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DEVELOPMENT & IMPACT OF JAINISM ON TAMILNADU STATE OF INDIA
By S. Krishnachand Chordia
General Secretary of Research Foundation for Jainology
In the jaina system, philosophy and religion and ethics are inter-related are conjointly conducive to the well being of the soul by directing the human energy to achieve the final state of perfection. The goal of every individual soul is self-realization, the attainment of its true nature. That is described as everlasting bliss from which there can be no further relapse. But the task of attaining the perfect and pure condition of the soul demands ceaseless endeavor, firm faith and true knowledge.
A board sketch on the contribution of Jainism to literature and philosophy, and temple culture is available in the three volumes of the Dravidian Encyclopaedia.
Also it is in the Jaina philosophical literature, that the earliest occurrence of the word "Dravida" to indicate the land and the people occurs. The Sangha called Dravida Sangha was popular in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. One of the sons of Sri Krishna was called Dravida. So also one of the sons of Vrishabhasvamin was also called Dravida. Sri. S. Kasipandian has given another information that Rishaba Deva had a son called Dravida. These indicate that the 'Dravida' was much in use in the early Jaina philosophical literature.
Jaina literary themes in the South have many variations when compared to those in the north. The love life of the people has been described in detail by Janna, Kannada poet. So also in Thirukkural of Thiruvalluvar the love life is dealt with in detail, following the Akam concept found in the Tamil Sangham tradition. The stress of Thirukkural to abstain from meat eating, drinking etc., are against the habits of the Sangham people. As far as I could remember, there is not even a single instance of man coveting the wife of another in the Sangham Classics. But Jaina puranas have many stories on this theme. Thirukkural prohibits such evils. These and other themes in Thirukkural confirm that it is a Jaina work, closely following the Jaina tenets laid down for the house-holders with suitable modifications. The Southerners adopted Jainism with such modifications suitable to their living pattern and outlook.
Caddalore near to Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu called then "Padali" (South Padalipura) was a great centre of distinguished Jaina Munis. Appar of Tamil Nadu who later became a Saivite was a disciple in the Jaina Centre at Padali.
Jainism spread to North and South Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu and later to Kanchipuram and Madurai. A hostel for Kurattis was said to be in existence in the Cumbam Valley near to Bodinaykkanur. Jainism spread to the southern districts of Tamil Nadu when the Pandiya king became a Salvite due to the influence of Tirugnana Sambhandhar, to Kalugumalai in the Tirunelveli district and Kurandi and then to Tiruccaranattumali in the Kanyakumari district. From Karnataka Jainism spread to Dharmapuri, Salem and Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in the east.
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