The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c8.s7.8

v1.c8.s7.8

Poona plates issued during the 13th year of the regency of Prabhāvatīguptā, Divākarasena figures as the *yuvarāja* or the heir-apparent. In the Rithpur plates, Prabhāvatīguptā is described as *Mahārāja-Dāmodarasena-Pravarasena-jananī*. This expression may mean that she was the mother of Dāmodarasena and Pravarasena or Dāmodarasena *alias* Pravarasena. If we accept the former interpretation, Divākarasena, Dāmodarasena, and Pravarasena become the three sons of Prabhāvatīguptā; if we accept the latter one, Divākarasena and Dāmodarasena *alias* Pravarasena become the two sons of the queen. The latter interpretation is, however, the correct one. The order in which the two names Dāmodarasena and Pravarasena occur in the expression *Mahārāja-Dāmodarasena-Pravarasena-jananī* suggests that if Dāmodarasena and Pravarasena had been two different princes, the former would be the elder one, and the ruling king at the time when the plates were issued. The plates were, however, issued in the 19th year of Pravarasena and not of Dāmodarasena. It is therefore clear that Dāmodarasena is the same as Pravarasena, the latter being his *abhisheka* or coronation name. The use of the title *mahārāja* before the expression Dāmodarasena-Pravarasena would also suggest that it refers to one person, for in a kingdom there is usually only one *mahārāja* or ruling king at a time.