Epigraphia Indica Vol 26

SR No.: 032580
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hirananda Shastri
Publisher: Archaeological Survey of India
Publication Year: 1945
Total Pages: 448
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 24 MB

Page 29

16
EPIGRAPHIA INDICA.
[VOL. XXVI.
Lakshmi. They begot Soma, the husband of Sürämbika, and from them was born Gamgadhara, the husband of Irugămbika, who bore the title of Arigamdaragamḍa (a hero to hostile heroes). Gamgadhara and Irugămbika had a son, Kamarāja, who, on account of his great devotion (bhakti) to Siva came to be popularly known as Bhaktiraja. Even in his youth Bhaktiraja won a victory over the heroes, Boggara and other Yavana (Muhammadan) chiefs, in the neighbourhood of the town of Gulapumḍi; in the eastern direction, after winning a victory over the Gajapati in battle at Pañchadhara, he installed the Koppula chief on his throne. He also subdued king Simga near the town of Bharanipăḍu in a battle; vanquished with considerable prowess Daburu-Khānu and others with their rakshasa forces near Pedakomḍapuri; and, defeated, as if in mere sport, king Annavõta in the vicinity of the city of Süravara. Bhaktiśvara married Annemāmba, and founded a city called Kalyana which became famous as Kāmapuri, the crest-jewel of the Andhra country. The sound of the bells indicating the hours when worship was offered to god Siva from the sunrise onwards entered the minds of the people walking along the streets of the city through the path of their ears and destroyed their sins. The learned men of the city became involved in discussion about the values of things by looking at musk and other valuable commodities exhibited for sale in the streets of the city.
Bhaktiśvara begot a son, the great Annadeva who surpassed Jayamta in beauty, and Mrigamka (Moon) in brilliance, and who was as liberal as the tree of wish (pärijäta) in the distribution of gifts. Annadeva reduced, by the prowess of his arm, the hostile kings to the position of harlots. Having gone to the help of the king of the Turushkas (the Muhammadans), he overcame with the sole help of his sword, the Karnata army at Sagara; and like Śiva capturing the Tripuri he took Jaggavaga and (two ?) other cities from his enemies. Annadeva of the Chōdakula fostered gods and Brahmans with care, and having become endowed with all kinds of wealth (aiśvarya) by their favour, he was greatly devoted to the worship of god Viśvanatha.
Annadeva married Irugambika, a sister of king Pimnumḍi, and a daughter of Chakravarti of the solar family and had by her a son called Virabhadra. Annadeva defeated on the borders of Attili all the southern kings who were hostile to him, and offered protection to 10,000 of the enemy's forces who took refuge within the walls of that city. For the purpose of protecting his friend, he performed a heroic sacrifice with Pinayundi-raja as adhvaryu on the sacrificial altar of Kamkarapartti on the bank of the Gautami (i.e., Godavari), making the Kannada and other enemies the sacrificial victims. Being desirous only of fame, he offered protection to the family of Kataya-Vēma, who bowed to his feet. While Annadeva was ruling the earth, people lived without trouble, sporting happily in the sugarcane fields and areca palm groves. The wealthy city of Mummaḍi-Prōlavāra, the crest-jewel of his country, was a resort of the merchants from all quarters.
King Annadeva worshipped Śiva six times a day waving innumerable lights at the lotus-feet of the god; he presented a thousand cows to the deity, and strictly observed the rule of feeding the Brahmans daily. He built a beautiful gilded mansion of seven storeys ornamented with the gilded images of damsels bearing golden fan, fly-whisk, flag and an umbrella with pearl tassels. He fed everyday sumptuously Saiva-Brahmanas, ascetics and yogins; made a gift called Gösahasra to Brahmans in the presence of the god Virabhadra of Paṭṭesa; and performed the dāna called Saptasagara to quench their thirst, as it were. Having surpassed Parasurama by
1 The significance of 'vesy-anganayita-virödhi-dharatalendro' is not quite clear. [The idea seems to be that these kings were made to attend on various persons, probably at the Royal court, as the harlots have to entertain men without any choice on their part.-Ed.]