Western Ganga literature

Western Ganga literature (Kannada: ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಗಂಗ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) refers to a body of writings created during the rule of the Western Ganga Dynasty, a dynasty that ruled the region historically known as Gangavadi (modern Southern Karnataka, India) between the 4th and 11th centuries. The period of their rule was an important time in the history of South Indian literature in general and Kannada literature in particular, though many of the writings are deemed extinct. Some of the most famous poets of Kannada language graced the courts of the Ganga kings. Court poets and royalty created eminent works in Kannada language and Sanskrit language that spanned such literary forms as prose, poetry, Hindu epics, Jain Tirthankaras (saints) and elephant management.

The prose piece of Chavundaraya, who was a famous Ganga minister and army commander, known as Chavundaraya Purana (or Trishashtilakshana mahapurana) written in 978 CE, is an early existing work in the genre in Kannada and is a summary of the Sanskrit writings, Adipurana and Uttarapurana, written by Jinasena and Gunabhadra during the rule of Rashtrakuta Amoghavarsha I. The prose, 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. The work narrates the legends of twenty-four Jain Tirthankaras, twelve Chakravarti's, nine Balabhadra's, nine Narayana's and nine Pratinarayana's – narrations on 63 Jain proponents in all.

This writing states that along with the Tirthankaras, their mothers were also worshipped, particularly by women. The worship of Vaishravana, the keeper of celestial treasure was for acquiring moral and religious merit (punya), the worship of Dharnendra was for acquiring sons and of Shridevi for warding off influences of evil deities (vairi devategal). The author eulogises his preceptor Ajitasena Munindra thus :"He removes the stain of karma and awakens the spirit of those close to him (aptavarga), he astonishes rival disputants and secures the goddess of liberation (mokshalakshmi) to those desiring it. O Bhavya, worship the lotus feet of Ajitasena Munindra with a pure mind".

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