Jainism and Karnataka Culture

Author(s): S R Sharma
Publisher: Karnataka Historical Research Society Dharwar

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JAINISM AND KARNATAKA CULTURE
political history of Karnāțaka in particular, and of South India in general, is consequently presumed. On the other hand, the exact influence of Jainism over rulers and people alike has been sought to be assessed, by a closer scrutiny of epigraphical and other references than appears to have been done by some proJaina scholars A sentimental writer of Jaina history is prone to the very insidious temptation of exaggerating, may be unconsciously, the value of his evidence. I have made a deliberate effort to avoid such lapses. Similarly, no attempt has been made to push the antiquity of Jainism in Karnataka beyond the limits acceptable to modern ( scientific ) scholarship. The dynastic histories of the Kadambas, Gangas, Caļukyas, Rāştrakūtas, Hoysaļas, and others, though at times contemporaneous or over-lapping from a strictly chronological view point, have been here treated in isolated succession. It is hoped that this will be more conducive to clearness of impression ( as to the rôle of Jainism in each family taken as a whole ) than the more usual and correct method of dealing with each epoch in all its complexity.
In the second and third Sections a systematic attempt has been made to carefuly determine the unmistakable contributions of the Jainas to Kannada Literature, Art, and Architecture. Though it is not necessary here to anticipate the conclusions arrived at there, it may be pointed out that something more than a mere enumeration of works has been aimed at.
In Section Three, entitled 'Idealism and Realism,' I have attempted to show how Jainism, a faith of North Indian origin, came to be transformed in its South Indian environment in Karnataka. Though such a study might reveal considerable divergence between the theory and practices of Jainism, it is not to be forgotten that all other religions, like Buddhism, Brāhmanism, Islam, and Christianity, have also been subject to such metamorphosis under similar circumstances. What is sought is, therefore, not to disparage Jainism in Karnāțaka, but only to estimate its exact character as determined by the local
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