Gyandhara

Author(s): Gunvant Barvalia
Publisher: Saurashtra Kesari Pranguru Jain Philosophical and Literary Research Centre

Page 297

dwellers of Mudbidri were Jains. This is the purpose of writing my paper to highlight the Glorious Jain Tradition in Karnataka that dominated the political & cultural life between 5th & 12th Century. South Indian history of Jainism is the subject for research and that is why my paper cannot claim value that can be given to the barest out line of the subject. And no opinion on this subject can therefore be stated with an air or finality.
The Antiquity The six teachers after the Kevlies were Sruta Kevlies naming Vishnu, Nandimittra, Aparajita, Govardhana, Sthulbhadra and Bhadrabahu. The last sruta Kevli is very important, as he was responsible for the spread of Jainnism in South.
From the time of the Mauryan rulles Jainism was important factor as it had support from the royals of Karnataka. The Brihatkosh, a work by Harisen says that Bhadrabahu, the last Sruta Kevli had king Chandragupt as his disciple. In Bhadrabahu charitra by Ratnandndi in 1450 similar accout is given. Devratna repeats it again in Rajavali Katha. The modern history identifies this Chandragupt, with the Chandragupta Maurya, the Patron of Chankya-auther of Kautilya Shashtra of Arthshashtra, Chandragupta's guru.
Bhadrabahu the last Sruta Kevli, was born in a Brahmman family. From the inspection of the child's horoscope, the learned father named the child 'Bhadrabahu's as he was to play important role in upholding Jainism. The child in the due course was brought in jain faith in the house of Aksharashravka, where he acquired the knowledge of the Veda, four Anuyog of grammar and the fourteen sciences.
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જૈનસાહિત્ય જ્ઞાનસત્ર-૨)