Some Historical Jaina Kings and Heros

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

Page 90

THE HOYSALA KINGS OF DORASAMUDRA.
The Hoysala kings of Dorasamudra (Mysore ) were the Yadava Ksatriyas of the Somavamsa. In 1116 A. D. they expelled the Chola kings. and became rulers of the whole country lying in the west of Mysore. They were called "Doaravati-puravaradhishoara" and were Jains by belief. Their birthplace was the Jain centre of Shasakapura, which is identified with Angadi in the Western Ghats in Mudgere Taluq. The progenitor of the family was Sala. Once when in the temple of Basantidevi, he was taking religious instructions from the Jain guru Sudatta Vardhamana munindra, a tiger glaring with rage came bounding out of the forest. The Jain sage in order to test his bravery handed his rod to the chief and exclaimed: "Poy Sala !". ( Strike Sala!). Whereupon Sala hit the tiger and saved his guru. It was from the rescued Jain guru's exclamation that the chief assumed the name "Poysala", which': later on was changed to "Hoysala."
The Hoysala kings were great rulers as is evident from the titles such as "champion among the Melapas” ( hill chiefs )- "Paramount lord of Deccan” (Cfgru igat), and they were the crestjewels of the Right Belief (सम्यक्त्व चूड़ामणि) But