Rsabha in Tamil Works

Summary

The article highlights the deep-rooted presence of Lord Rsabha (Rishabha)—the first Tirthankara of Jainism—in Tamil religious and literary tradition. While historians date Jain influence in Tamil Nadu to the 3rd century BCE, the text argues for a much earlier origin, with references from Valmiki’s Ramayana and Tamil Jain traditions suggesting pre-Bhadrabahu migration influence. Lord Rsabha, revered by many Tamil names like Adi Bhagwan, Ugathi Devar, and Adinathar, is frequently mentioned in major Tamil Jain literary works, such as: 1. Sripuranam (based on Mahapurana) 2. Thirukkural (where Rsabha is honored in the very first couplet) 3. Jeevaga Cintamani, Silappatikaram, Neelakesi, Cholamani, Perungkathai, Thiruppa Mali, and Adinathar Pillai Thamizh 4. These texts portray Rsabha as the organizer of human society, revealer of the Vedas, and a divine teacher who taught letters, numbers, and non-violence. Devotional and grammatical works also exalt him, and Tamil lexicons refer to him reverently. Even 20th-century Tamil scholars and songwriters have contributed to his glorification. 5. The PDF concludes with a report on the 1995 Prakrit Seminar in Delhi, celebrating Jain Saint Kundakunda and emphasizing the importance of Prakrit in linguistic and cultural traditions of India .