Jinamanjari 2000 04 No 21

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

Page 43

The puja vessel inscriptions at Santinatha temple in Mysore refer that Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III (C. E. 1799-1868) made grant of 300 varaha for the maintenance of this basadi. Krishnaraja was also stated to have performed - in accordance with the Jaina system the Mruthyunjaya, Kalikunḍa, Siddhacakra, Ganadharavalaya, Pañca-cakra aradhana, and Ugrasanti ceremonies at the palace. It is also significant to note these ceremonies were done over five days, and Poet Devachandra was the performing priest.
An inscription dated C. E. 1829 refers to the renovation of a basadi at Kelasūru and the installation of an image of Candraprabha Tirthankara. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III also encouraged many Jaina scholars and as many as ten Jaina physicians were stated to have been attached to the royal court. The most prominent among them was Sūri Pandita, honored with the title Vaidya Raja
-
It should be noted here that Caamarāja Nagar which bore the ancient name of Arikūtāra town in the south of Mysore city was the birth place of Camaraja Wodeyar. Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III changed the name of Arikūṭāra to Camarāja Nagar, in the memory of his father. At that time, he was stated to have taken keen interest in the perpetual performance of the pujas in 23 basadis which existed around Arikūṭāra. There was the Jaina scholars family at Arikūtāra (Camarāja Nagar). It was Sūri Pandita, his son Bommarasa, and his son Lakshmi Pandita. All these scholars enjoyed liberal patronage under Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III. All these scholars enjoyed liberal patronage under Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III. The king also made, following his predecessors, pilgrimage to the Jaina shrines Mudabidre, Karkaļa, Veņūr in Canara district and as well as to Śravanabelgola.
The walls of matha at Śravaṇabelgola are decorated with paintings illustrating scenes from the lives of the Tirthankaras. The panel to the right of the middle cell also represents the Dasara Darbar of Krishnaraja Wodeyar-III seated on the throne. The paintings stand as evidence of the close association of Pontiff Cărukirti Panditācārya with the rulers of Mysore. It should be noted that special pūjas in the basadis of Śravaṇabelgola were arranged on this occasion in honor of Wodeyar king, and the practice is being continued to this day.
After the fire destroyed the Santiswara basadi in the palace campus, Jains were actually excluded from the royal palace. However, the king Krishnaraja Wodeyar-IV made land allotment for the purpose of erecting new basadi outside of the palace campus. The present structure of Santiswara basadi at Mysore clearly reveals that the materials of the demolished basadi had been used to raise the new structure. The consecration ceremony was held on the 30th August 1897. The palace honors were presented on the ceremonial occasion, the king Krishnaraja Wodeyar-IV attending the consecration ceremony.
Jain Officials and Scholars
The brief historical examination points out to the fact that there prevailed to a considerable Jaina influence in the Wodeyar royal court. Competent and able
For Private & Personal Use Only 40