Jain Journal 2002 07

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

Page 11

Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah: Dimensions of Bābānagara Inscription
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Bijjana, the Kalacuri King, visited the Jaina shrine on the occasion of Aṣṭānhika festival.
Nandiśvara dvipa is the eight and last island situated in the middle of universe. Exactly in the centre of Nandiśvara dvipa stands Añjanaparvata, surrounded by Akṛtrima caityālayas on all sides. Deities who belong to the Bhavanavasi, Jyotiṣka, Vyantara and Vaimānikā, the four groups of celestial beings, worship of Jina bimbas enshined in these caityalayas. Exclusively for this purpose, they visit the caityalayas thrice a year in the months of Aṣāḍha, Karttika and Phalguna, and the duration of worship is extended to eight days at a stretch. Hence the nomenclature of 'Aṣṭānhika' olim 'Nandiśvara Aṣṭānhika'. Since this period is considered very auspicious, Jaina householders visit Jinamandiras to observe vows and donate gifts. In brief, only Jaina laymen and women follow Aṣṭānhika ritual. King Bijjala, as a devoted votary, after participating in the ritual mentioned above, gave several endowments to mark the event of Aṣṭānhika holy day. It is worth pondering that instead of making an endowment only for Khanda-sphuțita jīrņoddhāra, gift of repairing and white washing the temple, Bijjala has specified that the donation should be made use of for observing the Aṣṭanhika, a festival of his faith.
This typical phraseology of Jina-gandhodaka-pavirtrikṛta-gātra occurs occasionally, but invariably, appropos or ardent Jaina laics. We do come across this usage only in a few Jaina inscriptions and Jaina poems. Out of about 3000 Jaina epigraphs in Karṇāṭaka, this phrase is used in eight charters while introducing śrävaka Jaina layman, and upāsaki, Jaina lay woman. Instead of quoting the text from those inscriptions, I would rather prefer to record the source of concerned epigraphs chronologically.
i. MAR 1921, p. 18, C.E. 963, Kāḍalūra
ii. SII, vol. XI-I, No. 52, C.E. 1007, Lakkundi (Gadag Dt)
iii. JISI, Ingalagi inscription of C.E. 1094 (Gulbarga Dt)
iv. EC, VII-i (BLR) Shimoga 97, C.E. 1112
v. EC. VI (R) Kṛṣṇarājapete 3, C.E. 1118 Hosaholalu (Mandya Dt.)