Jain Journal 1972 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 57

APRIL, 1972
195
The Calukyas :
All the three insciptions of Mularaja reveal nothing peculiar regarding Jainism. He was a devotee of Siva. Some of his late successors ike Bhimadeva and Jayasimha seem to have been Saivaits. Regarding the former, it may be said that inspite of his Saivite leanings, he never came in the way of Jaina followers as is clear from the fact that he allowed his minister Vimala to build the excellent Vamalavasahi at Abu. Regarding the latter, Jayasimha, it may be noted that even though he is said to have built the temple of Rudra Mahakala at Siddhapura and also the magnificent lake Sahasralinga at Patan, he was a great friend of the famous Jaina scholar Hemacandra. According to the latter, the king is said to have worshipped Neminatha on his way back to Anhilvada from Somanatha, and also erected a temple of Mahavira at Siddhapura.
Kumarapala, the successor of Jayasimha elevated the position of Jainism still higher, and in his reign it became the state religion.
The services rendered by Kumarapala to Jainism were of a distinctive nature. Besides offering liberal royal patronage to Jaina temples and teachers, he proclaimed amarīghoșaņā throughout his kingdom and prohibited the killing of living beings on certain days. Besides these, there is epigraphical evidence to show that his feudatories also prohibited animal slaughter. It is "principally due to this order passed 800 years ago, Gujarat is still mainly vegetarian.”
With the exit of Kumarapala a reaction was set upon the royal patronage to Jainism, for his successor, Ajayapala, was a devout Saiva and an enemy of Jainism. He is said to have destroyed Jaina temples. But inspite of this onslaught, Jainism seems to have flourish Jaina ministers and rich merchants. Amongst these, the names of Vastupala and Tejapala stand out in bold relief. Both these ministers of the Vaghelas, a branch of the Solankis, built magnificent temples at Abu, Girnar and Satrunjaya, and several epigraphs stand testimony to their Jaina allegiance. Besides this, popular support to Jainism is evidenced by Jaina temples at Talaja, Amarana (Nawanagar State) and at Camby the construction of which took place in this period.
· Prevalence of Jainism in Rajputana can be attested by the epigraphs of the Cahamanas, Cudasamas, Guhils, Rawals, Rathods and the rulers of the Surya Dynasty. It may, however, be noted that even though these kings did not seem to have come in the way of the lay