________________
Significance of New Inscriptions from Koppala, Karnataka
357
as one of the primary centres of disseminating Jaina teaching of ahiṁsā, non-injury.
RELIGION
4.0
As already mentioned in para 2. 0., all the new records without exception belong to Jainism, and all of them are nisidhi memorials. There are only a few casual references to any particular primordial works of canonical nature, but the apostles and pontiffs of the Jaina church are remembered and a number of friars and preceptors are mentioned. Koppal itself was a big friary-centre for the Jainas and also was a seat of the Yāpanīya sect. The present Koppala hoard also provides reliable and useful information about some of the friars and cohorts of the Yăpaniya ecclesiastical institution. Indeed, much new material is available for reconstructing the hagiography of some Jaina ācāryas which praise the virtues of sterner monastic order. Asceticism was held in high esteem, its votaries firmly believed in the cycle of births and rebirths, and the inexhorable operation of karma in successive births.
5.0
POLITICAL HISTORY Main purport of these new epigraphs is not to deal with the political affairs. Of course, the present collection does afford casual references to some of the royalties and noble men of those centuries in Karnataka, among them the Gangas being the main. Though the kings traditionally were duty bound to support all religions, their active patronage of a particular sect can also be clearly perceived. Although a pro-Jaina dynasty, the Western Gangas evinced equal respect for other religious sects. Under their protection and patronage, Jainism flourished without let or hindrance. Gangas declared their devotion to Jainism from the beginning, taking as they did the rôle of a saviour. As a consequence, it turned out to be the period of Jaina ascendancy and soon it became one of the few dominant creeds in Karnataka in all walks of life. Thus Gangas gave a signal contribution to the prevalence of Jainism.
5.1
5.1.1. Historians, while discussing the controversy regarding
the authenticity of some of the Ganga copper plates, have by and
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
