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 137

132
S. B. DEO
nations, ablutions and other Jaina ceremonies of this Vijaya-Pārsvanātha". The judgment needs no comment whatever, as it clearly subordinates the status of the Jainas!
Before undertaking the study of Jainism under the Muslims, it would be better for us to see the salient features in the development of Jainism in general in India, and the nature of royal patronage offered to it from time to time. Religious Toleration :
Right from Asoka, we find that several kings in India of varied dynasties were patrons of different faiths besides their personal one. Asoka himself, inspite of his strong Buddhist inclinations, ordered in his edicts that all sects were to be given due respect, and he deemed it unfit for anybody to say that his own sect was the proper one.
Coming to Khāravela we find that even though he was a Jaina, he performed Brāhmanical sacrifices at the time of ascending the throne, and later on, in his inscription, he clearly states that all sects were to be looked after equally.
Mathurā monuments and inscriptions show that side by side with the Jaina monuments, Buddhist religion also flourished, and they seldom came in violent conflicts with each other.
The Guptas who were definitely Brāhmanical, did not come in the way of the followers of Jainism. Not only that they did not forbid others to give grants to Jainism.
Similar instances regarding the Candellas, Călukyas, Haihayas, Paramāras, Rāştrakūtas and others have been cited to show that in the North, royal patronage was never fanatic to the extent of suppression and abolition of other sects.
In the Deccan as well as in Karnāțak and Mysore, the same story is repeated. For instance, the Kadambas though Brāhmanical in faith, gave magnificent grants for Jaina purposes.455 Amoghavarsha of the Rāştrakūtas, though a Jaina, was also a devotee of Mahālakshmi.956 The Belur inscription457 of Jayasimha (1022 A.D.) tells us that Akkādevi practised the rituals
455. Kadamba Krşhnavarman performing Aśvamedha gave grants to Jaina temples: 1.A., vii, 34.
456. E.I., XVIII, p. 248. 457. I.A., XVIII, 274.