+ Found at the origination point of Kumudvati river in Hombuja/Humcha.
+ Sallekhana memorial inscription of a woman & said to belong to the 12th century.
+ Four-panel inscriptions said to belong to 17th-18th century.
+Discovered by R Shejeshwar, Shivamogga recently.
Hombuja, 3rd November 2019: A sallekhana memorial inscription said to be belonging to the 12th century and four-panel inscriptions have been discovered at Hombuja/Humcha. This has been discovered by R Shejeshwar Nayak, Asst. Director, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, of Shivappa Nayaka’s fort, Shivamogga.
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Sallekhana Inscription
The Sallekhana memorial inscription has been discovered near the Tirthada Kola, the origination point of Kumudvati river. It has 2 parts to it, the upper portion comprises of the sculpture and the lower portion has the inscription. The sculpture is partially distorted on its upper portion. The Tirthankara in sukhasana is seated in the centre, has the figure of a Jain muni to the right preaching sallekhana to a woman in Anjali mudra to the left of the Tirthankara. The 6 lines inscription is in old Kannada. The inscriptional text indicates that this belongs to the 12th-13th century.
Inscriptional Text
1. Sri Matu Parama Gambhirasya [Dwadamogha]
2. Tiya Trilokyanathasya Sasana [jina shasana] Shri
3. Manmahamandaleswara Shri Bomma
4. Saanthisha Deevara . 4 Raajana
5. Shrii Ma Pirya . . Deevalige
6. . Da
Inscription’s Summary
The inscription begins with a Jaina invocation “Sri Matu Parama Gambhira….” and later on indicates that a woman undertook Sallekhana during the reign of Sri Bomma Santi Deva. Sri Bomma Santi Deva was a Samatha – subsidiary of Kalyana Chalukya’s. It is to be ascertained if this Boma Santi Deva is different or not. More research in this regard has to be undertaken. The woman’s name is unknown but it might be Piriyamma or Piriyarasi.
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Panel Inscriptions
In Hombuja at the origin point of river Kumudvati an attractive pond was built during the 12th century by Santharas. Four-panel inscriptions have been found in the steps of this pond. A few text and numbers have been found. Based on the inscriptional text it can be concluded that these are of the 17th-18th century and can be concluded that this pond might have been concluded around this period.
Mr. Shejeshwar Nayak has thanked Nagesh of Chandana TV for helping him find this inscription. He has thanked Dr. Jagadish, Smt Sarvamangala and Ravikumar for helping him decipher the inscriptional text.
– Jain Heritage Centres News Service (Photos: Shejeshwar Nayak, Shivamogga)