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was intrinsically enormously rich in profound philosophy of the fundamental universal truths and sublime values that are even today appreciated the world over. By varna, they were brāhmanas and by study, training and practice, srotriyas commanding socially high respect and position. Neither, therefore the dearth of values in, nor the poor understanding of their tradition, nor the lack of the prescribed practices and regular study, nor their social rank that made them gradually to look upon the values and principles of the Jaina religion as great.
Considering all these facts, we have to look for their regard and appreciation of the so called atheistic, heterodox religion that is said to be highly critical of the Vedic religion, in the precious basic values of the Jaina religion as such. Again looking into the records, it is apparent that in Halshi, there were Jaina munis and acharyas of the Nirgranthas, the Kürchakas, the Svetapatahas and the Yapaniyas, leading absolutely clean, noble and exemplary spiritual life, exerting profound impact on the society threat. Halshi was the second capital of the Kadamba kings, that was frequently visited by almost every one of them. They made liberal grants to the Jinālayas got built by some important persons there. And Kadamba Mrigesa Varma himself, caused to be built an Arhadāyatana, there. Thus they could have close access to the Jaina yatis there and probably listen to and discuss with them the religious and philosophical discourses especially on the fundamentals such as the Syādavāda., the principle of ahimsā and logical emphasis on the principle of exclusive self- endeavour in the pursuit of the final liberation of the self from the ephemeral worldly ties, etc. Now, as kings entrusted with the responsibilities of protection of the kingdom and maintenance of law and order in the traditional society as well as a frame of mind characterised by tolerance, magnanimity and appreciation of the best in all, and being themselves profound scholars with rich heritage, could with an open mind, understand the non-sectarian Jaina religious values and tenets as great and come out with sincere appreciation, on their own. unbiased and without being influenced and at the same time unswering from the path of their tradition. In turn, all these would strikingly display the intrinsic greatness of Jainism that was in course of time, realised by people of distinct merit and status.
There was therefore a warm and friendly relationship between the Srotriya brāhamanas and the Jaina communities much in opposition to what is generally said in History as stated above in the Kadamba kingdom ; but perhaps elsewhere occasionally intellectually warring with each other in their philosophical disputations. If this interesting facet of our culture in History and rare model provided by the early Kadambas, could be known and practised to day in our society much
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Arhat vacana, July 2000
