Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c8.s4.65

v1.c8.s4.65

No account of the cities of Vijayanagara on the eastern coast may be said to be adequate without mention being made of Mailāpūr. Its ancient name was Vāmanāthapura, and its history is thus described in tradition. "Anciently this town was wholly inhabited by Jainas, who had a fane with an image of Nemi or Alli Tir'thacar (Ādi-Tirthaṅkara). One of these sages had a dream in which he was informed that, within a few days, the town would be overwhelmed by the sea. The image was removed further inland; and, three days after, the old town was swallowed up by the sea. The Jainas appear afterwards to have had fanes, with many images in each, in a town which was called Mailamanagara. Another night vision announced the submerging also of this town, within three days; connected with a command to remove the image further inland. This command was obeyed. At a later period Brahmans came from the western Chola country; and, by superior skill in astrological, and astronomical calculations, with their knowledge of the A'tharvana vēda (or arts of magic), they succeeded in turning the people from the Jaina credence. The image was taken away by some of its votaries, towards the west, as far as Chitambūr".¹