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BENEDICTION
Sravanabelgoļa is not only a religious centre of the Jainas but also a nucleus of social and cultural tradition of India.
The statue of Bahubali was installed in this place in 981 A. D. by Cāmundarāya, the minister of Rācamalla II of the Ganga dynasty. Sravanabelgola has a much longer history. It was in the 3rd century B. C. that Bhadrabāhu Svāmi came to the South with his disciples along with Candragupta Maurya and sanctified this place. They settled down here, and there is evidence to show that Candragupta Maurya took Sallekhana (fasting unto death) as the culmination of the spiritual path to perfection
Sravanabe!goļa has contributed immensely to the culture of Karnataka in Tespect of literature and architecture too. Cāmungarāya gave patronage to great poets like Ranna. He has himself contributed to Kannada literature through his books like Cavundarāya-purā ņa. He was a pious house-holder (srävaka) and a devotee of Nemicandra Siddhānta Cakravarti and Ajitasenācārya.
It is fitting that eminent scholars of Jaina Studies and Indology are contributing learned papers to the Gommatesvara Commemoration Volume to be published on the occasion of the Mahāmastakābbişeka of Bhagavān Bahubali to be held in February 1981, a thousandth year celebration of the installation of the statue of Gommateśvara.
We hope that Sri Gommateśvara will inspire us towards the path of social and spiritual progress for the good of mankind. We also hope that the Commemoration Volume will immensely contribute to the understanding of the nobler values of life.
We appreciate the efforts of Dr. T. G. Kalghatgi and Dr. B. K. Khadabadi rin bringing out this valuable work on the occasion of the Mahāmastakabhigeka of Bhagavān Bahubali.
Jai Gommafesa !
Sri Bhatjāraka Charukeerty Swamiji
Digambara Jaina Matha,
Sravanabelgola
1-1-1981
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