Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s2.13

v1.c9.s2.13

In the *Siva-tattvaratnākara* compiled under the patronage of Basava Raja of Keḷadi, of the eighteenth century A.D., it is narrated that Harihara and Bukka, who were treasurers of king Vīra Rudra, returning from Ujjaini, whither they had been on a pilgrimage after the destruction of Warangal by the Muhammadans, desired to go and see Virūpāksha of Hampe. Siva appeared to them in a dream and asked them to proceed to that holy place where a famous sage—Vidyāraṇya—would create a city for them, and place them as rulers with a view to establish peace in the land. On reaching Hampe they related their dream to the sage, who had also a like vision to that effect. They conferred together about the place of the city. Meanwhile a shepherd appeared and told them that on the southern bank of the river Tuṅgabhadrā there was a hillock where the goddess of wealth lived, and that she would help their cause. The shepherd, however, begged them not to divulge his name. The three men then went to the place and worshipped her, whereupon the goddess, without showing herself, told them that she would bless them and fulfil their wishes, in case they gave her the shepherd as a sacrifice. Thereupon the shepherd was brought to the place. He agreed to sacrifice himself for the great cause on one condition, viz., that all the kings of that line would assume his name. Then he went near the goddess and disappeared. The goddess then asked Vidyāraṇya to create a town in the form of *Srīchakra*, where she would rain gold for 3¾ *ghaṭis* (i.e. 1½ hours).²