The
Chalukya and Hoyasal Dynasties of South
The
Jain poet Ravikirti built a Jain temple during the time of Chalukya King Pulkesin II and
wrote that inscription which is very important from the point of view of poetic art and
history. There are some narration of offering gifts to Jain preceptors by the Chalukya
kings such as Vinayaditya, Vijayaditya and Vikramaditya. The caves and images of Badami
and Aihole were created during this time.
The
power of Chalukya dynasty, which was a strong supporter of Jainism further, increased in
south in early 11th century. Jainism prevailed and became popular at that time. Tailap,
the founder of western Chalukya dynasty, supported Rann, the Jain Kannad poet.
Satyashraya, the successor of Tailap, recognised Muni Panditdev as his Guru. Literature
was produced by Jain poets who were encouraged by other kings of this clan such as
Jayasingh II, Someshwar I and 11, Vikramaditya VI. Jain temples and institutions achieved
prominence during this time as they offered gifts and lands to those. Hoyasal dynasty was
founded with the inspiration of Jain ascetic during the reign of King Vinayaditya.
Vardhamanadev, a Jain ascetic was the religious adviser of the king. The Gurus of other
two kings of this dynasty were Jains. Vishnu-Vardhana, a powerful ruler of this dynasty,
later became follower of Vaishnavism as a result of influence of Ramanujacharya. But even
there after he remained sympathetic to Jainism. He worshipped Traividyadev, a Jain ascetic
in 1125 A.D.A monastery was built by him at Salya and he offered gifts for Jain temples
and for the arrangement of pious food to Jain saints. He offered gifts to Malli temple,
this is proved by a writing of 1129 AD
He
offered a village as a gift for Parshvanath temple in his capital Dvarsamudra in 11 33 AD
In joy of his victory, he declared the image of Parshvanath as Vijayaparshvanath and named
his son
As
Vijayasingh. Thus he balanced the traditional religion and the newly adopted religion. His
queen Shantala remained a woman of Jain faith throughout her life and continued to offer
to Jain temples. She built famous Jain temples of Halebid. She was a virtuous lady. Her
Guru was Prabhachandra Siddhantadev.
She died peacefully in 1124 A. D. with Sallekhana.
Vishnuvardhan, the successor of Narsingh I worshipped at Shravanabelagola and
offered a village as gift for Chaturvinshati Jinalaya. The religious instructor of
Viraballabh II and Narsingh III, the kings of Hoyasal dynasty, was a Jain ascetic. These
and several other kings of this dynasty built Jain temples and offered financial grants
for their proper maintenance and development. They also supported other religious
institutions."