Jain Journal 1994 07

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

Page 31

KUMARI : DANACHINTAMANI ATTIMOBBE -- AN APPRAISAL
27
Dandanayaka, i.e., the Commander of the Chalukyan forces was bestowed on Mallapa.
Mallapa appears to have led the Chalukyan army in many more wars, leading to the expansion of their influence as far as the River Narmada, in the South-West and Godavari in the South-East.
Mallapa fought against Kumara Lodhara Samara. It is believed that these kumaras were the Ankakaras or Lenkas, who were a reserve of body-guards, kept by the Nolambas; the Kumaras formed a main force of the Nolambas. P.B. Desai, on the other hand, interprets the term 'Kumara Lodhara Samara' as "Sanguinary battle" on the part of Taila 11.23 (Lodhara - bloody fight). Ranna eulogises Mallapa for having increased the wealth of Ahavamalla Samrajya.24 From this, it may also be presumed that Mallapaiah like many Jaina martial men of Karnataka, also enriched the country by transoceanal contacts. It should be noted that, the richness of such families obviously depended on economic activities within the country and abroad.
Above all, Mallapa was an ardent Jaina in spirit and action, imbued with the high ideals of integrity and loyalty, righteousness and sympathy. He was exemplary in all fields of activity. He was well-versed in Jaina doctrines, patronised scholars like Ponna and others. He was submissive to munisamghas.25 In short, he is described in the Lakkundi inscription as Jina Pada Pankaja Bhrama ra', i.e., 'bee at the lotus feet of Jina'. 26 Being a political genius, Mallapa was also well-versed in the art of warfare and the equestrian sciences, i.e., Aswasastra-parinita and astrology, etc. Ranna adorns him with many titles like Viprakuladeepa', 'Abhimanatunga', 'Ahitagajaghatasimha', 'Parahitacharya', 'Chalukyabharana'.27 His great preceptor was Jinasenacharya. Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah asserts that Jinasenacharya belonged to the Yapaniya sect.28 It should be noted that the influence of Yapaniya acharyas prevailed more predominantly in northern Karnataka than in the southern part. In the 10th
23. Ibid. 24. Santipurana, Intro. 25. Ibid. 26. SII. Vol. XI, No. 52, Sts: 26-27. 27. Pandit Nagarajaiah, op. cit., Sts: 9-10. 28. Hampa Nagarajaiah, Lakkundi Sasana -Kelavu Olanotagalu. Sadhana, Vol. 22.
Oct. 1993, Bangalore University.