________________
JAINA MONASTERIES 111
inscriptions of this centre were noticed from the front mandapa of the Siva temple at Pallimadam. There are inscriptions at Samanamalai, Uthamapalayam, Thiruparankundram, Kalugumalai and as distant place as Cholavandipuram near Tirukoilur and Thirunaru kondai.
Kurandi Tirukkattampalli should have functioned as a higher centre of learning and the monks and nuns initiated from here went to different centres to spread the religion of Ahimsa.
Astopavasi Bhattarar and his pupil Arishtanemi, figure in the records from Uttamapalayam as well as in Muttupatti. Lithic records from Samanamalai indicate the names of some more alumini of Kurandi like MAHANANDI and GUNASENA DEVA the latter was the head of the Maadevi Perumpalli". There are number of inscriptions in Kalugumalai that reveal the names of preceptors, both male and female from Kurandi palli as well as from other monasteries of TamilNadu. THIRTHABHADARAR, THORIBHADARAR, GUNAKEERTHI and HARACHANDRADEVA were from Kurandi.
If Kurandi was a seat of university, Kalugumalai formed "Rainy season retreat institute." In addition to the Astopavasi, the name of one more preceptor Ajjanandi frequent the inscriptions of the Madurai region. Ajjanandi, the revivalist, was responsible for carving of the sculptures on rocks and hills at Vallimalai, Anaimalai. Aivarmalai, Alagar Malai, Tirucharanar Malai and Eruvadi.
Thiruthakkadevar, in his magnum opus Jeevaga chinthanmani venerates one Acchanandi Adigal as the preceptor of his hero-Jeevagan a Prince. Obviously, Acchanandi Adigal is the same as Ajjanandi frequently referred to in the inscriptions.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
