The Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar (or Chhagada Brahmadeva Pillar) is a decorated free standing pillar (lit, Stambha), 2.3 m tall, commissioned by Chamundaraya, an important minister and commander in the Western Ganga kingdom, during the rule of King Marasimha II (963–975), Rachamalla IV (975–986) and Rachamalla V.[1][2] The pillar dates to around 983 C.E. and exists on the Vindyagiri hill (called Dodda Betta in local Kannada language) in the important Jain heritage town Shravanabelagola, in the Karnataka state, India.[3] On the base of the pillar, on the north side, is an inscription in old Kannada language of the same period,[4] which according to epigraphist and historian B.L. Rice confirms Chamundaraya's involvement in the erection of the pillar.[5][6] Free standing pillars are a characteristic feature of the Western Ganga art and are broadly classified as "Mahastambha" (or "Manastambha", "Indrastambha") and "Brahmastambha".[3][7]
Section of the Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar with relief in floral designTyagada Brahmadeva Pillar (2.3 m tall) at Shravanabelagola
The pillar was enclosed (around 1700) with an enclosure, open below, so that from the side only some of its length is visible.
The pillar stands facing the enclosure leading to the monolith of Gommateshwara (Bahubali). On the shaft of the pillar are floral carvings depicting creepers and bell-shaped flowers.[3] It has a square base with images of two important 10th-century Jain personalities, Chamundaraya and his guru Nemichandra carved out is relief on one face of the base. They are seated on a platform (adhisthana) and the guru appears to be receiving an object from his disciple with his right hand. They are flanked by attendants (chouri or fan bearers) while Chamundaraya's queen Gagan, her hair tied in a knot, is seen in the background.[3][5]
"If any one wished to select one feature of Indian architecture which has its perfection and weakness there are probably no objects more suited for this purpose than these free-standing pillars.
It was a common practice among the 10th century kings of the Western Ganga dynasty to erect free-standing pillars in front of Jain basadis.[7] According to the art critic and historian S. Settar, generally "Brahmadeva" pillars found in front of ancient Jain temples do not house sculptures of the Brahma Yaksha or the god Brahma, rather these pillars find their origins in the "Manastambha" and house an image of the Sarvanubhuti Yaksha (a benevolent spirit). According to the historian I. K. Sarma, the term may have originated from "Bhrm" meaning to "wander around".[9][5]
Old Kannada inscriptionEdit
Old Kannada inscription (983 CE) on north face of Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar
According to B. L. Rice, the inscription on the north face contains an account by Chamundaraya himself. The original inscription (983 C.E.) was made on all four faces of the square base. However, at present, only the inscription on the north face is intact. According to Rice, the rest of the original inscription appears to have been erased at the instance of Heggade Kanna, a later day chief. Chief Kanna, while installing the image of a Yaksha (an attendant of the god of wealth Kubera) at the top of the pillar, had a minor inscription no longer than two and a half lines of old Kannada (dated to about 1180 A.D.) dedicated to his deed inscribed on the south face of the base. This according to Rice deprived historians from getting complete information about the erection of the pillar.[10]
^Rice (1889), p. 55, pp. 169–170, inscription no. 109, 110
ReferencesEdit
Sarma, I.K. (1992) [1992]. Temples of the Gangas of Karnataka. New Delhi: Archaeological Survey of India. ISBN0-19-560686-8.
Rice, Benjamin Lewis (1889). Epigraphia Carnatica: Rev. ed, Volume 2-Inscriptions at Shravana Belagola. Bangalore: Government of Mysore Central Press.
Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
Shah, Umakant P (1987) [1987]. Jaina-Rupa-Mandana (Jaina Iconography), Volume 1. new Delhi: Abhinav. ISBN81-7017-218-7.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar.
