Attimabbe

Attimabbe was born in 950 AD to Feudatory Mallapa of chalukya king Tailapa II and ponnamayya.^[1] She was born at punganur of Chittoor district in Andhra pradesh.Mallapa was a devout adherent to Jainism and he was an impressive personality in imperial court of Tailapa II. Attimabbe’s Father Mallapa belonged to “Vajiivamsa “of Kondniya gotra and known as Dandnayaka title bestowed by Tailapa II. Attimabbe was married to Nagadeva in 965 AD. Nagadeva’s Father was Dhallapa ; Chief minister and general in chalukyan court. Dhallapa is also mentioned in Lakkundi inscription as a brave, highly learned, intelligent, proficient and valiant in war. It also credits to triumph over Vengi, Malwa, Konkan and Tigules. Nagadeva was elder son of Dhallapa and had same qualities as father had. He was also devout to Jainism and considered a bright star of “Vajjivamsa”. Victory of Gujarat and Vengi is credited to Nagadeva as described in lakkundi Inscription. Lakkundi inscription describes Attimabbe as wife of Nagadeva, daughter of Mallapa and Daughter in law of Dhallpa. Attimabbe was mother of Paduvala Tailap or Anniga.^[2] Her noteworthy achievements are mentioned below.

1. She caused the construction of 1500 Jain Shrines^[3] in her life and in addition one more at Lakkundi celebrated as Brahma Jinalaya.
2. She caused 1500 Jina images ^[4] to be made and gifted them along with Gold bells and lamp of daily worship of Lord Jina.
3. She caused 1000 copies of Shantipurana^[5] to be made on palm leaves and distributed them to Jina preachers and scholars as “Shastra Daan”.

Her husband Nagadeva was killed in battlefield showing great valor when Attimabbe was only 34 years old in 984 AD. King Tailapa II himself came to Attimabbe to express his condolence on death of Nagadeva .She led a pious life after husband’s death following Jaina creed. She was devout to Jainism and attributed many marvels and miracles to her in Lakkundi Inscription. She is compared to many famous personalities like Rukmini, Satyabhama,Chelini, Rohini, Prabhawati, Sulochna, Marudevi, Sushaine, Sivadevi, lakshmana and Vijayasena. In above mentioned names; five names are of Jina savior’s Mother. She was contemporary to Ganga general and chief minister Chavundaraya.^[6] She is also honored by Poet Ranna as “DanaChintamani” ^[7][8] means “Jewel among donors”. BrahmaShiva in Samayparikshe adores Attimabbe attributing many epitaphs like “gunadakhani”,”Vimala Charitre”, “Jain sasna rakshmani”, “Sajjanaka Chudamani”, “Akalanka Charite” and “Sarvakalavidhi” About 22 lithic records in Karnataka refer to high esteemed woman of nobility who have been compared to Attimabbe for their acts of charity and chastity. Moreover, an award on the name of Attimabbe was given to a female candidate every year by Karnataka government every year. Year 1994 was also celebrated as the year of Attimabbe.

References