Samrat Chandragupta Maurya

The antiquity of Shravanabelagola, the land of the Shramans, dates back to BC. It is traced back to the 3rd century. Jain Muni Bhadrabahu and Emperor Chandragupta Maurya are responsible for the transformation of this forested area into a land and Jain Dharma spread throughout the south. There is a legend that Chandragupta and 12000 disciples came to this Shravanabelagola along with Bhadrabahu Munis after listening to the sermon and taking Shravaka Vrata.
One day when Bhadrabahu Muni went to a house for food, there was a baby in the cradle inside the house where no one was. How long did the Bhadrabahu think that this was God’s voice? They will ask. That child is twelve years old. This is a foretelling of a terrible drought, Bhadrabahu Muni will tell of the chaos and unrest that will occur in the state. Chandragupta Maharaja narrated sixteen polla (bad) dreams to the sages. Knowing the effect of dreams, Chandragupta accepts initiation and joins the Sangha.
Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta decided to go to the southern region where the Jains settled for peace, prosperity, and together with 12000 disciples they came to Belgola (Kalvappu) and settled in Chikkabetta. Bhadrabahu Munis took the oath of life and said, “I will take the reference, all of you go ahead” and send 8000 disciples to the Tamil Nadu route under the leadership of Vishakhacharya. The rest will move to the vast southern province.

Samrat Chandragupta refused to go with the Sangha and remained in Chikkabetta and engaged in the service of the Guru. Itta Bhadrabahu Munis said complete retirement to food and body and took avamodaryachari (a vow of taking food less than one bite per day out of thirty-two bites) and endured hunger, abdicated the body and performed sannyasana and achieved the Ratnatrayas and was born as a god named Amitakanti in Brahmakalpa. Thus Emperor Chandragupta served his Guru and after his time worshiped his samadhi as Prabhachandra Muni, performed penance for twelve years, achieved the supreme and natural Ratnatraya, ritually folded the slekha on the small hill and became a god named Sridhara in Brahmakalpa.
Jinadharma is Dakshi