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MEDIÆVAL JAINISM And the fourth cause which hastened the decline of Jainism was conversion of the trading classes called the Vira Banajigas from Jainism into Vira saivism. This was a stroke of diplomatic skill which told at once on the life of the anekāntamata in Karnātaka. The Vira Banajigas had been for ages the most powerful and wealthy section of the middle classes in Karnāțaka. Their devotion and riches had enabled the Jainas to add to the architectural beauty of Karnāțaka, and to maintain the prestige and splendour of Jainism in the land. When the followers of Basava weaned the trading classes from the anekāntamata, the mainstay of Jainism in Karnāțaka disappeared, and it fell back on the other sections of the people who could never extend to it the assurance born of wealth which the Vīra Banajigas alone could give.
1. Rice, My. & Coorg, p. 206.
