Madras Journal of Literature and Science/New Series 1/Volume 2/The Tamil Epic Chintamani
III. The Tamil Epic Chintamani. By the Rev. P. Percival.
When the despatch of the Honorable the Court of Directors on their scheme of education was promulgated a year and a half ago, through the vernacular periodical press, its provisions were looked upon by intelligent natives, generally, as a beautiful theory never to be followed by any practical result. It was, indeed, believed, that so much of the despatch as related to English, might, for official purposes, be carried out ; but not the most sanguine of my acquaintances among the natives had any belief in that which related to the vernacular languages. Since however a beginning has been made, and measures adopted for realizing the intentions of the Honorable Court, it may easily be conceived how agreeably the friends of education are surprized. The appointment of a Director of Public Instruction, the actual operations of inspection, the Establishment of a Normal School under a competent and zealous Principal, are among the facts serving to assure the native mind that Government is in earnest in the matter of public education. The Director has lately put forth a Code cf Instructions for the Head Masters of Talook Schools which has created in many the greatest satisfaction. In that carefully prepared document, it is, in the very first paragraph, stated, that in the Talook Schools the instruction, the matter taught, is to be conveyed through a vernacular medium; when introduced, English is to be studied only as a language." When the pupil has attained to a fixed standard in the vernacular, he will be permitted to begin the study of English ; and not before. These facts are sufficient to show that public instruction is to be largely provided for, and that the vernacular languages will be made the vehicles of useful knowledge to the masses of the population. That the native mind is in any degree aroused by the facts occurring around us is matter of thankfulness. These auspicious prospects are, however, I regret to say, not unattended by much of a discouraging character; the native himself is likely to prove the greatest obstacle in the way of progress as regards vernacular instruction. And I do not entertain a doubt that, unless Government adopt measures to counteract certain tendencies in the native mind, the machinery it is now forming with so much zeal, ability and expense, will be in great measure inoperative. The native, arguing on palpable facts, maintains that it is not vernacular attainment that confers office and emolument, but a knowledge of English; and consistently enough he is disposed to devote all his energies to the latter. The remedy is, however, in the hands of Government. Let it be promulgated, by Government that in all cases a candidate for public employment from the peon upwards, must pass a graduated examination in order to test his knowledge of his own language; or present a certificate, signed by competent authority, to show that the required standard has been attained : this, and this only, will secure the efficiency of the means adopted by Government, for promoting vernacular education.
It is in place here to refer to a valuable contribution to the study of the vernacular languages of Southern India in the form of a comparative Dravidian Grammar recently published in London by the Revd. Mr. Caldwell. The study of comparative Grammar as regards the Indo-European family of languages has made great progress in the west; and for some time past the Dravidian tongues have been matter of enquiry and investigation among oriental scholars in England and on the continent of Europe. One or two works have issued from the press in Europe in Tamil executed in the most beautiful style. All these facts conspire to persuade the inference that an era is opening for the development of the treasures bequeathed to the natives of Southern India by the talent and industry of former ages.
Under these circumstances it may be of some benefit to direct attention to some of those ancient works which, in Southern India, have, for so many centuries, been the admiration of indigenous scholars; and the patterns for guidance in the authorship of modern times. By thus pioneering the way no doubt needs be entertained as to the track being followed by a succession of adventurers who will do good service. Whilst the attention of Europeans is drawn to the ancient authors of the Dravidian race, and thereby much that is truly interesting and valuable disseminated in Europe, it must not be overlooked that in the country itself it is of the utmost consequence to the progress of sound scholarship and correct taste that the best authors be brought to light, and if possible, published, under proper editorial supervision and responsibility.
Much, it is admitted, »that is found in the indigenous literature even of the best periods, is, like some portions of the works of Greece and Rome, unfit for general perusal. The works of real value should notwithstanding be published and rescued from oblivion. In the course of time they may be expurgated; objectionable sentiments and passages eliminated; thus separated from the vile, the precious would have an enduring value.
