Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v1.c7.s6.9

v1.c7.s6.9

Now as to the genealogy of Indravarma, it is traced from Mahādeva, and thus a divine origin is attributed to the family. Elsewhere the family is referred to as the ‘Bhrgu family (No. 42, v. 8, No. 39, v. 16) evidently because of the mythology contained in No. 31, according to which Bhṛgu was sent to Champā by Mahādeva himself. The next king Uroja also belongs to the category of mythical kings, for he is elsewhere (No. 31, A. 10,) described as a god sent down to the earth by Mahādeva. As to the third king, Dharmarāja, it is doubtful whether he is a historical figure, or belongs to the category of divine or mythical beings. It may be noted that his name does not end in ‘varman’ which is almost the invariable custom of the kings of Champā at this period. Further, it is somewhat singular that whereas Indravarman is said to be the son of Bhadravarman, and the latter the son of Rudravarman, the last named king is simply said to have been born from Dharmarāja; similarly Dharmarāja is simply said to have been born from Uroja. Of course ordinarily such expressions indicate the relation of son and father, but here the obvious contrast in the two sets of expressions may be taken to mean that Rudravarman was merely descended from Dharmarāja and not his son.¹ In short we shall be on the safe side if we look upon the last three kings alone as historical figures viz. Rudravarma