History of Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

Page 92

Ganga Diaspora / 49
9.3 Mārasimha, who led the Ganga dynasty to greater heights
of glory, also set an example in dying by the rite of sallekhanā. With the death of Mārasimha, Gangas almost vanquished into a state of political limbo[EC. II (R) 65(59). 10th cent. p. 23). Preceptor Ajitasena ācārya administered the oath of sallekhana vow at Bankāpura to Mārsimha, who performed penance and gained emancipation for his body in 974 (ibid). Other dignitaries followed him : Padmāvatī, Revakanimmadi (consorts of Būtuga-II), Kundanasāmidevi and Biïjāmbika (daughters of Būtuga-II), Cangāmbā (wife of Rājāditya, son of the sister of Būtuga-II), Kañcabbarasi (wife of Rājamalla-IV, C. 974-84), Gonambe (wife of Ajavarma and daughter of Ereganga) - died at Koppaļa by sallekhanā rite. [Nagarajaiah, Hampa: 1998-A]. Arumoļideva (grandson of Būtuga), and his only son Lokavidyādhara alias Rājāditya, also died in the similar way of fasting
unto death [Nagarajaiah, Hampa : 1997-A). Ganga Diaspora 10.1 A number of inscriptions, including the recently discov
ered hoard of epigraphs (Koppaļa Sāsanagaļu: 1998-A), provide a prolegomena to the diaspora of the Gangas. A study of the diaspora of the Gangas also confirms that wherever they went or settled, they have invariably caused Jaina temples in such places. It is interesting to note that, by marking the basadis, the path traversed by Gangas from Kuvaļālapura to Talavanapura, from fourth and fifth century to the end of the 11th century, can be traced. In other words, the study of Jaina vestiges including basadis, various endowments made for the daily abhiseka, anointing ceremony and offerings to the deity and gift of land, for providing food to the friars, the list of donors and donees and the preceptors looking after the monasteries, will facilitate the reconstruction of the Ganga administration in Karnataka. The Gangas had