Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c17.s3.t1.5

v2.c17.s3.t1.5

He could not think of accepting the charge of sovereignty which was "like a rain of cinders on a drought parched wilderness, scorching one already scorched." He is unable to find out the reason of Rājyavardhana's renunciation. "This is unworthy of my lord. Again, although in this world a prince without pride, a Brahman without greed, a saint without anger, an ape without tricks, a poet without envy, a trader without knavery, a fond husband without jealousy, a poor man not an eye-sore, a hunter without cruelty, a mendicant with a Brahman's learning, a contented servant, a grateful dicer, a wandering ascetic without gluttony, a misanthrope with a soft tongue, a truthful minister, and a King's son without vice are all equally hard to find, yet my Lord himself has been my instructor."¹ The figure of the noble Harshavardhana stands out in bold relief against the characters he has described in his speech.