September 27, 2023
tyagada, brahmadeva, pillar, chhagada, brahmadeva, pillar, decorated, free, standing, pillar, stambha, tall, commissioned, chamundaraya, important, minister, commander, western, ganga, kingdom, during, rule, king, marasimha, rachamalla, rachamalla, pillar, dat. The Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar or Chhagada Brahmadeva Pillar is a decorated free standing pillar lit Stambha 2 3 m tall commissioned by Chamundaraya an important minister and commander in the Western Ganga kingdom during the rule of King Marasimha II 963 975 Rachamalla IV 975 986 and Rachamalla V 1 2 The pillar dates to around 983 C E and exists on the Vindyagiri hill called Dodda Betta in local Kannada language in the important Jain heritage town Shravanabelagola in the Karnataka state India 3 On the base of the pillar on the north side is an inscription in old Kannada language of the same period 4 which according to epigraphist and historian B L Rice confirms Chamundaraya s involvement in the erection of the pillar 5 6 Free standing pillars are a characteristic feature of the Western Ganga art and are broadly classified as Mahastambha or Manastambha Indrastambha and Brahmastambha 3 7 Section of the Tyagada Brahmadeva pillar with relief in floral designTyagada Brahmadeva Pillar 2 3 m tall at ShravanabelagolaThe pillar was enclosed around 1700 with an enclosure open below so that from the side only some of its length is visible Contents 1 Features 2 Old Kannada inscription 3 Notes 4 References 5 See also 6 External linksFeatures EditThe pillar stands facing the enclosure leading to the monolith of Gommateshwara Bahubali On the shaft of the pillar are floral carvings depicting creepers and bell shaped flowers 3 It has a square base with images of two important 10th century Jain personalities Chamundaraya and his guru Nemichandra carved out is relief on one face of the base They are seated on a platform adhisthana and the guru appears to be receiving an object from his disciple with his right hand They are flanked by attendants chouri or fan bearers while Chamundaraya s queen Gagan her hair tied in a knot is seen in the background 3 5 In the words of the art critic Fergusson 8 If any one wished to select one feature of Indian architecture which has its perfection and weakness there are probably no objects more suited for this purpose than these free standing pillars It was a common practice among the 10th century kings of the Western Ganga dynasty to erect free standing pillars in front of Jain basadis 7 According to the art critic and historian S Settar generally Brahmadeva pillars found in front of ancient Jain temples do not house sculptures of the Brahma Yaksha or the god Brahma rather these pillars find their origins in the Manastambha and house an image of the Sarvanubhuti Yaksha a benevolent spirit According to the historian I K Sarma the term may have originated from Bhrm meaning to wander around 9 5 Old Kannada inscription Edit nbsp Old Kannada inscription 983 CE on north face of Tyagada Brahmadeva pillarAccording to B L Rice the inscription on the north face contains an account by Chamundaraya himself The original inscription 983 C E was made on all four faces of the square base However at present only the inscription on the north face is intact According to Rice the rest of the original inscription appears to have been erased at the instance of Heggade Kanna a later day chief Chief Kanna while installing the image of a Yaksha an attendant of the god of wealth Kubera at the top of the pillar had a minor inscription no longer than two and a half lines of old Kannada dated to about 1180 A D dedicated to his deed inscribed on the south face of the base This according to Rice deprived historians from getting complete information about the erection of the pillar 10 nbsp The pillar and its platformNotes Edit Kamath 1980 p 45 Sarma 1992 p 153 a b c d Kamath 1980 p 52 Rice 1889 p 2 introduction See inscription no 109 List of inscriptions in chronological order list i a b c Sarma 1992 p 208 Rice 1889 p 33 a b Sarma 1992 p 206 Fergusson in Kamath 1980 p 52 Settar in Shah 1987 p 19 Rice 1889 p 55 pp 169 170 inscription no 109 110References EditSarma I K 1992 1992 Temples of the Gangas of Karnataka New Delhi Archaeological Survey of India ISBN 0 19 560686 8 Rice Benjamin Lewis 1889 Epigraphia Carnatica Rev ed Volume 2 Inscriptions at Shravana Belagola Bangalore Government of Mysore Central Press Kamath Suryanath U 2001 1980 A concise history of Karnataka from pre historic times to the present Bangalore Jupiter books LCCN 80905179 OCLC 7796041 Shah Umakant P 1987 1987 Jaina Rupa Mandana Jaina Iconography Volume 1 new Delhi Abhinav ISBN 81 7017 218 7 See also Edit nbsp Religion portalJainism in Karnataka Jainism in north Karnataka Jainism in Tulu NaduExternal links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tyagada Brahmadeva Pillar amp oldid 1045163433, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
