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Origin and Growth of Jaina Monachism in Karnataka
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nun was placed under the supervision of a preceptress who in her curn, was under the control of the chief pontiff. The Varängacarita, which reflected the inferior position of the order of nuns, refers to the Jaina sangha under the control of the sage Varadatta. He is said to have directed the chief nun for giving instructions to the novices. She could not initiatc a new lady into the order.
Inscriptions do not give evidence of any independent monastic establishment exclusively meant for nuns. The establishment houscd both monks and nuns. No giants of land and village were made only for the benefit of nuns. In an inscription from Arasibīši in the Belguam district, dated 1047, Akkādevī made a gift of land for the benefit of Gonada Bedangi Jinālaya and for the maintenance of the Rsis and Ajjis, i.e., thc Jaina monks and nuns, attached to this rcligious establishment.?
The internal administration of the order of nuns was. carried on not by the monks but by the nuns themselves. In 10713 the nun Huliyabbājjike, who was the disciple of Śtinandi-Pandita of the Suraştha Gaņa and Citrakūžānvaya, received an endowment of land for managing the affairs of the Jaina sanctuary at Soraţür in the Dharwar district. She was evidently in charge of this Jaina temple and acted as the superintending priestess In 1076 Astopavāsikantiyar, another nun, is said to have endowed land for the benefit of the Jaina temple of Pårsvanātha at Gudigere."
The increasing influence of the Jaina nuns is also shown by the fact that they cntertained men as their disciples. Pațţinigurvadigal, mentioned in one inscription of Sravana-Be!go!a, was the preceptress of Ugrasena.guravaạigal.5 Arahānandi of the Valahāri Gana was another monk who accepted discipleship of the nun Ayyopoti, Desai traces the continuation of
i l'arängacanta, ch. 31, vv. 6ff, p. 301, 2. [I, xvii, p. 122, cited by P.B. Desa, op cit., p. 100. 3. BKT, i, pt , i, no. 111. P. 108. 4. 1A, xviii, pp 35ff. 5 EC, u, SB 25, p. 6. 6. [I, vi, no. 25, pp 177fT
