Jain Journal 1998 01

SR No.: 520129
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1998
Total Pages: 42
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 7

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXII, No. 3 January 1998
states that the place was reputed all over the world as the birth place of the renowned teacher, Padmanandin Bhattaraka, who conquered the quarters with his doctrine of Anekanta. Another record2 from the same place hails it as Kundakundeya tirtha. It is thus possible to surmise that the original name of Konakondla is Kunda-kunda and the proper name of Kundakundacharya is Padmanandin.
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At present, most of the Jaina antiquities of Konakondla are situated in the hillock called "Rasasiddhula Gutta". In Telugu Rasasiddhula gutta means the hill of the alchemists.
On the summit of the hill is a shrine without roof. In this shrine are placed two images of Tirthankaras in Kāyotsarga postures, with triple umbrellas and attended by the sasanadevatas. They may be assigned to the period of the 13th century A.D.
Kundakundacharya whose real name was Padmanandin seems to have flourished in the first century A.D. Very likely, this place might have developed as a stronghold of Jainism ever since the period to this age. According to the available epigraphical evidences,3 this place acquired much fame through the eminent preceptor Padmanandin and his well-organised religious activities. It had already acquired the standing reputation of a tirtha by 11th century A.D. Quite likely, it might have possessed the same reputation for a few centuries earlier. Since it is regarded as the birth place of Kundakundacharya, and also as an important Jaina religious centre, it is frequently referred to in the Sravana Belagola inscriptions. This is the first and earliest Jaina establishment headed by a famous guru Padmanandin in the Rayalaseema area. It is indeed a pity that not a single follower of the Jaina faith is residing here at present.
2. Rayadurg
Rayadurg, the headquarters of the taluka of the same name, is situated at a distance of nearly 95 Kms from the town of Anantapur. Rayadurg literally means "King's hillfortress". Still we can see the hillfort and ruins of elephant stables, houses, temples etc., on the hill. Down the slope of the hill are four caves with small stone-doors with carvings of the Siddhas. The panels in the caves suggest that they are Nishidhis. It appears to have been a resort of the Jainas, and specifically of the adherents of the Yapaniya sect, at a later period. This is vouched for by the epigraph engraved on the wall there. After referring to the
2. SII, IX. Pt. I, No. 288.
3. P.B. Desai, Jainism in South India, p. 156.