History of the Pallavas of Kanchi c13.8

c13.8

*The Probable Interpretation of the Sculptures.*—The sculptural representations in these panels taken along with the information contained in the Kaśākkuḍi plates³ help us to establish that there was a change of dynasty on the death of Paramēśvaravarman, and that Nandivarman II, till then named Paramēśvaran Pallavamalla was chosen to occupy the Pallava throne by the people. In this enterprise Nandivarman II appears to have received considerable help from Hiraṇyavarman I, and his trustworthy general Udayachandra whose exploits for the cause of his master are described in detail in the Udayēndiram plates.⁴ The Kaśākkuḍi plates dated in the twenty-second year of this king records the important fact that ‘he was chosen by his subjects’. The sculptures at the Vaikuṇṭhaperumāḷ temple have been interpreted as indicating a general election to the Pallava throne on the death of Paramēśvaravarman II. ‘The Kaśākkuḍi plates¹ of Pallava king Nandivarman Pallavamalla tell us, that, after the death of Paramēśvaravarman II, Nandivarman, son of Hiraṇyavarman, was chosen by his subjects. It may therefore be concluded that this part of the sculptures were intended to represent the various events connected with the succession of Nandivarman who might be the prince referred to in the notes as Pallavamalla. As the Vaikuṇṭhaperumāḷ temple was called Paramēśvaraviṇṇagaram, very probably after the Pallava king Nandivarman Pallavamalla called also Paramēśvaravarman² it may be supposed that both the sculptures and the explanatory notes accompanying them were cut out soon after the temple itself was built.’