Jain Journal 2002 07

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

Page 56

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Jain Journal : Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 July 2002 1) By way of Jaina mode of invocation at the beginning of the Kural, in the opening couplet (I.1.1), the author refers to Āti-Pakavan (Ādi Bhagavan) the first Tirthankara.
2) Ch. 3 is devoted to highlight the greatness of the Jain ascetics, their restraining the five senses etc.
3) Ch. 4 presents an epitome of the nature of Drama - right conduct.
4) Ch. 5 glorifies the general nature of the Gșhastha-dharma, ethical discipline for house holders.
5) Ch. 8 presents greatness of love, compassion or non-injury which cannot be measured.
6) Ch. 15, 18, 29, 30 and 33 in Part-I, constitute the nature of 5 minor vows (Pañca Aņuvratas).
Now a question arises as to how to account for Tiruvalluvar's plan and design of his Kural, with the addition of Part-II, Poru!-Artha (Socio-economic, Political and Administrative matters) and Part-III Inbnam-Kāma (Idealised Love). The answer is : Tiruvalluvar, a pious Jaina house holder, scholar, poet and a keen observer of the Society round about him, must have carefully thought of the house-holders socio-economc responsibilities as well as his duties towards the State, which was of monarchical type with Kingship in those days, and he might have also felt the need of the householders's being equipped with the knowledge of idealised love (kāma) for a conjugal happy married life, and hence, he might have added those two parts through commendable exertion of self-study and in the course of such attempt, being inspired by his eclectic attitude and catholic spirit, he must have like some other Jaina authors, drawn upon the various authorities from the Brahmanic sources like the Manusmriti, Mahābharāta, Arthasastra, Nítiśātra, Dānacandrikā, Vātsāyana etc. and thus, made his Classic a worthy comprehensive treatise on the art of living for the good of all people.
Finally to recapitulate, and sum up, from the advent of Jainism into the Tamil land (C. 400 - 300 B.C.) until the Saivite and Vaişņavite reaction