Chavundraya or Chamundaraya (KannadaCāmuṇḍarāya, Cāvuṇḍarāya, 940–989) was an Indian Jain ruler. He served in the court of the Western Ganga dynasty of Talakad (in modern Karnataka, India). A person of many talents, in 982 he commissioned the construction of the monolithic statue of Bahubali, the Gomateshwara, at Shravanabelagola, an important place of pilgrimage for Jainism. He was a devotee of the Jain Acharya Nemichandra and Ajitasena Bhattaraka and was an influential person during the reigns of Marasimha II Satyavakya, (963–975). Rachamalla IV Satyavakya, (975–986) and Rachamalla V (Rakkasaganga), (986–999).
A courageous commander with the title Samara Paraśurāma (lit, "Battle-Rama wielding an ax"), he found time to pursue his literary interests as well and became a renowned writer in Kannada and Sanskrit.[1][2] He wrote an important and existing prose piece called the Chavundaraya Purana, also known as Trishasthi Lakshana Purana, in Kannada (978) and the Cāritrasāra in Sanskrit. He patronised the famous Kannada grammarians Gunavarma and Nagavarma I and the poet Ranna whose writing Parusharama Charite may have been a eulogy of his patron.[1] Because of his many lasting contributions, Chavundaraya is an important figure in the history of medieval Karnataka.
In his writing, he claims he was from the BrahmakshatriyaVamsa (Brahmin converted to the Kshatriya caste).[3] The 10th century Algodu inscription of the Mysore district and the Arani inscription from the Mandya district provide more information on the family genealogy of Chavundaraya. It states that Chavundaraya was the grandson of Govindamayya who is praised for his knowledge and Dharma and was the son of Mabalayya, a subordinate of King Marasimha II. Mabalayya and his brother Isarayya are praised for their prowess in the inscription.[4] It is believed that their political position under King Marasimha II may have led to a gradual adoption of Kshatriya status by this Brahmin family.[5]
An inscriptional eulogy of Chavundaraya on the Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar at Shravanabelagola (which has beautiful engravings and relief representing Chavundaraya and his guru Nemichandra at the base) praises him thus,
A sun in the shape of a jewel adorning the crest of the eastern mountains, the brahmaksatra race; a moon in the shape of the splendour of his fame causing to swell the ocean, the brahmaksatra race; the central gem to the pearl necklace of Lakshmi, procured from the Rohana mountain, the brahmaksatra race.[6]
As a commander for the Western Ganga feudatory of the Rashtrakutas, he fought many battles for their Rashtrakutas overlords, beginning in the days of the Rashtrakuta king, Khottiga Amoghavarsha. In fact, the Gangas supported the cause of the Rashtrakutas till the very end.[7] During the last years of Rashtrakuta rule, the Gangas were also under constant threat of civil war and from invasions of the increasingly powerful Chola Dynasty. When a civil war broke out in 975, Chavundaraya supported the cause of Prince Rachamalla IV and installed him on the throne.[8]
Chavundaraya suppressed a rebellion made by Panchaldeva Mahasamanta in 975 AD and slew Mudurachayya (who held the titles Chaladanka Ganga and Gangarabanta) in the battle of Bageyur. He thus avenged the death of his brother Nagavarma by Mudurachayya. After these battles where Chavundaraya showed his gallantry, Rachamalla IV ascended the Ganga throne. For his exploits, Chavundraya earned the titles Samara Parsurama, Vira Martanda, Ranarangasimha, Samara Dhurandhara, Vairikula Kaladanda, Bhuja Vikrama and Bhatamara.[9]
Writings
Inscribed handwriting (in Kannada characters) of Chavundaraya on Chandragiri hill in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
Chavundaraya's writing, Chavundaraya Purana, is the second oldest existing work in prose style in Kannada and is a summary of the Sanskrit works, Adipurana and Uttarapurana, written by Jinasena and Gunabhadra during the rule of Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I. The prose work, composed in lucid Kannada, was meant mainly for the common man and avoided any reference to complicated elements of Jain doctrines and philosophy. In his writing, the influences of his predecessor Adikavi Pampa and contemporary Ranna are seen. Trishashtilakshana purana narrates the legends of twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras, twelve Chakravartis, nine Balabhadras, nine Narayanas and nine Pratinarayanas – narrations on sixty-three Jain proponents in all.[10][11][12]
Builder
The monolith Gomateshwara statue dedicated to the Jain god, Bahubali, was commissioned by Chavundaraya and built on the Indragiri hill (also known as Vindhyagiri Hill) is a unique example of Western Ganga sculpture. Carved from fine-grained white granite, the image stands on a lotus. It has no support up to the thighs and is 60 feet tall with the face measuring 6.5 feet. With the serene expression on the face of the image, its curled hair with graceful locks, its proportional anatomy, the monolith size, and the combination of its artistry and craftsmanship have led it to be called the mightiest achievement in sculptural art in medieval Karnataka.[13] It is the largest monolithic statue in the world.[14] The Chavundaraya basadi also in Shravanabelagola and built on the Chandragiri Hill is credited to him by some scholars while others argue it was built by his son Jinadevana.[15] However, by the 12th century additions to the shrine were made by a later King Gangaraja by which time tradition held that the shrine was built by Chavundaraya. However another view holds that the original shrine itself was consecrated in the 11th century and built in memory of Chavundaraya.[16]
^Rao, Krishna M. V., The Gangas of Talakad: A Monograph on the History of Mysore from the Fourth to the Close of the Eleventh Century, (1936), pp109 – 113, Publishers:B.G. Paul and Company
^Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York: Grove Press. p. 324 (across). ISBN0-8021-3797-0.
