Jains Through Time

Author(s): Shilapi Sadhvi
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 44

The Jains through Time
Pandit Kailashchandra Shastri writes that the period following the writing of the Kural was the golden age of Tamil literary culture and that the Jains played a vital role in bringing it about". In the face of bitter opposition from the Brahmins, they supported the native languages of the South and planted Aryan ideas all over South India.
unfortunate that many Tamil Jain texts have survived only in the form of disintegrating palm leaf manuscripts, lying forgotten in bhandars (libraries)." The extent of Jainism's contribution to South Indian history and culture will only be fully appreciated if these manuscripts are salvaged and brought into the mainstream of research and study by scholars.
How can I begin to list all the names? How do I count the pearls on this lovely literary rosary? Naladiyar, Shilappadikaram, Chintamani, Narivi, Neelekeshi and countless other little-known Tamil works are an inalienable part of Tamil culture, all testifying to the mighty contribution of the Jain writers. The Kural and the Naladiyar are the most important of the eighteen Tamil books on ethical values. Of the five great Tamil epics, three were written by Jains. Chintamani is said to be the masterpiece of Tamil literature and even Shaiv scholars, who were greatly opposed to Jainism, did not hesitate to praise it.
In addition to Tamil and Telugu, the Jains wrote in Kannad from the beginning of 1" century AD until 12th century AD. Jain writers have done much for the development of Kannad culture. Aadipumpa and Abhinavpumpa are two classics of Kannad literature. The matchless manner in which the poet Pump has written about the wonders of Indian culture in works like Aadipuran and Bharat defies description. Many women writers of the Jain faith played an important role in enriching Kannad literature. Amongst them Kanti is noteworthy for completing the stunning epic poem, the Abhinavpump, and writing original works on religion and ethics.
Prof. Ayyangar has written that it is
Dakshi Bharat Mein Jain Dharma, I't. Kailash Chandra Shastri.p.10 Studies in South Indian Jainsim, Ramaswami Ayyangar, p. 104