Sambodhi 2002 Vol 25

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah, N M Kansara
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 74

69
RIPTION
Vol. XXV, 2002 DIMENSIONS OF BĀBĀNAGARA INSCRIPTION a stretch. Hence the nomenclature of Astānhika' olim 'Nandīśvara Astānhika'. Since this period is considered very auspicious, Jaina householders visit Jinamandiras to observe vows and donate gifts. In brief, only Jaina laymen and women follow Astānhika ritual. King Bijjala, as a devoted votary, after participating in the ritual mentioned above, gave several endowments to mark the event of Astānhika holy day. It is worth pondering that instead of making an endowment only for khanda-sphuţita-Jīrnoddhāra, gift for repairing and white washing the temple, Bijjala has specified that the donation should be made use of for observing the Astanhika, a festival of his faith.
This typical phraseology of Jina-gandhodaka-pavitrīkrta-gātra occurs occasionally, but invariably, appropos of ardent Jaina laics. We do come across this usage only in a few Jaina inscriptions and Jaina poems. Out of about 3000 Jaina epigraphs in Karnataka, this phrase is used in eight charters while introducing srāvaka Jaina layman, and upăsaki, Jaina lay woman. Instead of quoting the text from those inscriptions, I would rather prefer to record the source of concerned epigraphś chronologically :
(1) MAR 1921, p. 18, C. E. 963, Kāďalūru (ii) SII, vol. XI-I, No. 52, C. E. 1007, Lakkundi (Gadag Dt.) (iii) JSI, Ingaļagi inscription of C. E. 1094 (Gulbarga Dt.) (iv) EC. VII-I (BLR) Shimoga 97, C. E. 1112 (v) EC. VI (R) Krsnarājapete 3, C. E. 1118 Hosahoļalu (Mandya Dt.) (vi) EC. II (R) Shravanabelagola 176 (143), C. E. 1123 (Hassan Dt.) (vii) EC. VII (R) Nāgamangala 169. C. E. 1142, Kasalagere (Mandya Dr.) (viii) EC. XII (BLR) Tiptūru 93, C. E. 1174, Karaļālu (Tumkur Dt.)
Bijja!adeva had the alias of Bijjaṇadevarasa, a nomen used more frequently in the Jaina records. Himself being a Jaina by faith, had chosen some Jaina men as his dependable officials. Among such bona fide subordinates Recana camūpa was fidus Achates. Recaņa dandădhipa (1135-1225), field-Mārshal of the Kalacuri army and scion of Vāji family, related to the illustrious Dānacintāmani Attimabble who commissioned 1501 Jaina temples including the magnificent Brahma Jinālaya at Lakkundi (SII. xi-i. No. 52. C. E. 1007). Recana, Bellona's bridegroom, bestowed his wisdom on Bijjana, his overlord and inspired to usurp the Cālukya throne. Accordingly