History of Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

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10 / Ganga Monarchy & Jainism
branded as a Brahmin or a pro-Brāhmin. It is the ambition of every king to prosper in all fields and directions, and thus they fell in line with the traditional and age old custom. Khāravela, the famous king of Kalinga, a staunch devout Jaina, also had performed a Rājasūya yāga in the sixth year of his reign. Further, Khāravela gave gifts to Brāhmaṇas [2nd cent. B.C.E.]. Thus, the kings who did not give up the traditional grove of ksatriya way of life, were not antagonistic to the ceremonies of Yaga. The rulers primarily, as the dictum of Khāravela's charter proclaims, were sava-pasaņda pūjako, the worshipper (respector) of all sects, and sava-devāyatana samskārakāraka the repairer of all temples. As such, the anekāntamata seldom came in violent conflicts with other contemporary faiths, on its own accord. Though, it is strange that Khāravela does not figure in later Jaina texts, he continued to inspire generations of rulers, and the Gangas in particular. The Gangas, though Jainas, gave more and more charities to Brāhmaṇas. Brāhmaṇas are proverbially known for their pratigraha, reciving gifts, and Jains are known for dāna, giving charity. They loved to persue the vows prescribed for house holders (upāsakas), set a rare example of religious toleration toward all religious denominations by following
the foot prints of the illustrious emperor Kharavela. Ganga Temple Building Activity 4.1 Jainism has contributed much to the mainstream of Pan
Indian culture, very much so in the field of art, architecture and literature. Everything great in Karnataka has gone into the construction of temples, a symbol of righteousness. Jainism, first localised at SB, Punnādu, Koppala and Kuvalālapura in natural caves and caverns suitable for friars, but spread far and wide from 3rd cent. A.D. and carved out for itself very many significant seats in Karnalaka in the pre-medieval milieu, paving