These general remarks are intended to introduce to more partiticular notice the Classical work entitled Chintamani.
It is the opinion of native scholars that the Epic Chintamani, which was composed by Terudevar sometimes called Tiruttakkadevar, was written about two thousand years ago, the author was a Jaina and resided at Mylapore, now a suburb of Madras : although this opinion may be incorrect, no doubt the work in question is very ancient; it was doubtless written several centuries ago. This celebrated work is one of the five classical productions which are regarded as undisputed authorities in all matters relating to Tamil philology.
The five works are Chintamani, Chillapadikaram, Valleiyapalhi, Kundalakesi, Manimekalei.
The book under notice contains the heroic story of a King named Jivaka; his history is also found in the Maha Purana, a work written in Sanscrit. This Purana belongs to the Jainas, and, of course, is not one of the celebrated eighteen.
The author of Chintamani is regarded by all Tamil Scholars, ancient and modern, as one of the most learned men that ever appeared. It is said that he was acquainted with Agatteyam and Tolkappeyam, the celebrated ancient Tamil Grammars; and that he was deeply read in all the best works then extant in the Sanscrit language, including the Sacred Vedas. The best writers in the Tamil language refer to this work in illustration of their forms of construciion, and Grammarians quote this work as of undoubted authority.
Nacchenarkinnear of Madura, himself a man of great erudition, and a commentator on three parts of Telkappeyam, the Cural, and Sillapadekaram, has also written notes on Chintamani. The comments of this author, on Chintamani andl the other works, are regarded by the Tamil Literati as unquestionable authority. The commentary of this writer composed before he had examined the claims of the Jaina theology, was not at first received by that sect. He afterwards, however, revised his commentary, conforming it to their doctrinal peculiarities, and it was thenceforth received by them as a correct exposition of his author.
The Chintamani contains three thousand one hundred and forty-five tetrastichs, and it is divided into thirteen sections called Ilambakam.
1. The story of the hero Jivaka commences with certain particulars relating to him prior to birth. When an infant, he was cherished by a Chitty, a merchant, who rescued him from the forest in which he was born; his mother having fled thither from the assassin who had slain the King her husband. This section called Namagal Ilambakam contains 408 verses.
2. The second section called Kovindiyar Ilambakam relates the early exploits of young Jivaka. It appears that a gang of free-booters attacked the city in which he dwelt, plundered it, and carried away much property, driving before them, as they retired, the cattle belonging to the inhabitants. On this occasion the young hero distinguished himself by great bravery, pursued the plunderers, and rescued the spoils they had taken. In consequence of this deed of valour, a citizen named Pasukavalam was induced to give his daughter Kovindeyar in marriage to the son of the Chitty the foster father of Jivaka. This section contains 84 stanzas.
3. The third section is named Kandarvatatteyar Ilambakam so called from the celebrated musician of the name of Tatteyar whose skill on the Indian lute or vina was almost unrivalled. She formed a revolution not to marry any one who did not surpass her in her favorite art. Jivaka entered the list of competitors for the hand of Tattiyar, and his performance on the vina gained him the prize he coveted. The history of these events contained in this section occupies 358 stanzas.
4. Gundmaleyar Ilambakam is the name of the fourth section which contains 315 stanzas. This section presents to the reader two young women of high family named respectively Gunamalei and Churamanjari who contended for superiority in regard to certain scented powders they possessed. These perfumes were so apparently identic in equality that it was impossible for ordinary persons to determine which was the better. Jivaka decides the matter in favor of Kunamalei : she accepts him in marriage.
This section further relates some particulars respecting Sudarsana-jakshadeva who at that time appeared in the form of a dog, as the result of former deeds. He is metamorphosed by Jivaka and attains his former position, on account of which he magnifies the powers of his deliverer.
This section also relates the incident of Churamanjari's escape from an Elephant which was killed by Jivaka when about to attack her.
