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348
MEDIÆVAL JAINISM is not named in the inscription.1
In A.D. 1539 four incidents of a similar nature relating to the citizens of Gērasoppe and Sravana Belgoļa are narrated in stone inscriptions found in the latter centre. All these refer to the settlement of a legal dispute between the citizens of the two places. Thus, in that year Cavudi Śețți of Gērasoppe having caused the mortgage on the land of Kambhayya, the son of Agani Bommayya, to be released, the latter caused certain permanant charities to be endowed in front of the Tyāgada Brahmā temple at Sravana Belgoļa. In the same year Cikkaņa, the son of Dodda Devappa, gave a dharma sādhana (charity deed) to Cavudi Setti of Gērasoppe. This was because the latter had relieved the former of his financial difficulty. Cikkaņa promised to carry on permanently the gift of food to one group at Śravaņa Belgoļa. Further, Bommana, the son of Kavi, gave a charity deed to Cavuļi Sețți for the same purpose. but with the stipulation that Bommana would carry on the gift of food to one group only for six months. And the flower-seller Cennayya also gave to Cavuļi Sețți a similar pledge which is however effaced.2
Is the mention of these legal deeds in Śravaņa Belgola, pertaining to a wealthy citizen of Gērasoppe, merely accidental? We think not. There must have been a cause of great rejoicing on the part of the citizens of Gērasoppe which prompted them to show particular favour to the people of śravaņa Belgola. We have to find out what was that cause of rejoicing. It could only have been that relating to such a function like the anointing ceremony of the god Gummațanātha at Sravana Belgoļa. An event of this
1. E. C. II. 342, p. 145. 2. Ibid, 224, 227, p. 96.
