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102 JAINS AND TAMIL LITERATURE."
land, such as Buddha, Ajivaka, Sankhya, Vaisē. shika and finally proving the superiority of Jąinista. The author of this work is unknown. There is a very good commentary of this minor epic by a great Jain sage, Samaya Divākara Munivar.
Next among the minor works must be mentioned the Brihathkathā or Perunknihai. It is a 5th or 6th century work. The author of this charming epic is believed to be Konguvēl. It seems to be a translation of the old Brihathkathā written in Paisācha language by a great pundit known as Gunā:littya. It treats in extenso of the life of Udayanakumāra, king of Vatsadēsa. In style and diction it is supposed to transcend even Chintūmani. Malāmahõpādhyāya Swaminadha Ayyar has undertaken the publication of this work and in all probability it is now in
the press.
• The third minor work of the Jains is Yasődarakāvyam. The author was an unknown Jain sage. It teaches the following precepts :-- (a) Under no circumstance the life of living
things should be taken away. (6) Lying and deception are bad. • (c) Stealing is sinful. (d) Adultery is leinous. (e) One should be content with just the
necessaries of life and no more. Besides indicating these morals, Yasõdarakāvyam is an epitome “ of useful, .polite and entertaining 'information calculated to facilitate the improvement of youth and to answer the
