Studies in South Indian Jainism

Author(s): M S Ramaswami Ayyangar, B Seshagiri Rao
Publisher: M S Ramaswami Ayyangar

Page 92

MODERN PERIOD.
Tho Jain The Jains had been great students and copycontribution to Tamilists of books. They loved literature and art culture.
for their own sake. The Jain contribution to Tamil literature "forms the most precious possession of the Tamils. The largest portion of the Sanskrit derivatives found in the Tamil language was introduced by the Jains. They altered the Sanskrit words which they borrowed in order to bring it in accordance with Tamil . euphonic rules. One great peculiarity of Jain Tamil literature is that in some of the works which have become classical, Kural and Naladiyār for example, there is no mention of any particular God or religion. Not only Tamil literature but Canarese literature also owes a great deal to Jains. In fact, they were its originators. “ Until the middle of the twelfth century it is exclusively Jain and Jaina literature continues to be prominent for long after. It includes all the more ancient and many of the most eminent of Canarese writings.” Thus Rev. F. Kittel : “ They have not only written from sectarian motives, but also from a love for science and have reproduced several Sanskrit scientific works in Canarese."
Ahimsa or non-killing of living beings has been the essential principle of Jain moral conduct and, as M. Barth observes, No Hindu sect has carried Ahimsa further, that is, respect for absti· Burnell, South Indian. - E. P. Rice, The History of
Canarene Literature, (The Heri. Caldwell, Comparative tage of India Series), p. 12. Grammar of Dravidian languages, Indian Antiquary, Vol. IV, (III Edition) p. 85.
1875, p. 25.
A
10 Doctrine Ahimsa.
Palaeography, p. 88.