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INTRODUCTION.
Châmundarâja discovered it and "made the workmen cnt it into a regular shape, with the utmost accuracy of proportion in all its parts; the several proportions of the body resembling the original likeness of Gomat Isvara Svâmî in profound contemplation to obtain Mokşa. He also caused several buildings to be conztructed as temples and other edifices round the Col?). On their completion, he established the worship of the image... with great ceremony and devotion. In an extract taken from Sthala-paru.. tre find the following passage which agrees with the above story: "Chamundarâja ...... set out with his family ... with a view of
visiting the God Gomniatosvara ... at lavlanapura Sthala-purana.
in and the 1,254 other gods scattered throughout the
surrounding country. En route le came to Sravana Belgola Kşetra, having heard a good deal about the Ciod Gommatesvara ... He repaired the rninel temples and, among other ceremonies, had that of Srik'in the god performed. Te appointed Siddhântâchârya as Guru of the Math to conduct the daily, monthly, annual and other processions. He established in the Math a Chattram, where food, medicine and education were provided for pilgrims. He appointed men of his caste to receive with clue respect the devotees and pilgrims of all three castes who should resort to the place from Delhi, Kanakâdri, Svitpura, Sudhapura, l'ipipuri, Champapuri, Sammida-giri, Ujjayanta-giri, Jayanagara, etc. For this purpose, certain villages ... were made over to the temple. lle fixed Silk-Sasanas in the four directions ... This endowment was maintained by his descendants for 109 years."
Now let us attempt to find out how far these statements to the effect that Châmunda Råya tas merely the discoverer of the image of Gommatesvara at Sravana Belgola are true. The work, Bhujabali Charitra or Vâhuvali Charitra, is composed in Sanskrit verses, and in it we find only a collection of traditions handed down from mouth to mouth, with variations arising from such a course. The date of the work cannot be definitely ascertained, but, from its style, it can be inferred that it was composed long after the establishment of the image of Goinmatesvara. Raja valikathe
Historical and Legendary account of Belliagola (Asiatic Researches, Vol. IX, page 263).
† "Sthalapuraņa" Extract taken by Capt. J. S. F. Mackenzie (Indian Antiquary, Vol. II, page-130).
