History of Rastrakutas of Malkhed and Jainism

SR No.: 006719
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 374
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 12 MB

Page 102

The Rāştrakūtas Monarchs - B/41
Hulgur charter of C. E. 972 [EI. XXXIV. No. 12. 972. pp. 59-62] validates that Mārasimha, as feudatory of Khottiga, was still ruling Gangavādi-96,000, Kisukādu-70, Purigere and Belvala ‘Three-Hundred each'and proves his Jaina faith.
2.8. Indra-IV, grand son of Krsna-III and son of Kannaradēva and Gangamahādēvi the daughter of GangaGangĒya, on the counsel of his preceptor Ajitasēnācārya, stayed at the outskirts of Sravanabelagola called Indranapālya after his name, between C. E. 974 and 982. No sooner did he reach Sravanabelagola from Bankāpura, Indra erected a huge column cum Mānastambha in 974-75 for the merit of Mārasimha, his mentor. Indra searched the dim vista of his childhood, and slowly realised that the kingdom and the throne was beyond his reach. Totally devoid of zest in life, he had lost all the radiance of life. Having subdued the senses, Indra impulsively opted for slow starvation olim samādhi-marana as elan vital for all the times, and for the summum bonum of the eternal soul.
2.8.1. "The influence of Jainism on the Rāstrakūtas is testified by the fact that, the last prince Indra, a grand son of Krishna-III, after failing to reign his kingdom with the help of his uncle, the Ganga king Marasimha-III, turned ascetic, and like Mārasimha.... gave up his life by the sallekhanā vow" (Majumdar, A. K. : Concise History of Ancient India, Vol. III : 1983 : 290]. Indrarāja crowned his life with the highest sacrifice a Jaina may hope to offer to his faith, viz., Jaina rite of withholding food, on the crest of Candragiri, the smaller hillock at Sravanabelagola, on saka 904 citrabhānu Bahula Astami tuesday, corresponding to C. E. 802.".. he died like a true Jain... we are told that as a believer in the doctrine of Mahāvira, he never uttered a falsehood" (Chatterji, A. K. : 210). The same expression that Indra Rāja acquired the power of the king of gods (Indra) is found in the epigraph from Sira in Tumkur Dt.