Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 161

136 AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA that "(Khāravela) brought back the image of Kalinga-Jina which had been carried away by Nandarāja.” Here Nandarāja has been charged with having taken away the image of a Jaina Tirthařkara to Magadha, from where the same was brought back by Khāravela. This shows that the image was well-preserved by Nandarāja and subsequent rulers of Magadha, so that it was there till the time of Khāravela. This would suggest that Nandarāja was a believer in the Faith of the Jina. Literary traditions also confirm that the Nandas were followers of the Jaina religion. Therefore, Nandarāja of the Inscription must be identified with a ruler of the Nanda-house, which was uprooted by Chandragupta Maurya in B. C. 322 or nearabout.
The above discussions prove that the Nandas had conquered and brought all the adjoining territories under their sway. It would be in the fitness of circumstances to believe that a great conqueror, Mahāpadma Nanda, to whom the Purāṇas ascribe the subversion of all the Kshatriya kingdoms, put an end to the local rule in Kalinga also. Prevalence of Jainism in Kalinga
The reference to Nandarāja as having taken away the image of Jina from Kalinga is very interesting from the point of view of ancient religion and culture in that country. It was a Jaina stronghold, atleast, from the time of Lord Mahāvīra. The Jaina Harivainsa Purāņa informs us that Lord Mahāvīra had preached his Faith in Kalinga. Haribhadriya-Vțitti on Āvaśyaka confirms Mahāvīra's visit to the country of Kalinga and adds that the king of that country was a friend (or relation) of his father.
(From pre. page) takes it to mean a halting place for & caravan or procession. Kunda. grāma, for inetanco, wag a sannivesa in the Videb country (SBE., Vol. XXI, the Jaina Sutras, Pt. I, Introduction).