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 103

42/The Räṣṭrakūtas and Jainism
2.8.1. Indra's post-mortem epigraph refers to him with the cognomen of Rajamartanda, 'a very sun of a king', Raṭṭakandarpa, 'the Raṭṭa cupid', and Kirti-Nārāyaṇa, 'the famous Nārāyaṇa'. It may be noted that Indra-III, son of Kṛṣṇa-II had these epithets. It is not known as to who administered the vow of sallekhanā, who authored the epitaph and who erected the post-obitum slab. "Evidently the celebrated example set by the Emperor Candragupta Maurya was not forgotten by the Karṇāṭaka monarchs even in the tenth century A. D." [Saletore 40]. Thus, the rājyaśrī, 'goddess of the kingdom' of the Raṣṭrakūtas disappeared from the face of earth.
2.8.3. Political panorama had changed in quick succession as Tailapa-II (973-998) had opened up new vistas to his ambition, but Jainism does not seem to have suffered by the change. It had taken firm roots throughout the empire, grown powerful succeeded in winning over the royal aegis of the immediate successor. Thus, Jaina sangha continued to retain its support and the chief strongholds of Jainism were undisturbed.
2.9. Considering the extent of extensive imperial auspices, popular support and the rich harvest of Jaina literature in the Raṣṭrakūṭa age, A. S. Altekar's observation appears to be free from exaggeration : 'about one-third of the population of the present Andhra-Karṇātaka professed Jainism during the heydays of the Raṣṭrakūtas. It is to be noted that Jaina leaders ceased to be merely exponents of dogmas and turned themselves into leaders of people and guides of princes" [Altekar: 313].
2.9.1. "It is, indeed, interesting to note that successful generals of the Rāṣṭrakūṭas were Jainas by persuation. Their regard for the gospel of Mahavira does not seem to have very much affected their participation in the wars. It is not therefore unlikely that during the Rāṣṭrakūṭa period the