Jainism and Early Kadambas and the Calukyas of Badami

"This article explores the rise and consolidation of Jainism under the Kadambas (345–530 C.E.) and Early Western Cālukyas (6th–8th century C.E.), focusing on Karnataka’s religious and cultural landscape between the 4th and 8th centuries C.E. A) Kadamba Contributions: Royal Support: Kadamba kings like Ravivarma and Mṛgeśavarma supported Jainism through temple constructions (e.g., at Halasi) and festivals like Jinendra Utsava at Banavasi, their capital. B) Jaina Monastic Influence: Monks from sects like the Svetaputras, Yapaniyas, Kurchakas, and Nigranthas held positions of influence; scholars like Kumāradatta advised the royal court. C) Economic Support: Extensive land grants (umbali) ensured the growth of Jain institutions, and inscriptions like those from Gudnapur refer to Jaina temples (Jinalayas) founded by Kadamba kings. D) Cālukya Patronage: Prominent Kings: Kings Vinayāditya and Vijayāditya patronized Jain monks like Udayadevapandita and Jayadeva Pandita, granting lands to support Jaina institutions like Śaṅka-Jinalaya. E) Warrior-Jains: Despite Jainism’s doctrine of Ahimsa, Cālukya armies included many Jaina warriors. The scholar-general Ravikīrti, a disciple of the Yāpanīya saṅgha, built Meguti basadi (C.E. 634) and authored the famous Aihole prasasti in Sanskrit. F) Yāpanīya Tradition: i) The Yāpanīyas, a syncretic Jain sect, flourished under both dynasties. Founded by Kālaḍācārya in C.E. 148, they had centers at Gulbarga, Adaki, Sedam, Halasi, and others. They were eventually absorbed into the Digambara fold. ii) Subdivisions included Anvyas (e.g., Kīrtyācārya), Gacchas (e.g., Koṭimaduva), and Ganas (e.g., Kandury, Kareya). iii) An inscription from C.E. 1070 at Doddabasadi (Belgaum) mentions a Yāpanīya-commissioned image of Neminātha. G) Temple Culture and Innovation: Pattada-Basadis (Crown Jinalayas): Unique to Jain royalty, these temples were akin to crown institutions (like pattada-rani or pattada-simhasana), with Palāsika (Kadamba) and Pulīgere (Cālukya) being notable sites. H) Architectural Synthesis: Temples like Meguti-basadi at Aihole reveal a confluence of Digambara and Śvetāmbara iconography, possibly reflecting Yāpanīya influence. I) Other Sites: Cave No. 4 at Badami, dedicated to Ādinātha, belongs to the reign of Kīrtivarma and Maṅgaleśa. J) Literary and Philosophical Contributions: Jainism during this era saw a shift toward Sanskrit literary expression: i) Samantabhadra (Kadamba period): Founded Vanavāsi Gaccha, composed Jain stotras with literary and philosophical depth. ii) Jatāsimhanandi: Author of Vardhamānacarita (a Jaina purāṇa-kāvya). iii) Śrīvṛddhadeva (Cūḍāmaṇi), Kaviparameṣṭhi, and Ravikīrti expanded Jaina intellectualism. iv) Ravikīrti’s Aihole inscription is an early example of Khanda-kāvya in Vaidarbhī style, drawing literary parallels with Kālidāsa.\

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