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S. B. DEO Hinduism was the national religion of the Telugu country throughout the Cālukya period."426
Another dynasty that helped the cause of Jainism more vigorously was that of the Hoysaļas. According to epigraphical evidence the very creation of this dynasty was the work of a Jaina monk. According to SALETORE, "it was an example of a religion in the pre-Vijayānagara days which demonstrated the importance of the fact of even religious leaders aiding materially the creation of proper political environment necessary for the resuscitation of the life of the country".427
The traditional account of the rise of this dynasty is connected with the help of a Jaina sage.428 It was in the fitness of things, therefore, that the Hoysaļas should have given a wholehearted support to Jainism. This is corroborated by several epigraphs of this dynasty. For instance, Vinayāditya was under the influence of the Sudatta Vardhamāna. Another sage Säntideva was the guru of Vinayāditya II due to whose blessings the king could expand the glory of his kingdom,429 and after whose death the king erected a memorial in his honour.430 The king was also under the influence of Abhayacandra to whom he granted land.431 The religious zeal of the king, therefore, resulted in the erection of several temples and basadis for the Jainas,
The successor of Vinayāditya was Ereyanga who was also a disciple of Gopanandin, who was a great debator and logician. To him the king granted a village.432 It is said in one of the epigraphs that Gopanandin "caused the Jaina religion which had for a long time been at a standstill, to attain the prosperity and fame of the time of the Ganga kings".433 It may mean that even though Jainism was in existence in pre-Gopanandin period, it lacked energy, vigour and the appearance of a living religion. This consciousness of assertion might have been poured into Jainism by Gopanandin who was a great scholar.
During the short rule of Ballāl I also, Jaina monks were respected. It is said that this king was cured of his illness by Cārukīrtimuni.434
426. Ibid., pp. 288-89. 427. Op. cit., p. 60.
428. RICE, Mys. and Cg., p. 95; E.C., VIII, Sb., 28; IV, Ng. 38, 39. For a detailed discussion of this episode see SALETORE, op. cit., pp. 62ff.
429. EC., II, 67. 430. Ibid., VI, Mg. 17. 431. MAR, 1927, pp. 43-44. 432. EC., V, Cn. 148. 433. Ibid., II, 69. 434. Ibid., 258.
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