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Jainism came under the clouds of profound troubles and disgrace. Actually this was a great and deep blow / scar on Jainism in southern India. This attack inflicted severe losses on Jainism which could not be compensated even by the sincere efforts of last thirteen centuries.
Jainism in great difficulties in Southern India
From 2nd to 7th century AD, Jainism was the most influential religion in southern India. From the writings in 'Jain samh ra Caritam' and 'Periya Pur a', it is evident that till the time of great aiva saints Appar and J nasambandhara etc, who initiated the Saiva revolution in south; Jainism was the most popular and most influential religion of the south. At that time in 7" century AD, aiva monks started preaching aiva religion in Pāņdya dynasty capital Madurai and Pallava dynasty capital K mc .
aiva monks estimated that they cannot succeed and prosper until they uproot completely the influence of Jainism. Considering Jainism as a roadblock in the success of their ambitious, they decided to first attack Jainism. But the Jain congregations of Madurai and K mc were very powerful at that time and had royal patronage as well. So it was an extremely difficult proposition to cause any harm to them. To make these congregations weak, the aiva monks decided to first bring the rulers of these two dynasties into their fold.
Ruler of Madur Sundara Pāņdya was a Jain but his wife (daughter of Col ruler) and his prime minister were both followers of aiva religion. Famous aiva monk J nasambandhar established contacts with the queen and the prime minister of Sundara Pāņdya first. During consultations with the aiva saint, the queen said, 'Her husband has become a hunch back; he is always worried and pained to be a hunch back. If you can, through some miraculous powers treat his hunch back and make it straight, then your purpose can be achieved'.
J nasambandhara said, 'with the blessings of Lord amkara, he is confident that he can treat the king'. The queen then said, 'O teacher, then consider your objective achieved”.
After some introspection, the queen said, 'I have a good-looking plan in my mind. I will immediately request the king that Jain monks are
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| SR No. | 007596 |
| Book Title | Jain Legend Vol 3 |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana |
| Publisher | Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana |
| Publication Year | 2011 |
| Total Pages | 237 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 2 MB |