Jainism in South India and Some Jaina Epigraphs

SR No.: 011025
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: P B Desai
Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 495
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 33 MB

Page 46

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JAINISM IN SOUTH INDIA
faith. His reign extended from A. D. 945 to 970. Three copper-plate records of his reign that speak of the munificent benefactions made by him for the benefit of Jaina temples and priests have come to light. According to the contents of the Maliyapunḍi charter' issued by this king, a Jaina temple was erected in the south of the village Dharmapuri by Kaṭakarāja Durgarāja. Durgaraja was an important official of the state and the designation Kaṭakarāja connotes that he was 'a superintendent of the royal camp'. The temple was named Kaṭakabharaṇa Jinālaya evidently after this official. At the requst of Durgaraja the king made a gift of the village Maliyapundi for the benefit of the temple. The Jinalaya was in charge of the teacher Śri-Mandiradēva who was a disciple of Divakara and grand-disciple of Jinanandi and belonged to the Yapaniya saṁgha, Kōți-Maḍuva or Maḍuva gana and Nandi gachchha. The village Dharmapuri has been identified with modern Dharmavuramu in the Nellore District.
Another charter known as the Kaluchumbarru grant records the donation of the village Kaluchumbarru for the purpose of providing for the repairs to the charitable dining hall of a Jaina temple called Sarvalōkāśraya Jinabhavana. The temple was under the management of Arhanandi who belonged to the Valahāri gana and Aḍḍakali gachchha. The gift was made with the approval of the king by a lady named Chamekāmbā who belonged to the Pattavardhika lineage, was a devout follower of the Jaina creed and a pupil of Arhanandi. The grant village Kluchumbarru was situated in the district of Attilinandu. Attili which was evidently the headquarters of of the district still exists in its old name and is situated in the West Godavari District. It is interesting to note that the temple appears to have derived its name after one of the predecessors of Amma II, either Chalukya Bhima II or Amma I, who bore the title Sarvalokasraya and during whose regime the temple possibly came into existence.
The Masulipatam plates of the same king present a deeply coloured picture of the Jaina faith. The epigraph introduces us to a distinguished family of feudatory chiefs who were devout followers of the Jaina Law and to an eminent line of Jaina teachers who commanded respect in the society. Naravahana I, a scion of the Trinayana Kula and Grevya gōtra, was an officer under the Eastern Chalukya kings. His son Melaparaja and the latter's wife Menḍamba were zealous adherents of the Jaina creed. To then were born Bhima and Naravahana II, who ardently followed the path
1 Ep. Ind., Vol. IX, pp. 47 .
2 Ibid. Vol. VII, pp. 177 ff.
3 D. C. Ganguly: The Eastern Chalukyas, pp. 71 and 79.
4 Ep. Ind., Vol. XXIV, pp. 268 ff.