Jainism and Karnataka Culture

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

Page 45

HISTORICAL SURVEY
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Madhava II, father of Konguņi II, is claimed to have been a Jaina and made grants to the Digambaras.61 Konguņi II's successor Avinīta, patronised both Brāhmaṇas and Jainas alike.89 After him, Durvinīta is described as the disciple of the famous Jaina teacher and writer Pūjyapada. Under his son, Muşkara or Mukhara, Jainism is said to have become the “state religion.68" (?) In the eighth century Śri Purusa's grants mention the names of several Jaina gurus ; and Sivamāra, son of Śrī Puruşa, built a Jaina temple according to the earliest of the Ganga inscriptions.84 Rācamalla I, grandson of Sri Puruşa (through Raņavikrama, brother of Sivamāra ) excavated a Jaina cave in Wandewash Tāluk (N. Arcot District ) according to a Kannada inscription found at the place.66 His son Ereganga is described as having a "mind resembling a bee at the pair of lotus feet of the adorable Arbat-bhattāraka ; "66 and his son Rācamalla II, in his turn, made a grant to a Jaina priest for the Satyavākya Jinālaya in 888 A. D. He is described as "a devout Jaina who kept at a distance all the stain of the Kali Age.” He married Candrobalabba, daughter of Amoghavarșa Râştrakūța, who was one of the greatest patrons of Jainism, as we shall later on see. 07 Then we come upon the most glorious representatives of the Jaina faith : Mārasimha Ganga and Cãundaraya, Mārasimha's and his successor Rācamalla IV's minister and general.
Būtuga, the father of Mārasimha, has been called GangaGangeya or the Ganga among the Gangas. The Kudlur Plates 61 Sheshagiri Rao, Studies in S. 1. J. II pp. 87-88. cf. Krishna Rso, op.
cit; pp. 31-2.
See n. 32 above Ind. Ant. V. p 140, 68 Krishna Rao, loc. cit. pp. 41.45 Rāmaswami Aiyangår, Studies in
8.1,J. I, p110. 84 Of. Ep. Car. II, Introd. p. 43. Krishna Rao, loc cit. pp 58-9 65 Rangācharya, Inscriptions of the Mad as Presidency I, NA 710-A;
Madras Epigraphical Report 1889, No. 91. 66 Kudlar Plates of Mārasimha, Mysore Archaeological Report 1921
p. 20, 67 Ibid. p. 31. Rice Coorg Inscriptions, Ep. Car. I, 2. JKC-2528-8
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