The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c34.s1.43

v2.c34.s1.43

Allaṭa was succeeded by Naravāhana, his son by the Hūṇa queen Hariyadevī. The Atpur inscription of Śaktikumāra tells us that ‘her fame shone forth in the form of Harṣapura.’³ This probably indicates that she founded a city of that name. Only one inscription, dated in V.S. 1028 (*c.* 971 A.D.) has so far been published for the reign of Naravāhana.⁴ This is his *Ekalingajī* *stone-inscription*, which was discovered in the temple of Nātha, 14 miles north of Udaipur. It is incised on a slab in the proper right-hand niche in the outside wall facing east of the *Sabhāmaṇḍapa* of the temple. It contains 18 lines, and opens with obeisance to Lakulīśa.¹ The first verse is damaged ; the second praises Sarasvatī, and the next two eulogise the city of Nāgahrada.² Verse 5 tells us that in that city flourished the prince Bappaka, who was a moon amongst the kings of Guhila lineage. The following verse probably mentioned the name of Allaṭa, the father of Naravāhana, to whose reign the inscription refers itself (Vs. 7-8). The inscription then supplies an account of the Lakulīśa sect of the Śaivas. We are told that in the country of Bhṛgukaccha (Broach), through which flows Narmadā, the daughter of Mekala, the sage Bhṛgu being cursed by Murabhid (Viṣṇu), propitiated the god Śiva. The latter in the presence of that sage incarnated himself in a form characterised with a club (*lakula*) in his hand. The place where Śiva thus descended to the earth was called *Kāyavarohana*.³ In this place, the inscription tells us, Śiva did not remember his Kailāsa. Then follows an account of Kuśika and other sages who were conversant with the Pāśupata-yoga, and who resorted to the use of ashes, bark, and matted hair. Then follows a statement that there were certain sages whose fame had spread from the Himalayas to Rāma’s bridge who worshipped the god Ekaliṅga. It was by them that this temple of Lakulīśa was raised on Mt. Aśvagrāma. The next verse states that the *praśasti* was composed by the poet Āmra, the pupil of the celebrated dialectician the sage Vedāṅga, who had silenced the disputants of the *Syādvāda* (Jaina), *Saugata* (Buddhist), and other sects. V. 19 gives the date V.S. 1028. At the end occur the names of Supūjitarāśi and Viniścitarāśi and others who erected a temple and dedicated it to Lakulīśa.¹