History of Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

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34/Ganga Monarchy & Jainism
Jayaduttaranga Būtuga-II (938-61). This basadi caused by Kallabā contained pictures and paintings, which suggests the earliest reference to wall paintings in a Jaina temple [1WG: No. 139: C.E. 962 : pp. 433-48]. The earliest Jaina paintings executed on the ceiling of the mandapa in the Sittanvasal temple, is assigned to mid 9th century [SII. XIV. No. 45; ARE 1904: No. 368, Ekambaranathan:
1987:326]. Patronage of Royal Ladies 6.5.1. In the history of the seraglio of the Gangas, women were
better and more faithful custodians of Jaina traditions and culture. They followed the historic model set by the daughters of Cetaka, and the wives of Seniya (Sreñika) Bimbasāra, and the chief queen of emperor Khāravela, (2nd B.C.E.) who were all known for their devotion to Jainism. The effects of their zeal for their faith paved the avenue for the maintenance of the creed for a long time
to come. 6.5.1.1 It is the women of the seraglio of the Ganga kings who
excelled in profusely following the highest altruistic principles, and incidentally the most powerful weapon of the Nirgrantha creed, as expressed in their well known fourfold gifts of charitable disposition (ahāra abhaya bhaisajya sastra dāna), food, shelter, medicine and education. As the adage goes that the charity begins at home, these acts of kindness to living beings took off from the palace of the Gangas. The consorts of the Būtuga-II (93861), Padamāvati, Revakanimmadi and Kallabbā were devout Jains. Padmāvati alias Padmabbarasi had built a basadi at Naregal and made provisions for the upkeep of the temple (SII. XI-i. 38 C.E. 950; pp. 23-24]. She, after contemplating the setting free of the individual from the samsāra, cycle of transmigration, relinquished the sovereignty and performed sallekhanā at Koppaļa [Nagarajaiah, Hampa : 1998-A: No. 40 : C.E. 972 : pp. 108-09].