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The Followers of the Ever Growing One
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discernible in regard to all the subjects under consideration, to ; emphasise the positive virtues, such as respect for all beings, ! equanimity, tolerance, harmony, graciousness, as means to an assured well-being and happiness in society at large.
As for the age of which the Tirukkural belongs, several hypotheses have been put forward,278 while its author, venerated by all under the name of Tiruvalluvar, has been the subject of sundry legends.279
Many other works less well-known than those mentioned above have been produced by the Jainas,280 as well as treatises of Prosody and Grammar (such as Neminātham and Nannul), of Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrology. We must here stress the importance of the classical works of this region of Tamil Nādu which, though their inspiration was Jaina, possess 'universal' value.
This introduction will have provided some idea of the context in which the Jaina women ascetics of Tamil Nādu lived, for their way of life presents some aspects peculiar to this region.
a) Kavunti Atikal
The Cilappatikāram (from cilampu: an anklet and atikāram: chapter, section, subject of treatise) is the marvellous long epic poem of which the dramatic denouement centres upon the anklet of the heroine Kannaki.281 The author is Il!anko Aţika! (from i/arko: junior
278 Meenakshisundaram, 1969, p. 5 thinks that it cannot be later than the IIIrd c. of our era.
279 Cf. Sripal, 1972, pp. 6-8 for an interesting connection between Tiruvaļļuvar and the temple of Nayanar at Mayilapur or Mayilai ('The city of peacocks'), the modern Mylapore, Madrās.
280 Cf. Chakravarti, ibid., pp. 110-137.
281 Cf. Dikshitar, Cilappatikäram, whose translation we here follow, as also his transcription (the text being in ancient Tamil), though referring at the
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