Jain Journal 1994 07

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

Page 34

30
JAIN JOURNAL VOL XXIX, NO. 1, JULY 1994
and thereby pleased his master, and further more, he defeated the Ruler of Gujarat.
37
Nagadeva is also credited with having defeated Panchaladeva, a subordinate of the Rastrakuta, and an officer under Marasimha, the Ganga ruler. After the death or Marasimha he secured the throne but ruled only for a short period, i.e., from 975 to 976 A. D.38 Nagadeva, a general of the Chalukyan army is stated to have scattered the cavalry and elephant forces of Panchala in the battle field. However, Panchaladeva was killed by Taila II.
The Tigulas were, possibly, identical to the Cholas and it is apparent that the Chalukyas during their invasion of the Vengi territory, collided with the Cholas; Nagadeva appears to have led the Chalukyan force. This is corroborated in the Ajitapurana, in which the author says that, at the command of the King, this son of Dhallapa chased Mallama from Karahata, and thus pleased his master. Karahata has been identified as a place in Maharastra.
Thus, the above illustrations elucidate that Pampaiah, Ponnamaiah and Mallapa, Dhallapa and Nagadeva were the eminent Jaina generals who not only contributed to the rise of Taila II (973-997 A. D.) to power, but also stood by his side all through their lives, helping their master to establish his authority over the whole of the Rastrakuta kingdom which then was known as the Rattapadi seven and a half lakh country.
39
But, with regard to the material accomplishments of Paduvala Taila, son of Nagadeva by Attimobbe, we know very little. He appears to have inherited the valiant qualities of his father and grandfathers. In the Lakkundi inscription, he is extolled as a son of the goddess Lakshmi, i.e., 'Lakshmiputra', Nanni Narayana (Truthfulness) and 'Samyaktva Ratnakara'. He was governing over Belvaladasa in Masavadi province. It should be noted that Belvala, together with Puligare, had attained great reputation consisting, as it did, of 600 towns and villages, in which there lived many eminent Jaina personalities.41
40
37. Ibid., Sts: 11-16.
38. Dr. Sheik Ali,History of the Western Gangas, pp. 150-152. 39. R. R. Diwakar (Ed.): Karnataka Through the Ages, p. 270. 40. SII, Vol, XI, No. 52, Sts: 30-36.
41. E. 1. Vol. XV, p. 339. (Gawarawad Inscription).