The Hoysalas and Jainism

Summary

"1) The article meticulously traces the resilient journey of Jainism during the Hoysala period, emphasizing the dynasty’s substantial patronage despite preceding adversities from sectarian rivals like the Vīraśaivas in North Karnataka. This resistance forced Jain communities to migrate to hospitable regions such as Kolhapur, Sangli, Mysore, and Tulunadu. The Hoysalas, notably originating from a Jain tradition linked to Angadi, emerged as champions of Jain support, reviving and sustaining its traditions, temples, and scholarship. 2) The legendary origin of the Hoysalas is tied to Sala, a disciple of the Jain monk Sudattācārya, whose command “poy Sala” (interpreted as ""strike the Cholas"") symbolized a political and religious uprising against the Chola dynasty, notorious for its persecution of Jainism. Most Hoysala rulers bore the title samyaktva-bhūṣaṇa, affirming their Jain affiliations, and revered the Jaina yakṣī Padmāvatī as the family deity. 3) Significant contributions began with King Vinayāditya (c. 1050 CE) and reached their zenith under Viṣṇuvardhana (formerly Bittideva), whose court and queens—especially Śāntaladevī—epitomized Jain piety. Śāntaladevī, hailed as the “samyaktva-cūḍāmaṇi,” undertook sallekhanā at Śivagaṅgē, inspiring her Saiva family to convert to Jainism and do the same. Hullarāja, another key figure, revived ruined basadis across Karnataka. 4) The Hoysala era was also intellectually fertile. Authors like Mallikārjuna, Janna (renowned for Anantanāthapurāṇa and Yaśodharacarite), and Keśirāja (author of Śabdamaṇi-Darpaṇa) flourished. Literary culture was matched by vigorous temple building across Sravaṇabeḷgoḷa, Halebīḍu, Mandalagiri, and elsewhere. Eminent ācāryas such as Prabhācandra and Traividyadeva spearheaded religious renewal from key Jain centers like Hombuja, Kanakagiri-Tīrtha, and Lakkundi. 5) Though later rulers favored Śaivism and Vaiṣṇavism, the Hoysala period marked the last stronghold of extensive royal patronage for Jainism in Karnataka. Its decline thereafter confined it to strongholds like Tuluva, though its literary, philosophical, and architectural legacy endured.\