Jain Journal 2001 10

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

Page 15

KIVUDANAVAR PRACTICE AND FESTIVALS IN VIJAYANAGARA EMPIRE 67
General Irugappa Daṇḍanāyaka, the minister of Harihara II, in A.D. 1382, granted the village of Mahendra Mangalam in the division of Mavandūr to the Trailōkyanatha temple at Tiruparattikuṇram for the merit of prince Bukkarāya, son of Harihara II.2 He built the Caityalaya of Kuntha Jinälaya at Hampi in A.D. 1386.3 The record dated A.D. 1390 refers to Mangarasa Vodeya, the governor of Mangaluru Rajya, as having made a gift of land to the Gurugala Basti at Bidire."
The record dated A.D. 1395 tells us an interesting matter. It records the construction of a Caityalaya at the city of Kandanavolu (Kurnool) and the consecration therein of the image of Kuntu Tirthankara by Immaḍi Bukka Mantrisvara, son of Baicheya Daṇḍanātha.5 Dēvarāya II built a stone temple for Arhat Pārsvanatha in the Pansupāri bazār in Hampi. Krishṇadēvarāya, the great ruler of Vijayanagara, and his successors also patronaged Jainism.7 In Vijayanagara there is one more Jinālaya opposite to Arhat Pārśvanātha Jinālaya. An inscription dated A.D. 1557 speaks about the grant of the income from a shop to Sāntinātha of Chikkadevara basti by Mahamandalesvara Śriranga RājaRāmarāja during the reign of Sadasivarāya.
During this period the great Jaina teachers also got patronage from the rulers. They were Visālakirti and Vadi Vidyananda.8
Religious Practice
Sallekhana was a very popular religious practice among the Jainas. The goal of this rite is to invite death by starvation. According to the Dharmamṛita by Asadhara, "Firm faith in Jainism, observance of the Anuguna and Sikṣa-vratas, and Sallekhana according to rules at the time of death, these complete the duties of a house holder. But it should be performed with the guru's permission and according to certain rules. 10
According to an inscription dated A.D. 1395. Kāmi Gaundi, the
2. MER 1890, No. 41.
3.
S.I.I. Vol. 1, No. 152.
4.
MER 1901. No. 55.
5. Ibid., 1935-36, No. 336.
6.
S.I.I. Vol. I, No. 82.
7.
ARIE 1928-29, No. 528.
8.
E.C. Vol. VIII, Nr. 46.
9.
Ibid., Vol. II, Intro. pp. 69-70. 10. Ibid.