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STUDIES IN MANIMEKALAI Author Dr. N. BALUSAMY aoa siMiprgmisA Aayorosrd INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TAMIL STUDIES 2 Main Road, C.PT, Campus, Taramani, Chenoa - 600-113 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA Title ofthe Book Suudies in Mapimékalai Author Dr.N.Balusarny Publisher & Copyright : Intemational Institute of Tamil Studies, 2" Main Road, C.P.T. Campus, Chennai -600 113. Ph: 04422540992 Publication No 4 Language English Eaton + Seeond bition, Fist Edition 1965 ‘Yearof Publication =: 2004 Paper Used 2 IBSTNPL Maplitho Size ofthe Book: 1/8Demy Printing type Used: 10 points No.of Pages visto No.of Copies: 500 Price Rs. 70/-(Rupees Seventy Only) Printing + Chennsi Micro Print (P) Lad Chenaai-29, Subject + Swelies in Manimekalai Dr. S. Krisinamoorthy Director International Institute of Tamil Studies Chennal ~ 600 113 FOREWORD Studies In Manimekalal Is a Research Thesis for M.Litt. Degree approved by the University of Madras. The first publication was brought out by its author Dr. N. Balusamy M.A, B.L, MALItt,, M-Ed., Ph.D. way back in the Sixtles. This book brings out all the sallent details in a readable way although the last four chapters are very abtruse involving Buddhist Logic and Philosophy. The author has ably rendered those material in a way the students of Tarnil Literature can easily understand. The copies were all sold out and the demand for Its reprint was forth-coming from Research Scholars and other academics. Tn view of the fact that it is a very useful addition to the Universily Librarles ard the literary Public, the Intarnational Institute of Tamil Studles thought it fit to take up for a second edition with the willingness of the author. This was adjudged by tne committee cf experts as fit for reprint. I convey my sincere thanks to the publication committee which permitted to print and publish this book. ‘The Institute Is also thankful to the author, ‘Our sincere thanks are dueto the Hon'ble Minister far Education Thiru. $. Semmatai and to Thiru. P.A, Ramaiah ras, Secretary to Government, Tamil Development and Hindu Religious Endowments Department and Thiru, T. Chandrasekaran tas, Special Secretary to Government, Tamil Development-Culture Department. They have evinced perennial interest in the qualitative improvement of this Institute and have rendered help in aff possible ways. I would also like to thank, Dr. A Thasarathan for proof reading and Mrs. N. Lakshmi, the D-TP. Staff of this Institute for her laser typesetting. My thanks arp also to the Chennai Micro Print (P.} Ltd. for the neat execution of this book. ‘Chennai Director 43-2008 Dr. A. Chidambaranatha Chettiar, university Buildings Chief Editor, a Madras «5. English-Tamil Dictionary, 18-9-1964 University of Madras. FIRSTEDITION FOREWORD Mr, N. Balusamy, M.A., Lecturer in Tamil of the ‘Thiagarajar College, Madurai, is publishing the thesis entitled “Studies in Manimekalai” submitted by him and approved by the University of Madras for the M.Litt. Degree of the University. The book is an evidence of a careful study of the literature connected with Manimekalai and a close scrutiny of the work Itself. The author has taken care to collect data relevant to the subject of his choice from several sources. Iam sure the book will serve as a profitable study of the Epic "Manimekalal” in its several aspects. The author has briefly examined the age of Manimekalai, but has brought ‘out the epical qualities of Manimekalai in an interesting way. The socio-historical back-ground of the work has also been rummaged. Materials gleaned by the author for presenting the philosophical side of Manimekalai are also very useful. I congratulate the author on the success of his efforts. (Sd.) A.c. Chettiar CONTENTS: Chapter ‘The Buddha and His Religion Chapter 11 ‘Tamilakam Before and After the advent of Buddhism Chapter Hr Religion and Philosophy in the Manimékatat Chapter 1v Civilization and Culture as reflected in the Manimékalal Chapter V ‘The Soclo-Historical aspects of the Manimekaiai Chapter Vi Epic qualities In the Manimékalat ‘Chapter VI Episodes in the Manimékatal Chapter vIn ‘Treatment of Nature in the Manimékalai Chapter x ‘The Author ond His Age n 45 Bt 192 a4 124 138 187 ‘TRANSLITERATION a 21 a & a 3 f c i cl a str i * t 3 u a D & a oor p us e oa m b & @ y u ai 2 Tr i 9 2 l 2 6 2 v oa au ar Py k z 1 oi a ty rt Ly c é a or ABBREVIATIONS USED Akar, Akaniiieu Gh — Chapter Dhandi Kali — Mani. Puram. Porumpan. Porunar. Silap. Silappathikaram Tol. Tolkappiyarn Tin. Tinka Wherever ‘ch’ is used In footnotes, it denotes the ‘Chanter of the Manimkalal. Numbers in Roman Figure denote the chapter numbers of the Manimékalai The ordinary numbers denote the lines of the verses or the chapters. For example, XXIX: 328 to 339 means lines 328 to 339 of the chapter XIX of the Manimékalai. Chapin t THE BUDDHA AND HIS RELIGION Gautama’s Early Life In the words of Dr, Edward 3. Thomas, ‘an account of a religion may be expected to begin with the biography of ts founder’ hence a brief sketch of the Buddha's career. Gautama, the Buddha-to-be, was born In 563 B.C. at Kapilavastu on the border of Nepal. His nickname was Siddhartha, His