APRIL — JUNE 1857.] The Tamil Epic Ghiniamaiii. 45 
is truly interesting and valuable disseminated in Europe, it must 
not be overlooked that in the country itself it is of the utmost 
consequence to the progress of sound scholarship and correct taste 
that the best authors be brought to light, and if possible, published, 
under proper editorial supervision and responsibility. 
Much, it is admitted, »that is found in the indigenous literature 
even of the best periods, is, like some portions of ^he works of Greece 
and Rome, unfit for general perusal. The works of real value 
should notwithstanding be published and rescued from oblivion. 
In the course (^f time they may be expurgated ; objectionable sen- 
timents and passages eliminated ; thus separated from the vile, the 
precious would have an enduring value. 
These general remarks are intended to introduce to more parti- 
ticular notice the Classical work entitled Chintamani. 
It is the opinion of native scholars that the Epic Chintamani, 
which was composed by Terudevar sometimes called Tiruttakkade- 
var, was written about two thousand years ago *, the author was a 
Jaina and resided at Mylapore, now a suburb of Madras : although 
this opinion may be incorrect, no doubt the work in question is very 
ancient ; it was doubtless written several centuries ago. This cele- 
brated work is one of the five classical productions which are re- 
garded as undisputed authorities in all matters relating to Tamil 
philology. 
The five works are Chintamani, Chillapadikaram, Valleiyapalhi, 
Kundalakesi, Manimekalei. 
The book under notice contains the heroic story of a King named 
Jivaka ; his history is also found in the Maha Purana, a work writ- 
ten in Sanscrit. This Purana belongs to the Jainas, and, of course, 
is not one of the celebrated eighteen. 
The author of Chintamani is regarded by all Tamil Scholars, an- 
cient and modern, as one of the most learned men that ever appear- 
ed. It is said that he was acquainted with AgatteJ^am and Tol- 
kappeyam, the celebrated ancient Tamil Grammars ; and that he 
was deeply read in all the best works then extant in the Sanscrit 
language, including the Sacred Vedas. The best writers in the Tamil 
language refer to this work in illustration of their forms of con- 
