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194 / The Rāstrakūtas and Jainism
(Vātāpi), spun the power of the Calukyas, which augmented with fantastic rapidity to form a notable kingdom and eventually an empire" [Dhaky, M. A. (ed): 1986 : 3).
7.2.4. Jainism found its second homeland in Karnātaka. Several main Jaina settlements possessing a mass of invaluable works of art testify the above fact. Besides, these are numerous inscriptions to establish it. Jainism had struck deep roots in Karņāțaka creating many strong holds at every nook and corner of the land. Ample relics, found scattered in different parts of the state, afford a convincing proof of its past history.
7.2.5. 'Jainism was the state-creed in the time of the Gangas, of some of the Kadambas rulers, of the Rāştrakūtas and Kaļacuryas, and of the Hoysaļas, as also of the rulers of the minor states of Punnāta, the Sāntaras, the early Cangālvas, the Kongālvas and Alupas, as testified by their inscriptions' [Ghosh, ed : vol. III. : 1975 : 454]. In the long reign of the Rāștrakūtas Jaina samgha, was vox populi, the voice of the people.
7.3. Jaina samgha is a four - pillard structure; monk, nun, male and female lay votaries - being the four - pillars. Without using religion for generating division or conflict, Jainism has achieved consummate concurrance and has lit the lamp of peace, unison and truth. During the Rāstrakūta eon, Jainism had a firmer hold contending with the dying embers of Buddhism, which had already been relegated comparatively to a subordinate position during the Ganga and Bādāmi Cālukya regime.
7.3.1. The nature and contribution of the Jaina monasteries in Karņãtaka, functioning for over a millenium, has remained largely unexamined. Such an investigation would require a book in itself, and lies mainly beyond the purview of this monograph. Therefore, only a certain sociohistorical and socio-religious issues which are too significant
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