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144 / The Rāştrakūtas and Jainism
The whole of Mahabharat has its true origin here, in the unbinding of your hair [Narasimha murthi, K. - in 'The image of Woman in Indian literature' ed. Yasoda Bhat; 1993 : 68].
5.6.1.4.2. In the entire history of Kannada literature, whether it is ancient or modern, much better known and of greater literary merit is Pampa's Vikramārjuna-Vijayam olim Pampa-Bhāratam, a mahākāvya, epic in fourteen cantos. It recounts in epic style the story of Mahā-Bhārata of Vyāsa, at the same time eulogizes the Călukya king and patron of the poet. The genealogical account of the Calukyas of Vēmulavāda, recorded by Pampa is found helpful in chronicling the history and achievements of that house.
5.6.1.4.3. The classic conflict between the god Śiva in the form of a Kirāta, a chief of hunter class, and Arjuna, the valient man, hero of the epic, being witnessed by the goddess Pārvati herself present, and finnaly ending in the latter's attainment of the invaluable weapon the Pāśupatāstra, is described in such a way that the reader gets an impression of the poet engrossed.
5.6.1.5. Adipurāņam is another work of Pampa, which he could compose within three months, where as he took six months to complete the other Kāvya. The fact that he could author two major compositions within the stipulated span of nine months, speaks of his accomplishment as a gifted writer. When Pampa achieved the feat of completing two mahā-kāvyas in the year C. E. 941, he was in his early age of 39 years old. He further confirms that he was born in a Dundubhi-samvastara, the fifty-sixth year in the cycle of sixty, analogous to C. E.902, and that his voice was so distinct and dignified as the sound of dundubhi, a large kettle drum.
5.6.1.6. Dēvandramuni, a famous Jaina ācārya of the period, was the preceptor of Pampa. Indra-III (914-29), the Rāștrakūța emperor, was also a laic votary of the adept Dēvēndramuni. Pampa and his younger brother
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