Jain Journal 1997 07

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

Page 16

KUMARI : KARNATAKA-TAMIL NADU JAINA RELATIONS
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service of Pratāparudradeva of Warrangal is believed to have supported the foundation of the Vijayanagar kingdom in 1336.32
Iraguppa Dandanāyaka belonging to the family line of Baica Dandanayaka, mentioned above, was an influential statesman and generalissimo under Harihara (1377-1404 A.D.) and Bakka Raya II (1405-1406 A.D.). This minister, endowed with great ability and diverse interests is believed to have been put in charge of the state's services in the Chingelpet region of Tamil Nadu by Harihara II. His name appears in an inscription dated 1352, at Tirupparuttikunrum, Tirupparuttikunrum is known popularly to the Jains by the name Jinakāñcipura. Iruguppa Dandanayaka, at the instance of his preceptor Pushpa Sena, built the Sangita Mandapa in 1387-88 and also paved the flooring around with grants in the complex of the Vardhamana Basadi at Tirupparuttikunrum.33 He also made a gift of the village of Mahendra mangalam in the division of Mavandur for the merit of his suzerain Bukka Raya II.34 The Sravana Belgola inscription which records the manifold abilities of Iruguppa Dandanāyaka also eulogises his liberaly attitude towards Jaina Dharma. He was an ardent Jaina, who is credited with having built basadis and enriched them with munificent gifts, wherever he was encamped, while on State Service.35 It is needless to say that, these meritorious deeds were undertaken in an open display of his spirit of tolerance. Iruguppa Dandanayaka appears to have been a notable Jaina leader of the Vijayanagar period who served the cause of Jainism in Tamil Nadu also.
Another point which deserves special notice is the existence of inscriptions in the Canarese language and script, in the Jaina basadi at Tirupparuttikunrum. These inscriptions are clear evidence of the contact that might have existed between Karnataka Jains with the Jaina adherents of Tamil Nadu; they bear testimony to the goodwill that prevailed between the Jains of these two regions. This spirit of goodwill is also manifested in the socio-religious practices of this basadi, where a few stotras are recited in the Canarese language,36 while conducting pujās.
Jaina immigration from Tamil land
Devacandra in Rājāvalikathāsāra refers to the migration of a set of Jains of Depangudi of Tamil Nadu to the Mysore region in Karnataka. This immigration, according to him, was led by Hastimalli Senācārya. The following details are given in his account: Hastimalli Senācārya, with his disciples Pārsva-Pandita, Lokapālācārya etc. and Jaina Brahmanas of nine gotras, came from the Pandya country and stayed