Jinamanjari 2000 09 No 22

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

Page 50

thick forest which at present is the part of northern Malnad region of Karnataka. In the dream, yaksi Padmāvati foretells Jinadatta that he should establish his own kingdom in the region rather than continuing his journey to Southern Mathurā. Attracted to his great personality, the local tribal peoples join Jinadatta in the task of building his kingdom in the region. Prince Jinadatta thus after establishing his kingdom with its capital Pomburcha and founding the Sāntara dynasty came to be known Jinadattarāya, the word rāya standing for king. The kingdom was known as Santalige kingdom, which consisted of the northern sector of the Malnād region.
This legendary and literary construction of the life of Jinadatta and his kingdom have been supported by later epigraphic records. The earliest inscription of Humcha dated 897 C.E. states that Jinadattaraya was the founder of Sāntara dynasty under the blessings of goddess Padmāvati. A later epigraph dated 1062 C.E. mentions that the earliest Nokkiyabbe Jina temple of the place was originally built by Jinadattarāya.
Professor Hampana is of the opinion that the Sāntaras ruled from Seventh century to Thirteenth century, and commissioned the temple for Padmāvati, the goddess of the dynasty, in seventh century. In any event, the Sāntaras were known for their Jaina religiosity, love for art and architecture, and literature.
Sānataras developed Humcha into a remarkable religious and cultural centre of Jainism. The history of region is but of the Sāntaras, and their history is very closely associated with that of Jain religion, the professed faith of the Sāntara kings and the majority of their subjects. From the time of the establishment to the end of their rule, the prosperity and the peace in the Santara kingdom indicate the religious fervour with which the kings and their subjects enriched Jainism through commissioning of monuments and carrying out religious performances.
Commissioning of the Temple and the Mānastambha
Among the royal ladies, Cattaladevi, daughter of Arumuli Ganga alias Rakkasa Permandi Ganga and Gavabbarasi of the Ganga family, and the wife of Pallava king of Kānchi, who has not been identified yet, are well known personalities. Having lost her son Goggi and husband, Cattaladevi took a vow of desavrata, and settled down at Humcha with her sister Viramahadevi, the queen of Sāntara king Vira. Along with her nephews Taila, Goggiga, Odduga and Barma Säntaras, she launched various religious schemes in the interest and welfare of the people. She also commissioned in 1077 C.E. the panchakuta basadi
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