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Origin and Growth of Faina Monachism in Karnataka
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monopolise the Kannada literature in the 11th-12th centuries, With the exception of one or two, ali poets, from the beginning to the middle of the 12th century, were of the Jaina faith ? Among the eminent Kannada poets, Sridharācārya, Karmaparya and Ncmicandra figured prominently in Jaina literature. Kanti, the earliest Jaina poetess in Kannada, also belonged to the 12th century." Social basis of the Faina Monasteries in Karnataka
Since the monks and nuns began to live in fixed abodes in the midst of lay communities, they entered into constant social intercourse with the lay votaries in Karnataka during early medieval times. The Jaina monasteries were socially organised in such a way as to catcr to the needs of all the classes of the Jaina society not only through religious teachings but also advice on political matters. The Jaina epigraphs as well as the literary texts from Kainataka reveal that some of the Jaina teachers acted as preceptors or instructors to kings, princes, and feudal lords who ruled over different parts of Karnataka. Pūjyapāda, Jinasena, Gunabliadra, Ajitasena-bhattāraka and Vädigliangala Bhatta were some of the prominent Jaina teachers who took active interest in the day to day activities of the royal courts. Vādighangala Bhatta's advice to the Rásţrakūta King Krşņa III enabled the latter to conquer all regions.3 The Nilivakjāmrta represents Somadeva as a political thinker who composed this work for the guidance of the kings of Karnataka just as Machiavelli wrote The Prince to guide the Italian monaichs. Both Jinasena and Sonadeva recognised the system of caste and enjoined the Jaina laity to adhere to their hereditary occupations in order to safeguard the interest of the ruling class. In the 11th-12th centuries, the Jaina teachers showed equal interest in managing the affairs of the Kingdoms in Karnataka. Vardhainānadeya, for example, took prominent part in the administration of the Hoysaļa kingdom during the time of Vinayāditya. Besides, Municandra, who is styled as Ratta rāja-guru, gained 1. G.S. Halapa, "Literary History of Karnataka", Studies in Indian
History and Culture, ed Srinivas Ritti, pp. 467-76. 2. S.R. Sharma, op. cit., p. 101. 3. MAR, 1921, pp. 23-4. -