^The characters on an inscription at the base of the image of Jain Tirthankara Parashwanatha in the basadi states a Jain temple was built by Jinadevana, Gopal et al. (1973) in Adiga (2006), p256
Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-560686-8.
Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
Adiga, Malini (2006) [2006]. The Making of Southern Karnataka: Society, Polity and Culture in the early medieval period, AD 400–1030. Chennai: Orient Longman. ISBN81-250-2912-5.
Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1988]. History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. ISBN81-206-0303-6.
Keay, John (2000) [2000]. History of India. New York: Grove publications. ISBN0-8021-3797-0.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chavundaraya.
Jaina Minister Chavundaraya by K. L. Kamat
May 11, 2023
chavundaraya, chavundraya, chamundaraya, kannada, cāmuṇḍarāya, cāvuṇḍarāya, indian, jain, ruler, served, court, western, ganga, dynasty, talakad, modern, karnataka, india, person, many, talents, commissioned, construction, monolithic, statue, bahubali, gomates. Chavundraya or Chamundaraya Kannada Camuṇḍaraya Cavuṇḍaraya 940 989 was an Indian Jain ruler He served in the court of the Western Ganga dynasty of Talakad in modern Karnataka India A person of many talents in 982 he commissioned the construction of the monolithic statue of Bahubali the Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola an important place of pilgrimage for Jainism He was a devotee of the Jain Acharya Nemichandra and Ajitasena Bhattaraka and was an influential person during the reigns of Marasimha II Satyavakya 963 975 Rachamalla IV Satyavakya 975 986 and Rachamalla V Rakkasaganga 986 999 ChavundarayaChavundaraya BasadiBornc 940 CEDied989 aged 48 49 Chavundaraya basadi 10th century on Chandragiri Hill A courageous commander with the title Samara Parasurama lit Battle Rama wielding an ax he found time to pursue his literary interests as well and became a renowned writer in Kannada and Sanskrit 1 2 He wrote an important and existing prose piece called the Chavundaraya Purana also known as Trishasthi Lakshana Purana in Kannada 978 and the Caritrasara in Sanskrit He patronised the famous Kannada grammarians Gunavarma and Nagavarma I and the poet Ranna whose writing Parusharama Charite may have been a eulogy of his patron 1 Because of his many lasting contributions Chavundaraya is an important figure in the history of medieval Karnataka Contents 1 Origin 2 Commander 3 Writings 4 Builder 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksOrigin EditIn his writing he claims he was from the Brahmakshatriya Vamsa Brahmin converted to the Kshatriya caste 3 The 10th century Algodu inscription of the Mysore district and the Arani inscription from the Mandya district provide more information on the family genealogy of Chavundaraya It states that Chavundaraya was the grandson of Govindamayya who is praised for his knowledge and Dharma and was the son of Mabalayya a subordinate of King Marasimha II Mabalayya and his brother Isarayya are praised for their prowess in the inscription 4 It is believed that their political position under King Marasimha II may have led to a gradual adoption of Kshatriya status by this Brahmin family 5 An inscriptional eulogy of Chavundaraya on the Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar at Shravanabelagola which has beautiful engravings and relief representing Chavundaraya and his guru Nemichandra at the base praises him thus A sun in the shape of a jewel adorning the crest of the eastern mountains the brahmaksatra race a moon in the shape of the splendour of his fame causing to swell the ocean the brahmaksatra race the central gem to the pearl necklace of Lakshmi procured from the Rohana mountain the brahmaksatra race 6 Commander Edit Gomateshwara monolith at Shravanabelagola 982 983 CE As a commander for the Western Ganga feudatory of the Rashtrakutas he fought many battles for their Rashtrakutas overlords beginning in the days of the Rashtrakuta king Khottiga Amoghavarsha In fact the Gangas supported the cause of the Rashtrakutas till the very end 7 During the last years of Rashtrakuta rule the Gangas were also under constant threat of civil war and from invasions of the increasingly powerful Chola Dynasty When a civil war broke out in 975 Chavundaraya supported the cause of Prince Rachamalla IV and installed him on the throne 8 Chavundaraya suppressed a rebellion made by Panchaldeva Mahasamanta in 975 