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 75

14/ The Rāstrakūtas and Jainism
1.7. Prabhūtavarsa Govinda-II (774-80), elder son of Krsna-I, made several incursion on the northern India. Govinda, an able fighter, actively participated in the triumphant battles against the Gangas in the south and Vēngi Calukyas in the east. Unfortunately, soon he had exhausted all his flaire for a political career. Realising elan vital, the essence of life, he had the magnanimity of gracefully transferring the much coveted throne to Dhruva, his younger brother. Historians have differed on the interpretation of the exact reasons for the political shift..
1.7.1. Though, how exactly Govinda-II ended his life is unknown, a possiblity of his accepting sallekhanā needs consideration, based on the circumstantial evidences. His association with Vengi, a major seat of Jainsim, his close contact with the Gangas, staunch followers of Jainism, weighs in this assumption. Dhruva, his ambitious brother planned to seize the throne for himself had caused agony, puts an extra stich to the supposition. Easy going monarch Govinda, disgusted with the political evils, must have preferred to willing submission to the inevitable.
1.7.2. Dhruva (780-93) carved a niche in the hall of Rāstrakūta's fame, by his remarkable achievements of land mark in the span of over a decade. Success smiled on Dhruva Nirupama ('nonpareil') who had undefatigable steel arms in the form of his two sons, Govinda-III and Indra-II. Dhruva ('eternal') undertook the conquest of North, defeated Vatsarāja, Gūrjara Pratihara monarch, and Dharmapāla of Pāla-Vamsa (Bengal). Jinasena-I, an epic poet of the age, authored Harivamsapurāṇa, of which the first recension was completed in C. E. 783-84.
1.7.3. The spirit of adventure and political ambition animated Jagattunga ('Prominent in the world') Govindara-III (783-814), unbeaten potentate. Till then, the southern sovereigns, however strong and valiant, had mainly