Jinamanjari 2000 04 No 21

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

Page 40

Jinamañjari, Volume 20, No.1 April 2000
JAINISM DURING THE WODEYARS OF MYSORE
Dr. Vasantha Kumari, Mysore
Despite many vicissitudes, development of Jainism during the Wodeyars period presents an interesting picture. For nearly five and a half centuries Wodeyar family ruled the Kingdom of Mysore, their first capital being Srirangapatna and later in the year C.E. 1800 moved to Mysore city during the rule of Krishnarāja Wodeyar-III. In fact there were twenty-five rulers beginning from Yadurāya to Jayacāamajēndra Wodeyar (C. E.1939-1948). It is important to note in this context that the Wodeyars maintained a close affinity with the Jaina Brahamanas whose influence in the royal court was consistent until the end of the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III (C.E. 1799-1868). Jain Poet Devacandra (circa. C.E. 1770) who has been acclaimed by some as the first scholar to write a compendium of Jain history, legends and chronology. The work is RājāvaļiKathāsāra. [Jinamañjari, Vol.9, No.1, April 1994.) He attributes the origin of the Wodeyar kingdom to the Hoysaļa descents - Timmarāja, Devarāja and Santarāja.
The development of Jainism and its progress during the Wodeyar times may be studied categorized under these sub-texts, namely - Wodeyars Patronage to Jainism, Jaina Officials and Scholars, Sravanabelgoļa and the Wodeyars and Reflections of European Writers on Jaina Socio -religious life.
Wodeyars Patronage to Jainism
It is believed that Sravaṇabelgoļa functioned in full swing during the period of Raja Wodeyar (C. E.1578-1617). He was very much influenced in his meatless food habits by his Jaina officials and the same practice was put in practice in the royal court also. He also was said to have made land grants to Jina Ādinātha basadi at Srirangapataņa and caused an enclosure to the basadi at Kanakagiri at Maleyür ksetra in Mysore district. Maleyūr was an important religious center of the Jainas having a matha which had been founded and presided by Acārya Akaļanka.
Câmarāja Wodeyar (C.E. 1617-1637) who succeeded Raja Wodeyar to the throne of Mysore followed the benevolent policy of his predecessors towards Jainism. Within a short period after Rāja Wodeyar, Sravaṇabe!goļa suffered a setback, and the improvements came, as known from inscription dated C.E. 1632 on Indragiri hill. It throws light on the dilapidated financial position of the Jain matha and the subsequent grants of villages made by Cāmarāja Wodeyar.
Câmarāja Wodeyar used to take delight in listening to the recitation of some Jaina works like Bharatesa-Vaibhava, Harivamsa Purāņa and Sanathkuamāra Carita. The king personally was interested in rejuvenating the religious activities of the matha at Sravaṇabelgoļa, which, in less than a decade after the demise of Raja Wodeyar, had gone to wrack and ruin. Even the lands belonging to the basadis had also been mortgaged. Furthermore, Bhttākara
Cārukirti Panditācārya had left the matha to its own fate. Details of this fact are Jain Education International For Private Ezzersonal Use Only