Jain Journal 2000 01

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

Page 11

KUMARI : JAINISM DURING THE WODEYARS OF MYSORE
123 during his younger days, he is believed to have come in close contact with Visalaksha Pandita. Having been impressed highly by the Pandita's geniuses, the king is stated to honour him with the position of Prime Minister in 1673 A.D. Thus, he was in power until 1686 A.D.50
The Jaina families of hereditary martial class employed in the service of the king under different capacities obviously disappeared from the scene during the time of the Wodeyar's rule. It is important to note that Visalaksha Pandita, the Prime Minister of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar, belonged to the family of the Jaina Brahmana sect. The Jaina Brahmanas as noted earlier are the immigrants from Tamil Nadu.51 Visalaksha Pandita was the son of Bommarasa Pandita and Gunambika.52
While in power, Visalaksha Pandita caused the erection of the Mahavira Tirthankara basadi at Srirangapattana the earlier capital of the Wodeyars. Devachandra states that the new Mahavira Tirthankara basadi was built near the existing Adiswara basadi.53 However, no trace of this basadi exists today. Visalaksha Pandita, like his predecessors is stated to have renovated the dilapidated basadis in the kingdom, and presented a Ratha to the Sri-Matta at Sravanabelagola.54 The most significant part of his religious work was that he performed the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony to lord Gommata at Sravanabelagola.55 The act of piety shown by the pandita created a deep imprint especially on the Jaina community of the time. Thus, he was bestowed with the title “Jaina-kula-ratna-bhusana'. 56 Visalaksha Pandita is the last in the list of Jaina ministers in the history of Southern Karnataka.
Visalaksha Pandita was granted Echaganahalli, a village near Mysore by the king in recognition of his services. The charter of this grant was engraved on a stone that was placed on the four boundaries of that village. The charter also confirmed the hereditary rights of the village to Visalaksha Pandita, which enabled his sons, grand sons and descendants to enjoy the rights.57
50. Ibid., p. 281. 343. 51. Ibid., pp. 165-165. 52. Gom Cha Ch: 6 sts: 6-8. 53. Ibid., Ch: 6. st: 19. 54. Ibid., Ch: 6 sts: 20, 24. 55. Ibid. 56. Ibid., Ch: 6 st: 21. 57. E.C. Vol. ili, No. 167.