Jain Journal 2000 07

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

Page 26

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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXV, No. 1 July 2000 their religious toleration and the Jainism received great patronage even till the end of their age and there were built number of basadis in various parts of the country. Here, in this paper, I have tried to give the clear picture about the contributions of Jaina ministers and feudataries.
As a result of the patronage of Jainism by the Vijayanagara rulers, ministers and generals, Jainism spread in the different parts of the empire. Jaina ministers were also played an important role in the State politics. Baicha Dandesa (Dandanātha), the Mahāpradhāna on King Bukkarāya, of uncommon liberality, forbearance, and learing, famous for his policy, was a worthy minister to be approached by all. He had three sons : Mangappa, Irugappa and Bukkanna. The eldest general Mangappa was honoured in the world for his virtures. He was a great devout of Jaina and the record calls him “a supporting tree to (the creeper Dharma) and an adherent to the Jaināgam. Then General Irugappa proved his loyalty to the State and devotion to his faith. An inscription of Sravanabelagoļa sings the glory of this devout Jaina.3
This record describes his Excellency, 'When on the march of the General Prince Irugappa, the rays of the sun were obstructed by the clouds of dust raised by the fierce blows of the hoofs of his charging mares, the lotuses the hands of his enemies closed.' As soon as General Irugendra was born on earth, his friend, though devoid of wealth, was supplied with abundant wealth, and his enemy, though possessed of wealth, was deprived of it. And then describes; “Abundance of food, protection from danger, medicine, and learning became his daily gifts; injury to others, falsehood, passion for the wives of others, theft and greed kept away at a distance from him. His liberality was directed only towards worthy persons, his looks towards the path of Dharma, his tongue towards praising His virtues, his bodily health towards bowing to Him, his nose towards the excessive fragrance of His lotus feet; and his everything to His service.4 It shows that the Irugappa is dutiful to his ruler, generous to the worthy, considerate to the needy, and devout to Jina.
The great Vijayanagara general Irugappa's devotion to the Jaina Dharma is expressed through his liberal benefactions for the promotion of religion. In A.D. 1382, for the first time he made a gift of land of Mahēndramangalam in the division of Māvandūr to the Trailokyanātha
3.
Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II, Sb. 253. Epigraphia Carnatica, Vol. II, No. 253; See T.N. Ramachandran, "Tirupattikunram and its Temples', p. 57.