Jainism and Karnataka Culture

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

Page 64

34 JAINISM AND KARNATAKA CULTURE composed his svālāmālini-stotra at Mānyakheta when Krşņa III was ruling, in Saka 861. But more interesting than anything else composed by the Jainas, under Kțşņa III, is the Yaśastilakacampu written by Somadeva already referred to. Once again, in the words of Peterson, “It represents a lively picture of India at a time when the Buddhist, Jaina and Brāhmanical religions were still engaged in a contest that drew towards it the attention and well nigh absorbed the intellectual energies of all thinking men." 144 After Krşņa came Indra IV whose death by Sallekhana has already been referred to. The inscription recording this also alludes to Indra's skill in playing polo.145 It was in all respects an age rich in culture and the contributions of Jainism to it will be more fully dealt with later.
The last of the Rāşțrakūțas was Kokka II who was overthrown by Taila II of the Calukya family in 973 A. D. We have traced the subsequent history of the Calukyas down to Someswara IV, under whom Bijjaļa established the Kalacũri Interregnum about 1162 A. D. Within twenty years of this the Cālukyas were once again restored to power, but they could not continue enjoying it for long. After 1190 A. D. they sank into the position of petty chiess, most of their possessions passing into the hands of new dynasties, the Yādavas of Devagiri and the Hoysaļas of Dwarasamudra. The brief period during which the Kalacūris occupied the Cālukya throne was marked by the rise of the Virashaiva or Lingayat movement, perhaps the fiercest attack ever delivered on Jainism as well as Brāhmanism.146
The religious condition of the country at this time is noteworthy. In the words of Elliot, “most of the princes (under Someswara IV) seem to have been votaries of Śiva......But
144 Potoroon, Report on Saú, MSS. IV. p. 33. 145 Ep, Car. II, SB. 133; Cf. ibid. Introd,, pp. 47-8. 146 Smith, The Oxford History of India, pp. 202-3; Early History of
Indis, p. 396,