Sivaga Chinthamani and norm of purity [Cīvaka Cintāmaṇiyil kaṟpiyal]

சீவக சிந்தாமணியில் கற்பியல்

Abstract

From the Sangam period onwards, Aimperungappiyams developed the specialty of the Tamil language. Sivaga Chintamani is one of epic of the Aimperungappiyams. The epic was composed in the 9th century by a Jain monk named Tiruttakkathevar. Sivagan was the leader of this epic. The epic is named as Sivaga Chintamani as it tells the life story of Sivagan. Sivaga Chintamani has 3145 poems and 13 chapter. Sivaka Chintamani is a book on Jainisme. Sivagan married 8 women in this book, so this book also be called Mananool. Although the book is about love story, it is full of cultural elements. The characters in Sivaga Chintamani shows the purity norm in a very modern way. Moreover, in this book, purity is mentioned from many perspectives. Through this study, it is possible to know that the life of the Sivagan and others characters is full of the Tamil cultural element of purity. Moreover, this study will be very helpful to change the view of Sivaga Chintamani which is considered only as a marriage book.