Sumati Jnana

SR No.: 012067
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shivkant Dwivedi, Navneet Jain
Publisher: Shantisagar Chhani Granthamala
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 468
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Smruti_Granth & Articles
File Size: 14 MB

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Sumati-Jñāna showing the 24 Tirthankara are interesting. Equally interesting one is the portrait-sculpture of Pulliyappai sister of the Ganga minister Chavundaraya, on her nishidikai-pillar in the same mandapa along with the inscription recording the above event. In the ardhamandapa of this temple is a peetha on its floor with a projected spout on one side and a lion on its front, carrying the small abhisheka-murti of Chandranatha. Pavanandi, the famous Jain Tamil grammarian and author of Nannul was a native of this place. Jain temple at Mylapore Nearer to us, the existence of a Jain temple once at Mylapore has been confirmed by a number of sources, literary and archaeological. As for the former, Sambandar, the Saiva saint-poet mentions in his famous Pumpavai the witnesses to a miracle performed by him. Another writer-grammarian Gunavira-Panditar dedicates his work on grammar to Neminatha of Tenmayilapuri. Further, Avirodhalvar, a Jain poet of the 14th century AD has composed 103 verses in praise of Neminatha Tirthankara temple of Mylapore. This Jain deity was also known Mayilanathar (the lord of Mylapore). Regarding the archaeological evidences, it may be remembered here about the finding of few Jain sculptures during the excavations done by the Archaeological survey of India in the year 1923 at Santhome. An important one of them was a beautiful sculpture of Parsvanatha.
Above is just a random account of the Jain monuments in Tamilnadu. It is needless to state that such a rich and valuable Jain vestiges are not only to be studied in a systematic and scientific manner, but also are to be preserved for posterity. In these days when materialistic attitude of the public, growth in population, increased industrialization and agricultural operations etc. and above all the activities of the smugglers and vandals are posing a great threat to this valuable cultural wealth, it is time that atleast proper documentation of this Jain cultural heritage is done before it is too late.
*Of late, the names of some of the districts have been changed or realigned which details could not be incorporated and the same is regretted (author).
REFERENCES 1. Gosh, A. (editor): Jaina Art and Architecture, 3 volumes, New Delhi, 1974-75. 2. Rajan, K. V. S.: Art of South India-Tamilnadu and Kerala, Delhi, 1978. 3. Srinivasan, K. R.: Cave Temples of the Pallavas, New Delhi, 1964. 4. Ramachandran, T. N.: Tirupparuttikunram and its Temples, Madras, 1934. 5. Desai, P. B.: Jainism in South India, Sholapur, 1957. 6. Chakravarti, A. (Revised by Ramesh, K. V.): Jaina Literature in Tamil, New Delhi, 1974.