The Rastrakutas and Jainism

Summary

"The Rāṣṭrakūṭa dynasty (8th–10th century CE) catalyzed a golden age for Jainism in southern India, especially through extensive patronage, intellectual advancement, and architectural innovation. Their empire, considered one of the four great world kingdoms by Arab traveler Suleman (C.E. 851), laid the foundation for a pan-Indian Jaina cultural renaissance. A) Royal Patronage and Monastic Influence i) Founders like Dantidurga and Kṛṣṇa I established dominance after defeating the Cālukyas and initiated temple projects like the one at Ellora. ii) Akalanka Deva, a key figure in Jaina logic and polemics, was possibly the son of Kṛṣṇa I. He authored seminal texts including Tattvaratna-rāja-vārtika, Laghuṣaṣṭravi, and Aṣṭaśatī. iii) Amoghavarṣa I (815–877 CE), considered the ""Jaina Aśoka"", was a disciple of Jinasena-II and nurtured a court of eminent Jaina scholars, grammarians (e.g., Śākaṭāyana), and poets (e.g., Śrīvijaya). B) Jaina Universities and Scholarship i) The Vātagrāma University, near Nasik, founded by Candrasenācārya in the 8th century, flourished for 150 years. It was likened to Taxila and Nālandā by scholars like Jyoti Prasad Jain. ii) Vīrasena and his disciple Jinasena-II composed massive commentaries on Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama — Dhavalā and Jaya-Dhavalā, respectively, amounting to over 60,000 verses. iii) Jinasena-II’s Adipurāṇa, later completed by Guṇabhadra (as Mahāpurāṇa), became foundational for Kannada Jaina literature. Guṇabhadra also wrote Ātmanuśāsana and instructed King Kṛṣṇa II. C) Literary and Intellectual Output i) Authors like Mahāvīra (Ganitā-sāra-saṁgraha), Pālyakīrti Śākaṭāyana, Śrīvijaya, Asaga, and Ugrāditya expanded both secular and spiritual knowledge. ii) Texts like Kavirājamārga (first Kannada poetics), Yasastilaka, Nītivākyāmṛta, and Nāgakumāra-carita emerged during this period. iii) The renowned grammarian Śākaṭāyana and poets like Pampa, Ponna, and Ranna were termed the Jina-samaya-dīpakas. D) Architectural Contributions i) Jain temples (Jinalayas) and basadis were constructed across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra. Notable sites included Sravaṇabelagoḷa, Bankapura, Talakāḍu, and Malkhed. ii) Grants were made by kings and governors for temples at Annigere, Puligere, Koppala, Hungunda, Kogali, and more. iii) Indra IV, the last Rāṣṭrakūṭa emperor, and Mārasimha ended their lives via the sallekhanā rite, affirming the dynasty’s deep spiritual commitment. E) Collaboration with the Gāṅgas i) The Gāṅga dynasty, although at times militarily opposed, became allies in promoting Jainism. Their joint efforts elevated Jainism to near-state religion status. ii) Figures like Camundarāya championed Jain literary culture, built the Gommateśvara colossus, and authored Camundarāyapurāṇa.\