Jainism in Rajasthan

Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

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VIC JAINA MONKS AND STATESMEN
2. JAINA STATESMEN Almost every state of Rajasthan and every principality or jāgīra was served by more than one Jaina minister or manager. Naturally, all of them were not pious people; but some of them led a life of lofty ideals and were deeply devoted to their masters who could not but respect the general principles of their religion. The ministers and officers preached by practice and not by precepts. Their masters and all others who came into close contact with them were deeply impressed by the simplicity of their personal life and began to respect the religion which was responsible for their high morality, their high official position, social status, learning, loyalty and devotion They are too numerous to be described but a bare outline of the life of some of them seems to be necessary.
VIMALA: We have no information about the Jaina statesmen of Rajasthan before Vimala: who is the most famous Jaina statesman of the eleventh century. He was a son of Vīra, the Mahattama of the King Mūlarāja, and rose to the position of the Minister of Bhima I by sheer dint of his military skıll. Probably, he fought against Mahmūd Ghazni with his master. According to the Prabandhas, he defeated the twelve Sāmantas. It cannot be wholly legendary and may contain some elements of truth They may be deputies of generals left by Mahmūd Ghaznī after his return from India. He also assisted his master in restoring Saurāshtra and Kachchha which became independent taking advantage of the Muslim invasion.
Afterwards, Vimala helped his master Bhīma in capturing Chandiāvatī, a place near Abu, from Dhandhuka Bhīma made him a governor in recognition of his services. In course of time, Vimala restored friendship between Dhandhuka and Bhīma Bhīma returned his kingdom to Dhandhuka but kept Vimala as his representative of Abu as before
Vimala was a deeply religious and selfsacrificing man. He led an extremely simple life and lavished almost all of his immense personal wealth on the construction of a wonderful temple on Mount Abu.
UDAYANA: Udayana was the well-known statesman in the time of Chalukyan rulers namely Siddharāja and Kumārapāla. He was a native of 1. Vrmalacharitra Sce also Purātanaprabandhasangraha (Vimalavasatı prabandha,
pp. 81-82.)