Jain Journal 1997 07

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

Page 26

KUMARI : KARNATAKA-TAMIL NADU JAINA RELATIONS
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However, this monastic order hardily finds any reference either in the inscriptions of Tamil Nadu or in Karnataka. But it finds reference as noticed by Dr. A.N. Upadhye in the records of Gujarat and Kathiawar implying ascetics' migration from Karnataka to Gujarat and adjoining territory around by the beginning of the 8th centure A.D.67 Jinasenācārya who might have led this migration is believed to have established there at Vardhamānapura, where he composed his famous Harivamsapurana.68 Jinasenācārya appeared to have maintained closer contact in Tamil Nadu also. On the basis of the Tamil literary works, scholars have suggested that Jinasenācārya attempted to cure Kun Pandya of his disease by making charms and spells, but failed.
It is also evident that Saint Appar and Tirugnana Sambandhar and Mahendra Varman-I, the Pallava king of Kāñci and Kunpandya of Madurai were all his contemporarues,69 The anti-Jaina movement launched by thses highly venerated Saiva Saints and betrayal of Jainism by the latter, no doubt, signalled the beginning of decline of Jaina influence in Tamil Nadu. Hiving noticed the gravity of the aggravated situation against Jainism, it is apparent that Jinasenācārya must have associated himself along with many others in proselytising activities in Tamil nadu. This event must have taken place in the early years of his monastic life around the second half of the 7th century A.D. Tamil tradition also asserts that Jinasenācārya disputed with Saint Appar on the merits of Jainism.70
Dorai Rangaswamy in his extensive study on Tevaram hymns has noticed a big list of Jaina ācāryas referred to in the hymns of Saint Tirujnana Sambandhar and Saint Appar. Among them the important names are :
Sādhu Sena Indu Sena Dharma Sena Kuntu Sena Kanaka Nandi Puspa Nandi Pava Nandi
Guņa Nandi, etc. We also learn that at the instigation of Sambandhar, Jinasena, Nāgasena, Srutakirti, Vishana Kirti, Buddha Chandra and Suvrata Kirti attempted to cure Kun Pandya by making charms and spells, but failed in their attempts.71 It should be noted here that Jinasena mentioned here was Jinasena of the Panatra Samgha and the author of Harivamsapurāņa.