Mysore and Coorg from the Inscriptions c8.s4.4

c8.s4.4

A fine pillar inscription at Tālgunda (Sk 176) gives a realistic account of the family, beginning with him. But here he is named Mayūraśarmma, the latter affix indicating a Brāhman. According to this record he was of a devout Brāhman family of Sthānakundūr (Tālgunda), an agrahāra founded by Mukkaṇṇa (see Sk 186) for Brāhmans whom he had induced to come from Ahichchhatra in the North and settle here (see also Nj 269), there being none at that time in the South. The family had growing near their house a *kadamba* tree, of which they took special care, and thus became known as the Kadambas. Along with his teacher, Mayūra-śarmma went to the Pallava capital (Kāñchī—Conjeeveram, near Madras) in order to complete his vedic studies. There he had a fierce quarrel with the Pallava horse or stables,¹ by which he was so enraged at Kshattriyas lording it over Brāhmans that, in order to revenge himself, he resolved to adopt the life of a Kshattriya. Practising himself in the use of arms, he overcame the Pallava frontier guards, and escaped to the inaccessible forests near Śrīparvata (Karnūl District), where he became so powerful that he levied tribute from Bṛihad Bāṇa (the great Bāṇa) and other kings around. The Pallavas having led an army against him, he fell upon them like a hawk unawares in night attacks, and inflicted such loss upon them that they saw it was hopeless to put him down. Thus driven to take him as an ally, they recognised him as king of a territory stretching from the Western Ocean to Premāra. He was succeeded by his son Kangavarmma, whose son was Bhagīratha, whose son was Raghu, whose brother was Bhāgīrathi or Kākustha. The latter was a powerful ruler, and his daughters were given in marriage to the Gupta and other kings. He had a reservoir made for the temple (of Praṇaveśvara at Tālgunda, now in ruins) at which Sātakarṇi and other great kings worshipped. His son was Śāntivarmma, who wore three crowns; in whose time the inscription was composed and engraved.