Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c7.s2.18

v1.c7.s2.18

The people heard the news of the downfall of the enemy with great joy and attributed to gods what men had failed to do. Thus the story of the opening of the doors of the Madura temple and what the people saw there, is narrated in the Pandyan Chronicle: "During these Mahomedan days, in the Virothikiratu year, of the era of Salivahana one thousand two hundred and ninety-three, the general of the King of Mysore, named Kampanudiaver, a native of Carnata, having conquered the Mahomedans, took possession of the kingdom. He opened the Siva and Vishnu temples, which had been locked-up, (throughout the country). He opened the god's temple at Madura; and obtained a personal view of the god. Things were found precisely as on the day when the temple was shut: the lamp that was lighted on that day, the sandal wood powder, the garland of flowers, and the ornaments usually placed on the morning of festival days, were now found to be exactly as it is usual to find them on the same evening of such festival days. The general seeing this miracle, was glad; struck his eyes and with great piety made the customary offering; he gave many villages to the temple, and many jewels, and established ordinances for the regular performance of worship. He (the general), with his son Yembanudiaver, and his son-in-law Porkashudiaver, ruled the kingdom thirty-three years, from Virothikirathu to Sitterabanu year. These last two also gave many jewels to the Siva and Vishnu temples, and ordered the sacred services to be conducted".¹ Kumāra Kampaṇa had saved the honour of the land; and there is no wonder, therefore, in the people calling him by the name of the province from which he hailed—Kampaṇa of Karṇāṭaka.²