Book Title: Mahavira and his Teaching
Author(s): C C Shah, Rishabhdas Ranka, Dalsukh Malvania
Publisher: Bhagwan Mahavir 2500th Nirvan Mahotsava Samiti
________________
THE ASCENDENCE & ECLIPSE OF BHAGAVIN MAHĀVĪRA’S CULT 317
moving unchecked over its thorough-fares. Koţtār is now the name of the southern half of the city of Nagercoil, but it was the former name of the whole city.
48. Prof. K. K. Pilļay, M.A., D. Phil. (Oxon), Madras, suggests that the Ayi-vel chieftain, who first came under Pāņdya overlordship, might be sadayan Karunandan of the Kalugumalai inscription, dated 23rd year of Māran Sadayan, who was Arikesari Māra Varman's father. After the death of Arikesari, says Dr. Pillai, the Āys might have reasserted his independence, as, in the Huzūr office plates, his successors, Ko-Karunandadakkan and Varaguşan are described as having no overlord.
49. In another record, found at Tirucchāņāttu-malai, now called 'Chitarāļ, situated five miles to the north of the 22nd milestone of the central highway, running from Nagercoil to Trivandrum, we read that the hill was peopled by Jainas till as late as the 11th century after Christ, and had attracted monks, nuns, and pilgrims, From such distant places as Tirunarumkoņdai (South Arcot Dist.) and Kodavāsal (Tanjāvūr Dist.) These people have left votive images on the rock, with inscriptions under each of them, giving their names and addresses. One of them reads: Śrī Tirucchānāttu-p-pattini Bhatārar, sättan varagunan selvitta śrīmeni'. [T. A. S., Vol. 11, Page 126]. (See figure 6). This proves that varagunan, the Āyī king of the 8th century, was an independent Jaina chieftain and that Jainism was flourishing in his territory with his royal patronage.
50. A Kalugumalai epigraph (Tirunelveli Dist.) declares that one Puţpanandi Adikal (Puspanandi Yati) of Tirukkottāru, Santisena, a disciple of Uttaranandi Adikal of the same place, Kanakanandi Adikaļ, a disciple of Tirtha-bhatārar of Tirucchāņāttumalai and many nuns (Kurattīs) had made Kalugumalai their headquarters for Jaina evangelistic work [S. I. I., Vol. V, No. 316]. Another inscription at Samaņar-malai (Madurai Dist.) reveals that one Guņavīra Deva conducted a large university at
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
