Significance of New Inscriptions from Koppala Karnataka

Author(s): Hampa Nagrajaiha
Publisher: Z_Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_1_002105.pdf and Nirgranth_Aetihasik_Lekh_Samucchay_Part_2

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Significance of New Inscriptions from Koppala, Karnataka
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11.2. These friars were master exponents of Nirgrantha philosophy.
Through their austerity, simplicity, and transparent character they commanded instant respect. They inspired their devotees by thought, word, and deed. Most of the monks mentioned in these memorial columns were the preceptors of the Ganga rulers.
11.3. Among the holymen mentioned, the following were outstanding
pontiffs of those times : Abhayanandi pandita, Ajitasena muni, Ganda-vimuktadeva, Gollācārya, Maladhāri-deva, Maunibhattāraka, Meghacandra, Nayanandideva, and NemicandraSiddhāntadeva; also Padmanandi-Siddhãntadeva, Sridharadeva, Indranandideva, Siddhasena-Bhatāra, Trikāla-yogi, and Tribhuvanacandra Bhatāra. More, indeed considerable information à propos of the spiritual pedigree of these acāryas, is available from other inscriptions, particularly from Sravanabelagola.
11.3.1. Some of these friars are either confrères or contemporaries or belong
to the successive generation as teacher and disciples. Among them only a few were the pontiffs of Koppala diocese.
SALLEKHANĀ OF SOMADEVA-SŪRI
11.4. Till today the exact date and place of the death of Somadeva sūri of
the Yaśastilaka fame and of Gauda Samgha (eastern India) was not known. But Koppla inscription No. 34 has supplied this information; following is the summary of that incomplete inscription :
Vādībha-Pancānana' was a teacher to poets and to the emperor. A terror to the disputants was Mahendradeva, a disciple of Nemideva, whose disciple was the famous Somadeva-sūri. Victory to Somadeva who with his prudence became the emperor of logicians. Even Krsnarāja (Răstrakūta Krsna III) had praised Somadeva (-sūri) who was also the preceptor of Nolambántaka (Mārasimha-deva II, son of Būtuga II).
11.4.1. Somadeva was conversant with poetry, dramaturgy, nātya-sāstra,
and grammar. He was a king among poets; never before and never after, a talented person so deserving as Somnadeva existed. Tärkikacakravarti Somadeva-panditadeva passed away at Koppala in the year 984 C. E.