Jain Journal 2000 07

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

Page 25

JAGADEESH KIVUDANAVAR*
The establishment of the Vijayanagara empire opened a new chapter in the religious history of India, particularly in the south. The rulers of the empire were no blind champion of a selected creed, but the conservator of our best traditions. Hence we find that Muslims and Christians, Brahmins and non-Brahmins, Lingayatas and Jainas, whether they were in a minority or majority, alike lived in amity being treated with equal tolerance and interest by their rulers. The patronage of the Jainas, set down below, at the hands of the Hindu rulers of Vijayanagara was typical of their general attitude and policy.
JAINA GENERALS IN VIJAYANAGARA COURT
The rulers gave the great patronage to Jainism in their court. The Jainas were an influencial religious sects with their sphere of influence largely in the south. The sovereigns of this family, although each one had his own persuation, adopted religious compromise as their civil policy,1 and in the case of the Jainas also they were tolerant. An evident the record dated A.D. 1368, gives the picture of their toleration. According to this inscription, the quarrel arose between the Jainas and the Sri Vaiṣṇavas. Jainas of all nāḍus, having made petition to Bukkaraya, about the injustice made by the Śri Vaisnavas of the eighteen nāḍus, including ācāryas of the places. When Bukka-I declared that there was no difference between these two darśana decreed as follows; "The Jaina creed is, as before entitled to the Pañcamahāśabda (the five great musical instruments) and the Kalasa (Vase). If the loss or advancement should be caused to the Jaina-darśana through the Vaisnavas and they (Vaiṣṇavas) will kindly see as loss or advancement should be caused to their own (darśana). The Śrivaiṣṇavas will kindly, to this effect, set up a Śāsana in all the bastis of the Kingdom. For as long as the sun and moon endure the Vaiṣṇavas will continue to protect the Jaina darsana. The Vaiṣṇavas and Jainas are one (body): they must not be viewed as different.2 History knows no more exemplary and equitable decision in religious dispute than the above which King Bukkaraya gave to the Jainas in A.D. 1368. Thus it is an evident for
*
2.
Research Scholar, Department of History & Archaeology, Karnatak University, Dharwad-580003, Karnataka State.
1. S.K. Ayyangar, -"Some contributions of South India to Indian Culture", pp. 298-99.
Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II, Sb. 344.