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BHATTARAKHA TRADITION
HERITAGE OF
SHRAVANABELAGOLA > BHATTARAKHA
TRADITION
There are
seen five phases in the Jaina ascetism. These include Brahmacharya,
Kshullakha, Ailaka, Digambara and Aryika. These ascetics were traveling
continuously from one place to another. Hence they did not require mutt,
the residential place to stay permanently in a single place.
In the
later days a sect of ascetics called Bhattarakha Swami evolved to take cognisance of Shravaakas to lead them through right path. This distinct
sect of ascetics were assigned with the duty of taking Shravakas in the
path of dharma. It is found mainly among the Bispanthi
sub-sect of Digambars. Bhattarakhas are regarded as religious teachers
by the Bispanthis. The terms Batara, Balara, Battora
and Bhattarakha used in various occasions imply as the most honoured,
revered teacher or seer. It also implies the symbol of merit of
scholarship and erudition. Bhattaraka has given rise to another term Pattacharya signifying the
head of the Mutt. The term Panditacharya is
equivalent or alternative to Bhattarakha. The inscription of Rona dated A.D. 1111 has
mentioned the study of the religion and tradition as Battavrutthi. These
words are used as a suffix in front of the names of king, guru and other
senior people. Nagaverma II, the renowned Jain poet has also cited the
same. These words denote eminence of the kings, where as the symbol
knowledge and scholarship of the ascetics. Bhattarakhas usually belonged to a
particular Sangha/Gana/Gachha. Tirthankaras are also addressed as
Bhattarakhas as they have attained kevalagnana.
The tradition of Bhattarakhas has paved
the way to combat the challenges posed by the advent of Muslim rule in
India. The nudity was the mainstay which the Digambara Jaina ascetics
was to face during their regime. The tradition resisted the attack by
these people to a considerable extent and saved the religion from
destruction.
A specific subsect was identified with Bhattarakha
exclusively- Devendrakeerthi of Huncha - with Bogars, Charukeerthi of
Moodabidri with Upadyay and also Charukeerthi of Shravanabelagola with
Vaishyas. However Bhattarakhas belong to all Jains irrespective of caste
and locality. One can observe the ablation of subcastes and group
system among Jains.
Bhattaraka vows the responsibility of
propagating adhyatmic life and uplifting society through religion and
education. He strives hard for the propagation of dharma, education and
guides the people on these lines. Bhattarakha is also entitled and
expected to follow Nigrantha sadhu stage at the terminal stage of his
life. Bhattarakha leads the life pattern of Rajaguru with all the
paraphernalia i.e. royal honours and privileges. He is honoured by all
the sects of people in the society. They evince keen interest in the
development of art literature, architecture and sculpture and also the
performing arts such as music, dance or drama. Bhattarakha is mainly
concerned with religious preaching and propagation. However the
additional responsibilities of maintaining the holy place was bestowed
upon. A radical change was observed in the 12th and 13th century with
the advent of foreign rule.
The Bhattarakhas are regarded as superior to the common
people and inferior to munis. In the earlier years the Bhattarakas
assumed nudity. However with the advent of changes in time and space
they started wearing clothes. They also possess a water
canteen (kamandala) and a tuft of peacock feathers. They used to walk bare feet
and move from place to place, but later stayed at a single place. They exercise control over society. It requires greater
preparation, devotion and dedication to fulfill the needs of Gurupeetha
and the people. They consume food only once a day,
stay in a single place during chaturmas and finally assume the state of nigrantha. They observe the rituals strictly and also advise others to
follow the same method of living. They are endowed with the
responsibility of propagating the religion, construction of new temples,
restoration of the old built by shravakas and also to safeguard the
offerings to those temples. They also organise pooja celebrations, installation
of Jain idols, conducting the rituals of worshipping the Jina and
protecting literary works.
They personify sacrifice, learning
capacity, literary interest and organisational abilities. The
organisation of religious conferences, collecting and publishing
religious works, protecting classic works of the religion are the duties
rested with them. Bhattarakhas are the religious heads like the kings
ruling their domain. This lead to the tradition of observing the throning ceremony of Bhattarakhas as that of the kings. Strictly
speaking Bhattarakhas are the transformed personalities from Digambara
munis and for which the society was also responsible to some extent. The
Bhattarakhas are also called as Deva, Muni,
Acharya, Bhata, Guru and Pandit.
