Antiquity or Jainism and tirthankara mahavir

Author(s): Bhagchandra Jain
Publisher: Z_Jayantsensuri_Abhinandan_Granth_012046.pdf

Page 9

Cāmundarāya shot the arrow in the Southern direction Later on the Colas invaded and occupied Gangavādi and the upper portion of the Bahubali statue became and Talakādā. This was the starting point of the fall of visible. The statue was then discovered. Then it was the Ganga dynesty. Kaliganga, the younger brother of methodised by artists. Eventually the Mastakabhiseka Rakkasaganga expelled the Colas from Mysore province was performed with the kind assistance of Gullakāyaji. and established the kingdom of Hyesala Naresa Cāmundaraya named the town as Belagola and donated Vişnuvardhana (116 A.D.). 96 thousand Varahas for its administration and welfare.
Vişnuvardhana and eitht Generals, i.e. Gangarāja. This event is found described in the Bhujavalicarita Bappa, Punisa, Baladeva, Mariyana, Eca and Visnu. of Pancabāna and also in the SramanabelagolāGangarāja, the minister of Vişnuvardhan was the inscription No. 84 (250). With slight variation it is also prominent one. His mother Pecikave had constructed a available in the Bhujabalisataka, Gommateswaracarita, number of Jaina temples in Sravanabelagolā. Gangarāja Rājāvalikatha and Sthalapurana. However Cāmundarāya constructed a Nisadyā in her memory in is recognised unanimously as the one who installed the Sravanabelagolā. Two more inscriptions are available Gommatesvara statue. This is also recorded in the which show as to how Gangarāja was brave and honest Sravanabelagolā inscriptions No. 75 (179-180), 76 (175, to his master. He defeated the Colas and Cālukyas and 176, 177), 85 (234) and 105 (254). No. 75 and 76 are saved Gangavādi. Vişnuvardhan was pleased, and on engraved on the left and right of the statue. They can his demand, he donated Govindavādi and Parama be, therefore, considered the earliest ones.
villages for the conduct of worship of Gommatesvara. Boppana Pandita composed a hymn in praise of
Gangarāja presented these villages to his mother Bahubali entitled Sujanottamsa which is engraved on
Pocaladevi and wife Lakşmidevi for conducting the
worship in the Jaina temples constructed by them. He the left side of the Gommatesvara door. Camundarāya
had also constructed some more Jaina temples and is also said to be a main source of installing the statue.
made contribution to the development of The Gommatesavara statue became very popular. Sravanabelagola. His sons Boppa and others also did a A number of events are connected with it. It is a traditional
lot towards its development. beleif that there was a shower of Namerupuspa on the statue. No bird flies upon it. All the while, fragrance and
Gangarāja Marasimha and his General lustre from the below portions of the hands of the statue
Cāmundaraya assisted the Rastrakūta kings Akālvarsa
III, Khottiga, Indra IV etc., in saving their kingdoms from were coming out 26 people come from all walks of life to
the Colas, Pāndyas, Gurjaras, Cālukyas, Kirātas etc. pay homage to Lord Bahubali's statue with the hope that they would be free from diseases and get the way
Though the Rastrakutas and the Calukyas did not do! to prosperity in the material field and also would get
much towards the development of Sravanabelagola spiritual satisfaction.27
directly. They protected the holy place and the
monuments indirectly. The inscriptions found around This excellent and enormous statue installed by
Sravanabelagola area reveal the facts in this connection. Cāmundarāya is the best and most important ancient in comparison to other dysasties the Ganga dynasty monument in the field of Indian iconography in particular.
contributed much to protecting and developing the The Camundaraya Purāna (978 A.D.) does not mention
Sravanabelagola complex. about the statue but Nemicandra Siddhānta Cakravarti, the teacher of Camundaraya, refers to it in the
The Bahubali statue of Sravanabelagola made him Gommattasära (993 A.D.). This means that the statue
very much popular in all the spheres and walks of life. was installed between 978-993 A. D. Govinda Pai, Dr.
Its description was not therefore out of context. As Nemicandra Shastri, Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain and others
already pointed out, in all the three conflicts (Dristiyuddha, have come to the conclusion that the Bahubali statue
Jalayuddha and mallayuddha) Bāhubali overcome Bharat was installed on Sunday, the 5th of Caitrasukla in 981
in all the Yuddhas and then renounced the world forthwith A.D.
and became the monk. Bharat repenting for the
unfortunate event apologised but could not succeed to Camundaraya had also built on the Candragiri the bring him back. Bāhubali performed severe penance so Jaina temple called Cāmundaraya Vasadi in about 985 much that ant-hills sprang up about him. Eventually he A. D. which was extended by his sons Ecana and
attained omniscience. Jinadevan. Rakkasaganga (985 A.D.), the son of Govinda has been mentioned as Rakkasamani (Gangavajra) in
Bharat was very considerate and sober-minded the inscription of Bahubalivasadi (Sravanabelagolā). The
Cakravarti. He ruled over kingdom with religious Jaina Acarya Vijayadeva Nagavarma was his teacher 28 performance and then became muni and attained the
SHRIMAD JAYANTSENSURI ABHINANDAN GRANTH/ENGLISH SECTION
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पीडित वैभव हीन का, करो सदा उपकार ।
Th e 57, at 1999 Irary.org