Jain Legend Vol 3

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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writes: "King Sudhany himself was a theist but the state of Karnataka where he was the King, Jainism was influential there for a long time. Kum rilla observed this difficult situation that the King himself is a believer and follower of Vedic religion but his royal court is filled with Jains and has become their fort. With this as his aim he said, O King! In fact you are sweet like cuckoo (Kokila). Had you not been in the company of these lowly, black and anti Vedic crows, you would be a recipient of high praise.'
Jains considered this sarcastic remark of Kum rilla Bha a as their insult and became angry. King Sudhanv was thinking in his mind to test the intelligence of Jain and Vedic scholars. Consoling the Jain scholars, King Sudhany said “Tomorrow the knowledge and skills of these Vedic scholars (newly arrived) and of yours will be examined here. After this examination only a decision will be taken suitably'.
Next day both sides were examined and every word of Kum rilla Bha a came out to be true. Jain scholars became so non-plus that they even did not dare to debate Kum rilla Bha a. The King expelled the anti Vedic Jains from his royal court and re-established Vedic religion. After this incidence, no other scholar of any religious tradition dared to engage in scriptural debate with Kum rilla Bha a. This way the victory flag and influence of Kum rilla Bha a spread everywhere. Kum rilla converted King Sudhany from Jainism to Vedic religion.
It is not true that Jainism and its influence was hurt by the incidence which took place in Sudhany 's royal or its preaching and expansion affected as Digambara, vet mbara and Y pan ya and Krcaka etc congregations of Jains had deep roots in Karnataka for a long time.
Brief life sketch of Kum rilla Bha a
Kum rilla Bha a was a Maithil Brahmin of north India. According to Tibetan scholar Trn tha, Kum rilla Bha a was a prosperous and blessed householder. He had many rice fields and 500 male servants and 500 female servants.
Tr n tha had described in details Kum rilla's scriptural debate with famous Buddhist C rya Dharmak rti and his defeat there. As a result he alongwith his five hundred disciples accepted Buddhism.
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