Jain mutt of
Shravanabelagola stands foremost among the Jain mutts of Karnataka. The origin of Bhattaraka peetha at Shravanabelagola can be traced to the 24th prophet
Mahavir. The
establishment of the mutt has drawn the attention of all the sections of
people. There is a substantial evidence recorded
that Chavundaraya made Nemichandracharya as the pontiff of
Shravanabelagola. However the heritage of the Mutt dates back to
earlier period than this. As mentioned in the ancient study of Kundakundacharya,
the name Charukeerthi Panditacharya was given to this seat in A.D. 1117.
It also bears relation with Hoysala
dynasty. Ballala II conferred the title Charukeerthi on
Shubhachandracharya of Sri Kshetra when the latter relieved the distress
of the king. Since then the person occupying the dharmapeetha at
Shravanabelagola was called Charukeerthi. It is interesting to note the
Bhattarakha pethas of Nallore near
Karkala and also Moodabidri was named after the same in about A.D.1120.
The term Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya is found in the inscription of
Shravanabelagola belonging to 12th century. Charu means fragrant,
loveliest and greatness. An
inscription of Srirangapatnam dated A.D. 900 mentions the name of Sri
Varamati Shagara Pandit as the religious head of Shravanabelagola. The
mutt at Shravanabelagola belongs to Desigana, Pustaka Gachha
Kundakundanvaya.
His Holines
Chindananda Charukeerthi Panditacharya adorned the Gurupeetha in the
terminal part of 17th Century. He has composed Munivamshabhyudaya found
in five chapters which is an incomplete work. He was closely associated
with Chickkadevaraja Wodeyar of Mysore.
Sri Charukeerthi Panditacharyavarya Swasti
Sri Nemisagar Swami was made the pontiff of the place on 2nd May 1928. Swasti Sri Shanthiraja Swami, Sri
Selvarasa Swami, Sri Nemisagar Swami and Bhattakalanka Swami (A.D.
1947-69) adorned the peetha of Shravanabelagola. Bhattakalanka
Charukeerthi Swamiji observed Chaturmas at Shravanabelagola. He suceeded
Sri Nemisagar Charukeerthi Swamiji. Having mentioned these facts I must
admit that owing to the paucity of historic material
regarding the Bhattarakhas who served the cause of the religion through
the Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt is a setback in properly
scribing in this direction.
His Holiness
Jagadguru Karmayogi Swasti Sri Charukeerthi Bhattarakha Pattacharyavarya Swamiji, the present
pontiff of Shravanabelagola stands as the main propagator of the religion
since assuming the peetha in 1969. He has developed Sri Kshetra
Shravanabelagola in all its spheres. A separate article is envisaged in
the later pages of this series of study. He has revived the ancient Bhattarakha peethas
by initiating and throning His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhuvanakeerthi
Bhattarakha Swamiji to Siddkshetra Kanakagiri peetha in 1997 and
His Holiness Swasti Sri Bhanukeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji to Kambadahalli
(1998). Besides a new Bhattarakha peetha was established by
him at Arahantgiri (Tirumalai) in Tamil Nadu (1997) and Swasti Sri
Dhavalakeerthi Bhattarakha Swamiji was appointed as peethadipathi. Such efforts towards the
revival of Bhattarakha peethas in the recent years have brought new rays
hope on the horizon in the propagation of Jaina religion.
---------------
Bibliography:
1. Kalyananda Haadi: Ed.Dr.Siddalinga
Pattanashetty (1999)
2. Shravanabelagola Srigalavara
Bashana Sangraha: Ed. A.Shantharaja Shastry (1932)
3. Shravanabelagola Ondhu Samikshe: Ed.
Dr.G.S.Shivarudrappa (Bangalore University Publication, 1983)
4. Gommateshvara Commemoration Volume:
Ed. Dr.T.G.Kalghatgi (Published by: S.D.J.M.I. Managing Committee Shravanabelagola,
1981)
5. Dhavala Teertha - 1995: Ed.Sri
Jeevandharkumar Hotapeti (Published by: S.D.J.M.I. Managing Committee Shravanabelagola,
1981)
5. Dhavala Teertha - 1996: Ed.Sri
Jeevandharkumar Hotapeti (Published by: S.D.J.M.I. Managing Committee Shravanabelagola,
1981)
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