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Scientific Thought Evident in the Labdhisāra
: 135
A.D.). Hence it is desirable to introduce the author and his earlier texts for an easy access to the description of the Labdhisāra and its mathematical contents.
There is a political history in the background of the writing of texts, specifically the Gommațasāra, for Cāmuṇdarāya, his devotee, also known as Gommațarāya, who was the prime minister and commander in chief of king Rāyamalla of the Ganga dynasty. The Gangas of the west were among the ancient royal dynasties of India. They were devoted followers of Jainism. The first king of the Ganga dynasty was Śivamāra who was helped by a Jaina preceptor, Simhanandi, who belonged to Nandigana. The Repertoire d'epigraphic Jaina“ (A.A. Guerinot), inscriptions nos. 213, 214 mention that Śivamāra Kongunivarā was the disciple of Simhanandi. The inscription’ in Pārsvanātha Basti on Candragiri Hill, Shravana Belgola, Mysore, no. 54, also confirms this. From the Manual of the Salem district, it is found that the race of the Gangas prosperred through the sage Simhanandi.
Of this dynasty, we know about King Mārasimha II who won over the Ceras, the Colas, the Pandyas and the Pallawas of the Nolambadi country. He defeated the invincible Vajjala-deva and through his fierce battles of Gonura and Uchchangi, he became noted all over. After the glorious reign, he abdicated his throne and is said to have given up his life by a three day's fast according to doctrines of Jainism (sallekhanā), at the feet of his preceptor, the great Ajitasena, at Bankapur, in district Dharwar.
Cāmundarāya'' was the reputed minister of this great king, and the credit of being victorious in the terrible battles goes to the heroic loyalty of Cāmundarāya. According to his composition, the Cāmundarāya Purāņa, there is an opening colophon with an autobiographical note, mentioning that his lord was the Ganga-kulacūdāmani Jagadekavīra Nolambakulantaka-deva, and that he was born in the Brahma-Kșatravaṁśa. There is a colophon at the concluding
chapter in which he is noted as disciple of Ajitsena bearing several Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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