Jain Legend Vol 4

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

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between Jains and R m nuja. During the reign of Bukkar ya, severe conflicts sparked between Jains and followers of R m nuja regarding their respective authority and powers, facilities and religious rituals. Jains who were in minority were tormented by Vai avites who were in majority. The Jains approached Bukkar ya seeking justice. He invited the chiefs of both the traditions. Hordes of audience had arrived to the court to listen to the verdict. After listening to both the sides attentively Bukkar ya announced his verdict. The most significant point in it was the entrustment of protection of rights and facilities of the minority and their interests to the majority. In other words it was the royal proclamation protecting the interests of minority people.
Such an incident is not found in any where in the history of the world, wherein the conflict between the followers of two different religions metamorphosed into a harmonious arrangement giving justice equally to both the parties. The decision given by King Bukkar ya, who was no less than an emperor, is an illustrious example of his liberal policy and of sharp intelligence. It is an ideal that should be followed by one and all.
This historical decision proved to be very effective. This created religious tolerance and amity among the different sects, classes of people and followers of different religions. The humane decision of Bukkar ya had far reaching effects. Even the successor kings of Bukkar ya followed this sacred humanitarian ideal abandoning the parochial aspects and granted uniform justice to all, irrespective of their class, be it Hindu or of any other religion.
The historians in the light of historical evidences determined the reigning period of Bukkar ya as 1353 to 1377 AD. This event occurred during the 15th year of his reign, in 1290 aka Era (1368 AD). Giving his verdict to the Jain and Vai avite representatives, Bukkar ya placed the hand of the Jain representative in the hands of the Vai avites and said, "You have become friends from today. It becomes your prime duty that either of you should not interfere or create any obstacles in the performance of religious activities. Let each person perform his rites and rituals and spiritual practices with full freedom. Then, the king ordered the Vai avites, to inscribe each and every syllable of his verdict in the Vai ava temples in the territories of Vijayanagara kingdom and to follow it with complete sincerity.
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