Some Historical Jaina Kings and Heros

Author(s): Kamtaprasad Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

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of the celebrated Jaina acharya Jinasena. Nitimarga died in 870 A.D. adopting the Jaina manner of death, called Sallekhana; the interesting scene of which event is depicted in the base-relief found at the head of the Doddahundi stone.
In the annals of the Ganga kings, the career of King Butuga as full of strenuous activity stands unique. He was a great ally of the Rashtrakutas and carried out an aggressive compaign against the Cholas with them and made remarkable conquests in the Chola country. Butuga was well proficient in the art of using the bow and arrow and secured a good name for himself in the Chola war as an archer and hero.
Butuga was a liberal administrator and wellversed in the Jaina · philosophy. He used to participate often in the theological controversies held in his court. He was reputed to have once worsted a Buddhist controversialist in an open debate in refutation of his Ekantamata.
King Marsingha was the illustrious son of King Butuga, who was named "Satyavakya Konganivarma Permanadi," with a variety of titlės, such as Dharmavatara ( 'Incarnation of Religion'), "Jagadekavira' (The one hero of the world' ), Gangarsingh (the Lion of the Gangas") etc., which establish his