Sambodhi 2002 Vol 25

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

Page 77

72
DR. HAMPA. NAGARAJAIAH
SAMBODHI
images and places of prayer are not lacking. Mangalavede, now in Mahārāstra (Sholapur Dt.) was a well-known Jaina seat and the royal house of the Kalacuris made it more sacred by founding new houses of worship dedicated Jina. Abbots of Mūlasamgha Desiga gaña were chief of the Mangalaveợe diocese. Bijjaladeva, born at Ingaleśvara (Bijāpur Dt., Bāgevāļi Tk), a nerve centre of Jaina faith, was brought up at the nearby Mangalavede olim Mangalavāda, included in the Tarikadunādu division, and the early capital of the Kalacuri monarchy. The pontiffs of the Jaina monastery at Mangalavede were the royal preceptors of the Kalacuri kings ab initio to ad finem. Hence the patriarchs of the Mangalavede Jaina cloister were privileged to the biruda, title of 'Mangalavedada Rāyarācārya', 'the teachers of the kings of Mangalavede'. Interestingly this epithet appears in the Bābānagar inscription. Acārya Tribhuvanadeva, chief of the Mangalavede Jaina monastery, was the preceptor of Bijjanarāya. It is noteworthy that some of the Kalacuri kings had Rāya as part of their names : Rayamurari, Bijjalarāya. Māņikya Bhattāraka, successor disciple of Tribhuvanadeva, was the royal preceptor of Vira Maiļugi, younger brother of Bijjaļa, and of Somanşpa, son of Bijja!a.
Epitome : The religio-historical and socio-cultural significance of the Babānagara epigraph needs no exaggeration. The Viraśaiva and Jaina literary sources categorically affirm that Bijjala was Jaina by faith. Inscriptional evidences also endorse the above account. The Bābānagara charter under discussion contains completely reliable record of the Jaina influence. It possesses phrases and references which hark back to the early phase of the Kalacuri monarchs. It describes the imperial policy for the propagation of the royal faith, especially the deeds of Bijjana, the projenator of the dynasty's rule and, after a hiatus of a decade, refers to the reign of Somanypa. It was issued in C. E. 1167, according to (SII. Vol. XVIII) editor's computation. Unfortunately this unique lithic record is severely damaged at several places, and the lines between 65 and 69 in particular are completely wornout. However, the main portion and purport of the charter could be made out.