Jain Journal 1997 07

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

Page 23

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXII, No. 1. July 1997 beginning of 13th century A.D. in Karnataka. The ācāryas of this order would always find a high and respectable place in history for their services to Jainism.
Ascetics of Tamil Nadu observe ritual of death on the Sepulchral hill.
A noteworthy factor of the monastic order in the Tamil Nadu is the active and prosperous institute of the nuns, and the wide circle of female disciples. Such a monastic order in Karnataka, szélusively of nuns, hardly existed, for we are unable to find even one order of the type that existed in the Tamil nadu. In other words, the wide circle of female disciples referred to in the inscription of Tamil Nadu are indeed missing in Karnataka. Vedal Monastry was famous and it was a monastry exclusively of nuns. The lady teachers are generally referred to in Tamil inscriptions as Kurattiyar or Kuratti Adigal meaning preceptors or gurus. They commanded a large number of lay disciples and held high position as heads of monasteries.
Mulluru under the spiritual guidance of Gunasena Panditācārya. (E.C.I. Nos. 68, 72.) The records also mention the munificent grants made by the King to the basadi. These records are dated 1059 and 1064 A.D. (E.C.1. Nos. 68,72). Yet another inscription discovered in the saine place dated 1125 A.D. refers to acārya Mallisenadeva, a disciple of Sripala Traividyadeva of Arunkalanvaya in the illustrious Dravida Samgha. The inscription specially eulogises him for having been proficient in all sāstras. Mallisenadeva got the Parsvanātha basadi rebuilt at Mullur. (E.C.1. No.77). Sripala Traividyadeva of Arunkalanvaya of the Dravida Samgha and his disciple Vasupujya Vrati of Arunkalanvaya of Nandi Samgha were influential in the Hoysala Court during the reign of Ballala II. (11731220), M.A.R. 1923; Medieval Jainism. p.66. Vasupūjya Vrati was the spiritual guru of Ballala Il and of his Jaina Minister Buchi Raja. Buchi Rāja who was Minister of war and peace under Ballala II, was also proficient both in Kannada and Sanskrit, capable of composing poems in both the languages. In commemoration of the coronation ceremony of his master, he built Trikuta Jinālaya at Markali in the Hassan district, under the spiritual guidance of Vasupujya Vrati. (E.C. No. VIII. 15 (Hn.) Another inscription also refers to Vadirajan's disciple Vardhamānadeva, a descendant in the line of Santamuni who belonged to the Dravida Samgha and Arunkalanvaya. It is mentioned in the inscription that Vardhamanadeva took a prominent part in the Hoysal's administration. Vardhamänadeva died by Sanyasana and his memorial was erected by his disciple Kamaladeva. (M.A.R. 1929; Medieval Jainism. p. 66). Candraprabha Muni belonging to the Dravida Samgha of the Arunkalanvaya is mentioned in an inscription dated 1183 A.D. found at