History of Early Ganga Monarchy and Jainism

Author(s): Nagarajaiah Hampa
Publisher: Ankita Pustak

Page 99

56 / Ganga Monarchy & Jainism
tributary families like the sāmantas of Cikka-Māgadi, Bārangi, Hāduvalli, Tevarateppa and Elavāla; and some marshall families like Cellaketana, Sagara-Manalera and Vājikulas, Honnāvara and Nagire rulers - all had the stamp of the Gangas, as far as patronising Jainism is concerned. Thus, direct and indirect influence of the Gangas
lingered long for several centuries. 12.4 It was through the fostering care of the Jainas that the
South India seems to have been inspired with new ideals and literature, enriched with new forms and expressions [Frazer : Literary History of India : pp. 310-11]. The Ganga contribution in this aspect is far greater than of any other dynasty. Śripuraşa authored Gajaśāstra; his successor Sivamāra, after a deep study of the Sanskrit Pālakāpyam of Pālakāpya or Kareņubhu, also authored Gajāștakam. Thus, Jaina literary activities on secular and religious subjects have flourished. Some of the Jaina literary works produced during this period explode the myth that Jaina literature is only didactic, by providing rare and invaluable information of socio-historical imporatnace, and thus facilitating the reconstruction of the cultural history of the Gangas. They were no doubt religious, but at the same time were service oriented. "Several of the Ganga kings like Nitimarga, Būtuga and Mārasimha were not only well known for their learning and scholarship in Jaina philosophy, but were also remarkable for their great acts of piety:Bastis, monasteries, bridges, mānastambhas, renovation of tanks, gifts of villages for religious and humanitarian purposes
followed" [Krishna Rao; 205]. 12.5 The popularity of Jainism reached its zenith in south
India and the population of Jainas swelled to the brim during the period of the Gangas and the Rāstrakūtas. It is said that one third of the total population during the reign of the Rāstrakūtas was Jains (Altekar, A.S: