Jain Journal 2005 07

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

Page 10

S.P. PADMAPRASAD: JAIN FOLK SONGSANDLEGENDSOFKARNATAKA
In the beginning of one such song the family head announces his desire to go to Shravanabelagola and asks the willing people to join him.
"O people, Belagola is 61 Haradari (a unit of 3 miles = 4.8 kms) away. Are you coming ? Then his wife asks-“What is the use of going to god, leaving at home wife and children ?" Then the head asks them - can you, with children, walk such a distance ? Can you withhold temptations ? Can you keep yourselve physically and mentally pure ? Are you ready to observe all limitations ?" Home people agree. Then he preaches the vratas to them. They are forbidden from consuming milk, fruits and sweets till they see the lord's statue. They accept all those limitations cheerfully and the whole caravan starts. Then the song further describes the reaching of the troup at the place, their happiness and that they got the wooden logs and tying ropes from different places and getting the high platform constructed, and doing the Mahāmastakābhişeka (The great 'head bath") and its glory.
Another song of the same theme describes that the pilgrims marched on elephants, horses etc. with neibhourhood friends with all precautions that no quarrel should take place among them till the journey is over.
In the beginning of one of these songs, the leader of the troup tells the village news announcer like this
"O, thou, news declarer with the pearl in the ring, who beat the drum standing on the other side of the river, tell all those willing to see Belagola, to join (us).”
Actual verse is as follows - "Guttee holeyache nittu dangura saro mutteenungulada talavara / Belagulava nodabekendavara Barahelo //"