Administration and Social Life under Vijayanagar c14.s2.65

c14.s2.65

Thus the spread of Śrī-Vaiṣṇavism in the empire was in no small measure due to the encouragement which the state gave it, the kings adopting it as their faith. But this rapid spread of the faith, and the construction of new Vaiṣṇava temples or the restoration or reconsecration of old ones, were not accomplished without opposition. At every stage the Śaivas opposed the spread of Vaiṣṇavism. This at times took such a serious turn that loss of life was sustained by the parties Fr. N. Pimenta who passed through Cidambaram in 1597 was an eye-witness to certain incidents that took place there when Kṛṣṇappa Nāyaka of Jiñji made certain improvements to the Gōvindarāja shrine there. He says that a great controversy arose as to “ whether it was lawful to place the Signe of Perimal (which is nothing but a Mast or Pole gilded, with an Ape at the foot) in the temple at Chidambaram. Some refused, others by their Legats importunately urged, and the Naichus of Gingi Decreed to erect it in the temple.” But when Kṛṣṇappa carried out the reconstruction and repair of the temple in spite of the opposition, the priests of the Śiva temple climbed the towers “ and cast themselves down ” while he was in the temple and thus twenty of them died. Kṛṣṇappa got angry and ordered the rest to be shot which order was obeyed and two were so done away with. “ A woman also was so hote in this zealous quarrel that she cut her own throat.” But finally Kṛṣṇappa was able to accomplish his purpose.¹¹⁰