Brief Account of Jain Tamil Literature

Author(s): Krishnachand Choradia
Publisher: Z_Sumanmuni_Padmamaharshi_Granth_012027.pdf

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Glory of Jain Culture
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF Jaina TAMIL LITERATURE
S. Krishnachandd Chordia M.A. (Journalism & MC) M.A., M.Phil (Jainology) P.hd. Research Scholar, Department of Jainology, University of Madras
India is well known for its most ancient literature in different languages. Tamil is one of the languages of India having the claim for its ancient literature of great humanistic value. Scholars have proposed three phases in the Tamil Literature :
to be written by a Jaina Scholar. This grammatical treaties consists of three great chapters - Eluthu, Sol and Porul i.e. letters, words and meaning respectively. Each chapter consists of nine Iyals or Sections. On the whole, it contains 1612 Sûtras. This forms the foundation of the later grammatical works in the Tamil Language. It is said that there are five commentaries on this treatise written by llampuranãr, Perãsiriyãr, Senavaraiyãr, Naccinarkkiniyãr and Kallãdãr.
1. Literature prior to Sangam Age; 2. Literature of Sangam Age; and 3. Later Literature
Scholars are of the opinion that most of the literature belonging to the phase of prior to Sangam Age is lost. But, fortunately, we should say one work by name Tolkāppiyam, belonging to this age is surviving and it throws a flood of light not only on the grammatical structure of Tamil language, but also on the culture and the way of life of our Indian People in more particular about the Tamil people.
2) Kural : This ethical work is the most
important work in Tamil Literature, composed in the form of couplets known as Kural Venbã. This work is considered so important by the Tamil people that they use various names to designate this great work, such as "Uttara Veda", "Tamil Veda", "Divine Scripture", "The great truth", "Nondenominational Veda" and so on. The work is claimed by almost all the religious sects of the Tamil land.
In addition to this, the Siddha literature "Siddhar Padalgal", it appears has its own claim to be included in this first phase of Tamil Literature.
I.
(1) Tolkāppiyam : This authoritative work on Tamil Grammar is supposed
This book contains three great topics aram, porul, inbam i.e. Dharma, Artha
A Brief Account of Jaina Tamil Literature