Jaina Gazette 1927

SR No.: 034889
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J L Jaini, Ajitprasad
Publisher: Jaina Gazettee Office
Publication Year: 1927
Total Pages: 568
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 47 MB

Page 464

THE IMAGE OF SRI GOMMATESVARA.
95
stating the same fact. The period of the last three incriptions is evidently that of Chamunda-Raya who was the minister of the Ganga King Rajamalla II, 974-984 A. D. From various evidences scholars have come to the conclusion that the image was consecrated in 980. Gommata was one of the names of Chamunda-Raya and hence the Image is known as Gommatesvara meaning "the Lord of Gommata."
Sri Gommateswara is none else than Sri Bahubali, the son Bhagwan Sri Rishaba deva, whose story we publish elsewhere in this issue. Sri Bahubali defeated his brother Bharata but soon renounced his kingdom and became an ascetic. Sri Bharata made a golden statue of Sri Bahubali 525 marus in height, at Paudanapura. Chamunda-Raya, having heard a description of the Image at Paudanapura set out with a firm desire of seeing it. In the course of the journey he stopped at Sravana Belgola. One night the goddess Padmavati appeared to him in a dream and said “ Around the god at Paudanapura to a considerable distance Kukkutasarpas (Cockatrices) keep guard and will not allow any one to approach. It is not therefore possible for you to see him. Pleased with your devotion, he will, however, manifest himself to you on the summit of the larger hill. Purify yourself and discharge a golden shot from your bow írom the smaller hill and the god will instantly become visible." Accordingly as soon as the golden shot struck the boulder, the head of Gommata revealed itself. Soon the full image was made visible with the help of a diamond chisel and a jewel hammer. Then followed the abhishekam and the granting of a large number of villages of the revenue value of 96,000 varahas.
Since then the Image of Sri Gommatesvara has been a proud and priceless object to the Jains, very scrupulously cared for and devoutely worshipped. Many kings and emperors have been zealous worshippers of Sri Gommata and have granted lands etc., from time to time for daily puja and the general upkeep.
Even granting that the image was only erected in 980 A.D., many, many were the changes which Sri Gommata has witnessed since then. How many Kingdoms have come into and gone out
of existence in South India ? How many dynasties of rulers rose and Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat