The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c21.131

v1.c21.131

II. In the year 1603, while Venkata was residing at Chandragiri, the rebellion of the Nayak of Vellore took place. We have frequently spoken of the chiefs of Vellore, who had always remained faithful feudatories to the Vijayanagara Emperors. Chinna Bomma Nayaka was still living in the beginning of Venkata's reign; for in a Sanskrit verse by an unknown author he is called 'Viceroy of Velur, during the reign of Venkatapati Raya' ⁴. The same authority describes the ceremony of bathing in gold, which Chinna Bomma Nayaka performed in order to do honour to the scholarship of Appaya Dikshita. He is said to have with his own hands poured the gold coins out of the vessel ⁵. Dr. S. Krishnaswami Aiyangar thinks that this Nayak was not Chinna Bomma himself, but his son and successor Lingama. This Lingama was the one who in 1601-2 obtained from Venkata II the Vilapaka grant: "With a libation of water (poured) over gold, the glorious King Vira Venkatapati Maharaya joyfully granted (the village of Vilapaka), sanctioning the request of the glorious Prince Linga, who was the renowned son of Prince Bomma of Veluru; who was the victorious grandson of prince Virapa Nayaka; who was ever devoted to the shrine of Vira at Sri Nellaturu; who resembled the sun (in conferring prosperity) on the lotus group, the hearts of scholars; who terrified the mind of prince Ballalaraya; who was engaged in establishing Mahadevas (lingas of Siva) and Mahidevas (Brahmans); who was the foremost of those who assert the priority of Siva; whose pride were the works (relating to) Siva; who was full of splendour; who, as the moon from the ocean, (rose) from the renowned Anakula gotra" ¹.