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

Page 9

362
Hampa Nagarajaiah
Jambu-jyoti
death he went to the Jinagrha (Jaina temple), and at the feet of his revered teachers attained the holy death in the year 1039 C. E.
8.5.1. It is important to note that Revasetti voluntarily went to the caityagrha
six months prior to his death, practiced the vow of gradual suspension of aliment unto death, listening to the reading of the Aradhanā text, and thus carried out the ritual prescription under the supervision of his teachers. With the consecrated act of sallekhanā, renunciation of all profane possessions and associations, Revasetti was considered a mahāpuruşa, a noble-minded eminent person. He was a disciple of Abhayanandi-panditadeva who is identical with Abhayanandipandita mentioned in SB inscriptions (EC. 11 (R) 51 (48), 156 (127) and 173 (140) ).(It is astonishing how a good number of lay-followers also, indeed courageously and comprehendingly undertook the vow
of Sanyasta-dharma for attaining salvation.) 8.6. Abhayanandi-pandita was one of the foremost Jaina mendicants in
the Gangavādi 96000 region (K. 9). He was a disciple of Traikālyayogi and a grand disciple of Gollācārya (EC. II (R) 51 (48) IIth cent. C. E. P. 17, ibid., 156 (127). p. 94; ibid., 173 (140) P. 119]. All these pontiffs accomplished the three-jewels by observing the ritual of
meditation and fasting unto death at Koppala. 9.1. [K. 6 and K. 27] These two inscriptions of Koppala vividly describe
Kundanarasi alias Kundana-somidevi, elder daughter of Būtugapermādi II (938-61 C. E). Koppala inscription No. 6 is undated and fragmentary but on palaeographic grounds it can be assigned to the end of the tenth century. Kundanarasi, a caladankagärti, by totally renouncing food and drink, patiently awaiting her inevitable end, achieved the three-jewels and entered the world of gods. This is the summary of the four lines traceable in the above nisidhi.
9.1.1. Another inscription (K. 27) is dated Saka year 929 (1007 C. E), but
that is the year of the death of Cangala-devi alias Cangambe who was a contemporary of Kundana-somidevi. As recorded in the cpitaph, both of them died by undertaking sallekhanā rite and were renowned personages during the second half of tenth century. Maladhārideva tits the reacher, Rāya was the master, Macana was the son, the best religion of the Lord Jina the Victor was the religion