Jainism in India

Author(s): Ganesh Lalwani
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

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JAINISM IN INDIA
Mularaja Caulukya acquired the kingdom from the last Cavada king in 942 A.D. His domain was widespread in Rajasthan. He had great respect for Jainism and erected Mularajvasahika. Vimala, dandanāyaka of king Bhima I, constructed the world famous Jaina shrine at Mt. Abu.
Jainism has the most prosperous time under the Caulukya king Jayasimha and Kumarapala. This was the period when such a celebrity as Hemacandra flourished. His profound scholarship and austerity helped the propagation of Jaina religion in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Although Jayasimha was a Saiva, he helped Jainism with utmost respect. It was in his court that the famous debate between the Digambara sādhu Kumudacandra and Svetāmbara sādhu Devasuri was held in 1125 A.D. Heimacandra often graced his court by his august presence.
Jayasimha was succeeded by Kumarapala who came very much under Hemacandra's influence and embraced Jainism. He applied various devices for the propagation of religion and sought to turn his domain into a model Jaina kingdom. He himself gave up earthly pleasures and comforts and induced his subjects to do the same. Animal slaughter was prohibited throughout his domain. According to Dvyāśraya, the Brahmins of Palidesa substituted corn for animals in sacrificial offerings. Scriptural preserves (bhāndāras) were established at diverse p!aces in his kingdom. He was a great builder and had erected many temples. He had constructed a Jaina temple at Jalore.
The royal support to Jainism was very much lost after Kumarapala but still it continued to progress with the support of powerful men like Vastupal and Tejapal. Vastupal and Tejapal were at first the ministers of Bhima II and later of Viradhaval. Tejapal constructed an artistic temple on Mt. Abu in 1230 A.D. and Samarsingh donated a village named Dabani to meet the recurring expenses of the pūja here.
Under the Paramaras — Jainism made good progress under the Paramara kings. An inscription found in a village named Diyana in Sirohi indicates that during the days of Krsnaraja, Vardhamana installed the image of Viranatha. This inscription is significant from historical point of view since it establishes the date of Krsnaraja. From the Jhadoli inscription it is revealed that Srngaradevi, the queen of the Paramara king Dharavarsa donated land in 1197 A.D. to the local Jaina Temple. In 1288 A.D. during the reigns of Visaladeva and Saranga
deva two Rajput chiefs, Pratapa and Hemadeva of Dattani donated