Jain Journal 1986 07

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

Page 31

JAIN JOURNAL
Excavations were carried out at the site of Kunavayirkottam by the scholar-archaeologist Induchudan of Kerala and a number of relics including slabs of hard stones utilised for the construction of the wall around the monastery and temple were discovered from the ruins. This discovery has proved that the location of Kunavayirkottam described by poet Chathanar in his preface is irrefutably correct and true. Further excavations will throw more light on the 2nd century monastery and temple, the hermitage of Ilamko Adikal. But unfortunately at the end of the 15th century A.D. the Adinath temple was completely destroyed by the Portuguese during their hostilities with the Maharaja of Cochin and they used the stones and other materials for the construction of barracks, and forts according to historians.
There are substantial evidences to prove that Kunavayirkottam was a Jaina monastery, according to the 12th century commentary of Silappadikaram written by the Jaina poet Adiyarkunallar of Kongunadu, the modern Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. The name of the poet indicates that he was a Jaina ascetic. In his commentary, the poet has stated that Kunavayirkottam is a Jaina monastery. Being a Jaina himself Adiyarkunallar would have visited the monastery and had gained its personal knowledge. Therefore his statement should be taken as most authentic and true. The poet is also the author of a literary work called Nannul on ethics and philosophy. He lived near the Vijayamangalam Jaina Temple in Erode, Tamilnadu. Archaeologists have found a Brahmi inscription on a hillock not far from the temple which is believed to have been set up in the 3rd century B.C. by a group of ascetics who migrated from Magadha to Sravana Belgola near Mysore headed by Srutakevali Bhadrabahu together with ten thousand ascetics including Emperor Candragupta Maurya. The Emperor is believed to have committed samlekhanā. Candragupta might have reached extreme old age or suffered from serious disease at the time.
We have more literary evidences on Kunavayirkottam in the 14th Century poem Unniyachi and the 15th century Manipravala-kavyam Kokasandesam composed by unidentified Nambudiri Brahmin. The Kokasandesam has further stated that Kunavayirkottam which is described in the term of Matilakam monastery and temple were guarded by two Nayar families and that Brahmins were prohibited from entering the temple. This statement is absolutely true. A section of Nambudiri Brahmins of modern Kerala have the prefix of Somayajis to their proper names which prove that their ancestors performed Somayajnas or animal sacrifices to propitiate the Vedic gods. But in these days they do not perform such sacrifices slaughtering cows or goats. They are strict