Choose the correct statements on Perunkkatai:
A. It is an epic in five cantos.
B. It was written at a time when the Sanskrit epic had become a part of Tamil cultural heritage.
C. The Sanskrit version was prepared by Kon kuvelir.
D. It was written by a Jain Monk who collected his materials probably from a Sanskrit version of the BrihatKatha.
E. The Tamil version is ascribed to a Ganga King named Durvinita.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
This solution provides a detailed analysis of the statements regarding the Tamil epic Perunkkatai to determine which ones are correct.
This statement is considered correct. Perunkkatai, a significant work in Tamil literature, is structured into major divisions. These divisions are often referred to as parts or sections, and in the context of epic poetry, can be likened to cantos. The epic narrates the life story of King Udayana.
This statement is correct. The composition of Perunkkatai falls within a period where Tamil literature was significantly influenced by Sanskrit traditions. Epics and narratives from Sanskrit were being assimilated into the Tamil cultural landscape, shaping the development of Tamil literary forms, including epics.
This statement is incorrect. Perunkkatai is the Tamil epic itself, attributed to the author Kongu Velir (also transliterated as Kon kuvelir). Kongu Velir is credited with writing the Tamil version, not preparing a Sanskrit one. The epic's source material originated from Sanskrit narratives, notably the BrihatKatha.
This statement is correct. It is widely believed that the author of Perunkkatai, Kongu Velir, was a Jain scholar or associated with Jainism. The epic is an adaptation of the BrihatKatha, a vast collection of Indian stories originally composed in Prakrit by Gunadhya. Kongu Velir likely used a Sanskrit version of this work as his source.
This statement is incorrect. Durvinita was a Ganga king known for his scholarly pursuits and contributions to Kannada and Sanskrit literature. However, he is not the author of the Tamil epic Perunkkatai. The authorship of Perunkkatai is consistently attributed to Kongu Velir.
Based on the analysis, the correct statements regarding Perunkkatai are A, B, and D.