History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c12.39

c12.39

*Mahendravarman II*.—About A.D. 655, Narasimhavarman I, the Mahāmalla, died having raised the Pallava power to a glory unprecedented in Pallava history. The exact period of the duration of Narasimha’s reign is not known, but from the evidence of the *Mahāvaṃśa*, and the prolonged stay of Mānavamma at the court of this king as well as the military and naval enterprises associated with his reign, his reign must have lasted a fairly long time. He was succeeded by Mahendravarman II about whom practically nothing is known, except the reference in the Kūram plates that he ‘thoroughly enforced the sacred law of the castes and the orders.’¹ This probably indicates a peaceful reign free from disturbances of hostile invasions from outside. According to Mr. M. S. Ramaswami Aiyangar, Mahēndravarman II was the contemporary of Appar.² But there is no evidence to show that Mahēndravarman II was a Jain in the earlier part of his reign and that his conversion to Śaivaism was brought about by Appar. On the other hand, as we saw already, Appar was a contemporary of Mahēndravarman I, the son and successor of Simhavishṇu (A.D. 600–630).