History of Jaina Monachism

SR No.: 001727
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S B Deo
Publisher: Deccan College Research Institute
Publication Year: 1956
Total Pages: 616
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Principle, & History
File Size: 12 MB

Page 126

HISTORY OF JAINA MONACHISM
121 These inscriptions give us a fair idea regarding the extent of royal patronage to Jainism under the later Cālukyas of Badāmi. It seems therefore that not only the kings themselves of this dynasty, but even their feudatories and their officers were liberal towards Jainism. Another point to be noted is that they patronised the Digambaras, and not the Svetāmbaras.
This tide of popularity and patronage seems to have ebbed considerably under the Kalacuryas, for under Bijjala who was a devout Saivite, we get the majority of the grants to Saiva temples.377
The setback to the Jainas seems to have hung heavily on them even under the Yādavas, but perhaps, not so complete as under the Kalacuryas, for we do get a few Jaina inscriptions under the Yādavas. For instance:
(i) Anjaneri Inscription: Nasik Distt.: S. 1063: Grant of two shops to the temple of Candraprabha by Seunacandra of the Yādava race. 378
(ii) Bijapur Inscri.: S. 1119: Commanders of Jaitrapāla made a grant to a sage Candrābharaṇa.379
(iii) Bijapur Inscri.: S. 1179: grant of land by Karasideva to a Jaina temple, now turned into a mosque.380
(iv) Belur Inscri.: Mysore State : $. 1193 : Kūci Rāja built a Jina temple, gave grants of land, shops and arecanut gardens to it: His guru, Padmasena Bhattāraka of Pagab-gaccha of the Senagaņa of Mūla Sangha.381
(v) Belgāmi Inscri.: Mysore State : $. 1216 (or 1218): Grant of lands to Jaina temples and to basadis.382
The Silāhāras of Kolhapur also seem to have patronised the Digambara Jainas as would be clear from the following epigraphs :
(i) Honnūr Inscrip. Kolhāpur: No date : Grant of land and of a house by Ballāļa and Gandarāditya for the provision of food to the ascetics : Basaại built by Bammagāvunda of the Punnāga-VỊkshamūlagana of the Mūlasangha.383
377. We have, however, instances of patronage to Jainism: Thus, Recarasa, minister of Kalacurya Ahavamalladeva, gave grants to Jina temple: E.C., VII, Shik. 197: GUERINOT, op. cit., 408; K. P. JAINA remarks, "Most of the kings of this dynasty patronised Jainism"-JA., xi, ii, p. 28.
378. L.A., XII, p. 126. 379. INKK, p. 146, No. 17. 380. ASI., AR, 1930-34, p. 224. 381. E.C., XI, p. 45 (Dg. 13). 382. ASI., AR., 1924, p. 124.
383. I.A., XII, p. 102. BULL, DCRI.--16