Jain Journal 2000 01

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

Page 14

JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXIV, No. 3 January 2000 Dhayanasamrajya, Adhyatmavichara and Rajavalikathasara.71 Rajavalikathasara is the most popular composition of Devachandra; and this work contains the most valuable historical materials.72 Devachandra is stated to have assisted Col. Mackenzie to record many prevalent oral traditions, collect inscriptions and other useful historical materials.73 Col. Mackenzie visited Mysore after the fall of Tippu Sultan, to study the existing conditions in the kingdom of Mysore.74 On recognising the rich knowledge of Devachandra he requested him to accompany him while on tour in Mysore. He even requested Devachandra to provide him with the documents of all the Jaina customs and traditions. Further more, Col. Mackenzie is stated to have even invited him to Calcutta. .75 Perhaps the survey officer intended to avail his knowledge to compile the history of the Jains under the auspices of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. However, it is apparent that Devachandra was inspired by Col. Mackenzie to write Rajavalikathasara and submitted it to Krishnaraja Wodeyar III.76 Rajavalikathasara is a historical compendium of the Jaina Political and Socio-religious events relating to the history of Mysore up to the middle of the 19th century. The validity of this work cannot be questioned as its contents are further substantiated from the inscriptions and other literary evidences.
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Sri Ksetra Sravanabelagola and the Wodeyar's
The benevolent Wodeyar rulers of Mysore extended their benefactions to the Sri Ksetra Sravanabelagola and in fact they were the chief contributors to the survival and development of the matta. The sanctity of Sravanabelagola is in fact closely related to the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony. The earliest reference to the ceremony is found in a lithical record dated 1398 A.D.77 Another inscription dated 1500 A.D. also provides details about the payments made to different personalities on the eve of the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony. .78 On the basis of this inscription it may be stated that the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony was performed during that year, but no details are available about the ceremony performed during the early Wodeyar's period. The poet Panchabana in Bhujabali Charita refers to
71. Rajavali. Intro. 72. Ibid., p. 314.
73. Ibid., p. 315. 74. Ibid.
75. Ibid.
76. Ibid., pp. 362-363.
77. EC. Vol. ii, No. 360 (Sb). 78. Ibid., No. 332.