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38/The Raṣṭrakūṭas and Jainism
and what followed after that was only an anticlimax. Virtually the language and literature of Prakrit did not witness an author of the stature of Puspadanta again. In other words the language and literatre of Prakrit and its variants receeded to a state of oblivion. Kṛṣṇa-III took special interest in rejuvenating the religious activities of the Jaina sangha.
2.6.8. The grandeur and glory of the empire reached its acme in this eon and what followed after Kṛṣṇa's epoch was only dark days descending in quick succession. Kṛṣṇa had given Tailapa-II, carte blanche, unlimited authority by making him maha-samanta, the governor of Tardavāḍi, which finally turned out to be faux pas, a false step. Under Kṛṣṇa's weak successors, particularly during C. E. 966-73, deterioration, anarchy and confusion were rampant in the political, economic and social spheres.
2.7. Khoṭṭiga alias Khōṭika (967-71), half brother of Kṛṣṇa-III, succeeded to the throne as regent for Indra-IV. But, those were very bad days and veritably the dynasty was rushing to its decline. Khoṭṭiga, a dissolute and incompetent ruler, lacked statesmanship. Rāṣṭrakūṭa administration slackened and deteriorated, and only fomented trouble for the very existence of the empire.
2.7.1. Neither did Karkka-II alias Kakkala (971-73), his nephew, fared any better. He tried to over power the outside enemies like the Gurjaras, the Hūņas, the Pallavas and the Pandyas. But he could not check the invasions of formidable adversary. He had neither the willing followers nor the strong supporter. The Paramaras and other foe, seething with discontent and hatred against the Rāṣṭrakūṭa authority, rebelled and rushed with turbulent force. Incessant warfare continued and the kingdom suffered severely from several plundering expeditions from outside.
2.7.2. Paramāra Siyaka Harṣa of Mālavā, waiting on the lurk to wreak and square his old humiliating defeat got
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