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The Value and Heritage of Jain Religion The Jains rendered valuable and extensive services to Kannada literature also. Some of the greatest among the Jain poets flourished during the 10th Century A. D., the Golden Age of Kannada literature. Thus Ponna, a Jain Saint upon whom the Rashtrakuta King Kannara conferred the title Kavichakravarti, composed Shantipurana and Bhuvanaika Ramabhyudaya during the period. Next we come to the great poet Pampa who was regarded as the father of Kannada literature. Another great Jain writer of Kannada prose and poetry in that century was Chamundaraya, who besides being an able administrator and warrior, was a patron of Ranna, among others. It was he who had the colossal image of Gomateshvara carved at Shravana Belgola. Jain influence on Telugu deserves careful investigation.
Almost every decade during medieval times in Gujarat saw a progressive enrichment of Gujarati literature with remarkable creations, major contributions here being the books written by the Jain saints. Moreover, the unique service of the Jain Bhandars in preserving the manuscripts, especially those on palm-leaves, is very memorable. Besides book-writing, the Jains have carried out the laudable task of preserving and spreading knowledge.
The Jains were also great patrons of art. Indian art, both Northern and Southern, owes to them a number of remarkable monuments. And in architecture, their achievements are still greater.
As singular edifices illustrating the beauty of Jain art, both in design and elaboration of workmanship, one may cite the temples of Mount Abu.
In South India, too, idol worship and temple building on a grand scale may be attributed fianlly to Jain influence. The
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