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64
NAYANARS AND ALVARS.
respective faiths-the ordeals of fire and water. A fire was kindled and into it were thrown the sacred bocks of the Jains and the leaf containing the hymns of Cambanda. The latter instead of being burnt ghone quite green' in the flames, while the Jain books were reduced in no time to ashes. Blushing with shame, and fuming with anger, the Jains hoped for better luck in the other test. This time, the books were thrown into the river Vaigai, famous for its swift current. The leaf cortaining the hymns of the Saiva saint swam against the current, while the Jain books drifted along with it. This was a great blow to the Jains. From this time on, they not only lost the confidence of the king but hundreds of them were inipaled. Such is the legendary account of Tirujñānasambandar. Amidst fables and mythical accounts there stands the historic personality of Tirujñānasambandar who brought about the conversion of the king of Madura from Jainism to Saivism. This was a death blow to Jainism in the south.
The Age of Tirujñānasambandar.
The date of Tisujñānasambandar and therefore of Kūn Pandya' is very important, as it. fixes the age of the downfall of Jainism in South India. Mr. Taylor assigned 1320 B.C. as the date of Kūn Pandya, while Dr. Caldwelle contended that he flourished in 1292 A.D. Thus,
He is otherwise known as Nelson, Madura Country, Ninrasir Nedumāran and Sun. part 111, Ch. 1, p. 55.
* Caldwell, Comparative Grame dara Pandya.
mar of Dravidian languages.
