Post No. 1167. Part 8 of Study about Tirumalai Jain and Vaishnava Temples

Post No. 1167.  Part 8 of Study about Tirumalai Jain and Vaishnava Temples

Image of Jain Guru Neminatha.


Image of Lord Venkateswara at Tirupati-Tirumalai.

A quote from the Full text of the 1999 TTD Book  "The Tirumala Temple" , available for download at Archive.org, by Dr. N. RAMESAN, M.A; Ph.D; F.R.A.S.; I.A.S.

TIRUMALA UNDER THE SANGAMA DYNASTY
The first ruler of the Sangama dynasty who can be easily recognised in the temple epigraphs is Harihara II, mentined in No. 103-TT. dated in Saka 1309, Prabhava. But there are three earlier records belonging to the reign of Bukka I (Nos. 487, 237 and 238, and 485-TT.) though the king is not mentioned in any of them, No. 487-TT. which is undated and fragmentary, registers the grant of a village to the temple for a sandhi (offerings) twice a day in the name of Bukkarayan and this Bukkarayan-Sandhi is again referred to in No. 44 TT. dated in Saka 1379.

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Bukkarayan-sandhi is mentioned as the primary one during which, along with the tirupponakam (cooked rice mixed with green gram, ghee, etc.,) to be offered as originally stipulated, koyil-kelvi Emperumanar-jiyar, manager of Pankayachchelli-tirunandavanam at Tirumala and the head of a religious institution at Tirumala and Tirupati, arranged in Saka 1367 for offering to Sri Venkatesvara two tirupponakam daily (No. 106 — ^T.T.). And Periya- perumal-jiyar .arranged likewise in Saka 1380 for two tirupponakams daily (No. 47 — T.T.). No.23 — ^T.T. which is dated in 1372 mentions Rayar-sandhi.
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Readers may see the word "Sandhi' in the meaning of "offerings".  This word "Sandhi" word has more than three meanings .

Notes: The word "Sandhi" 's principal meaning is:  "a junction, a joint, joining".  We can derive three meanings from this: 

1) sandhi1, (dina)sandhya refer to the intervening period between night and morning.  Sandhi offerings , can , therefore refer offerings made to  Gods and Goddesses during  dawn (pUrva sandhya) or dusk (para or paschima sandhya).

2) sandhi2 = "truce" or a "treaty of truce". Warring people / races / countries can enter into agreements of peace.  The Sangama dynasty Vijayanagara King Bukkaraya-I might have made a truce between the two claimants for the Tirumala Temple i.e. Jains and VishNu worshippers.

3) Sandhi3 = This is a grammar term .  When  two words are joined together , a combined word results. The technique can be called sandhi.  E.g. SavarNa dIrgha Sandhi, Guna Sandhi.

4) In Indian Railways, there seems to be a practice of using the word sandhi to mean a Railway juncstion.  Similarly Pak jalasandhi, Gibralter jalasandhi (Strait).

The prefix "sam" seems to indicate "bringing together ".  Eg. SampAdan, SamyOjan, SamgItam, Samgathi (Get together) etc.

Thus, after arranging truce between VaishNavas and Jains, the Vijayanagara king Bukkaraya-1, might have issued some edicts, which include gifting the Tirumalai village , and also arrangement for dawn-time food offering to the God, the nearest temple being for Lord Venkateswara.  Since and transition from Jain-Temple to a VaishNava temple is taking place only vegetarian offerings might have been stipulated.

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Recently , I saw an article in the New Indian Express, about Jain Temples, in South India , with photos.  In that I found a reference to a Tirumalai temple in  Tiruvannamalai District .  The temple has a 17ft high statue of Jain Saint Neminatha, on the hill.  Further Googling on net, we can find a photo of Neminatha's 17 ft statue.  It is fully "digambara" i.e. without clothes.  The image of Guru Neminatha,  at the top of this blog post , is "digambara".

But the Lord Venkateswara's idol in Tirupati does not seem to have a serpant-umbrella .  When I wrote my blog post numbers 510 to 513 about the Tirumala Temple, a few videos were current on the Net, which showed the bathing of the main stone idol of Lord Venkateswara in Sanctum-Sanctorum, and the Lord's idol was not fully naked.  Therefore , the inference that the stone idol in Shri Venkateswara Temple may be that of Neminatha becomes wrong.  Therefore , I correct myself .  My apologies to my readers .  

About Tirumalai kshetra in Tiruvannamalai District, near Polur.
This pilgrimage place has the 17ft statue of Guru Neminatha.  This place is also known as arihant kshetra.  Apparently has an epithet of "Shravana Belagola" of Tamil Nadu State.  (Disambiguation from the Shravan Belagola of Karnataka State).  These temples were apparently first built by Kings Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola, and their Queens.  This place has also received Royal Patronage from Vijayanagara KIngs Bukka Raya and Sri Krishna Deva Rayalu, just as the VaishNava Tirumala(i) in AP State received .

