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Dravya Samgraha Bhuja-vikrama; from his killing his younger brother, Nâga-varmma, on account of his hatred, the title of Chhaladanka Ganga; from his killing the Ganga warrior (bhata) Mudu Rachayya, the titles of Samara-parasurama and Pratipakșa-råkşasa; from his destroying the fort of the warrior (bhata) Vîra, the title of Bhata-mâri; from upholding the brave qualities of himself and others, the title of Gunavam Kava; from his virtue, liberality etc., the title of Samyaktva-ratnâkara; from his not coveting the wealth or wives of others, the title of Sauchåbharaṇa; from his never telling an untruth even in jest, the title of Satya-yudhisthira; from his being the head of the bravest, the title of Subhata-chůdámani. Finally, in his composition, he calls himself Kavijana-sekhara, the head of the poets.
Of most of these allusions we have no other information, but it is remarkable that among so many distinghished actions no mention is single work of religious merit. . . . On the contrary, there is little more than a record of warfare and bloodshed from beginning to end."*
But there are authentic records to show that with the advance of his age, Châmunda Raja devoted himself mostly to religion, under his spiritual teacher Ajitasena, and became immortal as one of the greatest promoters of Jaina religion, by erecting the colossal images of Gomateśvara and Neminátha in Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri at Sravana Belgola (Mysore) and devoting the greater part of his wealth to the maintenance of worship of these images.
After the death of Marasimha II of the Ganga dynasty, Panchaladeva, fully known as Dharma-mahârâjâdhiraja Satyavâkya Konguņivarma Panchaladeva, ascended the throne. He was succeeded by king Rachamalla or Rajamalla II, fully known as Dharma-mahârâjâdhiraja Satyavâkya Konguņivarma Parmanadi Râchamalla. Châmunda Raja was also the minister of Rachamalla or Rajamalla II. In one inscription we read “Raya (i e., Châmunda Râya), the excellent minister of the king Râchamalla" and in another “Châmunda Raya, second in glory to king Râchamalla." In a Jaina work, named Vahuvali-Charitra, we find that there was a king named Rajamalla, the worshipper at the feet of the sage Simhanandi. Châmunda Bhupa (or Râja) was his minister. In a manuscript we read “Châmunda Râya, having the titles of Ranaranga-malla, Asahya-parákrama, Guna-ratna-bhubana, Samyaktva-ratna-nilaya etc., the Mahâmâtya (highest minister) of Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty, graced by the great sage Simhanandi"
Before we proceed to describe the images and buildings established by Châmunda Raya, it will be better to give a brief description of the places which bear these monuments of piety and which have now become some of the holiest places of pilgrimage resorted to by the Jainas.
Sravana Belgola or Belgola of the Sramaņas (Jainas) is a village in the
• Lewis Rice-'Inscriptions at Sravana Belgola.' Introduction, page 34.
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