Some Historical Jaina Kings and Heros

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

Page 88

74
“ ruled with exceeding glory"? Like his master Bijjala, his efforts for the propagation of Jainism were unending.
It is interesting however to note that this period was remarkable for the revival of the worship of Shiva and for the rise of the Lingayat sect, which was started under the leadership of a treacherous minister of Bijjala by name Basava. Baldeva was another Jain minister of the King Bijjala, who gave his daughter in marriage to Basava and when Baldeva died, Basaya was appointed minister in his place. Basava was himself a Jain, but he was anxious to establish himself as acknowledged head of the Brahmana cult. He therefore, moulded the
Shaioa faith according to the desire of the timesmostly making it resemble the practical aspect of Jainism; and it came to be known as the Lingayata sect. In order to spread his new cult Basava propagated far and wide, and was eager to get the royal support. Accordingly he arranged the marriage of his sister to his master King Bijjala, in the vain hope that she would change the heart of the emperor. But the hopes of Basava werefrustrated. He soon became treacherous to the king and secretly spent the royal finance in helping his sect. His sectarian prejudice made him despe-'
de Saletore, Med. Jainism, pp. 147-148