Jain Journal 2000 01

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

Page 12

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXIV, No. 3 January 2000 Srikantha puttaiah
He was a prominent personality of the Jaina community who lived during the period covering the reign of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (16721704) and Krishnaraja Wodeyar I. (1713-1731). He hailed from Hassan and wielded considerable influence in the royal court especially during the reign of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar.58 He is said to have been the Samgha Naika of the Jaina community probably of Hassan region. Puttaih submitted a petition to the king at Srirangapattana when a few miscreants tried to disrupt the religious procession at Hassan. The king after inquiry is stated to have warned the miscreants against obstruction and allowed the Jains to observe the religious festivals. 59 Puttaiah is stated to have built the Manastamba in front of the Parswanatha basadi on the Chandragiri hill at Sravanabelagala.60 He got repaired all the basadis and built a Prākāra around the basadis on the Chandragiri hill. Srikantha puttaiah is stated to have entered the monastic life during the later period of his life. He attained Samadhi Marana at Modabidere, the holy center of the Jainas. 61
Chidananda kavi
Munivamsabhyudaya composed by Chidananda kavi offers valuable information about the prevalence of the Jaina influence in the court of Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar. The contents of this work reveal that Chidananda.was not merely a literary giant of the time but also was a chief political advisor to the king. He was well-versed in the political philosophy of Somadevasuri, the author of the Nitivakyamrita.
When the Pontifical seat of Sri Jaina-matta at Sravanabelagola fell vacant on account of the death of the previous Pontiff, Chikkadeva Raja Wodeyar conferred the pontifical position to Chidananda. 62
Annaiah Setty
Annaiah Setty was a prominent figure among the Jaina delegates who accompanied Karanika Lingaraja to the court of Aurangazeb at Delhi, sent by Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar.63 Later Annaiah Setty was appointed as the chief mint officer by the king in recognition of his
58. Gom cha. Ch: 6. St. 131. 59. Ibid., Ch: 6. Sts. 131-132. 60. Ibid., Ch: 6. Sts: 96-103. 61. Ibid., Ch: 6 Sts: 143-153. 62. Muni. Ch: 2. Sts: 91-100. 63. QJMS. Vol. XI. No. 2. 1921; Rajavali. pp. 183, 345, 346.