5. The fifth section is called Pathumeiyar Ilambakam. This section narrates the travels of Jivaka in foreign lands. In the course of travel he meets Pathumei, a daughter of the king of Pallavam, when she was engaged in gathering flowers; as she was thus employed she was bitten by a venomous serpent : she is healed by Jivaka, and in gratitude gives him her hand in marriage. The section contains 246 verses.
6. The sixth section is called Kemasariyar Ilambakam. This portion of the work narrates the visit of Jivaka to Kshemadesam where he performs prodigies that gain for him the admiration of the king who bestowed on him his daughter in marriage; her name was Kshema Sundari. This section contains 145 verses.
7. The seventh section is called Kanakamaleyar Ilambakam. Here Jivaka the hero of the poem is found in Susanadesam.
The king suspends on high a mark, promising to give his daughter in marriage to the person who might succeed in displacing it by an arrow. Numerous royal personages compete for the coveted prize which was obtained by Jivaka.
This section also relates the success of Jivaka in obtaining in marriage for his foster father's son the daughter of the king of Saba, her name was Chisanti. This section^ contains 330 stanzas.
8. The eighth section is called Kimaleiyar Ilambakam, and contains 107 stanzas, Jivaka taking his departure from Susanadesam proceeds to Nannadu where he meets his mother in Tandakaraneyam, and salutes her. Having returned to his owh city, he connects himself with a merchant, who, in consequence of the prosperity he enjoyed, and which he attributed to the auspices of Jivaka, gives him his daughter in marriage; her name was Vimalei.
9. This, the ninth section, containing 108 stanzas, relates the marriage of Jivaka with Suramanjari, who, on the occasion of the dispute about the perfume, made a vow never to marry any other person.
10. The tenth section is called Manamagal Ilambakam. This section narrates the success of Jivaka in competing for the hand of the daughter of his maternal uncle the king of Videkam. The king suspended a target, proclaiming that the prince who succeeded in hitting it should have his youngest daughter. Jivaka is the successful party among many competitors and receives in marriage the fair damsel. The assassin and late minister of Jivaka's father, who then reigned over the kingdom he had so unfairly obtained, hearing of the fame of the young man, suspects that he may prove to be the son of the deceased king. He therefore determines to seize him and put him to death ; and for this purpose proceeds to take him by violence. Jivaka meets him, slays him, and ascends the throne of his ancestors. There are 358 stanzas in this section.
11. The eleventh section is named Purmagal Ilambakam and contains 51 stanzas. This section relates to the conquest by Jivaka of the dominions of his father's assassin. This country was called 'Emangadesam.
12. The twelfth section is called Ilakaneiyar Ilambakam and contains 221 verses. In this portion of the work the nuptials of Jìvaka and Ilakanei his maternal uncle's daughter are described.
13. The thirteenth section is called Mutti Ilambakam. The final portion of the poem describes the religious acts of Jìvaka and his wives, the partition of his dominions among hi? sons, and the renunciation of all secular pursuits and objects by himself and his devoted female associates.
This brief analysis of the work under notice, it is confessed, conveys but little to persuade the conviction of its superiority; the assumed facts of the Epic alone are here given. Though these may appear inadequate as the basis of a work for which so much is claimed, yet the work itself is so replete with credible incidents, so wrought up by the vigor of literary talent, so interspersed with remarks involving the keenest introspection into the grounds of human action, so rich in theological sentiment, so redolent of all the attractions of poetic genius, so full of circumstances evincing the condition of the arts and the customs of social life at the period of its composition; that the scholar, the poet, and the antiquary must be equally impressed in favor of the talent of the author, and the unrivalled power of the language in which he has embodied the splendid creations of his imagination.
Sometime ago an intimation was put forth in one of the weekly Journals to the effect that the work, whose analysis is here briefly sketched, would, if encouragement were afforded, be published. The idea has not been abandoned; but such would be the weight of the undertaking to a single individual, it can hardly be expected that any one will be bold enough to enter upon it. No doubt a considerable number of copies might be sold among the natives perhaps 500, and in time, it is possible, the publisher might recover the capital expended on the work.