Jainism and Karnataka Culture

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

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JAINISM AND KARNATAKA CULTURE
II, makes it clear beyond doubt that this prince, although he is described as the tree of heaven to the Brāhmaṇas "199 because of his liberality to them, undoubtedly patronised the Jainas as well. It says, "in order that his fame and merit might last as long as the moon and the stars, caused a temple (caityälaya) of stone to be built to the Arhat Pārsvanātha, who rules over the empire of all knowledge, and who well knew how to proclaim the doctrine of Syādvādavidyā, in a street of the Pān-supāri Bazār (Kramukaparnāpana) at his (the king's ) residence in Vijayanagara, that was situated in the midst of (the country called ) Kamāța-deśa, which was protected by his orders. "200
Under Virūpākṣa, son of Devarāya II, 201 eight Settigārs or merchants, made a grant to the Jaina temple at Bidire for the daily worship, anointment, etc., of Candroga Pārsva Tirthankara Candraprabhāswāmi and for the gift of Šāstras, under the direction of Carukirti Pandita Deva, when Vittarasa was ruling over Bärkūra-rajya.204 Kșşnadevarāya ( 1509–1529 A.D.) by far the greatest of all the rulers of Vijayanagara, well known for his Brāhmanical charities, also endowed the Trailokyanātba Jinalaya in the Cingleput District. 20s And lastly, that even lesser members of the Vijayanagara ruling families followed the example of the rulers is indicated by an inscription in the Bellary District which mentions Rāmarājayya's grant to a Jaina temple at Kurugodu for the merit of his father Mallarāja Wodeya. Hence, it is natural to conclude that under the rulers of Vijayanagara, as well, Jainism continued to be a protected religion, although its best days were past when Vişnuvardhana Hoysaļa became a convert to the creed of Rāmānuja.
199 Hultzsch, S.I.I., I. p. 166. 200 Ibid., p. 164. 201 See Suryanārain Row, Vijayanagar, ch. XVI, pp.331-43. 202 Mangesha Row, op. cit. p. 157. 203 Rangáchārya, Inscriptions of the Madras Presidency I, p. 375;
Madras Ep. Rep., 1901, 188. 204 Bangācharya, op. cit. I, By 113; Madras Ep. Rep., 1904, 63.