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 9

Udayanan's minister and friend is Yugi. His talent and faithfulness make him par with the hero. An advice to women folk from it is givin below:
Even if their loving husbands give the worst of troubles forbearance is praiseworthy for those born as women.
Merumandira Puranam : The author of this important classic of the Tamil language is Vamana Muni. He was a contemporary of Bhukkarayd's minister Hirugappa of the 14th century. The source of this story too is Mahapurana. Meru and Mandira are the Ganadaras of Lord Vimalanatha the 13th Tirthankara.
The story is used a frame work for expounding A to Z of the philosophical doctrines relating to Jainism.
This work was also published by Prof. Chakravarti in the year 1923. It consists of 1405 stanzas on the whole.
No other Jaina philosophical work impresses on the importance and adduces proof of the truth of the existence of the medium of motion and the medium of rest known as Dharma Drauya and AdharmaDravya respectively as in this work.
If there exists not a substance of limited dimension allowing motion of the moving bodies (Dharma Dravya of innumerable space points unlike space substance of infinite dimension) then the souls and sub-particles of matter will disperse into the infinity of space. Thus there will be neither bondage nor liberation and no universe will exist (Verse 89).
If there is no medium of restor AdharmaDravya the sixty three heavenly regions, the seven internal earths the mountain Meru and earth will not remain stable. (V. 91).
Clue to self-meditation (Verse 412)
I or self is the soul free from eight Karmas and possessed of the four infinites infinite knowledge, infinite perception, infinite bless and infinite energy). (As the substance and its qualities are inseparable) taking the self and the four infinites as inseparable whole and meditating that I am the Self and the four infinites are mine will lead to liberation from Karmas. On the contrary if it is thought that my body is the Self and the relatives and all properties are mine then the eight Karmas will continue.
Sri Puranam : It is a translation of Maha Purana in an enchanting prose style in mixed Tamil and Sanskrit (Mani Pravala).
Vapparun Gala Karikai and Yapparungala Vritti: These two works are on Tamil prosody. The author is Anirthasagara.
Neminatham: A short work on Tamil grammar by Gunavira Pandithar. This work is available with a good commentary.
Nannul: This is the most popular grammar of the Tamil language. The author Bhavanandi Muni is well versed in Sanskrit and Tamil. This book is prescribed as text in Colleges and Schools. This work belongs to the 12th century AD.
Agapporul Vilakkam : The author's name is Narkaviraya Nambi. The work is based on the Porul Ilakkanam in Tolkappiyam. It is an exposition of the psychological emotion of love and vallied experiences.
Nighantus : Lexographical works. There are three works Divakara Nighantu, Pingala Nighantu and Cudamani Nighantu. The first is lost to the world. The last is most popular and its author is Mandala Purusa
After advent of the Westerners and the compiling of dictionaries in alphabetical order the usage of the Nighantu became obsolete.
Kalingattuparani : The author is Jayankondar. It is written to celebrate the Kalinga victory of the Cola general Karunakara Tondaiman of Knlothunga I at the beginning of the 12th century A.D.
There are few minor Tamil works. The important ones are Tirunurrantadi and Thirukkalambagam.
Tirunnurrantadi : Contains 100 poems. It is a devotional work addressed to God Neminatha of Mylapore Jain temple, swallowed by the sea some 400 years ago. Hence the work was written 400 years before by Avirodhi Nathar. These devotional songs are as exquisite as Bhaktamara Stotra.
Verse 36 :
Oh ! My Lord Knower of the three worlds' I do not beg thee my Lord to give me gold, gems and clothing etc. but to regain my eight inherent qualities (infinite knowledge, infinite perception etc.) that I beg these my lord.
Verse 70 :
Those wearing number of garlands, holding weapons and with ladies seated on the right and the left are the Gods of the ignorants. But our Gods are the ascetics having as their three eyes, the three gems (right belief, right knowledge and right con. duct) revealed by the Jina.
Rajendra-Jyoti
Jain Education Intemational