Jainism and Karnataka Culture

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

Page 36

JAINISM AND KARNĀTAKA CULTURE
for him," it is evident that not all the people of Mänyakheța were Svetāmbara Jainas. As late as 1440 A. D. there was a Jaina teacher named Mahade who converted the Digambaras of Deogiri (Daulatābād ) into Svetāmbaras and conferred titles on learned ladies as well. Thus it would appear that in the northern parts of ancient Karnāțaka the Svetāmbaras were fairly strong; while within Karnāțaka proper the Digambaras predominated, as we shall observe later.
When exactly and under what circumstances the schism between the Digambaras and Svetämbaras took place is not strictly relevant to discuss in our present context. But it may be noted that the Bhadrabāhu migration either caused or accentuated the differences between the two since the Pattāvalies or genealogical lists of the two sects are fairly in agreement up to Bhadrabāhu I. and diverge greatly after him. However, we find no trace of the work of the Jaina gurus who followed Bhadrabāhu ), beyond the mention of their names in the succession lists, until we come to Kundakunda, Umāsvāti and Samantabhadra.15 Kundakunda being also called Elācārya 16 has led some writers to identify him with various persons bearing the latter name. Though no finality may be claimed for any opinion regarding this problem, it is interesting to note in this connexion that Dr. Saletore emphatically states: "All these considerations lead us to the conclusion that Kondakunda must have been a Kannadiga, hailing from the village of Konakonala in the neighbourhood of Guntakal."!* If this could he established beyond challenge the conclusion would be of utmost importance
13 My. Arch. Report, 1923, pp. 10-11; Samyaktva-saptati vv. 96 & 158 ; I, A. XI, p. 251.
14 My. arch. Report 1924, pp. 13-14. 15 I. A. XI, pp. 245 ff ; Ibid. XXI, pp. 57 ff: E.C II, SB. 254. 16 Sorah Indian Inscriptions, I. pp 157-7 11. 6–7.
17 Jaina Gazette, XVIII, pp. 8-16. Saletore, Mediaeval Jainism, pp. 225-98, 233-40.
18 Ibid. p. 228. See the Stevana Belgola list of Pontifs in Alysore Gazetteer, I, p. 287.