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
Nannual : Nannul means "The good book" and is the most popular grammar in Tamil Language. It is held only next to the Tolkāppiyam in esteem. It is by Bavanandimuni, who wrote this grammer at the request of a subordinate
ng called Siya Ganga. It consists of two parts, Eluttadikāram and Solladikāram which are sub divided into five minor chapters. Mailainathar has written a fine commentary on this work.
The author refers to Gunabhadrãcãrya, a disciple of Jinasenãcãrya, author of Uttara Purāņa which is the continuation volume to Jainasena's Adipurãna. It is written in Viruttam metre and contains 12 chapters. The first section deals with the names of Devas, the second with the names of human beings, the third with lower animals, the fourth with the names of trees and plants, the fifth with place names, the sixth dealing with the names of several objects, the seventh deals with the several artificial objects made by man out of natural objects such as metals and timber, the eighth chapter deals with names relating to attributes of things in general, the ninth deals with names relating the sounds articulate and inarticulate, the eleventh section deals with words which are rhyming with one another and hence relating to a certain aspect of prosody; the twelfth section is a miscellaneous section dealing with the groups of related words.
5.' Agapporulvilakkam : It is written by
Nārkavirãja Nambi. His proper name is Nambi Nainãr, he was expert in 4 different kinds of poetic composition, he was given the title of Nãrkavirãya. It is based upon the chapter on Porul Ilakkanam in Tolkāppiyam. It is an exposition of the pychological emotion of love and allied experiences.
V. Three important works on Tamil
Lexicography: The three nighantus are
An old commentary by the late Arumukha Nãvalar of Jaffna is a useful edition.
(1) The Divākara nighantu; (2) Pingala nighanțu;
(3) Cûdîmani nighaņķu 1. Divākara Nighantu : This is written
by Divãkara Muni. At present it is not available.
VI. Two miscellaneous works :1. Tirunarrantādi by Avirodhi Âlvār. 2. Tirukkalambagam by Udicidera.
1.
2. Pingala Nighantu : This is written by
Pingala Muni.
Tirunarrantãdi : Antādi is a peculiar form of composition where the last word in the previous stanza becomes the first and the leading word in the next stanza. Antādi literally means "the end and the beginning". This constitutes a
3. Câ¢ãmani Nighanțu : This is written
by Mandalapurusa.
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