Tamil Nadu Jains are from Mysore: Ham Pa Nagarajaiah

November 12, 2009

MYSORE (TOI): The Jains scattered across Tamil Nadu are originally from Mysore,

senior writer Ham Pa Nagarajaiah said on Tuesday. Some of the manuscripts

published in TN recently have traced the origins of the community settled there

to Mysore, which, he said, is being discussed in academic circles.

Speaking after inaugurating a day-long meet on Jainology hosted by the

University of Mysore, Hampana stated: some 89 manuscripts have been published in

TN recently of which 85 relate to Jains. According to one of the manuscripts,

Jains travelled to Tamil Nadu from Mysore. The city was then known as

Yermayanadu.

However, he said scholars are divided over the subject as one of the manuscripts

state that the Jains in Tamil Nadu are from Orissa. Scholars are debating the

issue, he said at the meet which is supported by Shravanabelagola-based National

Prakrit Studies and Research Institute and Meeruts Shrutha Samvardana Sansthan.

Jainism brings peace

Speaking on Jainism, he said that it is all inclusive. According to Jain

scriptures, peace and co-existence are primary, which has made areas where its

influence is more, like the coastal region, peaceful. That is why Jain religion

can be practiced cutting across time barriers, he stated. Referring to recent

developments like the political imbroglio, violence in the high court, he

said, " there is a need to preach Ahimsa mantra to them. They need darshan of

Digambar seers. "

Jain religious leader Gnanasagarji Maharaj graced the event. On the occasion,

three V-Cs B S Sherigar (Kuvempu University), Geetha Bali (Women University) and

V G Talawar (University of Mysore) were felicitated.

Talawar said the department that is operating out of Kuvempu Institute of

Kannada Studies in Manasa Gangotri, the PG campus of the varsity, will get its

own building in a year. The varsity has allocated Rs 50 lakh for the project and

the head of the department of Jainology and Prakrit, Padma Shekar has prepared a

Rs 1.30-crore project. The Jains should pitch in and help realize the dream, he

added.

Mahavir Sanglikar

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