fether, Suddhodana, the king of the Sakya Republic, brought him up amidst scenes ofall kinds of luxury. He was strictly forbidden from having even the least ‘opportunity of knowing, much less feeling, the pains and pathos, which claim the ordinary flesh their helt. In short, “the cup of pleasure, surrounded by dancing girs, bewitching music, and delicious drinks, was full, and the worldly woes and worries were totally absent within the imaginable limits of the boy's residential realms. But yet, to quote Mr. ‘Chilstmas Humphreys,‘ "Gautama was aman, not a Solar Myth? Young Gautama grew rolling on the unfailing lap of the Goddess seated on the Lotus Throne. As custo would have it, he was, though young, married to Yasodhara, a beautiful girl of the sane cian. The king provided the couple with three big seasonal palaces devold of any want. In spite of all these appurtenances and paraphernalia only i The History of Buddhist Thought p. |. 2 The History of Culture ef the Indian people (Bharatya Vidya Bhavan) Vol. II. p. 365, 3 Dr MS. Valrenaplla’s ‘Concise World History” pp. 94 & 92. 4 Christmas Humphreys's Buddhism p, 26. 2 becoming of the person born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Prince Gautama, the Saviour-to-be, was of a reflective mould of mind. Occasionally, itis said, when he went out of the palace he came across a hag plodding her ‘weary way’, a sickly child unaided and uncared for, a dead body with @ weeping band, and an emaciated labourer ploughing under the scorching sun, These deeply distressing sights produced a profound impression on his mind, and his ‘speculation soared high intermittently kindling in him a desire to renounce the worldly pleasures. By then, a son, Rahula by name, was born to him. Thinking for himself that he would thereafter tend to fall into the vicious tolls of worldly attachment, he ultimately decided to leave the palace and tthe family. This momentous departure of his from the ‘Regal House’ is styled as the ‘Great Renunciatio The Enlightenment Now, the ascetic Gautama wandered from place to. place in search of a solution to the worldly misery. Holding steadfast to his unassailable resolve of seeking enlightenment, he inflicted on his mortal body a series of unbearable hardships such as ‘performing terrible austerities, long fasts and painful exercises’. As a result of this sort of asceticism, he not only did not achieve his object, but also his body became hopelessly weak yielding fast to lassitude of spirit. So he gave up asceticism and began to think of an alternative to it, At last he found contemplation and meditation as the surest ways to attain enlightenment, While in contemplation, undera pipal tree, In the last watch of the night, “ignorance was destroyed, knowledge had arisen... as I sat there, eamest strenuous, resolute"*. Gautama now did attain bodhi and became the Buddha of the Enlightened One. Thus, Gautama, having routed Mara, the god of evil, and ultimately having attained the Supreme Knowledge set outon his travels with a view to preaching his philosophy. He first went to Banaras, a centre of learing from times of yore, and gathered a band of five monks as his devoted 5 Dr Tara Chand’s "Short History ofthe Indian people pp. 55 & 56. 6 Tne UNESCO Courier, June 1956 p. 5. 3 disciples. Along with them, he moved on and on, and during the course of his ramblings, more and more of people swelled the congregation of the lalty. After many years of energetic wandering and incessant preaching he reached Kusinagara and there he somehow felt, at his elghtleth year (493 B.C.) that his end was near at hand. So he called Ananda, his personal attendant to his bed-side and through him the clergy and the laity, and uttered the following last words: “Now, monks, [ have nothing more to tell you but that all that Is composed is liable to decay. Strive after salvation energetically"? The Buddhist Scriptures Before we straightaway embark upon a critical study ‘and assessment of the nature and scope of the Buddhistic Ideals enshrined In the romantic epic, namely the ‘Manimekalai, @ general account of the popular aspects of Buddhism gleaned from the Buddhist Agamas or Scriptures is only within the realm of propriety. It, therefore, behoves. us here, at the outset, to mention the authorities or the recorded Scriptures which broadly speak of the rules and injunctions governing the conduct of the Buddhist Cleray and the systematised truths of Buddhism. The entire collection of the Buddhist Scriptures? extant to-day comprises three parts, technically called the Tripitakas, otherwise known as the Three Baskets. These Pitakas contain the precious and noble sayings and sermons of a galaxy of teachers and the taught from time immemorial, They are’, (1) The Vinaya-pitaka or the Book of Discipline, (ii) The Sutta-pitaka or the Book of Discourses and (i) The Abhicharima-pitaka or the Book on Philosophy ‘The Scriptures were originally written in the Pall language. This collection Is known as the Canonical literature, The Vinaya consists of all that pertains to the 7 2500 years of Buddhism p. 29, Edited by Prof. PV. Bapat B Buddhism, its history & literature pp. 55 & 56 by TW. Rhys. Davids 9 2500 years of Buddhism p. 139, Edited by Prof. RV. Bapat.