Jainism in Ealy Medieval Karnataka

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

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Jainism in Early Medieval Karnatal a
Karnataha during the period under study It became popular not only with royal famılıcs but also with nobles, generals merchants and the people of different professions But it is to be borne in mind here that this practice of Jina v orship nas spread and strengthened in Karnataka thiough royal efforts Its gradual progress among the masses may be tiaced from thc higher stiata to the lower level of the Karnataka soriety
The reasons which impelled the Jaina teachers of Kar nataka to encourage the laity to perform image worship are not difficult to find out The practical idea of gaining popu. larity among the pcople and removing the Brahmanıcai hatred against the Jainas made frequent provisions for the adoration of icon worship In order to compete with the Brahmanas it was felt necessary to rid Jainism of the dry asceticism The economic considerations of the Jaina teachers also prompted them to propagate this practice Through their advocacy of image worship, they acquired new means of livelihood in Jaina monasteries and temples which were invariably endoscd with rich gifts of land village and customs dues in the early medicval period Jaina llotwe of Worship
It is generally held that the worship of the Jinas is undertaken for spiritual reasons and not for gaining any worldiy benefit Professor All Upadhye observes that the aspirants (the Jaina worshippers) receive no boons no favours and no cures from him by uzy of gifts from the divinity As tle Jina is the embodiment of perfection the Jaina worshippers pray to him worship him and meditate on him as a model zıt they too might become perfcct Another scholar states that the Jainas ask for nothing from the Jinas, nor are ihcy supposed to be granting boons to their devotees They are not worshipped because worship is pleasing to them but because it is the source of the greatest good--the attainment of godly perfection for our soul Kalaghaig1,3 declaics that 1 A Upadhye cd ) 09 cit Introd p 36
CR Jain Essays and Address P 196 TG Kalaghaig: JKU 1 18