A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c19.s2.17

c19.s2.17

The age of the imperial Cholas (850-1200) was the golden age of Tamil culture, and it was naturally marked by the widespread practice and patronage of literature. The Prabandha form became dominant and the systematic treatment of Śaiva-siddhānta in philosophical treatises began. Great Śiva temples were built anew and celebrated in hymns on the model of those of the previous period by new authors (among whom was a prince), and the hagiology of Śaivism was standardized in a great Purāṇa by Śēkkilār. A quantum of Vaishnava devotional literature and commentaries on the canon also came into existence. Jaina and Buddhist authors continued to flourish though not in such numbers as in the earlier age. Many works mentioned in the numerous inscriptions of the period have been lost beyond recovery.