________________
224
The Unknown Pilgrims
-Yogindudeva, probably of the Vlth century, author of the Paramātmaprakāśa, a jewel of Jaina mysticism.257
- Ravisena of the VIIth century, author of the Padmapurāņa, a Jaina version of the Rāmāyana.258
- Jinasena and Guņabhadra of the IXth century, the authors of the Mahāpurāņa.259
- Siddhānta Cakravartin Ncmicandra, the author of the Dravyasaṁgraha, the Gommațasāra and other important texts; he lived in the age when the crection of the statue of Bāhubali took place, at the end of the Xth century. 260
At the end of the XIlth century Bālacandradeva, whose sphere of activity had its centre in Śravaņa Belgoļa, published in Kannada commentaries upon all the works of Acārya Kundakunda. Moreover, in several inscriptions his name is held in high honour on account of his ascetic fervour. 261
With regard to the presence of the Jaina dharma, ils growth and influence and continuing existence, in Andhra Pradeśa, we have welldocumented information up till nearly the XVIth century. It is very possible that, before the beginning of our era, munis from Kalinga
257 Cf. Upadhye, Introd. 10 this work.
258 Cf. JSK III, p. 406.
259 Ibid., II, p. 330; 245.
260 Ibid., II, p. 629; Siddhānta Cakravartin means: "he who like a ruler of the world has a mastery over the totality of the sacred writings." Winternitz, 1977, p. 585.
261 Cf. Upadhye, PSa, Introd., pp. 100-101.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org