Kevalaodhi Buddhist And Jaina History Of Deccan Vol 2

Author(s): Aloka Parasher Sen, B Subrahmanyam, E Siva Nagi Reddy
Publisher: Bharatiya Kala Prakashan

Page 84

286
Kevala-Bodhi-Buddhist and Jaina History of the Deccan
Records are available to show that the Chōlas from the time of Parantaka I to Rājarāja III were tolerant towards the Jainas. Temple building activities, maintenance of temples, grants for offerings, feeding Jainas monks and nuns were regular events. It is amazing to note that not only the Chōla monarchs, but also the Chōla princess Kundavai, elder sister of Rajarāja I showed keen interest in building not only many Śiva, Visnu and Jina temples but also was liberal in contributing to maintain the Kundavai Jinȧlaya in Tirumalai in North Arcot District and Dadapuram in South Arcot District. In Tirunedunkondai in South Arcot District there was a Jaina temple Known as Nārpatheṇṇāyira Perumpalli and Valaiyurnau Perumpalli.
There were Jaina nunneries too. Though nuns were not given equal ranking with monks in Jainism, there were references to women taking up to asceticism. A clash between two groups of nuns is reported from an epigraph from Vedal in North Arcot District dated 885 AD. Kanakavīrakurathiyar, a disciple of Gunakīrthibhatara headed five hundred pupils in a nunnery. There was clash between her group and another nunnery, which had four hundred inmates. We are informed that the local Jaina laity amicably settled this dispute by taking one group of nuns under their protection. The Jaina monks and nuns took up the teaching of both boys and girls in the locality.
A Jaina temple on the rock (Jinagiripalli) accommodated Jaina monks. Provision was made for the daily feeding of a Jaina monk residing in the Palli. The inscription on a boulder in Anandamangalam in Chingleput District dated in the reign of Parāntaka Chōla I (945 AD) not only refers to the above grant but also bears Jaina figures.
There was a big Jaina settlement in Tiruppanmalai headed by Aristanemibhatṭāra. His disciple, a nun by name Pattinakurathi Adigal, dug a well at Vilapakkam. The well and a house constituted at nunnery, which was under the control of twenty-four important members of the locality.
Parantaka I's record refers to the donation of gold to the Jaina temple at Tirumalai also known as Vaikavur by two residents of Kaduthalai. Political changes during Parantaka I's period resulted in the Rashtrakua occupation of the Tondaimandalam region. A record of Krishna III refers to the grant for perpetual lamp to a yakṣa at Tirumalai by Gangamăādēvi, wife of Prithivigangaraiyan, a chief under Krishna III. Lighting of perpetual lamp became very prominent during the Chola period and the Chōla commander's wife also followed their practice to do show that they were involved in acts of some religious service."
During the region of Parantaka (911 AD) two of his army chiefs by name Vīrsēvakan Piḍāraṇ Batugan and Virsamanayakan Chandayan Ayiravan gave four Kalanju of gold for feeding a Jaina monk attached to the Tirumalai temple. The title "Irumudichola" attached to their names conveys that Parantaka who had the title "Irumudi Chōla" was their King.
The Chola feudatories also showed keen interest in protecting Jaina monks and temples and offering grants for the same. The Udayendiran copper plates of Hastimalla, a feudatory of Parântaka I refer to the Digambaras whose ancestors were endowed with a part of village of Kaḍaikkour known as Pallichandam. This record confirmed the earlier grant and issued an order not to disturb the earlier grant when other parts of that village were donated for some other purpose.
Gandaraditya, son of Parántaka I was a great Saivite. It is interesting to note that a Jaina temple was named after him as Ganḍaräditya Perumpalli at Jambai in South Arcot District. The God of the