Jainism and Karnataka Culture

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

Page 63

HISTORICAL SURVEY
33 Lokāditya, a Jaina feudatory of Krşņa II. It is said of Lokāditya that he ruled the province of Vanavāsa (Banavāse, Dhārwār District) “and encouraged the spread of Jainism.189 Like him there were other minor rulers and merchants who patronised the Jainas even when their over-lord Krşņa II was known for his Saiva learnings. Pșthvirāma's grant to the Jaina temple at Saundatti in the year of Krşņa II's accession to the throne ( Saka 797 ),140 and an inscription ( of Saka 824) in the Jaina temple at Mulgunda (Dharwār District) make this perfectly certain.141
There was once again a reaction under Kșşņa III of whose patronage of Jainism there are some evidences. He married a Ganga princess, who came from a Jaina family, and her son Indra IV only showed the influence of heredity when he died by the traditional Jaina vow of Sallekhana.1421 This event is recorded in an inscription at Sravana Belgola and appears to have taken place in its sacred atmosphere sanctified by memories of numerous sacrifices.142 Puşpadanta's Mahāpurāņa describes the poet as lying in a garden at Mânyakheta, when he was picked up and honoured by the King Subhatunga and his minister who induced him to live at the palace. His famous Yaśodhara Kāvya and Nāga-Kumāra-Carita appear to have been composed at the request of the King's son Nanna, probably identical with Indra IV. It is also an interesting commentary on the times to note that Puşpadanta was himself a Saiva to begin with, but became a Jaina owing to the influence of a Jaina ascetic. Subhatunga referred to by him is identical with Kțşņa III.148 Similarly, another Jaina writer, Indranandi by name, also appears to have
D
139 Bhandārkar, Report on San, M88. 1883-84, pp. 120-21; Nāthuram
Premi, Vidvadratnamulā I, p. 20. 140 of. Bhandārkar, Early History of the Dekkan, p. 69. JABRAS X,
p. 192. 141 Ibid., p. 19.'. 142 Ep. Car. II, 8. B. 133, cf. Ibid. Introd. pp. 47-8. 142a Altekar, op. cit. Introd. pp. 47-8. 148 Hiralál, Cat. of M88. in C. P. and Borar, Introd. pp. xlliiork. JRC-2528-5