Jain Journal 2002 07

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

Page 15

Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah: Dimensions of Bābānagara Inscription names Rayamurāri, Bijjalarāya. Māņikya Bhaṭṭāraka, successor disciple of Tribhuvanadeva, was the royal preceptor of Vīra Maiļugi, younger brother of Bijjala, and of Somanṛpa, son of Bijjala.
Epitome
The religio-historical and socio-cultural significance of the Bābānagara epigraph needs no exaggeration. The Viraśaiva and Jaina literary sources categorically affirm that Bijjala was Jaina by faith. Inscriptional evidences also endorse the above account. The Bābānagara charter under discussion contains completely reliable record of the Jaina influence. It possesses phrases and references which hark back to the early phase of the Kalacuri monarchs. It describes the imperial policy for the propagation of the royal faith, especially the deeds of Bijjana, the progenator of the dynasty's rule and, after a hiatus of a decade, refers to the origin of Somanṛpa. It was issued in C.E. 1167, according to (SII, Vol. XVIII) editor's computation. Unfortunately this unique lithic record is severely damaged at several places, and the lines between 65 and 69 in particular are completely worn out. However, the main portion and purport of the charter could be made out. Now the controversy over the faith of Bijjaladeva has been set at rest on the basis of unquestionable epigrapical and literary evidences.
ABBREVIATIONS
ARSIE: Annual Report of South Indian Inscriptions
BLR Benjamin Lewis Rice Edition
C.E. Current Era
Dt. District
EC Epigraphia Carnatika
:
EI: Epigraphia Indica
JISI Jainism in South India and some Jaina Epigraphs by P.B. Desai
KI: Karnataka Inscriptions
MAR Mysore Archaeological Annual Reports
(R) (Revised)
SB Śravanabelagola
SII South Indian Inscriptions
Sk Sanskrit
Tk: Taluka
9