Naths and Jains

 My understanding is as follows:

A

1.Vardhman Mahavira was the founder of Jainism. 2.Jainism came into limelight as it was patronised by emperors at some point in time in history. 3. Having patronised, resources available, researched further by mystics or munis of contemporary to trace it past to Adi Nath. 4. They differed themselves, in philosophy, lineage, rituals and ended up in various sects/panths.

The founders of various Shramanic religions are atheists (nasthiks) and demostrated the philosophies they devised to implement for better lifestyles- they never advocated idol worship.

B

History says there were 6, shramanic religions, based on Philosophy and contemporaneous ascetics of Mahavira.

Some scholars include 84 Siddhas from Nath Tradition, (which includes 18 Tamil Siddhas) and making it 90. But the difference between Naths and the founders are: some Naths worshipped Shiv, some Sakthi, some Murugan. After Buddhism and Jainism came into existance, some created the left hand sects within Buddhism and Jainism

C

In six who are contemporaneous to Vardhman Mahavira are:

1.Buddha is a mystic who taught as void.(Buddhism)

2.Mahavir is a mystic chemist who taught as restraint. (Jainism)

3.Makkali Gosala is a mystic alchemist(metallurgist ) who taught as fatalism.(Ajivika)

4.Purana Kassappa is an ascetic who taught as non action(Akiriyavada)

5.Ajita Kesakamabali is an ascetic who advised as to live happily (Charvaka)

6.Sanjaya Belathiputta taught as suspension of judgement (Ajnana)

There were several mystics (over 84 Maha Siddhas) in our holy land before and after Buddha, Mahavira, Gosalas, Kassappas, Ajita and Sanjayas. These mystics contributed much in philosophy, medicine, metullergy and performed miracles.

Some worshipped Shiv, some Sakthi, some Murugan.After Buddhism and Jainism, some created the left hand sects within Buddhism and Jainism.

Naths linkage with Jainism was created later by Munis belonging to various panths.

D

Tirumala Tirupati is well researched and literary evidences are available since 3rd century BC.

Tirupati is famous, not only due to any religious reason, because it played a significant role in the history of Southern India, formation of Vijayanagara Empire to counter islamic invasions and its emperors coronated at Tirupati, giving a VIP status.

Being a Sri Vaishnavite temple, and a Divyadesam, it is Kuldev of many commanders in 600 year ruled empire and its feudatories.

E

If you want to understand, how Shramanic religions embraced rituals- the best example is Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka or in general Mahayana Buddhism.(I will provide a link later) It is the fusion of (Murugan Worship/ Kaumaram or Sakthism of Shringeri) with Buddhism after 15th century.

In fact, these Shramanic religions, stormed and become popular to get rid of rituals by Brahmins (Kshatriya Domination) and mantras by Sanskrit (Prakrit Pali is sacred) but later embraced the same rituals of Brahmanism by successor mystics.

F

You may appreciate, as a learned person, religion (and politics are interrelated) is nothing to do with spirituality.

Anyone will become enlightened, if he sincerely follows the doctrine laid down by his Bhagwan with devotion.

G

Michami Dukkadam.

Is there a relation between Kerala and Sri Lankan Sinhalese?

 Background:

1. If one looks at History, relation existed between Kerala and Ceylon mainly- except Northern Part of island which is close proximity to present day TN.
2. Tamil ethnicity in Sri Lanka is a misnomer if we consider present geographic boundaries.
3. Reason 1. Ezhava migration from Ceylon to Chera Kingdom and vice versa to set up palm plantation happened during 9th century.
4. Present population of Sri Lanka is 2 Cr only. 20 lakhs or around 10% are minorities classified as Native Tamils, Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils by Sri Lankan Government.
5. Native Tamils are natives of Island, living in Northern parts of Island.
6. Reason 2.Sri Lankan Tamils are Sri Lankan natives migrated from Chera region in 12th century before the birth of Malayalam language. They speak Malayalam and write in Tamil scripts. They live in North Eastern parts of Island.
7. Indian Tamils live in Central province of Sri Lanka, migrated from Madras State of British India during 19th century as plantation workers by the British.

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-Indians-drink-so-much-tea/answer/Mohan-N-R-2?ch=10&share=d6e73fcb&srid=powaY

Now look at the ethnic conflict, arised in 20th century- it is the conflict between Sinhalese (from where 23% of Kerala population traces its roots) and Sri Lankan Tamils (two third traces their origin to Kerala) but the the name notoriously brought is “Tamil ethnicity” and Kerala remained a spectator during the entire conflict.

NB: The views are mine. The other argumented view is that there is no Malayalam during 9th or 12th century. But it does not augur well for Keralites not to support the eazham cause- where the descendants are from present geographic boundaries of Kerala.

Are Kandy Telugus converted as Sinhalas responsible for the Sri Lankan Tamil problem?

 1.No one can opine, except Tamils and Sinhalas of the tiny island.

2.Request you to kindly put it in comments on what made you to ask such a sensitive question? Or what evidences you have to raise this question?

3.Consider this - Population of Sri Lanka is less than one third of Indian State of Tamil Nadu.

4.Kandy is the capital of one of nine provinces of Sri Lanka.

5.Kandy Naickers ruled less than eighty years before it unified with British Ruled Sri Lanka in 1815. Only Kings and his relatives are from India. It is like Mittal ruling steel empire.

6.Nearly two hundred years passed.

7.Another migration of Tamils from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli Districts and Malyalees from non Malabar region took place in the British Regime to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

8.British Ruled over a Century.

9.Sri Lankans ruled themselves for over a century.

In the bigger scheme of things, where the Kandy Kings figure. If at all anyone to be blamed - it is the two ethnic communities, Tamils and Sinhalese. No one else.