of Ilambakas are :
(3) The working of Karma is such that there
is an inevitable fatality from which no one can escape, and the fruits of one's previous Karma must necessarily be experienced in later period.
This is an epic in other words "Ārsa Mahã Kõvya", just as Rāmāyana and Mahābhārata in Sanskrit. It consists of three great divisions and 30 chapters on the whole. The great work has a very valuable commentary by Adiyarkkunallar,
(1) Nãmagal Ilambagam; (2) Govindaiyãr llambagam;
Gāndharvadattaiyãr llambagam; (4) Guņamālaiyãr Ilambagam;
Padumaiyār Nambagam; Kemãsariyâr Ilambagam; Kanakamālaiyãr lambagam;
Vimalaiyãr Ilambagam; 9) Suramanjari llambagam, (10) Manmagal Ilambagam; (11) Pumagal Ilambagam; (12) lakkaņaiyãr Nambagam; and (13) Mukti Ilambagam.
This classic contains 3145 stanzas. An excellent edition containing a fine commentary by Naccinarkkiniyãr is now available.
2. Jeevaka Cintã mani : Scholars
consider this work as the best of the Mahã Kavyas. This great romantic epic, which is at once the Iliad and the Odyssey of the Tamil language is said to have been composed in the early youth of the poet named "Tiruttakkadeva". As the result of the challenge from his friendly poet of Madurai Sangam, the Cintamani was composed by Tiruttakkadeva to prove that a Jaina Monk can also produce a work containing “Šringāra-rasa. It was admitted on all sides that he had succeeded wonderfully well.
Five Laghu Kävyas were composed by Jaina authors :
1. Yasodhara Kávyam : Jainism advocates
the observance of any vow by Trikarana - i.e. mind, speech and body. If any one of these is lacking, then it will not fulfil the observance of vrata. For Jains, Ahimsã is the fundamental vrata. This
The work is divided into llambakas
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means one should obstain from killing animals or in other words to avoid injury to any living beings. So, in this regard the Ahimsa is looked upon mainly in two forms :
(a) Dravya Himsã
(b) Bhava Himsã
Even though a person does not kill actually an animal, in other words, does not commit dravya himsã and in his mind, out of Raga or Dvesa thinks of killing, then there is Bhava Himsã. For the fulfilment of Ahimsa Vrata, both Dravya Himsã and Bhava Himsã should be avoided. Even with Bhava Himsã, one commits as much of sin as with Dravya Himsã.
In earlier days in yãga and yagnãs there were offering of animals as bali. But, later on because of the influence of Jainism, a modification in offering animal sacrifice came up. As a result, animals made of flours were offered in the yaga and yagnãs. But Jainism did not accept this as Ahimsã, as there was Bhava Himsa in it.
This Yasodhara Kavyam is centres around this thought and presents in a picturesque way, the sin how shall fractifies even with the Bhava Himsã.
2. Cûlamani: It is composed by the Jaina author and poet Tholamolithevar. Cûlamani resembles Cintamani in
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poetic excellence. It contains 12 sargas and 2131 stanzas on the whole. According to Sri Damodaran Pillai, it must be earlier than some of the major Kavyas.
3. Perunkathai : This work was named after the Brhat Kathã of Gunadhya written in what is known as paisacabhāṣã, a prakrit dialect. The author is known as Konguvelira prince of the Kongudesa. The portions relating to the life of Prince Udayana, has taken by the author.
The story consists of 6 main chapters:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Unjaik Kandam;
Lavanak Kandam;
Magadak Kandam;
Vattavak Kandam;
Naravahana Kandam; and
Turuvuk Kandam, all relating to the rich life of Udayana.
4. Nilakesi: It is a controversial work dealing with the systems of Indian philosophy and it has an excellent commentary called, "Samayadivakara" by Vamana Muni. Nilakesi which is one of the five laghu kavyas in Tamil, is evidently an answer to Kundalakesi, the Buddistic work.
It contains 10 chapters namely: (1) Dharma-Urai Carukkam; (2) Kundalakesi Väda Carukkam;
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by Sekkizar which presents the stories of 63 Nayanmārs. The frame of which appears to be worked out on the model of Mahõpuräna or Trišasthi Šalāka puruša carita of Jains.
(3) Arhacandra Vāda Carukkam; (4) Mokkala Vāda Carukkam; (5) Buddha Vãda Carukkam; (6) Äjîvaka Văda Carukkam; (7) Sãnkhya Vãda Carukkam; (8) Vaišesika Văda Carukkam; (9) Veda Vada Carukkam; (10) Bhúta Vāda Carukkam.
IV. Prosody and Grammatical Literature :
It must be latter than the age of Kural and Kundalakesi.
III. Purāna Kävyãs : There are many
purāna kāvyas among which two are very popular.
1. Meru Mandira Puranam : It resembles
in excellence of literary diction, the best of kõvya literature in Tamil. It is based upon a purāņic story relating to Meru and Mandira. The author is Vāmana Muni, who lived in 14th century. It contains of 30 chapters of 1405 stanzas on the whole.