Important
Now, that as both Jain Tirumalai of Tiruvannamalai District and the VaishNava Tirumalai of Andhra Pradesh State, are prospering and thriving without issues , I felt  that no useful purpose will be served by dragging this subject.  Hence, I have decided not to write further blogposts about this issue .  

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In my post #631, I wrote about the need to search for the temple of Ambika who is the protective Goddess for Neminatha.  

Now, my observation: Padmavathi whose temple we find at Tiruchanur, Lower Tirupati,  seems to be the protective Goddess for the Jain Guru RishabhnAtha or Parsvanatha.  
That suggests:- Archaeological Department may have to explore for a temple of Rishabhnatha or Parsvanatha in the surroundings of AP's Tirumala and TN's Kancheepuram .  Probably Anandamangalam ruins near Orathi village, Kancheepuram District, about 108kms from Tirupati, may have to be excavated. 

Links to previous posts on this subject :
Part 1:   http://problemsoftelugus.blogspot.com/search/label/508

Part 2: http://problemsoftelugus.blogspot.com/search/label/511

Part 3: http://problemsoftelugus.blogspot.com/search/label/512

Part 4: http://problemsoftelugus.blogspot.com/search/label/513 

Part 5: link is to be added.
Part 6: link is to be added. 

Part 7: http://problemsoftelugus.blogspot.com/search/label/631 


There are seven parts.  This is the 8th part.  I shall add the links for parts 5,6,7, after searching them out at this problemsoftelugus.blogspot.com.

References: 

1) https://www.jainsamaj.org/content.php?url=Temples_of_Tamilnadu_-_By

2) https://frontline.thehindu.com/arts-and-culture/heritage/jain-vestiges/article7866166.ece

I must thank some more Jain websites, from which I strengthened my knowledge about Adi-Jainism.  Unfortunately, I forgot to note down their links.  I shall try to add their links here, by visiting those sites again.  I believe that Adi Jainism was the first "religion-like-lifestyle' of India.  But, more evidence is needed ..

3) TTD 1999 Book downloaded from Archive.Org.

468 What work do Coolies have in forests in the Seshachalam forests of Chittoor District?- Urban Development Minister.

468 కూలీలకు అడవిలో ఏం పని , అని మన నగరాభివృధ్ధి కేంద్ర మంత్రి గారు అన్నారుట
468 What work do Coolies have in forests in the Seshachalam forests of Chittoor District?- Urban Development Minister.
468 चित्तूर जिले शेषाचलं अरण्य में मजदूरों को क्या काम है? -केंद्र नगराभिवृध्धि मंत्रीजी.

The following comment is being attributed to Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Don't the coolies know that cutting down red sanders trees is a crime?  Do they go for work without knowing what kind of job it is?  क्या कूलियों को पता नहीं कि, रक्त चंदन पेडों को काटना एक अपराध है ?  क्या वे अपने काम के बारे में समाचार के बिना काम को जाते? రక్త చందనం చెట్లను కొట్టటం నేరమని కూలీలకు తెలీదా?  తాము చేయాల్సిన పని ఎలాటిదో తెలీకుండానే వారు పనికి వెళ్తారా?

If what is attributed above in Media is true, then we must consider Mr. Venkaiah Naidu as ignorant of workers behavior.  अगर मीडिया वार्ता कथन सच हो, तो हम श्री वॆंकय्या नायुडू को श्रामिक बर्ताव के बारे में अज्ञानी मानना होगा ।  మీడియా లో వచ్చిన పై వార్త నిజమే అయితే మనం శ్రీ వెంకయ్యనాయుడు గారిని శ్రామికుల ప్రవర్తన విషయంలో అజ్ఞానిగా భావించాల్సి వస్తుంది.

Why?  Mr. Venkaiah Naidu hails from a rural area in Andhra Pradesh.  The area lies on the borders of forests.  Villagers on the borders of forests eke out their living by collecting firewood, forest products etc.  For many of them, particularly illiterate laborers, it is almost a daily chore.  Some of them may already know that it is a crime to cut red sanders trees.  Some of them may also know that it was highly risky to venture into forests for livelihood.  At the same time, every villager in backward Districts is not a B.A., B.L., like Mr. Naidu.  Even Mr. Venkaiah Naidu as a lawyer, may not know all the laws, every Section in every Act, with added amendments, notifications etc. 


Even if the labourers know, they cannot avoid going to forests because woodcutting was a thousands of years old, very ancient occupation, since the days of man being a hunter.  Consequently, going to forests for collecting wood and forest produce became a human right.  Governments considering that forest trees as their State property, auctioning the trees to benefit forest contractors etc. were developments of later Centuries.  Of course, cutting red sanders or smuggling it may not be a human right.  But then, the State will have to make a distinction between the smugglers and woodcutters.


The object of this particular blog post is not-- to defend the red sanders smugglers, or their heinous act of killing forest Officials.  The criminals who killed the Forest and Police Officials earlier are definitely to be caught and punished appropriately.  If necessary, in self defence, police may have to use fire weapons against them.


