Acts of Apostle Thomas

XIII THE THOMAS WAY: SAIVISM AND NASRANEES: M.M.NINAN
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The land route to India brought in Gnosticism into India from its home land of Persia and impacted it to the
utmost in the North India. It transformed Buddhism and Christian Churches of Inner India. Even though
Gnosticism practically died out in Persia it still survives in China and India. Today we still call it “New
Age” if we want to avoid calling it Hinduism.
It is told that Bardaisan came to Kerala during AD 154 – 222. (35). We have no details about this visit.
But there are evidences that indicate that Bardesai met Mani in Kerala in Ranni. It was after this visit he
wrote the Acts of Thomas to present Thomas as a Gnostic. Apparently his labors were not fruitful in
Kerala. Since at the end of his life Bardaisen returned to Christian faith, his followers probably returned to
faith or merged with Manicheans.
Mission of Bardesai was followed by the ministry of Manichean (Mani or Manes) (c.216-300 AD).
“About the year 242, he undertook an extensive journey as an itinerant preacher, proclaiming himself as the
"Messenger of Truth," the Paraclete promised by Christ. Traveling throughout the Persian Empire and as
far as India, he gathered a considerable following.” Manicheanism was centralized in Kanchipuram
Pallava Dynasty of Dravidia with its capital in Kanchi is known to be of the Persian race. Pallavas trace
their origin to Syrian immigration.
Pallava: Encyclopedia II - Pallava - Persian Origins
Pallava - Persian Origins
The Pallavas are believed to be hereditary Hindu rulers who dominated southeastern India between the 4th
and 9th centuries. Presently the Palav is one of 96 Maratha clans.
One view is that they belonged to Kuruba(Kurumbar) Clan. But recent historical, anthropological, and
linguistic evidence indicates that the Pallavas were of Parthian origin and the name Pallava is just a variant
of a well known Sanskrit Pahlava. According to Dr Carnegy, the Pahluvas were the peoples who spoke
Pehlvi, a language of Persia. And according to Dr Buhler, Pahlava and its Iranian prototype Pahlav are
corruptions of Parthava. It is also notable that for the same people, the different recensions of Puranas
interchangeably write Pahlava as well as Pallava
The Pallavas represent a section of the Pahlavas who, in alliance with Sakas and Kambojas, had encroached
into India during second/first century BCE and settled in south-western and southern India around the
beginning of Christian era. The Markendeya Purana and Brhat Samhita ] indeed attest Pahlava and
Kamboja settlements in south-western India (i.e. nairRtyAM dizi dezAH Pahlava-KAmboja.....Brhat
Samhita) …… This evidence shows that a section of Pahlavas (Parasikas) were also residing in southern
India as late as first quarter of the 8th century AD. Thus, it appears that the Pallavas of Kanchi were indeed
a branch of the Iranian Pahlavas, who with passage of time, had embraced Hinduism and become followers
of Brahmanical way of life. French scholar George Coedes, among numerous others, identifies the Pallavas
with the Iranian Pahlavas and further also sees close affinity between the Pallavas of Kanchi and the
Kambuja rulers of Cambodia
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