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spiritual contribution of Jaina Tirthankaras, their life sketches, ascetic wanderings to which we have references in Bhagavatapuraṇa, Viṣṇupurana and other ancient literature, charities and donations made liberally by kings to Jaina monasteries are to be found in every district of Tamilnadu. Grammar, didactic literature, epics and commentaries on epics are the fields in Tamil literature where contribution by Jaina thinkers in the last three to four thousand years is acknowledged to be substantial by eminent scholars.
Non-killing, not eating meat and society free of women of easy virtues are three important concepts propounded and emphasised in Tirukkural created over two thousand years ago by a Tamil genius. These concepts find place as ahimsa and brahma. charya in the celebrated Anuvrat adored by Jains. The term AdhiBhagavan appearing in the first couplet meaning "the first omniscient", is taken by some Jaina scholars as the first of the twenty four Jaina Tirthankaras, Lord Rishabanatha. He is also known by the names Adhinatha, Adhiśvami etc. The argument of these scholars is that the word Adhi is there in the first couplet to denote the first of the twenty four Bhagavans. The influence of Jaina thought on Tirukkural is referred to by several scholars. Ahimsa is mentioned as the foremost Dharma in Tirukkural and Himsa as the seed bed of all other evils.. It is not my intention to enter into or generate any controversy or argument, but I am merely reproducing the views of some scholars in the past only to highlight the dominent role played by Jaina thought in shaping and moulding the socio-cultural life of the ancient Tamil land.
The publication of this compendium is bound to generate a lot of interest amidst avid historians and researchers because of the magnificient and scientific way in which it projects the notable and purposeful part played by Jaina thought in Tamilnadu. I heartily congratulate the authors and the Research Foundation for Jainology for associating itself with this invaluable publication.
Madras, 1-3-1987.
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S. SRIPAL
