Jain Spirit 2003 12 No 17

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 27

The Chalukya (Solanki) contribution to Jain art and architecture was both in terms of royal patronage as well as their own initiative in erecting temples and temple cities in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Equally significant was the faithful generosity and vision of ministers and merchants, among whom Vagbhatta, Vastupal, Tejpal, Jagadu and Bhamashah occupy the pride of place. Theirs is an inspiring example in philanthropy, religious devotion and love of art.
The Jain Caves in Ankai-Tankai and Camar Lena in the Nasik region, and those at Ellora and Dharasiva in Maharashtra belong to different periods of history. Dharasiva caves are located in a ravine and were probably built in the middle of the 7th century. The Satavahana dynasty, which ruled in modern Paithan in Maharashtra followed the Jain faith and promoted Jainism. Hala, a poet of great literary fame, was a Jain. Similarly, the rulers of the Ratta dynasty in the Sangli area were Jain and built many temples in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The Silahara king Gandaraditya and his reputed feudatory, Nimbadeva, were Jains and erected Jain temples in the Kolhapur-Vadgaon area under the inspiration of Maghanandi, a Jain preceptor.
According to an inscription at Shravana Belgola, Acharya Bhadrabahu led a great migration to south India. He had foreseen and foretold the calamitous twelve-year famine whereupon his disciple, Emperor Chandragupta abdicated his throne. Both Acharya Bhadrabahu and Emperor Chandragupta, and the Jain samgha made their way to the south. Acharya Bhadrabahu sent Jain sadhus led by Vishakhacharya and other preceptors to Chola and Pandya counties. The feet of Acharya Bhadrabahu in Shravana Belgola mark a grateful and reverential remembrance of the spread of Jainism in south India.
The Ganga dynasty was established under Jain auspices and ruled from the second to eleventh century AD. The Cholas, who displaced Gangas, were driven away by the Hoysalas, who were Jains. The Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas, who succeeded them, as well as Vijjala the great Kalachuri prince were friends or followers of Jainism. Until the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana (Bittcdevabittiga) was converted to Vaishnavism by Ramanujacharya, the Jain kings, queens and ministers did much to promote Jainism among the people. In 1326, the Hoysala dynasty was overthrown by Mohamedans who gave way to the Vijayanagar rulers, under whom the JainVaishnava compact was made. Some of the Vijayanagar rulers professed the Jain faith. At one time Halebid in Hasan is said to have contained 720 Jain temples; today there are only three.
By far, the most notable and celebrated Jain monument in the Karnataka region is the image of Gomateshwara in Shravana Belgola. Acharya Bhadrabahu died here in a cave (Chandrabetta) and several years later Chandragupta Maurya also invited and embraced death by sallekhana. Nearly 14 centuries later, in 983 AD, the gigantic statue of Bahubali Gomateshwara was erected at that site, in all probability by Chamundaraya, a minister of a Ganga King, a phenomenal case of how memories are preserved and cherished in the Jain
PHOTO: JAMES MATURIN-BAIRD
Ge Uncompromising Beauty
tradition.
Jainism had its heyday in the Pallava court of Kanchipuram and the Pandyan kingdom in Madurai. Some of the Chola kings were also well disposed towards the Jain
Shatrunjaya, Gujarat
ACVAC CENCE GALE
tradition. Great teachers like Acharya Kundkundacharya captured the imagination of kings, feudatories and commoners alike. Kanchipuram in Tamilnadu, Kolhapur in Maharasthra, Penukona in Andhra Pradesh became celebrated seats of learning, and were dominated by the Jain tradition. Tiruvalluvar, the great Tamil philosopher and saint, was familiar with the Jain tradition and was probably an adherent of Jainism. There are innumerable inscriptions, temples, caves, statues, rock-cut sculptures floriated canopies in Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala, which testify to the generosity of royal patronage, the opulence of the Jain tradition and the excellence of Jain art heritage in India. To understand, interpret, resurrect and enliven that heritage would be the tryst with destiny for the people of India and the Indian diaspora, for Jains and nonJains alike.
Dr. L. M. Singhvi is the former Indian High Commissioner to UK. The above article is extracted from Jain Temples in India and Around the World', Himalayan Books, 2002, available from Jain Spirit at £30 plus p&p..
December 2003 February 2004 Jain Spirit 25
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