Jain Journal 1994 07

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

Page 30

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JAIN JOURNAL VOL XXIX, NO. 1, JULY 1994
by Ranna in the Ajitapurana, and by Ponna in the Santipurana. Ponna and Ranna, the classical Jaina poets of the 10th century A.D., enjoyed the munificence of Mallapa and his brother Ponnamaiah, and of Attimobbe respectively. 18 Accordingly, Nagaiah was a notable among the Jaina community in the whole region of Kemmenadu, a province which then covered the present borders of Andhra and Karnataka states. He was born at Punganuru, an important centre of Kemmenadu; from the description of the poets, it appears that Punganuru was a renowned centre which was rich in natural splendour, and was the most opulent in the whole of Kemmenadu. Incidentally, the poet Ponna has also revealed that Nagaiah was incharge of the defence of Kemmenadu. However, he fails to reveal the exact position of Nagaiah.
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Two sons of Nagaiah, Mallapa and his younger brother Pampaiah, appear to have built up their bright military career entering directly into the service of Taila II. The poet Ponna extols the unusual military prowess of Mallapa and his brother Pampaiah. He states that they were the embodiments of high spiritual and moral values of life. It is also interesting to note that Mallapa, specially, is compared with the puranic and epic personalities like Karna, Dadhichi, Sibi, Vrisena, Dharmaraya, Bhabruvahana and others 20 for his valour, truthfulness, politeness and loyalty. Pampaiah, who was also a general under Taila II, died a heroic death in a battle on the bank of the river Kaveri. 21 In this battle, Taila II resisted the forces of Govindarasa, a brother of Ganga Marasimha, a claimant of his brother's throne. In this succession battle to the Ganga throne, many parties were involved; Taila II, who was strengthening his position, appears to have opposed the Gangas. Ponnamaiah, the brother of Mallapa, an officer under Taila II, ment Govindarasa in the battle and bravely defended the Chalukyan forces crying 'Long Live King Tailapa', and lost his life after a brave fight.22
When Taila II proclaimed his independence, the honorific title,
18. Ajitapurana Tilakam, Ch. I, Sts. 1 to 38; Santipurana, Ch. I, Sts: 37-39. 19. Santipurana, Ch. I, Sts: 43-44
20. Ibid., Sts: 47-49. Pandit Nagarajaiah, Ed. Ajitapurana, Tilakam, Ch.I, St: 8. 21. B. K. Gopal, op. cit., pp 49-50 22. Ibid.