________________
124
S. B. DEO
as one "in whose heart the Supreme Jina footprints are fixed”. 393 The assertion by RICE that Pūjyapāda, the famous Jaina scholar, was the guru of Durvinita, the successor of Avinīta, however, has been exploded by SALETORE,394
Sivamära I (670-713 A.D.) also liberally helped the spread of Jainism and granted lands to Jina temples.395 Other kings of this dynasty like Sripuruşa Muttarasa Prthvikonguņi 11,396 Śivamāra 11,397 Ereyappa,398 Prince Duggamāra, Mārasimha,399 and Răcamalla, 400—all these were devout patrons of Jainism, who, coming under the sway of Jaina tenets, built magnificent basadis, temples and establishments for the Jainas.
Not only the kings but even their feudatories and ministers fostered the cause of Jainism, and out of these, the figure of Cāvundarāya minister of the Ganga Räcamalla (IV), and the builder of the colossal image of Gommateśvara at Śravana Belgo!a, stands out prominently.401
It may not, however, be supposed that these kings were exclusively Jainas, for they gave grants to other sects like Brāhmanism also. Hence SALETORE remarks, “.... The Ganga kings....notwithstanding their liberal attitude and patronage of the Hindus, still continued to foster the cause of Jainism to which alone their House had owed its origin as a political factor in the land”.402
Another dynasty that liberally patronised Jainism was that of the Kadambas (c. 3rd cent. A.D.). The following are some of the Jaina records of this dynasty :
(1) Ruler: Kākusthavarmā: middle of the 5th cent. A.D.: 403 Records grant of land to a certain Srutakīrti for the purpose of worship to Jinendra.404
393. E.C., VII, sh. 6, of c. 1060 A.D. 394. Op. cit., pp. 19-23. 395. MAR, 1925, p. 92. 396. E.C., IV, Ng. 85, p. 135. 397. Ibid., II, 415, p. 180. 398. MAR, 1932, pp. 240-41.
399. For his erecting of basadis and manastambhas, and his fast unto death: E.C., II, 59, pp. 12-14.
400. His guru was Vajrapāņi Pandita of Draviļānvaya of the Mūlasangha: E.C. VÌ, Mg. 18, p. 61.
401. E.C. II, 175, 176, 179: For the support by princes, queens and feudatories of the Gangas, see: E.C., II, 150; IV, Ng. 32; VI, Chik. 160; VII, Sh. 6, 10; Shik. 120; VIII, Sb. 140; IX, Nel. 60, etc. etc.
402. Op. cit., p. 30. 403. MORAES advocates it: See Kadamba Kula, pp. 71-72. 404. I.A., Vol. vi, p. 24.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
