Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c22.s3.34

v2.c22.s3.34

The rulers gave privileges also to religious institutions. The *svamis* of the Śṛingēri Maṭha, for example, were recipients of great honours and privileges at the hands of the Vijayanagara kings. A copper-plate grant dated A. D. 1463 relates that Immaḍi Dēva Rāya Mahārāya, folding his hands to his forehead (in reverence) gave a *vaibhava-tāmra-śāsana* (or copper *śāsana* conferring insignia) as follows: "Now, in the presence of the god Virūpākshēśvara, we grant to you in addition, two five branched torches, five *kalaśas* above the palanquin, and so forth..." in confirmation of the rights already enjoyed by Rāghavēśvara Bhārati Śrīpāda.² These other insignia, we may also here note, are mentioned in another copper-plate dated A. D. 1450 which speaks of the *vaibhava-tāmra-śāsana* granted by Vidyāraṇya Śrīpāda to Chidbōdha Bhārati of Gōkarṇa. In addition to other privileges this record relates that Vidyāraṇya Śrīpāda conferred on the donee "throne, crown, palanquin, white umbrella, *chārmaras* on both sides, *makara tōraṇa* (a kind of arched canopy), fan, daylight torch, yellow and red flags and such insignia, with cymbals, conchs, *cakra*, and other musical instruments, in the presence of people come from many countries."³