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Sanskrit Literature / 105
4.9.7. Some scholars are of the opinion that Sõmadevasūri was originally a saint from Bengal, since it is mentioned in an inscription that he belongs to the Gauda samgha. But this suggestion lacks substantive evidence either from epigraphy or from literature.
4.9.7.1. Three eminent literary luminaries, Ponna (C. E. 960), poet-laureate of Krsna, Puspadanta, a mahākavi of Apabhramśa literature, and Vādigangaļa Bhatta, courtier, statesman-scholar and a grammarian of the Gangavādi principality, were contemporaneous to Sõmadēva. Vādirāja and Vādībhasimha, illustrious Jaina ascetics and authors, were disciples of Sõmadēva; the former has authored Yasõdhara-carita in Sanskrit and the latter ksatra-cūdāmaņi also in Sanskrit, both the works bearing the stamp of their revered guru.
4.9.8. Baddega (Vaddega/Vādyega/Bhadradeva) a scion of the Calukyas of Vēmulavāda and son of Arikēsari-II, was sămanta (governor).of sapada-laksa-kşiti country, i.e., Vēmulavāda. At the instance of his teacher Sōmadēvasūri of the Gauda-samgha, Baddega, calukya-kula-bhāskara, founded a Jaina shrine called Subhadhāma-Jinālaya exclusively for Sõmadevasūri at Lembuļa pāțaka, his metropolis. For the maintenance of the sanctuary, Sõmadēvasūri, poet of surpassing excellence, was endowed with Vanikațupulu village in Kuttumvștti which belonged to Rēpāka-12 of Sabbisahasra division by Arikesari-III. Sömadēva continued to live during the reign of ArikēsariIII, son of Baddega, who granted the author a village of the name of Vanikațupula for the up keep and repairs of Subhadhāma-Jinālaya built by his father, in C. E.966. There are no traces of this Jinālaya at present at Vēmulavāda, excepte the broken pillars and statues of the old temple which are now kept in the Rājarājēśvara temple. On the pedestal of a Jaina image, kept in this temple, an inscription of king Baddega is engraved [ARIE 1945 - 52, p.4).
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