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THE GROWTH OF JAINISM IN KERALA
Dr. P. D. Padmakumar Jain Joint Director (Retd) Animal Husbandary & Veterinary Service Govt of Karnataka
IN SOUTH INDIA :
Jainism of Dravidian states means the history of Jainism in Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala which comes between the Arabian Sea and Western Ghats comprises three parts - Malabar, Cochi and Travancore. After independence these came to be known as Kerala State. Prior to independence, certain parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were known as Malabar. The first among the Aryan religious that entered Malabar was Jainism. Subsequently came Buddhism. Scholars Fergusan says that the action was carried out by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd Century B.C. Still one finds relics of Jain temples, Maths in several parts of Kerala, Jainism which entered Kerala through North Eastern Kangunad (Selem, Coimbatore) extended up to Kanyakumari.
Dr. H. P. Nagarajaiah in his article "Are historians blind and deaf?" argues that Jainism was not an Aryan religion but it was an indigenous Dravidian religion. Several evidences in its support are available in Canonical Literature. Such people are referred to as Jain Dravid leaders by several Acharyas in 'Nirvana Bhakti'. It is believed that they attained Nirvana in Satrunjaya Mountain. The chief association of Jain seers is also christened Dravida Sangha.
When Magadh in North India came under a terrible famine for twelve year Sruthakevali Bhadra Bahu Guru with his large followers and Shravak devotees migrated to South India with emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya. Then he divided his disciples and dispatched them for the spread of Jainism to Punnatudesa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other places. Jainism had entered Kerala even as early as 321-287 BC. During Ashoka's period the Maurya Empire included Chola, Pandya, Sathyapura and Keralapura. There are records of these inscriptions of Ashoka's period. The migration of Jain Munis that began in 3rd Century BC continued for several centuries. In the Girnar inscription of Ashoka there is a record of "Jain seers settling down in several places in Kerala". During Ashoka's grandson's time (Maurya) entered South India. Jain literature of second century B.C. says that a preacher of Jainism was sent to Andhra Pradesh and Dravidian nations. Jinabhadra Suri describes the opening of Vihara centers for Shramanas under the name "Arhata" (Samprati). In 'Parishistaparva', there is a record of his administration from Ujjaini extending his influence to Andhra, Saurastra, Kodagu and other Southern states.
The King of Kalinga Kharavel defeated Pandyas from Magadha down to South in 1st Century BC. He is credited with sending Jain Munis and constructing Khandagiri and Udayadiri caves and other cave temples of South India. In several places in Tamil Nadu like Marukalthala, Anamalai, Arathipatti Kilavalavu, Muttupatti and Alikalmala, Brahmilipis have been found. In these places Jain Statues and logos of three umbrellas and serpents with their hoods with open have been found.
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