The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c18.214

v1.c18.214

Govindacandra had at least four queens. Of these the names of Nayanakeli-devī,² Gosala-devī,³ and Kumāra-devī ⁴ are known from his inscriptions. The last of these three seems to have professed the Buddhist religion. The name of another Buddhist queen of Govindacandra is preserved in the colophon of a Nepal MS. of the *Aṣṭasāhasrikā*. It runs as follows : *Śrī-Śrī-Kānyakubjādhipatya-Aśvapati-Gajapati-Rājya-tray-ādhipati-Śrīmad-Govindacandra-devasya pratāpa-vaśataḥ rājñī-Śrī-pravara-Mahāyāna-yāyinyāḥ paramaopāsikā rājñī Vāsanta-devyā deya-dharma'yam*.⁵ He had also at least three sons. The Benares grant of A.D. 1133 ⁶ shows that Asphoṭacandra was considered as heir-apparent (*Yuvarāja*) on that date. The Gagaha grant of A.D. 1143 ⁷ gives us the name of another son, Rājyapāla. The appearance of the name Asphoṭacandra on the seal of the grant shows that he was actively associated in the Government of the state.⁸ The Kamauli grant ⁹ of Vijayacandra however shows that Govindacandra's successor was neither of these but another son named Vijayacandra. The causes that led to the accession of this prince, who according to the evidence available at present did not take any part in his father's administration, must remain a mystery. The argument that the other two princes predeceased their father is familiar enough. But the possibility of palace-intrigue or a fratricidal war can never be completely eliminated.