History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c13.5

c13.5

*Sculptures in the Vaikuṇṭhaperumāl Temple at Kāñchi.*—The sculptures inside the Vaikuṇṭhaperumāl temple at Kāñchīpuram throw some light upon the history of this period. The original sculptures were considerably mutilated, but the temple authorities have tried to repair them with brick and mortar. The explanatory notes have not been filled in completely but are found on a small portion of the south verandah and explain thirteen compartments of the upper row of sculptures. The first of these notes refers to the death of Paramēśvaravarman of the Pallava family which was descended from the God Brahma and mentions the ministers, the Ghaṭikaiyār, the Mūlaprakṛti and Hiraṇyavarma Mahārāja. It is partially damaged but ends with the word ‘place’. The second compartment ends with the words *enru sonna idam*, ‘the place where he said that’. The fourth mentions Śrīmalla, Raṇamalla, Sangrāmamalla, and Pallavamalla as Hiraṇyavarma’s four sons and ends with the words ‘*Paramēśvaran nan povēn enru toḷuduninra idam*’, ‘the place where Paramēśvara stood in a worshipping posture saying he would go’.¹ Then Hiraṇyavarma Mahārāja and Dharaṇikoṇḍapośar are mentioned; also the Nagarattār i.e., the citizens of Kāñchīpuram, the Mūlaprakṛti and the Kāṭaka Muttarayar. Mention is also made of the coronation (*Abhiṣēka*) of young Pallavamalla under the style Nandivarma.²