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96
Jaina Monuments of Andhra
However, the idol of Ambika is not traceable. The last face of the record invokes the grace of the Goddess, Yakshini (i.e. Ambika). This is a unique record engraved on four faces of a pillar which is described in one place as Manastambha (pillar of eminence) Kirtistambha (pillar of fame) of the general Svamideva, and Jaya-stambha (pillar of victory) of prince Somesvara. From this it appears that originally, it was erected as mana-stambha which subsequently was called as Jaya-stambha, commemorating the outstanding military achievements of the two generals namely Kesiraja and Svamidevayya.
The fourth face of the record throws a flood of light about a line of Preceptors belonging to mula-sangha, kanur-gana and meshapashanagacchha. Among them comes Meghachandra-Siddhantadeva (i.e., master of philosophy) who was the head of kanur-gana. His pupils were Malanandi-suri, Padmaprabha-sri-muni and Madhavendu.' In the Govindapuram record dated A.D. 1122,10 we come across a Balachandra-muni whose disciple was Meghachandra-Bhattaraka, whose pupil was Padmanandin. His disciple was again MeghacandraSiddhantadeva. Another record from Jadcherla dated A.D. 1125,11 states that in the illustrious kanur-gana and renowned gacchha (prasiddhagacchha) flourished the Preceptor Meghachandra-Bhattaraka who bore the epithet, Siddhantadeva. From the above, it appears that Meghachandra-Bhattaraka (who was also known as Siddhantadeva) of the Jadcherla record is identical with Meghachandra-Siddantadeva of the unique Kollipaka record dated A.D. 1125 and also Meghachandra-Siddhantadeva of the Govindapuram record dated A.D. 1122, for, Meghachandra-Siddhantadeva of the above three records is said to have installed the image of Parsvanatha. Basing on the above three records, the pedigree of the Preceptor of Kanur-gana of Meshapashana-gacchha may be arranged as shown on next page.
Recently an epitaph12 of Meghachandra-Siddhantadeva came to light, found implanted in the wall of the Jain-mandir at Kulpak. This epitaph, engraved in 12th century A.D. characters, informs that Meghachandra took sanyasa-diksha for entering samadhi. It is a well known fact that it was a practice for every pious Jain to observe
