History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c18.s2.1

c18.s2.1

There appears to be no definite reference to Ājīvikas in the earliest Tamil literature, the only possible exception being the unidentified quotation by Nacciṉārkkiṉiyar in his commentary to the *Tolkāppiyam*, which we have already mentioned.² In the anthologies of erotic and martial poems, which form the most striking monument of ancient Dravidian culture, the *antaṇar* or *brāhmaṇas* are already present, although the Āryan way of life has only partially imposed itself.³ Yet the voluminous literature of the anthologies seems to contain no certain reference to any of the unorthodox sects. The famous *Tirukkural*, somewhat later than the anthologies, admittedly contains ten verses on fate (*ūḻ*).⁴ But all can be interpreted as applying to the orthodox *karma*, and although it is possible to suggest that they were in part inspired by Ājīvika ideas this cannot be finally established.