Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c13.2

c13.2

In the works of the principal old Kannaḍa poets, Samantabhadra, Kaviparimēṣṭhi, and Pūjyapāda, invariably in this order, are named at the beginning as the earliest and most illustrious trio among the authors who preceded them. From Jaina traditions it appears that Samantabhadra may be placed in the second century. Regarding him SB 54 supplies the following list of countries and places to which he travelled, and where he beat the drum,¹ as a challenge to any opponent who would meet him in public disputation. They were Pāṭaliputra (Patna, on the Ganges, the capital of the Mauryas or Guptas), Mālava, Sindhu, the Ṭhakka country (in the Punjāb), Kāñchīpura (Conjeeveram, near Madras), Vaidiśa (Bhilsa, in Central India), Karahāṭaka (Kolhāpur, in the South Mahratta country or Karṇāṭaka Prānth). Nr 46 refers to the Bhāshya composed by the great brati, in allusion to Samantabhadra’s *Gandahasti-mahābhāshya*, a commentary on Umāsvāti’s *Tattvārtha*.