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Historical Significance of Early Jaina Kadamba Inscriptions
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monks and their chief Kumāradatta. The last few lines of the inscription conclusively show that king Ravivarman did everything to promote the worship of Jina at Palāśika. It further appears that Suri Kumāradatta, mentioned in this inscription, was a celebrated Jaina savant, belonging to the Yapaniya sect and was universally admired for his learning and holiness. We must note carefully the following lines of this inscription "wheresoever the worship of Jinendra is kept up, there is increase for the country, and the lords of these countries acquire strength ( ūrjas ).
The second undated Halsi grant of Ravivarman 16 is historically more important since, it refers to the killing of Visnuvarman, the lord of Kanci. The actual donor was Srikirti, the younger brother of Dāmakirti and the object was to increase the merit of their mother. A copper plate inscription" dated in the 34th year of this king, found from Chitradurga district ( Karnataka) records a grant of land to a Jaina temple.
It should here be remembered that Ravivarman did not favour the Jainas alone; other religious sects also received good treatment from his. This is proved by his inscriptions found from different places. Ravivarman ruled in the closing years of the 5th and the first quarter of the 6th century A. D.19
The Jainas also enjoyed patronage during the rule of Ravivarman, who unlike his father Ravivarman, was not a very strong king. We have two dated Halsi grants of his reign. The first is dated in the 4th year of his reign20. It records that at Uccasrngi, the king at the advice of his uncle ( pitvya ) named Sivaratha, gave the grant of a village to an Arhat temple of Palāśika, which was built by one Mrgesa, the son of senāpati Simha. On behalf of the temple, the grant was received by Candrakānta, who is described as the head of a Kūrcaka Sangha named after Vārisenācārya. It thus appears that a particular member of Kūrcaka sect called Varisenācārya, established, before this date, a particular Sangha, which was named after him. We have already taken note of these Kūrcakas, viho are mentioned in an inscription of the time of Mrgesavarman. The village Vasuntavātka, which was given as grant was situated at Kandura-visaya. The inscription ends with a verse addressed to Vardhamana.
The second Halsi grant of Harivarman's reign is dated in his 5th regnal year. It is interesting that Palāśika is described here as the capital ( adhisthāna ) of this king. We are told that the king, being requested by Sendraka chief Bhānusakti gave the grant of a village called Marade for a Jaina caityālaya of Palāśika, which was the property of Sramana-sangha called Aharişti and who were under Acārya
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