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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXIV, No. 3 January 2000 the same was entrusted to the Battaraka Charukeerti Panditacharya.21 These measures of the king, no doubt, created a sense of confidence in the minds of the Battaraka Panditacharya and the people.
Chamaraja Wodeyar is stated to have kept himself more in acquaintance with the philosophers and literary men in the court. He took delight in listening to the recitation of some Jaina works like Baratesha-Vaibhava, Harivamsha purana, and Sanathkumara Charita. 22
Walld is well explained
Chikkadevaraj Wodeyar (1672-1704) is said to have possessed special inclination to Jainism. References to the regular religious discussions on Mimamsa, Saiva Vaishnava and Jaina systems of philosophy held at his court have been found in the literary works.23 Such constructive and critical discussions obviously enabled the king to acquire a thorough knowledge of all the religions and specially Jainism. His predilection to Jainism may be gauged from the fact that he greatly respected the Jaina goal of absolute sanctity of life. The king is believed to have even banned animal sacrifice in the name of religion. The devotees were advised to offer coconut at the altar of god instead of sacrificing animals.24
Like Chamaraja Wodeyar, even Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar (16721704) also took keen interest in saving the Sri Matta from total dissolution. The existing bad condition of Sri Matta is well by Chidananda Kavi, the author of Munivamsabhyudaya. Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar bestowed on Chidananda kavi, the Pontifical seat of Sravanabelagola when it fell vacant on account of the demise of the previous Charukeerti Panditacharya at Somawarpet.25 Chidananda kavi appears to have been an advisor to the king earlier at his court.26 Chikkadevaraja Wodeyar's liberal religious policy and inclination to Jainism is generally attributed to the following factors. His early life had been spent at Yalandore near Mysore where he had developed an intimacy with a native Jaina Brahmana by the name Visalaksha pandit. Later, when the king was confined at Hangala for 6 years (1667-1675) Visalaksha pandita continued his association with the king and followed him to captivity. Visalaksha pandita ascertained knowledge of astrology that the king would succeed the 21. Ibid. 22. Rajavali, p. 272 off. 23. Munivamsa, p. 16. 24. Rajavali, pp. 345 off. 25. Munivamsa, pp. 25 off. 26. Ibid.
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