Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

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Jainas. Despite the fact the Jaina principles of Rsaba have remained in in Tamil country. The extent of influence ofthe Jainas is inestimable. Tamil literature and on the Tamils.
Jaina Tamil literature
Jains enriched Tamil literature with various works on grammar, Kavyas, ethics, lexicons, arts and architecture. They were the great students and copyists. "It was through the fastering care of the Jains that the South seem to have been inspired with new ideals and literature enriched with new forms and expression."
In most of the Tamil Jaina works one can observe the obeisance offered to Jaina Thirthankaras by name or by their Gunas. Jaina literature has a unique feature. It is universal and uniform in different languages and dialects. The life of the Thirthankaras and other worthy personalities narrated in Jaina works are similar in all parts of India. In Tamil works the Thirthankaras are hailed with distinct names.
Rsabha, the first organiser of human society is referred to and revered by the names like Adi, Bagwan, Adibagwan, Adinather, Adi Thirthankar, Adi Brahma, Adi Moorthy, Ala Marthan, Arthanareswara, Atheswara, Athi Vedam Payanthan, Edabesar, Sivagathinayagan, Thirumamarai Thalaivan, Thirumoorthy, Thazh Sadai Chenni Kadavel, Ugathidevar, Ugathiperumal, Ulaga Perumal, Veda Mudalvan.
Following are the Tamil works where references to Rsabha are
found:
Sripuranam: It is the manipravala work in prose with a few Tamil verses. It is supposed to be the abridged adoptation of Mahapurana. In Sripurana major part deals with the life of Lord Rsabha entitled Adipuranam. Here the life of Rsabha and important Jaina principles are described in detail.
Thirkkural: The universal masterprice on ethics was the outcome of Jaina genius. The author of Kural pays his obeisance to Rsabha in his first couplet and explains his principle of non-violence.
ahara mudhala eluthellam adhi
bahavan mudhatre ulahu.
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