Jain Journal 1997 07

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

Page 32

KUMARI : KARNATAKA-TAMIL NADU JAINA RELATIONS
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His Holiness Tiru Kunrakkudi Adigalar, a Saiva religious head, he expressed his opinion in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council in 1967 that impaling practice in the temples should be abolished, as it was against Ahimsā Dharma and violates the principle of secularism of the Indian Constitution.87
It is also important to note in this context that the Jaina sect is ridiculed in the concluding imprecatory part of a few Tamil records. One such record belongs to the reign of Kulattunga Chola III. This inscription mainly throws light on certain Tax concessions made in sabour of Tiruvannamalai Siva Temple. The concluding imprecatory part states that men who misappropriate that tax revenue would be branded as bearers of the Kundika that is Kamandala.
Another inscription belonged to the period of Harihara states that the residents of Tenkarainadu should bear the expenses for the conduct of worship in the Siva Temple at Maravapalayam, otherwise they would incur the sin of killing seven and eight thousand Jains even in their next birth.88
The above illustrations obviously throw light on the general discontentment shown towards the Jains in Tamil Nadu.
Influence of Karnataka on the Tamil Jaina Art
Karnataka has also left its indelible mark on the Tamil Jaina art. This has been well-noticed by the Art historians dealing with the Tamil Jaina art and architecture. One such centre where this kind of impact is seen is the famous Vallimalai, where the Jaina caves exist. One of the shrines on Vallimalai was made by the western Ganga ruler Rachamalla II. The Jaina sculptures engraved here, according to an art observer, are more of Ganga than the Pallava affinities.
Similarly, Tirakkol in North Aroct District contains an interesting boulder with Jaina sculptures. Annamalai in the same district contains fragments of Jaina sculptures and evidences of structural additions inside its cavern. The sculptures on the rocks specially suggests more Rastrakuta Ganga affinities than the Pallava.89
Other Aspects Literary Influence
The interaction of style and theme of the Kannada Jaina literature on the Tamil literature was significant. Sripurana and Jivasubhodana are the two important Tamil literary works belonging to this category.