Discovery of a Jain Epigraph

Summary

"A 12th-century Jain lithic inscription was discovered at Hale Uppalli, near Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, during temple renovation work. This stone record, measuring 160 x 75 x 5 cm and inscribed in Kannada with minor errors, bears Hoysala-era features and includes 58 lines of text beneath carvings of a Jina with a triple parasol, an elephant, and a cow with calf. A) Historical Significance i) The inscription reveals previously unknown Hoysala rulers, pushing the dynasty’s origins to the early 10th century CE. It mentions a succession from Māra-Voṅsala, Eppidi-Voysala, Ereyanga-Voysala (I), Talakadu-Voysala, Udayaditya, Kuṇṭa Vinayaditya (Vinayaditya I), and finally Nṛipakama Hoysaladeva, the first historically attested monarch in this line. ii) The overlord mentioned is Vikrama Ganga Nripāla, identified as Vikramāditya VI (r. 1076–1126 CE), a Cālukya ruler. B) Ereyanga II and Queen Mahādevī i) Ereyanga II, son of Vinayaditya II and grandson of Nṛipakama, is described as both a devotee of Jina and a valorous king (sangrāma-Rāma). His queen, Jagadala Mahādevī, is praised in hyperbolic terms—likened to Lakṣmī, Pārvatī, and Śacī—and is credited with building a magnificent Jina temple at Muguli, named Vinayaditya-Hoysala-Jinālaya. She also made a land grant of four mattaru for its upkeep, including rituals, repairs, and hospitality. The grant was entrusted to Guṇachandra Bhaṭṭārakadeva, suggesting the presence of an active Jain monastic institution at Rishiyarahalli. ii) A second gift, dated 25th December 1083 CE (Śaka 1005), mentions tax-based income, corroborated by a similar record from Mattāvāra. C) Lineage of Viṣṇuvardhana The record continues with Viṣṇuvardhana, Ereyanga II’s son, ruling from Bankapura, and lists his sons: Ballāḷadeva, Narasimha, and Vijayanārāyaṇa. It recounts military feats, including the exploits of Āṇeya Lokimayya, a general who died in battle against Bedara Cavana. His son Goggimayya also served loyally but died at Kalyāṇa, the Cālukya capital. His younger brother Caṭṭimayya became a monk named Meghacandra. D) Meghacandra – The Jain Pontiff i) Meghacandra, formerly Caṭṭimayya, joined the Mūla-saṅgha, trained under Gaṇḍavimuktadeva, and rose to fame as a mahā-mantravādi (great mantra master). King Viṣṇuvardhana granted him Sindagere and Kiriya Muguli villages on 25th December 1136 CE (Śaka 1059). The donation took place at Galagesvara, on the bank of the Tungabhadra river. ii) His spiritual lineage includes: Prabhācandra → Kumudacandra → Padmanandi → Kulacandra → Guṇacandra → Vardhamāna → Māghanandi → Gaṇḍavimuktadeva → Meghacandra. iii) He is praised for his occult prowess, healing powers, and subjugation of demonic forces. His speech became mantra, writings became yantra, and invocations became tantra. The poetic stanzas describe his magical powers, likening him to Triyambaka, Garuda, and a dispeller of illusion and fear. E) Epigraphic and Cultural Details i) The epigraph begins with a Jain invocation from Akalanka’s Pramāṇa Saṅgraha and ends with a verse also found in the Padma, Bhaviṣya, and Brahmāṇḍa Purāṇas. ii) The stone contains prose and verse in Kannada with ornamental flourishes and vivid praise for Jain saints and royalty. iii) The concluding lines invoke traditional Jain blessings and underscore the religious merit of land donations.\