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- HOYSALAS.
115
Such is the interesting legend in connection with the extirpation of the Jains in the Kalachuri empire. The story best proves that the Jains sustained a series of reverses' in their attempt to revive their faith.
There seems to be no doubt that the early Jainism Hoysalas of Mysore had been Jains. They came Hoysalas. to power on the subversion of the Gangas by the Cholas, in 1004 A.D. Gradually expelling the Cholas from the country which they had occupied, the Hoysalas became supreme in the land by the 12th century. They retained possession of the Bēlār taluka of the Hasan district. The following story is narrated relating to the origin of The origin
of the the name Hoysala. One Sala, the supposed proge- name nitor of the family, was receiving instruction in its syota
• Hoysala ': the temple of Vasantikadēvi from a certain Jain Yati. At that time a tiger was about to pounce upon the Yati.. The latter observing this handed his rod to Sala exclaiming "Hoy ! Sala !" ("Oh Sala! strike”). Immediately the tiger was killed. From this we have the name Poysala or Hoysala, Little is known of Sala, but, his successor Vinayāditya seems to have been the disciple of Santidevamuni, a Jain ascetic.' Next in importance was the Hoysala king, Bittidēvabittiga, the famous Vishnuvardhana (1111 A.D.-1141 A.D.) who, it is said, had been converted to Vaishnavism by Rāmānujāchārya: As to the cause and history of his conversion, there exist many
1 Epigraphia Carnatica, S. B 1, Vol. II, p. 139.