The 20 wood-cutter labourers who died (may be smugglers or their assistants) are not likely to be the above criminals.  Now , the murderer criminals are still to be searched and 302 cases are to be booked against the smuggler mafia gang leaders.  This encounter is not a substitute for that.  Both are separate things.  Both the batches of smugglers/laborers are separate groups.


Living in dire poverty, some wood-cutters of Tamil Nadu might have been tempted to accept the work in Seshachalam, when they were offered double or higher wages than the wages paid to ordinary wood-cutters.


These are the days, when film stars who have already earned millions of bucks, who have received Padma Bhushans and Padma VibhUshans, Rajya Sabha Memberships,  may again and again expose every private part of theirs and dance obscenely, if they get more bucks. 

Is there any wonder, in laborers (they may not be innocent) accepting the work, without knowing the dire risk of getting  fired fatally?  They might have thought that they would go to jail if caught.  Or the mafia leaders might have assured them that they will arrange bail, appoint a lawyer, maintain their families while in jail, etc.  Of course, the laborers believing the words of the smuggler mafia lost their lives, for taking an undue risk for a few more bucks.

It is also a different thing that A.P. Govt. or Tamil Nadu Government pays them some compensation.  After all, the politicians or the Officials do not pay the compensation from their pockets.  The amounts will be paid from exchequer. 


Besides , compensation is not a substitute for loss of lives.   When a physical laborer dies, a Nation loses his productivity for 30 years ie. for 9000 days, nearly Rs. 4.5 million.  A Nation which takes pride in its young population, its productivity, should not throw away their lives, unless there are unavoidable circumstances.   These unavoidable circumstances are to be checked now.


Some pertinent questions which arise:

1. The Police and Forest authorities claim that "Shoot at sight" orders have been passed and publicised. 

a) Have sign boards of large size placed on FOREST PATHS in Tamil and Telugu languages, warning about the RISK OF BEING SHOOT ON SIGHT?

b) Have the "shoot at sight" orders been repeatedly beamed ON TV CHANNELS in Tamil and Telugu languages in Andhra Pradesh, and the neighboring Districts of Tamil Nadu?

c) Have sufficient number printed pamphlets been printed in Tamil and Telugu languages and distributed in the A.P. and T.N. border districts?

d) Have Panchayats and Municipalities of the area been informed of the SHOOT AT SIGHT ORDERS?

e) Now-a-days both the Central and State Governments send a number of mobile SMSes even for flimsy things.  Did they send any such "SMS" messages about SHOOT AT SIGHT ORDERS to any mobiles in Chittoor, Cuddapah and the adjacent Districts in Tamil Nadu?

f) Did they show any slides or short-films in the local cinema halls, about the Shoot at Sight Orders?

g) Did they make sufficient number of announcements on loud speakers, before resorting to fire?

h) Why didn't they try firing into sky, firing at legs, before resorting to direct fire?  Are there are any special circumstances for skipping the first two prerequisites?

i) Did they exhibit some RED WARNING BOARDS at Lorry & Mini Lorry stands, auto stands to warn the laborers?

j) Did they announce it All India Radio Stations of Cuddapah, Chennai?  In All India Radio, every hour we hear an advertisement "I am Narendra Modi.  etc. etc. "  The SHOOT AT SIGHT ORDERS could have been repeatedly announced on All India Radio.

Police and Forest Officials have every right to fire against attackers in self-defence.  But the question is: Is this right being exercised honestly and sincerely?  Are there any circumstances to believe that this right has been exercised honestly and sincerely?  This should now be checked through a judicial process.  If the Police and Forest Officials can show that they have followed the above precautions, they can expect full public support for their actions from public.

Normally, Police, Forest, Excise Officials do not move, when people approach them with complaints.  Bribes are necessary both to initiate an action which they are bound to take as per law, and to stop an action which they have started. 

There may be a strong desire on the part of the Police, Forest officials to take revenge against smugglers who have killed two innocent Officers discharging their duties.  But is this desire, a sufficient motivation to fire on a very large scale?

There are news reports that political leaders of the area have links with the smugglers, and that some of the political leaders themselves are the smugglers.  The Police and Forest Officials should have started their combing with the politicians and their cronies, by repeated inspections of their residences, factories, godowns, cattle sheds, plantations etc.  Let the Police and Forest Officials publish a list of politicians, industrialists, business persons, whose houses, factories, godowns, cattle sheds, plantations etc. they have searched, and the number of cases they have registered.  How many cases of disproportionate wealth in relation to sources of income they noticed during the searches, and what action they have initiated against the top king pins of the racket?

Justice should not only be done, but should also appear to have been done. 

Conclusion

Till India attains full employment in its true sense, coolies may have work with forests.  They will not have any work with angels (deva dUtAs).

(To continue.  सशेष.  ఇంకా ఉంది.)