Jain Journal 2000 01

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

Page 35

THE GANGA MONARCHY AND JAINISM
PROF. NAGARAJAIAH HAMPA
The Mauryas had paved and prepared a conducive infrastructure for a smooth sailing of Jaina faith. Their successors, the Sātavāhanas olim Andhras reigned with glory till about third cent. C.E. Sātavāhana Simukha (C. 1st cent. B.C.) was a follower of Jaina faith. The system of matriarchy followed in the Jaina community in South Kanara region can be traced back to the influence of the Satavahanas. Thus, a Jaina basement was made available for the Gangas, to encash and enlarge, by their predecessors, the Mauryas and the Sātavāhanas. Wether the Gangas were an offshoot of the Satavahanas, needs further investigation. (Ganga) Pērür, believed to be the place of their ancestors and origin, in Andhradesa, puts an extra stich into the theory. Albeit, that the Gangas took models from Andhras olim Satavahanas can not be denied. However, the Gangas were an indigenous race like the Rāṣṭrakūtas, the Hoysalas and the Seunas. They had a Jaina legacy handed down from the Mauryas and Satavahanas, which the Gangas promptly transmitted to the Kadambas, the Calukyas and the Rāṣṭrakūtas. Konganivarma, Kongāļva, Konguvēlir and other similar nomen suggest that Konga and Ganga are cognates. Since the initial letter in the word is always pronounced as a voiceless consonant 'k' - in Tamil, it is but natural that the word Ganga is pronounced as Konga or Kongu, and Ganganaḍu as Konngu-nāḍu. Inscriptions of Kongu country (nāḍu) demonstrate the influence of Jaina faith.
Of the ruling houses of Jaina involvement in Karnataka, the most striking are the Gangas and the Rāṣṭrakūṭas, two coeval dynasties. Particularly the Gangas, who ruled from 3rd to 12th century C.E. proposed and flourished through Simhanandi, a Jaina sage and promoter of the Gangas. A dynasty which owed its origin to the timely help of Jaina ascetic should be staunch supporter to that creed is but natural.
The Gangas played a dominant role in the socio-cultural milieu of Karnataka and left an indelible mark on the life and thought of the people in Karnataka. The unmatched patronage extended to Jainism by them is apparent from their lithic and copperplate records. Some of the Ganga monarchs went so far as to take the vows and to meet their deaths by the rite of sallekhanã. Most of them engaged in extensive temple building activity.