Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v1.c9.s2.43

v1.c9.s2.43

1. The story of Vidyāraṇya is given in an inscription dated A.D. 1336. ". . . Usual account of the descent of Yadu from the moon. In his line were many kings, among whom was Bukka, whose wife was Magāmbikā. From them (omitting laudations) was born Saṅgama, whose wife was Manāmbikā, and they had five sons—Harihara, Kampa, Bukka, Māra and Mudda. The eldest of these became the ruler of the nine continents. Having conquered all the points of the compass, he was served by the kings of Aṅga, Kaliṅga, and other countries. And he ruled in Kuñjarakōṇapuri (Anegundi). On one occasion he crossed the Tuṅgabhadrā with the intention of hunting, and coming forth with his army, saw the forests to the south. And in the forest, that moon to the ocean Saṅgamēśa was surprised to see a fierce dog with long teeth, only chewing what had been bitten, and a hare. And seeing the god Virūpāksha along with the goddess Pampā, he did obeisance to them; and drawing near paid respect to Vidyāraṇya, the yati in that temple, and informed him of the very curious circumstance. The yatīndra (his praise) smiled above and said: ‘O King, this place is worth to be the residence of a family of great kings; and this is a specially strong site. Make here a city named Vidyā equal to Alaka (Kubēra's city) with nine gates, wherein you may reside, like Purandhara, in wealth acquired by victory in war on all sides, and hold the world in your serpent-like arms’. Thereupon Hariharēśvara, doing according to his direction, was seated on the throne, adorned with the white umbrella, and made the sixteen great gifts, resplendent in the nagara (or city) called Vidyā (or Vidyānagara) of vast dimensions. (On the date specified) during the phalābhishēka festival for Pampā-Virūpāksha-Mahēśvara, he formed certain agrahāras. And (with praises) to Arakare Bhāskara's son Pampāvirūpāksha, he gave Yāraguḍi in Tammadāmala, in the Koṇḍakāmala Vallūru Sime. . .(its boundaries). And he gave it the new name of Vidyāranyapura. And for the worship of the god Mahēśvara of Śrīśaila he granted Chiravārapalli. By order of the king the Sāsana was engraved by the Sāsanāchārya Nāga-dēva. Boundaries in the language of the country (Telugu). Usual imprecatory verses. (Signed) Śrī-Virūpāksha’.¹