Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c17.s1.24

v2.c17.s1.24

But these were not the only monarchs who were credited with the observance of the *varṇāśrama dharma*. The picture of Sāḷuva Nṛsiṁha, as given in the *Sāḷuvābhyudayam*, makes us believe that that ruler maintained the traditional dignity of the sovereigns as Defenders of the Faith. As we have already remarked, Sāḷuva Nṛsiṁha appeared like Indra pledged to uphold the cause of the Dēvas, when he was seated on an elephant during the usual royal perambulations in the south.³