Jinamanjari 2000 04 No 21

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

Page 42

also followed him to captivity. Once Cikkadevaraja asserted his right over the throne, he appointed Viśālaksa Pandita as his Prime Minister.
The Jaina Visalaksa Pandita had been referred to as the foremost minister of king Cikkadevaraja Wodeyar. He was well known for his intelligence and extraordinary virtues. It is believed that his enemies with sectarian grudges plotted a conspiracy to bring about his death, as religious strife and factions were not uncommon during those days.
Cikkadevaraja Wodeyar was tolerant, liberal and socially progressive. On one occasion there arose a situation when the Jaina community of Hassan town was confronted by a section of the non-Jaina zealots, who prevented the Jain religious procession to pass through the streets. The leader of the Jaina community of Hassan by name Puttaiah took the matter to Cikkadevarāja Wodeyar. The king after having studyied the situation, issued nirupa (declaration) which meant that the Jainas could exercise their religious freedom to take out their public procession. The declaration also condemned the actions of the non-Jaina religious fanatic group. From thereupon, Jaina festivals and processions every where in the kingdom were celebrated without hindrance.
Cikkanna Pandita, author of Vaidya Nighantu (Medical Lexicon), was attached to the court of Cikkadevaraja Wodeyar.
Kantirava Narasarāja Wodeyar-II (C.E.1704-1713) continued the liberal policy towards Jainism. According to Devacandra, he undertook repairs of basadis around Mysore, including the one on Kanakagiri hill at Maleyūr.
Dodda Krishnarāja Wodeyar (C.E. 1713-1731) had provisions made to provide the necessary support to meet the requirements of the holy center. He granted many villages like Aranahalli, Hōsahalli, Uttanahalli, Jinnanahalli, Rācanahalli, Vastigrama, Kabbāļu etc., as sarvamanya. These villages were granted so as to enable the Bhaṭṭāraka to conduct religious festivals and also, for the daily worship of Gommata. The village of Kabbāle was specially granted for maintaining the danasale (cattle shed) situated near Cikkadevarāja kalyani (pond).
Kāsa Camarāja Wodeyar-IX's (C.E. 1776-1796) queen Devammāji made gifts to Jains. Its reference is found in a few inscriptions found on the pūja vessels preserved in the Santinātha temple at Mysore.
Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III (C.E. 1796-1868) issued sannads confirming the formal grants of villages to Śravanabelgola shrines made by Dodda Krishnaraja Wodeyar. These grants were renewed by Dewan Pornaiah when Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III was a minor. Jaina Kumāra Heggde of Dharmastala in South Canara district had personal application to the king about the sannads and in this connection, he was stated to have come to Mysore with the sannads originally issued by Dodda Krishnaraja Wodeyar. The original sannads confirmed the grant of village Kabbāļu for the maintenance of the matha as well as other charitable purpose. Later, the king issued another sannad in C. E. 1830 which reconfirmed the grant of villages mentioned above for the repairs and other expenses of basadis at Sravanabeļgoļa.
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