Jainism in Ealy Medieval Karnataka

Author(s): Ram Bhushan Prasad Singh
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 39

Sources
21
the names of the places which gained popularity in Karnataka during carly medicval times.
Jaina cpigraphs are also valuable for the study of Jaina rituals and practices. The sallekhanā ritc or voluntary dcath by fasting is repeatedly referred to in the inscriptions of Sravana-Belgola. There are fifty-nine cases of such death by fasting during the 7th-8th centuries. The inscriptions not only indicate the popularity of this riic in Karnataka during the 7th-Sth centuries but also its continuancc in subscqucnt times. The available epigraphic material also shows that the Jaina laity practised sallekhana as ardcntly as the monks and nuns.
The religious injunctions regarding the above rites in the Jaina texts are corroborated by a large number of inscriptions from Sravana-Belgoļa. On the basis of cpigraphic references, whicis may be treated as behavioural data, it is possible to show how the Karnataka Jainas saithfully followed their religious principles and observed them in their day-to-day life. An epigraph of the 7th century tells us about VỊşabhanandi, who practised sanngasana on the summit of Candragiri hill, according to the prescribed rules. Māsena, another Jaina ascetic, is said to have observed the vow in the 8th century in accordance with the rules. The Jaina epigraphs show that the sallelhana was undertaken at the approach of death.3 The Sravaņa-Belgoļa cpigraphs also refer to the twelve types of Jaina penance.
That the temples were well established institutions in Karnataka can be inferred from large number of inscriptions which record donations for the construction and renovation of the Jaina temples. They were not merely centres of religious Worship, as they are today, but rendered some useful service to the Jainas. They functioned as centres of learning and ran charity houses for the distribution of food among the Jainas. The Jaina epigraphs also throw light on the rites and practices of the Jaina worshippers who offered prayers to the Jinas in the Jaina temples. Some inscriptions indicate the exalted 1. EC, 1. SB. 106, p. 4+. 2. Ibid. SB 23, pp. 6-7. 3. Ibid. SB, 80, 88, 93, 99, etc.