Jainism and Karnataka Culture

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

Page 43

HISTORICAL SURVEY
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Gangas. The very foundation of their kingdom is attributed to the influence of the great Jaina teacher Simhanandi Ācārya as indicated by the Samayabhūsana, Gommata-Sāra and Kongudesa-Rājakkal, as well as by numerous Ganga inscriptions.50 " It is therefore no wonder," observes Mr. Ghosal, “that we shall find in Jaina works verses to the effect that Ganga kings worshipped the feet of Simhanandi, or that a dynasty which owed its origin to the help of a Jaina Ācārya should be staunch to the Jaina religion.” He also adds, "numerous inscriptions dating from the 4th to the 12 cent. A.D. testify to the building of the Jaina temples, consecration of Jaina images of worship, hollowing out of caves for Jaina ascetics and grants to Jaina Ācāryas by the rulers of the Ganga dynasty.” 51 Rice considered them to be the principal Jaina dynasty of the south. “With Nandagiri as the fort, Kuvalāla as their city, the 96,000 as their kingdom, victory as their companion in the battlefield, Jinendra as their God, the Jaina mata as their faith, Dādiga and Madhava ruled over the earth."59
To illustrate the above remarks we have only to subjoin a few examples. The Kudlur plates of Marasimha throw ample light upon the religion of the Ganga rulers. 68 of the very first among them, namely, Konguņivarma I, the record says, he "obtained great power by favour of the doctrine of Arhadbhattāraka,” and adds that " by favour of Simhanandyacārya he (obtained) strength of arm and valour."54 Rice thinks that there must have been a considerable Jaina element in the population of Mysore at the time over whom Simhanandi exerted his influence to gain their acceptance of the Ganga rule.
50 Cf. Rice, Mysore Gazetteer I, p. 310; E. O. II. Introd. pp. 46–7. Mysore Archaeological Report, 1921, p. 26.
51 Ghosal, Dravyasamgraha, B. B. J, I, Intord., pp. XIX-XX. 62 Rice, Mysore Gazetteer I, pp. 308, 810,
63 Cf. Mysore Archaeological Report 1922 p. 20 Read Krishna Rao, Tho Gangas of Talakad, pp 179-213.
54 Kudlur Plates of Mārasimha, Ibid., 1921 pp. 19, 26. 55 Rice, Mysore Gazetteer I, p. 311.