________________
Lord Gommagesvara of Sravanabelgola
39
The Rāya was not only an invincible warrior, an efficient commander, an astute politician and a great man of action but was also a dutiful son, a good husband and father, a gentleman of noble bearing, pious and of charitable disposition and of exemplary character. Moreover, he was a highly educated and accomplished person, a patron of art and learning, a great builder and a great author. His Cāmundarāya-Purāņa, completed in 978 A. D., is a popular gem of Kannada literature. He is also believed to have written a Kannada commentary, the Viramartandi so called after one of his many honorofic titles 'Vira-märtanda' (son of valour), on the Gonimajasära, almost simultaneously with the latter's compilation by his guru Nemicandra Siddhānta-Cakravartin. He received instruction in the Siddhānta from his guru, and it was in order to satisfy the querries of his royal pupil that the guru avowedly compiled at his instance and for his benefit the famous Gommafasāra. Another work of this nobleman is the caritrasāra, written in Sanskrit. He patronised many poets and writers, more famous among whom is Ranna, the poet and author of the Ajitanatha Purā ņa. Camundarāya erected the superb Bahubali colossus on the Vindhyagiri in order to fulfil the pious wish of his beloved mother Kāļalādevi, and in front of the image the TyāgadaBrahmadeva-Stambha where he distributed daily charities generously. He also built the beautiful temple, which came to be known as the Camundarāyabasadi, on the Candragiri, also called Gommațagiri, and enshrined in it the one cubit high image, made of blue saphire (indra-nila-maņi), of Lord Neminātha, his favourite deity, and the Kūge-Brahmadeva-stambha there. The building and restoration of many other temples and religious monuments, as well as numerous acts of piety, are attributed to this great man. His wife, Ajitadevi, was a pious and accomplished lady, and their son, Jinadevan, was a religious minded nobleman who is also said to have built a fine temple. The Rāya's sister, Pulavve, was also a pious lady. **
The Gurus: Ācārya Ajitasena, the disciple of Āryasena of the Senagaña, was the family guru of Cāmundarāya, who alongwith his mother, wife and son owned him as their religious preceptor. He was likewise the guru of the Rāya's masters, the Ganga Kings, especially of Marsimha II who died in 974 A. D. by the rite of Sallekhanā in the presence of this guru. It was this Ācārya who inspired and guided Cāmundarāya in the building of the Bahubali colossus, and presided at its consecration ceremony, most probably assisted by Nemicandra SiddhāntaCakravartin. The latter was not only a teacher of the Rāya in the Siddhānta but also his friend, philosopher and guide in his religious and literary activities. After the consecration of the image, he seems to have been appointed as the chief priest, pontiff and caretaker of this holy place, for which the Rāya bestowed upon him a handsome grant of land and money. Nemicandra was an erudite scholar and commanded great influence and respect. He appears to have resided at Sravaņabelgoļa for a considerable time, where he taught, preached and wrote his famous works, the Trilokasāra (973 A. D.), Gommagasāra-- Jivakāņda and Karmakānda,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
