Lesson - 3

A04123 HISTORY OF TAMIL LITERATURE IN THE 8 th CENTURY

    In this lesson you shall learn about the literature that was produced in the 8 th century. Saivaite and Vaishnavaite literature blossomed well during the 8 th century. Continuous wars weakened the Pallavas. People suffered from drought and famine. Stone inscriptions belonging to the age of Nandivarman III mention the rationing of grain.

    The Kailasanaathar temple at Kancheepuram and the Shore temple at Mahabalipuram were built by Narasimhavarma Pallava II. Nandivarma Pallava II who ruled from 731 - 796 A.D., was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. He renovated several temples and built new ones. It was king Vikramaditya II who waged war on Nandivarma II and captured Kancheepuram. However, he made liberal donations to the temples there, and then returned to his Chalukya kingdom. We learn form this, that devotion to God is capable of conquering even hostility.

    During this period, kings donated some lands to the temples. They were called Devadaanam. The income from these lands was to be used for temple work. Similarly, the kings also donated lands to the Brahmins. This was called Brahmadeyam. These Brahmins were exempted from paying tax to the king.

    Thirumangai Aazhwar lived during the time of Nandivarma Pallava II. Sundarar, the great saint who composed some of the Devaaram songs also lived at this time. Cheramaan Perumaal Naayanar was his contemporary. Sundarar's work திருத்தொண்டத் தொகை served as the basis of திருத்தொண்டர் திருவந்தாதி and Periapuraanam. Two famous Jain works were produced during the 8th century. They were பெருங்கதை and மேருந்திர புராணம்.

    This lesson teaches you all about the social and religious conditions of the 8 th century. Great temples were built by the Pallava kings and notable Saivaite and Vaishnavaite works were produced.