MEMORIAL STONES
Karnataka, like many other states in
The stones are erected to honour an individual for
his valour, loyalty, fidelity and sacrifice. In case of women, they may be installed
to deify a woman who burns herself of the funereal pyre of her husband to accompany
him to heaven or kills herself to protect her modesty. Some saints, both men and
women, particularly those belonging to Jainism decide to renounce this world and
seek the here after by performing a fast unto death. Even these monks have commemorative
stones built to retain a record of their deeds. These stones are called respectively
Hero Stones, (vIragallu) Masti Stones (mAstigallu) and Nisidige stones (nisidigekallu).
These stones are usually a combination of written material
and illustrative carvings in various proportions. The format varies dependent on
the parameters of historical period, geographical region and the thematic material
dealt with. They are usually made of granite, red sand stone, soap stone or crude
stones again depending on the above parameters. Usually the language and the script
are those that are in tune with Kannada prevalent during those times, of course
with a generous mixture of Sanskrit. They are some times terse and to the point
or elaborate and descriptive. More often than not they follow standard patterns
which are handed over to them by the earlier writers and engravers.
Hero stones in Karnataka have a long tradition starting
from the tamaTakallu Inscription of 550 A.D. right up to kOnasAgara inscription
of 1910 A.D. This honour is accorded to an
individual who dies in harness while serving his king and master or in order to
protect the honour of women who are being molested by enemies or while trying to
protect the cattle wealth of a village or even those who die during a royal hunt.
By and large, these heroes constitute individuals who are able to put society above
the self. This was carried out of course within the context of an imperialistic
or feudal set up. These were erected by the grateful king, community or the family.
Some individuals will have taken an oath to sacrifice
their lives in order to save their master’s life as and when the occasion demands.
These individuals and the practice were called ‘garuDa’s (lenka) and ‘vELevALi’
respectively.
The structures of hero stones have changed from time
to time. However the sculptural details are usually more prominent than the wordings.
Some of them depict the hero in combat with the enemies predominantly and the details
about him will be tucked in somewhere. BEgUr Hero stone is known for giving a detailed
description of a battle. Gradually the pattern was whittled down to three stages.
In the first stage the hero is shown in combat, the next stage depicts his ascent
to heaven graphically and divine damsels carry him to heaven in an airborne chariot.
In the concluding phase he is shown relaxing in heaven, either worshipping a god
or sitting in a meditative posture. Once in a while these stages are extended up
to six or seven. The hero stones during the regime of Hoysala dynasty are carved
beautifully and the words are found in the mid band of the stones.
‘Athakur Inscription’ documents a memorial of this kind being built for
a dog named ‘kALi’.
‘Sati stones’ or ‘Mast stones’ constitute a different
category. Here the woman has to perform either a ‘sahagamana’ or ‘anugamana’ voluntarily
which involves burning herself on the funeral pyre. She was given the status of
a ‘Maha Sati’ (mAsti) after this event and a stone was erected in order to commemorate
the event. These stones are very simple and they do not even mention the name of
the woman. They portray a woman in isolation or in the company of her husband. One
of her hands will be raised in benediction and she will be holding a lemon in the
other. mAsti stones are found in abundance particularly during the tenth and eleventh
centuries. Some memorials depict just the right hand and nothing else. ‘dEkabbe’s
Inscription’ is an instance. Once in a while these satis are deified and temples
are built around their memorials. (mAstammana guDi)
Nisidige stones comprise the third and final category.
Jaina monks, after having decided to renounce their lives by taking up a wow to
fast un to death were commemoated by these stones. Such fasts were known as ‘sallekhanas’.
Many rocks in Shravana Belagola have such niSdhI shAsana inscribed on them.
Practices like these may sound barbaric and inhuman
to most of us and those contentions are no doubt true. But many of our contemporary
practices have their roots in such attitudinal fallacies and a study of the mindsets
involved in these practices may go a long way in resolving the issues.
References:
1. Shasana
Vyasanga: ‘Samadhi, Balidana,
Veeramarana
Smarakaglu’, M.M. Kalburgi, 1980, Dharwar.
2. Karnatakada Veeragallugalu (karnATakada vIragallugaLu) R.Shesha Shastry, Kannada
sahitya Parishattu,
3. Mastikallugalu-ondu
adhyayana, (mAstikallugaLu-ondu adhyayana-Basavaraja Kalgudi,
4. Kannada Shasanagala
Samskritika Adhyayana, (kannaDa shAsanagaLa sAmskritika adhyayana) M.Chidananda
Murthy,
5. Memorial
stones a study of their origin, significance,
and variety
Published in 1982, Institute of Indian Art
History, Karnataka University, South Asia Institute,
Links: 1.
Hindusim: pictures of funerals and memorials