The Colas c20.18.2

c20.18.2

In fact the date of this prince's birth must be placed at the end of Rājēndra I's reign, some time after A.D. 1040. By that time Rājādhirāja I had long been associated with his father as *yuvarāja*, and there were several brothers of his perhaps occupying responsible posts in the administration of the empire. There was no need for any adoption; and considering his marriage with Madhurāntaki, it is impossible to postulate it. In fact all that Jayaṅgoṇḍār says is that on the birth of the child, the queen of Gaṅgaikoṇḍaśōḷa raised him in her hands and expressed her admiration of the marks on his limbs by observing that he was fit to be a son of the solar line born for its protection; in the very next verse the poet takes good care to add that the kings of both the lunar and the solar dynasties, that is Rājarājanarēndra and Rājēndra Gaṅgaikoṇḍa, experienced joy on the occasion of the birth of the prince.³⁴ After a convential account of the early years of the prince, the poet states than Abhaya³⁵ (Vīrarājēndra) made him crown prince, and then proceeds to describe his *digvijaya* of which particulars are furnished only with reference to the northern direction. He is said to have made his mark in Vayirākaram and Śakkarakkōṭṭam. He was still in the north engaged in these campaigns when the Cōḷa king died in the south, and there ensued anarchy and confusion until Abhaya Kulōttuṅga returned and restored order. This account of Jayaṅgoṇḍār is remarkable in some ways.