Jain Legend Vol 3

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

Page 227

received the royal patronage of many rulers there. They then started preaching aiva religion boldly and inflicted very heavy injuries / casualties on Jains. These grave acts of theirs resulted in almost extinction of Jainism in Tamil speaking land.
By creating posts like Tev rama, Jnasambandhara and other aiva saints started preaching very profusely against Jains and Buddhists. These posts created against Jains started preaching aiva religions from door to door in villages and towns everywhere. This organized and collective effort created extreme hatred against Jains and Jain monks. It seems that for almost half a century, in certain strongholds of Jains even entry of Jain monks became impossible.
Under such grave situation for Jains, a great monk, c rya Ajja andi took the brave initiative of rehabilitating the existence of Jainism in areas where none existed even to take the name of Jains or Jine wara.
c rya Ajja andi started undertaking his wandering trips in those troubled areas and started preaching Jainism. He tried to bring the ray of hope amongst Jains which had been extinguished over the last fifty years through his sermons and preaching. A new wave of hope spread amongst Jains there. He wandered in all areas of Tamilnadu from the coast in north and west to south. He had the figures of T rthamkara s and yak as engraved on many hillocks.
He started his mission from North Arcot and proceeded sequentially to strongholds of aivas in Madura and wandering through villages, in district Tinneveli and the southern end of India in Travancore. He reconverted many Jains to Jainism.
Bearing all types of pains and difficulties in absolutely unfavourable conditions and in strongholds of aivas, he wandered preaching throughout Tamilnadu and brought a ray of hope in hope ridden Jains there. His courageous and brave efforts in rejuvenating Jainism and his invaluable services to Jainism will always be remembered with highest honour and deep respect.
c rya Vidy nandi (composer of texts)
A great scholar and composer of texts by the name c rya Vidy nandi existed in V.N. 14h century when King ivabh ra of Gamga dynasty
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