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INSCRIPTIONS AT SHRAVANABELAGOLA
HERITAGE OF
SHRAVANABELAGOLA > INSCRIPTIONS
AT SHRAVANABELAGOLA
Many
early epigraphists like Reverend Benjamin Louis Rice, E.P.Rice and
Raobahaddur Narasimhachar have thrown much light on the heritage of
Shravanabelagola through the innumerable inscriptions found at the
place. They have explored the inner core of the place and thus enriched
the vision of knowledge about the place.
More than about 800 inscriptions related to
Shravanabelagola are found at the place covering the period from 600 to 1830
A.D.A large number of these are found in the Chandragiri where as the
remaining are found in the Indragiri and the town. Most of the
inscriptions found in Chandragiri belong to the period of within 10th
century. The inscriptions include Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Marathi,
Marwari and Mahajani languages. These are found usually on the rocks,
pillars at the pedestal of metal idols. Inscriptions are also found in
the surrounding villages of Shravanabelagola. B.L.Rice explored and
published 144 inscriptions, the task was continued by R.Narasimhachar
who further discovered about 400 inscriptions. Dr.Shadakshara Shettar
identified about 40 inscriptions and published them. Dr.B.V.Shiroor also
has worked on epigraphy of Shravanabelagola. The name of Akalanka
(A.D. 788), the priest is found here. He was
summoned to the court of Himasitala at Kanchi, the place of learning and
who confuted the Buddhists in a public dispute. It is said that he was
instrumental in expelling them from South India to Celyon. The place
abound in the inscriptions that are scattered all around and are
Halagannada (Old Kannada) and Purvahalagannada in style. These inscriptions mention
the rise and growth in power of Gangas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas,
Vijayanagar empire and Mysore Wodeyars. These inscriptions have immensly
helped in proper understanding the nature, growth and development of Kannada
language and literature.
The eponym Shravanabelagola
means a beautiful pond ('Kalyani'). It was constructed in A.D. 1680 as
ordered by Chickkadevaraja Wodeyar the king of Mysore. In Kannada
language, 'Bel' means white and 'kola', the pond, an allusion to the
beautiful pond in the middle of the town. An inscription of A.D. 1129
mentions the name, 'white pond'. White pond is also called 'Shwetha
Sarovara' and 'Dhavala Sarovara' in Sanskrit. The earlier inscription
mention that this term existed even before the carving of the image of
Gommateshwara by Chavundaraya. Furthermore an inscription found on the
pillar of Siddhara Basadi (A.D. 1432) mentions the name 'Dhavalasarovaranagara'.
This only implies that the eponym Belagola was existing even before the
reign of Chikkadevaraya Wodeyar.
The first inscription (600 A.D.) has paid
reverence to Bhagwan Mahavira. It also has mentioned the arrival of
Badhrabahu Swamy to the place. This inscription has described the social
status, wealth, the fertility and
generosity of the people.
Iruguppa the close associate of Srutamuni, the main ascetic and also
the commander in chief donated Belagola village for conducting the
regular poojas. of Lord Gommateshwara. The place was also called
Gommatapura according to an inscription belonging to A.D. 1159 when
Hulla, the commander in chief constructed the temple of Twenty four
prophets. The income generated from the land was utilised for the
renovative purposes of the Jain temples and also for providing food to
the assembly of ascetics. It was also called by the epithet 'Dakshina
Kashi' and the statue of Lord Ananthanatha was installed in Bhandari
Basadi in the year 1857. Shravanabelagola was a great centre for
merchandise the 12th century and the people from far and near used to
gather here. It is interesting to note that the name Belagola is
mentioned in the oldest inscription i.e. A.D. 650. Shanthasena Muni
rejuvenated Jainism which found its debacle at times. He attained
salvation by observing Sallekhana atop the hill. The name 'Belagola' is
also mentioned in an 8th century inscription. An inscription of A.D.
1634 has mentioned the name of the poet Panchabana who wrote
Bhujabali Charitre. A copper plate found in Jain Mutt (A.D. 1634)
calls the place as 'Devara Belagulam'.
Inscriptions at Chandragiri
An inscription found on a rock to the
south of the Parshwanatha temple has stated that about 700 saints have
paid tribute to the celebrious doctrines of Jina. Another inscription
(650 A.D.) describes the beauty of Chandragiri as encircled by the green
crops around. Other inscriptions (700 A.D.) have mentioned the gurus of
the place and also the nuns such as Guru Gunasena and nun
Dhannekuttirevi. The name of Acharya Arishtanemi who hailed from north
is also found in an inscription of Chandragiri. The names of Siddhas and
Vidyadharas are found in the inscriptions. The names of other Gurus
include Akshayakirti (Mathura), Gunadevasuri, Baladeva, Ugrasena,
Mahasena Muni and Gunabhushana. Simhanandi Guru attained salvation here.
Nagasena Muni observed the vow Sanyasana.
Many inscriptions relating to Sallekhana
are found here. The nun Demitamati of Mayuragrama Sangha, Prabhachandra
Siddantha Deva and also Meghachandratravidyadeva of Pustakagachha Desiga
Gana observed the vow. The other munis who observed Sallekhana include
Ajitakirti Deva. In addition to this many Shravakas and Shravikas
observed Sallekhana on the hill at the behest of ascetics and nuns. An
important inscription among these includes the one of queen
Shanthaladevi who observed Sallekhana. The inscriptions has also
mentioned the name of here guru Prabhachandra Siddantha Deva, Vardhamana
Deva and Ravichandra Deva. The words Sanyasana, Samadhi and Sallekhana
are used in different inscriptions found. Jinanathapura the village
nearby Indragiri also was the abode of ascetics and Shravakas.
An important inscription bearing the pen
name Sri Kaviratna denotes Ranna, the Kannada poet who scribed
Gadayuddha and Ajitanathapurana (10th century). He was sheltered by Sri
Chamundaraya. An inscription found at the foot of Manasthambha of
Marasimha mentions the valour and sanctified life of Marasimha the Ganga
king.
Inscriptions at Indragiri
In an inscription of 12th century A.D.
found at the left entrance of Suttalaya has mentioned Chamundarayas
determination to get the statue carved and has narrated the history of
Bahubali. An inscription found on a rock to the right of Akhanda Bagilu
has mentioned the performance of Panchakalyana to the Bahubali statue in
12th century.
The inscriptions found in Kannada, Tamil
and Marathi languages on the anthills near the feet of Lord Bahubali
mentions that Chavundaraya was instrumental in carving out this great
statue. Another inscription found on the other side of the feet mentions
that Gangaraja was instrumental in constructing the temple structure (suttalaya
around Bahubali.
Boppana's inscription (1118 A.D.) situated
at the entrance to the main quadrangle of Lord Gommateshwara gives a
succinct and traditional account of the Lord. It narrates the story of
Bharata and Bahubali who fought each other vigorously.
An attempt to give a succinct account of
the inscriptions in Shravanabelagola is made in this article mainly
considering the important inscriptions of the place. It is worth
mentioning that many more inscriptions are found in the place which
require equal attention and study.
---------------
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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