Jain Journal 2003 07

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

Page 12

HAMPA NAGARAJAIH: EPIGRAPHIA JAINIKA
It gives a graphic description of the catastrophe of Jaina places of worship and of how the Jaina idols were replaced by Sivalingas. The communal clash of 1184, registered in this charter, is well-attested by other literary and inscriptional evidences. Interestingly, the above inscription also affords credible proof and covincing explanation of the conversion of Jaina temples at the places mentioned in the epigraph. The Rāmeśvara temple at Bommakūru, the modern Bankūra (Gulbarga Dt.), is basically a Jaina shrine. It was appropriated by the Lingāyits (Virašaivas) in 1184. In spite of its subsequent renovations, after being converted, the temple still continues to retain the characteristic features of Jaina architecture. The rack and ruin of two more Jaina temples is corroborated by the Jaina vestiges scattered nearby the village Bankūr. Literally hundreds of inscriptions glow with vivid and picturesque description of Jaina monks and nuns and their engrossment in austerity. These Jaina epigraphical documents were not issued for a royal court, nor sing the glory of kings or the riches. Contrarily, they are eulogies of the recluse who relinquished everything dear to them. Many of these records are embedded with verses charged with poetic merit, and the bards who composed them have remained incognito. Let me illustrate the statement, by a free rendering of two such inscriptions: the first one is the Enlgish translation of a seventh century inscription from Shravanabelagola, and the second one is of tenth century from Koppala;
The pomp of rainbow the streaks of lightning the charm of dew-drops loose splendor to become invisible within no time; The prosperity, the treasures of beauty profane pleasure, power and opulence all ephemeral to be sure ! Nandisena, chief of friars contemplating on worldly life dispassion arose in an instant engaged himself in deep penance accomplished nonpareil delight ascended the acme of heavens !