* தமிழர் மதம்
19
even by a cursory glance into the Tamil lyrics and idylls produced in the pre-Christian times and by comparing them with the epics and didactic poems and religious and philosophic treatises written in post-Christian centuries.
Then, the eleventh section proceeds to inquire what were the elements that composed the Tamilian creed and how and why they came to occupy the minds of the ancient Tamils. First of all it is shown that their forefathers entertained a strong belief in the series of existences which all beings that are endowed with life, will, feeling and intelligence pass through, not of their own accord but in accord with the will and purpose of a Supreme power, and that they looked upon this present life not as a sudden outburst of a precarious will, but as a vital link between what preceded it and what will succeed it. The purpose of creation seems to aim at the unfoldment of all the faculties of the finite mind that lie dormant being enveloped in darkness and to enable it properly to enjoy the happiness and bliss which is in store for it in this world and in the worlds to come. To the degree the beings exercised their will and intelligence, they rise in the scale of embodying themselves in various organisms which too rise in refinement correspondingly. But this unfoldment of mental powers proceeds so slowly and so gradually that no being, however much it may desire quickly to attain perfection, can overstep the bounds set to it by the Supreme intelligence. The finite mind must seek to know not only the Supreme object of the Supreme mind but must also learn to keep its own will and desire in harmony with the Divine will and purpose. It is by not doing any injury to any fellow being and by not thwarting the beneficent purpose of God, that one can accelerate the attainment of perfect state and final redemption from sin and evil.
Then the section twelve takes up the clue afforded by the preceding section and deals with the doctrine of nonkilling embraced whole-heartedly and followed unremittingly by the Tamils in its theory and practice. It is laid down in the Tholkappiam that all lives are possessed of an instinctive desire to obtain pleasure all throughout their life here and hereafter. Man who is the apex of creation and
