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Meghachandra Devaru’s Nishadi at Yechagalli

    A Sallekhana memorial (Nishadi) inscription of 1371 A.D. of a Digambar Jain Muni/ascetic called Meghachandra Devaru at Yechagalli/Eachiganahalli, Nanjangud taluk, Mysuru/Mysore district, Karnataka, India.

    Location – Kudure Brahma Deva Temple, Yechagalli, Nanjangud taluk, Mysuru district, Karnataka, India.

    Type of Inscription – A Nishadi – Sallekhana Memorial.

    Period – The inscription’s period is mentioned as “Saka Year 1293, Virodhikruth Samvatsara, Margashira Masa, Shuddha 15, Adivara”. This corresponds to 23rd November 1371 A.D.

    Script – Old Kannada

    Uniqueness

    • A Sallekhana memorial – also called a Nishadi installed in memory of Meghachandra Devaru.
    • Praises the qualities of Meghachandra Devaru.
    • The inscription’s sculpture is very unique with the carving of a Tirthankar in paryankasana in the top, below that is seen three munis preaching with a Shrutapeetha in the middle and a woman seated with folded hands. In the bottom, most of one side sees two munis preaching with a woman standing in folded hands.

    Inscriptional Content – The inscription starts with Jinastuthi – Jaina hymn “Srimad Parama Gambira Syadvadamogha Lanchanam, Jiya Trailokyanathasya Shasanam Jina Shasanam“.

    When the Jain ascetic Meghachandra Devaru attained samadhi his disciple ManikaDevaru got this Nishidhi installed.
    Muni Meghachandra Devaru has been praised in the inscription. It states that people used to commend him as a gallant person filled with many good qualities, a person who followed Jainism and Jain principles to the core who led a glorious life filled with Jain values. He was a mine of knowledge, there isn’t a religious treatise that he did not know. Every other scholar used to be defeated by him in arguments. It says that every other poet has complimented him and has quoted Parshwadeva and Bahubali Vrati.
    It is stated that this Nishidi has been made by Meghachandra Devaru’s disciple Manikya Deva. Additionally, their names have been inscribed just below the sculpture at the top.

    References

    1. Epigraphia Carnatica III(R) Nj.171
    2. Epigraphia Carnatica III(O) Nj.43
    3. Mysore Archaeological Department Report – 1936 No. 57
    4. Karnataka Jaina Shasana Samputa – Volume 2, Pg. 45-46
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