Study Of Civakacintamani - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of "A Study of Civakacintamani" by R. Vijayalakshmy:

Book Title: A Study of Civakacintamani Author: R. Vijayalakshmy Publisher: L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad Publication Year: 1981 L.D. Series: 82

Overall Focus: This scholarly work delves into the Tamil epic Civakacintamani (Cc.), composed by Tiruttakkatēvar (c. 750-825 AD). The primary objective of the study is to explore the significant interaction between Sanskrit language and literature and the Tamil language and literature, as exemplified by Civakacintamani. The book also aims to analyze the social, religious, and literary context of its composition, its sources, its literary style, and the Jaina doctrines it expounds.

Key Areas of Study (Chapters):

Tracing the Source and Dating of Civakacintamani:
- The author attempts to establish the approximate date of Cc. by comparing its narrative of the Jivaka story with other known works on the same theme, including:
  - Uttarapurāṇa (Up.) of Gunabhadra (c. 897 AD)
  - Mahāpurāṇa (Mp.) of Puşpadanta (c. 965 AD)
  - Kşatracūdāmaņi (Kc.) and Gadyacintāmaņi (Gc.) of Vadibhasimha
  - Jivandharacampū (Jc.) of Haricandra
- The analysis suggests that Vadibhasimha's works are later than Cc., while Jc. is later than Vadibhasimha's works.
- The study proposes the possibility of a lost Prakrit original for Cc. due to the Prakrit forms of some character names in the poem.
- The author suggests a probable date for Cc. between the later part of the 8th century and the early part of the 9th century AD.
- External evidence from inscriptions and literary references is also examined to support the dating.
Social, Religious, and Literary Background:
- This chapter examines the socio-religious and literary milieu of the Tamil land during the period of Cc.'s composition.
- It notes the early presence of Aryan (Sanskrit) influences in Tamil literature, even from the Sangam period, evident in poets' names, royal titles, and references to Vedic rituals and deities.
- The chapter highlights the significant role of Jainism and Buddhism in Tamil culture during the post-Sangam period, particularly during the Kalabhra reign.
- Jainism's gradual decline due to the resurgence of Hinduism and the Bhakti movement is discussed.
- The author emphasizes that Cc., being a Jaina epic, served as a significant medium for expounding Jaina doctrine, drawing heavily from Sanskrit and Prakrit Jaina texts.
Comparative Study of the Jivandhara Story in Uttarapurāṇa and Civakacintamani and Sanskrit Motifs:
- This chapter undertakes a detailed comparison of the Jivandhara narrative as presented in the Uttarapurāṇa (Up.) and Civakacintamani (Cc.).
- It identifies numerous similarities, variations, and differences in the plot, sequence of events, and characterizations.
- The study reveals that Cc. elaborates on the narrative found in Up., introducing novel features and variations.
- The chapter meticulously lists differences in character names and the introduction or omission of certain episodes between the two texts.
- It also explores the influence of Sanskrit motifs and popular tales (like those from the Brhatkatha) on Cc., drawing parallels with incidents found in Sanskrit epics and dramas.
Sanskrit Interaction in the Literary Style of Civakacintamani:
- This chapter focuses on the stylistic influences of Sanskrit literature, particularly the mahākāvya tradition, on Cc..
- It contrasts the realistic and nature-focused style of early Tamil poetry with the more elaborate, exaggerated, and allegorical style of Sanskrit kāvyas.
- The study analyzes how Cc. incorporates elements of the mahākāvya form, including:
  - Structure: Division into ilampakams (chapters, likely influenced by Sanskrit lambhaka).
  - Beginning: Adoption of Sanskrit conventions like invocation and avaiyāṭakkam (apologia).
  - Hero Characterization: Portrayal of Civakan as a dhīrodatta hero, contrasting with earlier Tamil heroes.
  - Descriptions: Elaborate descriptions of cities, seasons, nature, and human figures, often influenced by Sanskrit poets like Kālidāsa and Bāņa, and utilizing figures of speech like utprekşā, atiśayokti, and bhrāntimat.
  - Sentiments (Rasa): A conscious effort to depict various sentiments, with śṛngāra (erotic) rasa being prominent, influenced by the Sanskrit rasa theory.
  - Metres: The extensive use of viruttam metre, possibly influenced by Sanskrit catuspadi (four-line verses), offering greater metrical freedom.
- Despite Sanskrit influence, the author highlights how Tiruttakkatēvar skillfully integrates these elements with established Tamil literary traditions.
The Interaction of Sanskrit through Jainism:
- This chapter examines how Sanskrit language and literature influenced Cc. through the lens of Jaina religious and philosophical thought.
- It argues that Cc. is fundamentally a Jaina religious work presented in epic form.
- The study details core Jaina metaphysical concepts (soul, non-soul, karmas, saddravyas, navapadārthas, pañcāstikāyas) and ethical principles (vows, guṇasthānas, penances) as expounded in Cc..
- It emphasizes that understanding these Jaina doctrines in Cc. necessitates knowledge of original Sanskrit and Prakrit Jaina canons, as earlier Tamil Jaina works focused more on ethics than detailed philosophy.
- The chapter analyzes how Tēvar uses Jaina philosophical terms, sometimes directly borrowing Sanskrit words (krodha, māna, māya, lobha), sometimes creating hybrid Tamil-Sanskrit forms, and at other times translating concepts into Tamil phrases (ṣaddravyas as 'porulkal or aintu').
- The concept of the soul's journey through the fourteen guṇasthānas (stages of spiritual progress) is explained through Civakan's life.
Sanskrit Loan Words in Civakacintamani:
- This chapter provides a linguistic analysis of Sanskrit loan words found in Cc., dividing them into Jaina technical terms and non-religious terms.
- It traces the historical development of Sanskrit loan words in Tamil literature from the Sangam period to the Middle Tamil period.
- The study details the phonological and semantic changes that Sanskrit words undergo when assimilated into Tamil, providing numerous examples from Cc..
- Key aspects covered include:
  - Phonological Changes: Vowel (initial, medial, final 'a', 'i', 'u', 'e', 'ai', 'ṛ') and consonant (gutturals, palatals, cerebrals, dentals, labials, sibilants, 'h', conjunct consonants) transformations.
  - Semantic Changes: How Sanskrit words acquired new or restricted meanings in Tamil, sometimes influenced by Jaina doctrines or specific contexts within Cc. (e.g., kalyāṇam becoming specifically 'wedding', tīrtha used for 'sacred āgamas', vēgam for 'poison').
  - Hybrid Forms: The creation of new terms by combining Tamil and Sanskrit words.
  - Tamil Translations: Instances where Sanskrit compounds are translated into Tamil phrases.
- The chapter concludes that the extensive use of Sanskrit words, particularly Jaina technical terms and stylistic devices, was driven by the need to explain complex Jaina doctrines and to conform to the mahākāvya tradition, especially with the use of the melodious viruttam metre.

Conclusion: The book establishes that Civakacintamani is a landmark Tamil epic that demonstrates a profound and conscious integration of Sanskrit literary traditions and vocabulary with the native Tamil literary heritage. Tēvar masterfully adapted the Sanskrit mahākāvya model while adhering to Tamil poetic conventions, creating a work that is both religiously significant and artistically rich. The study highlights the significant influence of Sanskrit, particularly through Jaina philosophy and literature, on Cc.'s content, style, and language.