Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c25.s1.52

v2.c25.s1.52

"Shortly after, the *Nava-rattiri* festival occurred. In this capital (called the *Vizianagaram Penukondai Patnam*) was the temple of a *durga* (or goddess), to which a festival was annually dedicated; and it terminated with the offering of a wild buffalo to the goddess on the tenth day. This buffalo was generally hunted for in the jungle, by the prince of the kingdom, and usually taken in a net. On the eighth day of that year, the *Rayer*, as usual, went with his hunting party into the woods, which abounded with wild buffalos; and having chased them, a buffalo was reported to be caught in the snare laid for it by the huntsmen. This buffalo was remarkable for the strength and length of its horns, which bended backwards and reached to its tail; consequently the *Rayer* and his principal officers were much concerned at the improbability of sacrificing it with one blow, as would be needful: since a failure on this point would be a sure indication of some catastrophe, unfavourable to the future prosperity of the kingdom, according to a current tradition long since established." It was then that Viśvanātha Nāyaka, advised in a dream by the goddess, came to the rescue of the king and offered to cut off the buffalo's head at one stroke.¹