History of Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

Page 97

54/Ganga Monarchy & Jainism
the domains of the Ganga dynasty. Gangas produced some of the eminient protagonists who vehemently advocated Jainism. They had had a strong tradition of spiritual lineage which started from their first apostle-mentor Simhanandi. As many as 66 charters of the Ganga kings confirm their pious acts for the promotion of the Jaina
faith. 12.2 Though the Cālukyas of Bādāmi and the Kadambas of
Banavāsi, the two coeval dynasties, faithfully followed and patronised Nirgrantha Church, the Gangas had a longer historical continuum. They carried the flag of nonviolence throughout the period of the Rāştrakūta regime, who cordially reciprocated to herald the glory of Jainism unabated. The Gangas and the Rāstrakūtas together shouldered the yoke of Jaina chariot and pushed it to the apogee of popularity, and that was undoubtedly the best period of its glory. They bequeathed a rich legacy for the later Cālukyas who recharged the battery of Jinadharma, and accelerated to greater heights. The three centuries, between ninth and 11th, were the golden era of staunch advocates of Jainism, in all walks of life including political, religious, literary and socio-cultural sphere. Inscriptions of this period provide a lot of information, a far richer source, for the understanding of the religious outlook and the system of faith that the Gangas were attached to. Some of the temple ceiling slabs are embellished to the perfection, and the panels of perforated screens fixed to the wall are elegantly executed. The reign of the Gangas is a memorable milestone in the history of the Arhatamata. With a single-minded devotion to Jainism, they liberally extended their benefactions. They made liberal grants of lands and hamlets to Jaina sancturies and cloisters of monks, for the support of customary rites, festivals in the shrines and for the education of students. Jaina monasteries invariably had satras