The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c11.s8.59

v1.c11.s8.59

The Jaina account found in the relatively late *Bijjaḷārayacarita* is very different. Here Basava’s influence on Bijjaḷa is attributed to the fact that he had a very beautiful sister whom the king took as a concubine. Bijjaḷa died from smelling a poisoned fruit presented to him by a Jangama (Liṅgāyat monk) disguised as a Jain, but before he died he had told his son Immaḍi Bijjaḷa that it was Basava who had sent the fruit, and had enjoined him to put the minister to death. Immaḍi Bijjaḷa accordingly ordered the execution of Basava and the destruction of all the Jangams. Basava on hearing of this threw himself into a well and died, while his wife Nīlāmbā poisoned herself. ‘Canna-Basava, however, after Immaḍi Bijjaḷa’s anger had subsided, presented his uncle’s treasure to the king, and was readmitted to favour and to a ministerial office at the court.’