Question map
The epic, Silappadikaram refers to the
Explanation
The epic Silappadikaram, written by the Jain prince-monk Ilango Adigal, is deeply infused with Jaina elements and philosophy [1]. The narrative reflects Jaina concepts such as the law of karma and the inevitability of fate, particularly when the character Tevanti explains that Kannagi's husband left her due to a vow she failed to keep in a previous birth. While the epic later became the foundation for the Pattini (chastity) cult in South India and Sri Lanka, its core literary and philosophical framework is rooted in Jainism. The text belongs to the post-Sangam period and serves as a primary source for understanding the social and religious landscape of the time, including the influence of non-Vedic traditions like Jainism and Buddhism in the Tamil region [1].
Sources
- [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > 6.3 The Tamil Kingdoms > p. 82