Observations placeholder
Jainism - Silappatikaram
Identifier
006640
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Silappatikaram is one of the five Great Epics according to later Tamil literary tradition, the others being Manimegalai, Civaka Cintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. Regarded as one of the great achievements of Tamil culture, the Silappatikaram is a “poetic rendition with details of Tamil culture; its varied religions; its town plans and city types; the mingling of Greek, Arab, and Tamil peoples; and the arts of dance and music”. It is also highly symbolic.
The Jain poet prince Ilango Adigal is credited with the work and it has been dated to around the beginning of the Common era, although the author might have built upon pre-existing folklore to produce the work. It contains three chapters and a total of 5270 lines of poetry.
The epic revolves around Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of the Pandya king, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom. The story involves the three Tamil kingdoms of the ancient era, the Chola, the Pandya and the Chera.
A description of the experience
High on Vengadam's towering crest, with flowing streams in flood,
Betwixt the effulgent glory, of shining Sun and Moon,
Like unto a blue cloud in lightning dresst
In all the brilliance of rainbow light,
The Red-eyed great One, majestic stands
In dress of flowery brilliance with garland bright,
One lotus hand with fearsome disc adorned, and milk white conch (the other held.)