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MEDIÆVAL JAINISM those of the pañcaparameșțis, and they undertook to spread his merit and fame.1
The thirteenth century saw other prosperous Jaina centres. For instance, there was Arasiyakere. This city was one of the most famous spots in Karnāțaka. Here was the Sahasrakūta Jinālaya about which we have already mentioned a few details while dealing with General Rēca. The above inscription dated A.D. 1220 which commemorates the setting up of the Sahashrakūta Jina image by General Rēca, gives us an admirable account of the citizens of that rājadhāni. Here lived both Brahmans and Jainas in the utmost freedom and goodwill. “To those who properly observe, in the celebrated Arasiyakere the Brahmans were versed in the Vedas ; the guards, brave; the traders, wealthy ; the fourth caste, of unshaken speech ; the women, beautiful; the labourers, submissive; the woods, full of fruits; the gardens, full of flowers.” With lotuses covered with bees, with groves filled with parrots and cuckoos, with tanks overflowing, pervaded with the perfume of gandhaśāli rice, filled with flower, sugarcane and wells, having lofty and handsome temples, crowded with an increasing population, and ornament to the earth-who can describe Arasiyakere? The Jaina dharma and all other dharmas are cultivated without opposition by the thousand families of the good in Arasiyakere. The Bhavyas who aided those thousand families are described thus-Their speech, a home of truth ; their conduct, according to Jina dharma ; in worship of the two feet of Jina, fourfold of Indra ; their (material) greatness, equal to that of Kubera ; their gifts bestowed upon only the worthy ; in acquiring wealth, giving pleasure to all ; on whatever side observed this was
1. E. C., V. BI 134, p. 89.