AD and slew Mudurachayya who held the titles Chaladanka Ganga and Gangarabanta in the battle of Bageyur He thus avenged the death of his brother Nagavarma by Mudurachayya After these battles where Chavundaraya showed his gallantry Rachamalla IV ascended the Ganga throne For his exploits Chavundraya earned the titles Samara Parsurama Vira Martanda Ranarangasimha Samara Dhurandhara Vairikula Kaladanda Bhuja Vikrama and Bhatamara 9 Writings Edit Inscribed handwriting in Kannada characters of Chavundaraya on Chandragiri hill in Shravanabelagola Karnataka Chavundaraya s writing Chavundaraya Purana is the second oldest existing work in prose style in Kannada and is a summary of the Sanskrit works Adipurana and Uttarapurana written by Jinasena and Gunabhadra during the rule of Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I The prose work composed in lucid Kannada was meant mainly for the common man and avoided any reference to complicated elements of Jain doctrines and philosophy In his writing the influences of his predecessor Adikavi Pampa and contemporary Ranna are seen Trishashtilakshana purana narrates the legends of twenty four Jain Tirthankaras twelve Chakravartis nine Balabhadras nine Narayanas and nine Pratinarayanas narrations on sixty three Jain proponents in all 10 11 12 Builder EditThe monolith Gomateshwara statue dedicated to the Jain god Bahubali was commissioned by Chavundaraya and built on the Indragiri hill also known as Vindhyagiri Hill is a unique example of Western Ganga sculpture Carved from fine grained white granite the image stands on a lotus It has no support up to the thighs and is 60 feet tall with the face measuring 6 5 feet With the serene expression on the face of the image its curled hair with graceful locks its proportional anatomy the monolith size and the combination of its artistry and craftsmanship have led it to be called the mightiest achievement in sculptural art in medieval Karnataka 13 It is the largest monolithic statue in the world 14 The Chavundaraya basadi also in Shravanabelagola and built on the Chandragiri Hill is credited to him by some scholars while others argue it was built by his son Jinadevana 15 However by the 12th century additions to the shrine were made by a later King Gangaraja by which time tradition held that the shrine was built by Chavundaraya However another view holds that the original shrine itself was consecrated in the 11th century and built in memory of Chavundaraya 16 Notes Edit a b Kamath 2001 p45 Sastri 1955 pp356 357 Kulkarni 1975 in Adiga 2006 p195 Gopal et al 1976 in Adiga 2006 p196 Adiga 2006 p196 Gopal et al 1973 in Adiga 2006 p196 Kamath 2001 p84 Kamath 2001 p46 Rao Krishna M V The Gangas of Talakad A Monograph on the History of Mysore from the Fourth to the Close of the Eleventh Century 1936 pp109 113 Publishers B G Paul and Company Upinder Singh 2016 p 29 Sastri 1955 p357 Kulkarni 1975 in Adiga 2006 p256 M Seshadri in Kamath 2001 p51 Keay John 2000 India A History New York Grove Press p 324 across ISBN 0 8021 3797 0 The characters on an inscription at the base of the image of Jain Tirthankara Parashwanatha in the basadi states a Jain temple was built by Jinadevana Gopal et al 1973 in Adiga 2006 p256 S Settar in Adiga 2006 p256References EditSangave Vilas Adinath 1981 The Sacred Shravanabelagola A Socio Religious Study 1st ed Bharatiya Jnanpith Sastri Nilakanta K A 2002 1955 A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar New Delhi Indian Branch Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 560686 8 Kamath Suryanath U 2001 1980 A concise history of Karnataka from pre historic times to the present Bangalore Jupiter books LCCN 80905179 OCLC 7796041 Adiga Malini 2006 2006 The Making of Southern Karnataka Society Polity and Culture in the early medieval period AD 400 1030 Chennai Orient Longman ISBN 81 250 2912 5 Narasimhacharya R 1988 1988 History of Kannada Literature New Delhi Madras Asian Educational Services ISBN 81 206 0303 6 Keay John 2000 2000 History of India New York Grove publications ISBN 0 8021 3797 0 Singh Upinder 2016 A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India From the Stone Age to the 12th Century Pearson Education ISBN 978 93 325 6996 6External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chavundaraya Chamundaraya and Shrvanabelagola Jaina Minister Chavundaraya by K L Kamat Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chavundaraya amp oldid 1148211775, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
