Jain Journal 1985 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 24

JULY, 1985
19
Kundakunda is supposed to have composed in all no less than 84 works in Prakrit akin to Sauraseni but the only works extant today are seven, as stated by Professor S. A. Sharma. The Svetambaras also quote him with respect although he was responsible for the Digambara heresy, the separation of these two into two sects, according to Peterson but Hiralal Jain has stated that the separation had already taken place and Kundakunda was not responsible for it. Uma Swami, author of Tattvārtha Sutra is said to have been a disciple of Kundakunda according to Hoernle. The Acarya appear to have died about 85 A.D.
A few Digambara scholars believe that Kundakunda was the author of Tirukural, which is a misconception. The real author was Tiruvalluvar who has been universally accepted by Tamil scholars.
Kundakunda was not only a celebrated author but he was also a preacher, temple builder and pioneer Jaina missionary in South India. He is associated with Andhra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnad in his missionary activities. A cave in Andhra has been identified as one of his resorts during his vihar in that land. Tradition tells that it was Kundakunda who built the Jaina muth or basati and the Jaina temple at Palghat in South Kerala. There are some Canarese old ballads which state that Kundakunda built the Palghat temple but it is no more in existence. The present temple was raised a few centuries ago. Among the ruins of the old temple was found a small stone slab with a few Brahmi inscriptions. The slab was fixed on the wall of the collectorate in Tipu's fort, Palghat. I have seen it about fifty years ago. It is not known whether this Brahmi slab is still there. But some scholars believe that the full inscription related to the origin and the name of the founder of the temple is lost either by ravages of time or vandalism of the Saivas. During the excavations of the Palghat temple a number of images were unearthened. The Jaina muth was also destroyed but the remnants of it could be seen even today. The management of the present temple is in the hands of the Digambara Jainas of Wynad, Kerala.
The Acarya spent several years in Tamilnad. It is not known where he died. The footprints on the Ponnur hill in South Arcot district are believed to be of Kundakunda and it gives credence to the view that he passed away in South Arcot, Tamilnadu. I had been to the Ponnur hill a number of times to pay my adorations to the footprints of the greatest Acarya and Jaina Missionary of the Tamil country in the 1st century A.D.