The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c15.79

v1.c15.79

7. It was noon³ when the two armies advanced and soon joined battle⁴. The left wing of the Hindu army, under the command of Venkatadri, was the first to attack its opponent the Sultan of Bijapur⁵. Venkatadri had always been a helpmate to his brother Rama Raya on the battlefield, 'verily as Lakshmana was to the epic hero Rama', as the Kondyata grant of Venkata III says⁶. He was 'a great hero' according to the Kallakursi grant of Ranga III⁷, and 'a veritable [Figure: V. Battle of Raksas-Tagdi. The Hindu Army. First engagement. Rama Raya in upper right corner. (P.P.P.) (By kind permission of the Hony. Secretaries, Bharata Itihasa Sanshodhaka Mandala, Poona.)]