Jain Journal 1997 07

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

Page 29

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXII, No. 1. July 1997
near Hemagrāma in order to remove the bad influence of an evil spirit known as Brahmarāksasa who had empowered his lady disciple Kamalasri.77 Ponnur hill is considered to be the habitat of the Goddess Jvalamalini who is stated to have bestowed grace on Helācārya. Jvalinin cult became popular in the Ponnur area, hence this Yaksi occupies a prominent position in the Adinatha basadi at that place.Practice of conducting weekly worship of the footprints of Helācārya appears to have prevailed until the 18th century or even later. This is evident from an inscription of 1733 A.D.78 It states that, in the year 1733 A.D. the residents of Svarnapura made arrangements to take out the images of Pārsvanātha and Jvalamalini Yaksi in a procession from Adinātha basadi to Nilagiri parvata at the time of the weekly worship of Helācārya on every sunday.79
Helācārya is believed to have attained liberation at Nilagiri Parvata.
Miscellaneous
It may be noted that on the Samanarmalai hill near Kilkuyil Kudi (Kilakkudi) in Madurai District, a Kannada record of the 12th century A.D. is found. It mentions the Jaina ascetics Āryadeva and Bālacandradeva belonging to the Mula Samgha of Sravana Belgola. It also refers to Nemideva, Ajitasenadeva and Govardhanadeva. Bālacandradeva is referred to in many records of Srabana Belgola. In one record, he is mentioned as well-versed in all kinds of arts and a lion among disputants. It appears that ascetics of Karnataka maintained their contacts with ancient Jaina centres of Tamil Nadu.
Impalement of Eight Thousand Jaina Monks at Madurai in 7th century A.D. and its Historical Validity.
Among the historians of the South Indian religious history, there has always been a tendency to look down upon the validity of the records dealing with the events of religious conflicts and their consequences.
It is very much so with regard to the persecution of the Jaina ascetics believed to have occurred in South India. Some of them even have made storng remarks like : Stories concocted by the hegiologist to enhance to glory of their own religion. However, Vincent Smith who gives credence to such descriptions also accepts them as historical incident, an incident of persecution for religion.
Kun Pandya's conversion to Saivism resulted in the impalement of 8000 Jaina monks. The historicity of this event cannot be turned down