Jinamanjari 2000 04 No 21

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 21

Jinamaañjari, Volume 21, No.1, April 2000
JAINISM UNDER CĀĻUKYAS OF KAĻYĀṆA Dr. Nagarajaiah, Hampa, Bangalore
The age of imperial Cāļukya rule was a period of intense political, cultural, literary and socio-religious activities in Karnataka. They extended the empire of the Rāṣṭrakūtas that they inherited, covering the border areas of the present day states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra, and the north-eastern belt. The long and active rule of the members of Cāļukya dynasty between 973 and 1186 C.E., had made significant contribution. Numerically speaking the largest number of inscriptions are of the Calukya monarchs. Tailappa-II, his sons, grand sons and the successive rulers expanded the kingdom in all directions, establishing political stability. In fact, Karnataka witnessed highest number of Dukes and governors during this eon.
From Tailapa downwards upto mallikāmōda Jagadēkamalla Jayasimha, all the early monarchs were Jains, according to available inscriptions. "(Jainism) covered many parts of Karnataka and exercised such a powerful influence among its inhabitants that it enjoyed for sometime the privilege of almost universal doctrine. During the sway of the Gangas and the Raṣṭrakūtas in particular, until the advent of Later Cāļukyas, Jainism played the conspicuous role of a state religion and contributed immensely to political history as well as cultural dimensions of Karnataka, particularly its literary eminence and architectural grandeur" [A History of Karnataka, p. 301].
The above observation is vouched by a number of contemporary charters. The Cāļukya dynasty was highly indebted to a particular Jaina family of the noble lady Attimabbe. Her father Mallapa, her uncle Punnamayya, her husband Nāgadēva and her son Annigadeva - were the illustrious generals in the army of Tailapa. They fought bravely and in the process Nāgadēva and Punnamayya lost their lives on the battle field, the latter on the banks of river Caveri, on the extreme south. Gundamayya and Abhavamalla, brothers of Attimabbe also joined the army and enhanced the glory of the family. Dallapa, father-in-law of Attimabbe, was the chief minister, chief of army and chief of the royal records. Thus, an entire family assisted the kingdom for generations.
Nāgamayya, supremo of Punganur in Vengideśa gave away gifts and encouraged Jainism. His sons, Mallapa and Punnamayya were devout Jains, noted scholars and connoisseurs of art and literature. When Jinacandra - preceptor of their family and ascetic of great fame passed away, Mallapa and his brother commissioned poet Ponna (C.E.965) to author Santipurāṇa, biography of Tirthankara, for the merit of monk Jinacandra.
Attimabbe strictly adhered to the principles enunciated in the gospel of Jina. She helped the scholars, creative writers, singers both vocal (gayaka) and instrumental (vadaka), story tellers, reciters, dancers, actors, soldiers the destitute and orphans. She founded an amazing figure of 1501 Jaina temples and distributed 1500 images of Jinas, 1500 gold coated glittering lamps, 1500 festoon, 1500 gong and bells to ring while worshipping the god and 1500 mandasanas, For Private Personal Use Only