Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs

SR No.: 011025
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P B Desai
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 495
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 119

3. JAINISM IN TAMIL NAD
98 dwelling place for the teacher. It is highly interesting to note that the boulder has still, after a lapse of over twelve centuries, preserved its association with the monk in the name 'Sanyāsi Gundu' or the Monk's Boulder', whereby it is recognised by the village folk. The inscription itself might have been caused to be incised by a pupil of the monk.
HILLS AND Natural CAVERNS: We turn again to the Tamil country to secure in the first instance a glimpse of a few more hills and caverns which, on account of their unerring association with Jainism claim a place of importance in our studies.
1) In the hills near about Kannikāpuram and Nagari, two adjoining villages in the Chittoor Dt., have been found 4 caverns with beds carved out in the rock therein. These couches are locally known as Pañchapāņdava beds. The existence of Jaina vestiges in the vicinity coupled with other indications has led the explorer to believe that these beds must have been primarily used by Jaina monks who dwelt in these caves at one time.'
2) About a mile to the west of the village Södarampattu in the North Arcot Dt. there is a hillock called Pañchapāņdavar Tippa. It has treasured a series of beds under the canopy of an overhanging rock. On one of these beds is carved the triple umbrella, the familiar emblem of a Tirthakara. This figure unmistakably proves that the beds must have been used by the Jaina monks who spent their days in seclusion performing penance under the benign tutelage of the Jina. This piece of information furnishes conclusive proof in support of the Jaina origin of at least some of the Panchapāņdava beds which are so characteristically met with in a profusely large number of hilly caves in the Tamil country and eminently confirms the observations made by me earlier while discussing the antiquity of Jainism in this territory.
3) Tirunarungonrai in the Tiruk koyilur taluk of the South Arcot Dt. has retained to the present day its importance as a Jaina place of pilgrimage. It appears to have flourished as a great stronghold of the Juina religion from the early times. This is seen from the large number of Jaina antiquities including inscriptions still preserved in the hillocks near the village. On one of the hillocks is a spacious natural cavern with two driplines at the top preventing the rain water from coming inside. A number of beds with pillow lofts is carved inside and outside of the cavern. From the inscriptions engraved on the rocks by the side of this cavern it is gathered that there flourished in the period of the 9th century A. D. on these hills two
1 An. Rep. on 8. I. Epigraphy, 1939-43, p. 11. 3 Ibid.