Tamil Puranas
Summary
Jain contributions to Tamil literature were profound. Jain scholars enriched the Tamil language by composing poems, works on grammar and prosody, lexicons and ethical verses. Against this literary background, the article examines Tamil Jain purāṇas, noting that only a few exist compared with the numerous Sanskrit and Kannada purāṇas. Two significant Tamil Jain purāṇas are the Śrī Puranam and the Meru‑Mandara Puranam. The Śrī Puranam presents cosmological stories of the Jain universe, biographies of Tīrthaṅkaras and moral narratives, while the Meru‑Mandara Puranam centres on Mount Meru and the structure of the three worlds. These texts were likely composed between the tenth and thirteenth centuries and adapt Sanskrit stories to Tamil cultural contexts. Because they are written in Tamil, they made Jain doctrine accessible to lay communities. The article situates these works within the socio‑cultural transformations of the early medieval period when Tamil society became more hierarchical and Sanskritic influences mixed with local traditions. Monasteries such as the Dravida Saṅgha at Madurai revived the older Mūla Saṅgha and fostered a bilingual environment where Sanskrit and Tamil interacted, and the Jain purāṇas reflect this synthesis. They incorporate Tamil poetic forms and regional folklore while preserving classical Jain cosmology. The article also notes that Tamil literature of this period included didactic works like the Tirukkural that emphasised non‑killing, vegetarianism and renunciation—values shared with Jainism—and suggests that Jain purāṇas may have influenced these ethics. Despite their importance, Tamil Jain purāṇas have received little scholarly attention. The author argues that studying them can provide insights into South Indian religious pluralism, particularly because Shaiva texts often portrayed Jains negatively. By examining Jain narratives, researchers gain a more balanced view of medieval Tamil religious life. The article calls for preserving and translating these texts to ensure that Tamil Jains’ literary heritage is recognised alongside better‑known Sanskrit works.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The article underscores that Tamil Jain purāṇas—particularly the Śrī Puranam and Meru‑Mandara Puranam—are integral to South Indian literary history. They adapt classical Jain cosmology to Tamil language and aesthetics and reflect the cultural synthesis fostered by monasteries like the Dravida Saṅgha. By highlighting Jain ethical values such as non‑violence and renunciation, these texts contributed to the moral fabric of Tamil society. Preserving and studying them enriches our understanding of Tamil culture and counters narratives that marginalise Jain contributions.