History of Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

Page 82

Kundaņasāmi Feeds / 39
sioned a huge mānastambha of elegance, artistic perfection, partronised art, architecture and literature, supported the clergy and the laity and bequeathed a rich legacy of religious fervour [Nagarajaih, Hampa : 1997-A
: 131-33). Kundaņasāmi Feeds 6.6.6 Kundana Sāmidevi alias Kundaņarasi, daughter of
Būtuga, elder sister of Mārasimha, pioneered the cause of supporting Jainism of unparalleled magnitude (AREP. 1969-70. Nos 4 and 5. 698-69. Kuknūr (Raichur dt/ Yelburga tk)]. She caused a Māņikyajina bronze icon in C.E. 970 [EC. IX (R) SI. 31(V Mj 67) 10th cent. Bāllu (Hn dt/Sl. tk) p. 519]. This bronze image, one of the earliest, was discovered in the estate of Crawford Saheb and is preserved in the Jaina matha of Sravanbelagola [Nagarajaiah, Hampa : 1997-B : 637-44]. Two of the recently discovered inscriptions from Koppaļa confirm that she breathed her last at Koppaļa by Sanyāsana rite ritual death by fasting (Koppala Šāsanagalu: 1998-A : No. 6 and No. 27 : pp. 36-37 and 78-80]. It is said and rightly so, that with the death of people like Kundanasāmidevi, kind words of charitable disposition like 'dāna-dharma' (bounteousness and righteousness) vanished from the world [Nagarajaiah, Hampa : 1998-A : No. 27 C.E. 1007: p. 78). Out of the 230 lines of Kukkanūr charter, 40 lines are devoted to Kundaņasāmi's eulogy, highlighting her physical charm, wholesome beauty, her accomplishments in learninng and the fine arts, her patronage to the erudite and the deserving, her deep devotion to Jainadharma and her knowledge of Jaina doctrine [IWG:No. 159:C.E. 96869 : pp 494-513]. She was the first poetess of Karnataka [Ec. V (old), Manjarābad. No 67. C. 971.]