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Samantbhadra is mentioned before Simhanandi in the Belgol inscription called 'Mallishena Prasasti' (No. 5467). In your opinion, this prior mention is a very natural inference that Samantbhadra lived before or shortly after Simhanandi. This Simhanandi Muni was particularly instrumental or helpful in the establishment of the Ganga kingdom (Gangawadi), was the guru of the first Ganga king Kongunivarma, and therefore, from the Kongudesharajakkal (Tamil Kanikal) etc., the time of Kongunivarma is found to be the end of the second century AD (A.D. 188), which is also the time of Simhanandi's existence. Since Samantbhadra is mentioned before Simhanandi, he lived before Simhanandi, and therefore his time of existence is estimated to be the first or second century AD. This is the summary of Mr. Rice's inference. *
1 Mr. Rice later found an inscription of Kongunivarma, which is dated Shaka Samvat 25 (A.D. 103) and which he published in 1894 as No. 110 in the inscriptions of the Nanjangud Taluk (Mysore) (E.C. III). From this, the clear time of Kongunivarma is found to be the beginning or early part of the second century AD, and therefore, the time you assumed to be the end of the second century AD on other grounds while publishing the aforementioned book of inscriptions of Shravanabelagola in 1889 should not be considered correct. _ * Some of Mr. Rice's words in this regard are as follows:
Supposing him (Samantbhadra) to have preceded at a greater or less distance the guru (Simhanandi) next mentioned, and that is the most natural inference, he| SR No. | 010669 |
| Book Title | Ratnakarandaka Shravakachara |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Jugalkishor Mukhtar |
| Publisher | Manikchand Digambar Jain Granthamala Samiti |
| Publication Year | 1982 |
| Total Pages | 456 |
| Language | Hindi, Sanskrit |
| Classification | Book_Devnagari |
| File Size | 7 MB |