Jain Journal 1997 07

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

Page 10

KUMARI KARNATAKA-TAMIL NADU JAINA RELATIONS
It is of significance to note here that Kanakasena Bhaṭṭāraka, of the Dravida Samgha of Arunkalanvaya, was the preceptor of the Ganga King, Rachamalla IV (974-985 A.D.) and that this ācārya was held in high esteem also in the Western Chalukyan Court of Jayasimha II (1015-1042 A.D.)17
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Unfortunately, while Jainism was moving ahead in Karnataka, under the liberal patronage of the Ganga rulers, it was facing severe ordeal in the neighbouring Tamil territory.
From the available sources it is evident that the Jaina faith was. quite popular in the Tamil territory upto the middle of 7th century A.D. This was, no doubt, due to the exertions of Jaina ascetics and the royal patronage that was extended to them. It is also well-known that, under the monarchical set up, the development of any one particular religion to its utmost strength and popularity depends, to a large extent, on the royal patronage.
The religious controversy, it appears, was raging supreme in Tamil Nadu in the 7th century A.D. The prolific Saiva saints, namely, Saint Appar and Saint Tirujnana Sambandar evolved wide and varied means to instil the superiority of the Saiva faith deeply in the minds of the people. At the first instance, they effected the conversion of the Jaina rulers to their faith. The service rendered by these saints with a sense of supreme devotion and dedication to the cause of Saivism is, no doubt, a very significant factor in the religious history of Tamil Nadu. Their main achievement, in this respect, was the conversion of two powerful Jaina rulers of their time, namely, Mahendravarman the Pallava, and Kun Pandya. This event naturally marked the commencement of the period during which Saivism flourished. The decline of Jainism became inevitable when the destructive and violent methods were adopted against their shrines and ācāryas who were impaled at the instance of the rulers and the people, 18*
The religious persecution of the Jains in Tamil Nadu and its.
King Mahendravarman is believed to have been an avowed Jaina. His love for Jaina dharma flowed copiously, as it were, in his blood. But soon after his conversion, the King became an anti-Jaina. He is alleged to have destroyed many Jaina temples and built a Saiva temple, namely Gunadara Viccuram using the same materials. Gunadara is a synonymous with Gunadharma which is known to have been a surname of Mahendravarman-I. However, scholars have also noticed in the Tiruchirapalli inscription, an indirect reference to this ruler's conversion to the Saivite creed. (Madras District Gazetteers, South Arcot, p. 32).