The Colas c20.19

c20.19

The *Vikramāṅkadēva Carita* of Bilhaṇa gives the story from yet another point of view, which is as hostile to Kulōttunga as the *Kalingattup-paraṇi* is favourable to him.³⁶ Soon after Vikramāditya's marriage, his father-in-law the Cōḷa king, died and the kingdom fell into a state of anarchy. When he heard of these things, he set out for Kāñcī with the definite object of helping the late king's son to the throne. At Kāñcī, Vikramāditya spent some days in bringing the wicked (*duṣṭavarga*) to their knees, and then marched to Gaṅgākuṇḍa where he destroyed the forces of the enemy and finally secured the throne for the Cōḷa prince. After spending about a month in that city, Vikramāditya, apparently satisfied that peace had been restored, retired to the Tungabhadrā. Within a few days after his return, the news reached him that his brother-in-law had lost his life in a fresh rebellion and that Rājiga, the lord of Vēṅgī, had captured the throne vacated by the Cōḷa prince. 'Vikramāditya VI marched at once against Rājiga. The latter induced Sōmēśvara II to combine with him; and a battle was fought. But the victory rested with Vikramāditya VI; Rājiga fled and Sōmēśvara II was taken prisoner. This lost Sōmēśvara the throne; and shortly afterwards, according to the poem, Vikramāditya VI allowed himself to be proclaimed ruler of the Dekkan.'³⁷