Jainism in Tamilnadu

SR No.: 250187
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S Gajpathi
Publisher: Z_Rajendrasuri_Janma_Sardh_Shatabdi_Granth_012039.pdf
Publication Year: 1977
Total Pages: 12
Language: English
Classification: Article & Philosophy
File Size: 2 MB

Page 2

Jainism being the science of natural, mathematics, physics, astronomy etc. are its allied subjects. As Jainism needs a good vocabulary for the precise expression of all these subjects, perfection of literature. lexicon and grammar are inevitable. Jaina ascetics did rise to the occasion. Major works on Tamil literature, lexicons and grammar are the contributions of the Jainas. These will be detailed later on. Jaina Doctrine of Non-Violence Deep Rooted in Tamil Culture
Nature is beginningless and endless. As nature is inherent in the substance, souls and other substances are self-existent, self-sufficient. unalterable and indivisible.
Like the beginninglessness of souls and suh particles of matter their bondage too is beginningless. But not endless because like milk and water the bondage is a mixture and hence serarable Therefore all the souls are heading towards attaining their pristine purity, the natural state termed as God. In other words it is the effort of Jivatma to become Parmatma Merging with God is not different from hecoming God in sense. Nature may differ in different substances, but not among the individuals of a class substance like souls and sub-praticles of matter. Hence Godhood is attainable hy every self. Therefore Jainism accords great sanctity to every form of life. Non-violence to himself and to every other living being its main theme of ethics or right conduct and the perfect observance of it leads to the goal of life.
The triple defects delusion, desire and aversion cause violence to the very self having them by way of renewing the Karmas and perpetuating the cycle of births and deaths and it is only that passionate self who behaves violently with others. Observance of non-violence on other living beings is curbing of desire and aversion and that is same as observing non-violence on himself to a limited extent. Conquering of delusion or becoming enlightened of the reality and the elimination of desire and aversion is observance of perfect non-violence on himself and other living beings.
Irrespective that Jainism lost its vast majority of direct adherents; its main theme, the principle of nonviolence is deep rooted in almost every one in Tamil Nad Nowhere in India excepting in Tamil Nad that the Brahmins are vegetarians and lose not the observance of this sacred principle wherever they go and live. All the higher communities in Tamil Nad are
vegetarians. Vegetarian food is known as Saiva food in Tamil Nad. Saivism and Vaisnavism of the Tamil country, the off shoots of Jainism observe strict vegetarianism and non-violence. The Saivaites proclaim Anbe Sivam' meaning love is God.
Mr. S. Padmanabhan writes (page 44 Forgotten History of The Land's End") "They have adopted many doctrines of Jainism especially vegetarianism and concentrated on temple worship in place of Yogas to attract people. Thus the Hindu religion swallowed Jainism by absorbing all its doctrines."
It is not the Saiva Siddhanta and Visistadvaita that in any way affected Jainism but the Bhakti Cult munis their thoughts insisted on good conduct in addition. As an example Peria Puranam states Silam Ilare Eninum Tiruniru Cerndaraijnalam Pugalum i. e. even if the person is obsolutely devoid of good conduct just if he applies the ash cover his forehead and body that forms the sign of his devotion to Siva) it is enough that the world praise him.
Jainism too insists on Bhakti or devotion to the path finder Jina. It is one step in the ladder of selfrealisation but not all in all as in the Bhakti cults. Appreciation of the qualities of the realized self that is same as God is devotion in Jainism. It is worship of the ideal and not the idol. Godhood is attained by the distruction of delusion, desire and aversion Devotion to God also is desire as it concerns an external object. It is desirelessness that leads to self-realization (Ava Nippin Annilaiya Pera Irarkai Tarumtirukkural-370)
Sri Puliyur Kesigan in his preface to his book A Clear Commentary on Naladiyar writes that in the fertile and prosperous land of the Tamils in ancient times prevailed drinking, gambling, meat eating and prostitution. The Jaina monks writing many ethical works in Tamil have sown the seed of culture Even though the Jains have disappeared in Tamil Nad their culture has become one with the Tamils. Jaio Contribution to Tamil Literature :
We are able to understand from the verses quoted by the commentators in their comment tries that many Jaina Tamil works are lost to the world. Major ones are Valavapati, Naradar Caridam, Santi Puranam, Rama Khadai, Purana Sagaram, Mallinatha Puranam, Vardhamanam and many other works on grammar, music, drama, mathematics and astrology. The list is long
Peragattiyam: the great grammatical work of Agastiya is available in fragments. The publisher
V. N. S. 2503
13
Jain Education Intemational