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CHAPTER - 7
JAINA SANGHA
7.1. Clear and proven historical associations of the Deccan with Jainism explicity manifest from the last centuries of B.C., as is evident from the inscriptions of Tamilnādu. In Karņāțaka, leaving aside the historical legend, the earliest Jaina epigraph comes from Sõsale (Mysore Dt) dated Circa 5th cent. C. E. Anisidhi of that place speaks of Jaina-tirtha being a prominent creed.
7.1.1. It is believed that the Mauryas inherited Karnāta from the Nandas, great patrons of śramaņa cult, who were in possession of Nāgarakhanda. The Sātavāhanas, successors of the Mauryas to rule Kuntaladēsa, extended liberal support of Jainism. Ārya Kālakācārya changed the date of pajjõşaņa olim paryuşaņa-parva (samvatsari), from the fifth to the fouth day so as to suit the convenience of Sālivahana, the king of Sātavāhanas, who ruled from Paitthāņa.
7.2. Long before the Rāstrakūtas succeeded to rule Karņāțaka, Jainism had come to be recognised as an integral part of Karņāțaka. One of the inscriptions from Kuppatūr has recorded the following graphic picture of Karņāțaka :
By its roaring waves and dashing spray proclaiming that it has mountains and pearls was the ocean surrounding Jambūdvipa in the middle of which was mount Mēru, south of which was the land of dharma, morality and righteousness,
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