1. Yãpparungalakkârikai: This work on
Tamil prosody is by Amrtasãgara. There is a commentary on this work by Guna Sãgara. It is considered as an authority on metres and poetic composition, and that it is used as such by latter writers are evident from the references
to it found in Tamil Literature. 2. Yãpparungala-Vrutti : This is a
commentary on Yãpparungalakkârikai written by the same author, Amrta Sāgara. There is an excellent edition of this Yãpparungala Vrutti by the late
S. Bhavanandan Pillai. 3. Neminatham : A work on Tamil
Grammar by Gunavîra Pandita. He was a disciple of Vaccananda Muni of Karandai. The object of this work is to give a short and concise account of Tamil Grammer, because the earlier Tamil works were huge and elaborate. It must be placed in the early centuries of the Christian era. It consists of 2 main chapters :
(1) Eluttadikāram (2) Solladikāram.
Sri Purăņa: It is written in an enchanting prose style in Maņipravậla-mixed Tamil and Sanskrit. It is based on Jinesena's and Gunabhadra's Mahāpurāna and is also further called Trisasthisalākāpurusa carita dealing with 63 prominent personalities - 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Cakravartins; 9 Bala Bhadras; 9 Vãsudevas; 9 Prativãsudevas of the present Avasarpiņi era. In Tamil, there is another work by name Periyapurānam
It is composed in the well known venbã metre.
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Nannual : Nannul means "The good book" and is the most popular grammar in Tamil Language. It is held only next to the Tolkāppiyam in esteem. It is by Bavanandimuni, who wrote this grammer at the request of a subordinate
ng called Siya Ganga. It consists of two parts, Eluttadikāram and Solladikāram which are sub divided into five minor chapters. Mailainathar has written a fine commentary on this work.
The author refers to Gunabhadrãcãrya, a disciple of Jinasenãcãrya, author of Uttara Purāņa which is the continuation volume to Jainasena's Adipurãna. It is written in Viruttam metre and contains 12 chapters. The first section deals with the names of Devas, the second with the names of human beings, the third with lower animals, the fourth with the names of trees and plants, the fifth with place names, the sixth dealing with the names of several objects, the seventh deals with the several artificial objects made by man out of natural objects such as metals and timber, the eighth chapter deals with names relating to attributes of things in general, the ninth deals with names relating the sounds articulate and inarticulate, the eleventh section deals with words which are rhyming with one another and hence relating to a certain aspect of prosody; the twelfth section is a miscellaneous section dealing with the groups of related words.
5.' Agapporulvilakkam : It is written by
Nārkavirãja Nambi. His proper name is Nambi Nainãr, he was expert in 4 different kinds of poetic composition, he was given the title of Nãrkavirãya. It is based upon the chapter on Porul Ilakkanam in Tolkāppiyam. It is an exposition of the pychological emotion of love and allied experiences.
V. Three important works on Tamil
Lexicography: The three nighantus are
An old commentary by the late Arumukha Nãvalar of Jaffna is a useful edition.
(1) The Divākara nighantu; (2) Pingala nighanțu;
(3) Cûdîmani nighaņķu 1. Divākara Nighantu : This is written
by Divãkara Muni. At present it is not available.
VI. Two miscellaneous works :1. Tirunarrantādi by Avirodhi Âlvār. 2. Tirukkalambagam by Udicidera.
1.
2. Pingala Nighantu : This is written by
Pingala Muni.
Tirunarrantãdi : Antādi is a peculiar form of composition where the last word in the previous stanza becomes the first and the leading word in the next stanza. Antādi literally means "the end and the beginning". This constitutes a
3. Câ¢ãmani Nighanțu : This is written
by Mandalapurusa.
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________________ Glory of Jain Culture metres. This besides, being devotional is also philosophical in which the author tries to discuss the doctrines of the rival faiths such as Buddhism. string of verses connected with one another by a catch word which is the last in the previous stanza and the first in the succeeding stanza. It is such a composition containing 100 verses. It is a devotional work addressed to god Neminatha of Mylapore. The author Avirodhi Alvar was a convert to the Jaina faith. Conclusion 2. Tirukkalambagam : Kalambagam implies a sort of poetic mixture where the verses are composed in diverse Jainas contribution to Tamil Literature does not limit itself to Kovyas, Grammar or prodody. It extends to Sastra works such as Mathematics, Jyotisa, Vaidhya, Metallurgic and such other branches. This contribution has gained appreciation by one and all. Sri. S. Krishna Chand Chordia is a double M.A. and M.Phil in Jainology. He was instrumental in starting a full fledged Department of Jainology at University of Madras. As General Secretary of Research Foundation for Jainology, he is now involved in developing Jain Vidyashram at Chennai. A profound scholar in Hindi, Tamil and English, he is also a powerful speaker connected with several social service Associations. SAN BUSSEISISTA STORE ww SA www w A Brief Account of Jaina Tamil Literature