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 70

The Räṣṭrakutas Monarchs - A/9
host of Jaina authors, scholars, preceptors had their base at the capitol city of Malkhed. Räṣṭrakūtas shifted their imperial seat to Manyakhēṭa, (which was already a nerve centre of Nirgranta movement), on the suggession of Jaina pontiffs.
1.5.1. Bhatta - Akalankadeva (C. 730-50) had earned greater fame for himself and for the city. One of the biggest Jaina-maṭhas was at Malkhed. These men of letters produced monumental works in the theological field too. Satkhanda-agama in Prakrit was the axis of rotation that augmented major commentaries. Under the patronage of Govinda-III and Amoghavarṣa-I, exhaustive and authoritative commentaries were initiated. Most distinguished dual of guru-siṣya, the teacher and pupil, Virasēna and Jinasena jointly shouldered the completion of gigantic commentaries popularly known as Dhavala and Jaya-Dhavala, together running to a stupendous volume of one lakh and ninety six thousand slōkas, a great feat of the Rāṣṭrakūta empire.
1.5.2. Mānyakhēṭa and Śvetāmbara sect
Manyakheṭa, capitol of the Raṣṭrakūtas, had become a major settlement of Jaina assembly. According to Haribhadrasūri, when Padalipatācārya, Svētāmbara Jaina pontiff, entered the southern region, Śvētāmbara lay votaries were found in and around Manyakhēṭa [MAR. 1923. pp. 10-11]. The early Kadambas of Banaväsi had endowed for the sustenance of the Svētapaṭas (śvētāmbaras). It is clearely recorded, in the fifth cen. C. E. copper plates, that Mrgēśavarma, the Kadamba king had donated gifts to Śvetapaṭa-Mahā-śramaṇa-sangha' [IA. VII. p. 37].
1.5.3. These allotment go to establish the entity of Śvētāmbara cloister of monks and their followers in a sizable number. Praśnōttara-Ratnamālikā of Nṛpatunga, who had