Mahavira and his Teaching

Author(s): C C Shah, Rishabhdas Ranka, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava Samiti

Page 378

ANTIQUITY OF JAINISM IN TAMILNAD 367 Devaks and many celebrated Kings of the Mahā Bhārata period were Jainas according to the holy scriptures of Jainism.
Tirumal of Valluvar is not the Tirumal of Vaişpavaite Hinduism but he is the Kannan, or Sri Kršņa of Jainism. Kannan had been the national hero, the most worshipful national God of the Tamil people from time immemorial. Because of Sri Krsņa's pre-eminence in the society of his time, he was revered as the most outstanding national hero and the supreme leader of ancient India. Preceptor, patron of learning and culture, philosopher, moralist, merciful and compassionate, the man who upheld justice and righteousness, who protected the oppressed and the suppressed, Karma Yogi, who treated everyone as equals and promoted the cause of human welfare, Sri Krşņa in subsequent centuries was elevated as the most worshipful God and made the full incarnation or Pūrņa Avatāra of Mahā Viņņu. Kannan was the superman of his age, the legendary figure and the protector of the weak and the poor. Devakīputra Śrī Krşna who is mentioned in the Yajurveda was a strict vegetarian, humanist and humanitarian. Krşņa respected the Brāhmins although he was opposed to animal sacrifices. Many Brāhmin Rsis were his admirers and friends. He was opposed to class distinctions, and treated every one with kindness and generosity. Srī Krşņa was the greatest humanitarian of his time and observed the Anekānta logic of Jainism in his life. There are verses in the Gitā to prove that he was a Jaina by faith. It is no wonder that thousands of temples are raised throughout India and worship offered to him.
Regarding inscriptions to prove the antiquity of Jainism in Tamilnādu, we have not discovered any relices which would go beyond the 3rd or 4th centuries B.C. Jainism was prevalent in Lankā as carly as the 3rd century B.C. According to the Mahavamsam of Ceylon, King Pandukabhayan, who ruled the Island from 307-377 B.C. built Pallis-Pathaśālās and monasteries—at Anuradhapuram for the use of three Jaina (Nirgrantha) asceticsJyothian, Giri and Kumbhandan. There must have been a considerable number of Sadhus and Srāvakas in Lankā at that time.