Indian Antiquary Vol 44

SR No.: 032536
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 424
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 69

MARCH, 1916)
THE HISTORY OF THE NAIK KINGDOM OF MADURA
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after Visvanatha's death, as we shall see presently, he was the pilot of the infant kingdom, the trusted minister and adviser—thanks to the amiability of his manners, the moderation of his counsels and his tact in managing men of different moods, desires and temperaments,
of three successive rulers of Madura ; 80 that, when he died about 1600, he left it a strong and well-defended state, with sound finances, an efficient army, and a wholesome policy to be pursued by his successors.
His early life. A few words may not be considered unnecessary in regard to his earlier life and career. Born of poor Vel]Ala parents, somewhere in the 2nd or 3rd decade of the 16th century, in a small hamlet called Maipêdu, near the historic town of Conjeevaram, Aryanatha, it is said, had certain experiences in his youth which foreshadowed his future greatness. A story, not uncommon in the case of many other Indians, who rose from similar obscurity to conspicuous stations and dignities in life, is narrated of his boyhood. When he was twelve years of age, we are informed, he went into a field where, owing to exhaustion, he fell asleep. The sun shone directly on his face, and his sleep was disturbed. Just at that time, a cobra, it is said, emerged from a neighbouring hole, and spread its hood, in purenta) solicitude, over the bright and handsome face of the unconscious boy. A priest of a local Ganeba temple, who happened to witness this extraordinary spectacle, surmised, with the penetrative instinct of a Brahman, the greatness in store for the boy. He awakened him, fore-told his coming greatness; and when Aryanatha naturally evinced a feeling of suspicion, he emphasised his prophecy, took the youth home, entertained him at a feast, and exacted from him & written promise to the effect that, in case he became a great and wealthy man and made his mark in the world, he would give half his wealth to him. His interest centred in the welfare of the boy, the Nambi, we may be certain, undertook, from this time onward, his education. Endowed by nature with the choicest gifts of mind and body, Aryanatha became, when these were cultivated by a sound education, an intellectual prodigy. He attained considerable proficiency in mathematics, for which he had a natural aptitude, in the allied science of astrology, and in the military occupations of fencing, wrestling and archery. When about twenty, Aryanatha resolved, at the instance of his Brahman preceptor and benefactor, to try his fortunes in Vijayanagar, then the resort of all men of talents and adventure. He first, we are told, entered the service of a nobleman of the court, Peñja Mudali by name, the elder brother of an agent in the employ of the great Nagama Naik. It was, we can hardly doubt, at this time that Aryanàtha first saw his later friend, companion and master, Visvanåtha Naik, and laid the foundation of that close friendship which was to thicken with time and grow with age and vicissitudes. Nor can we be surprised at their mutual attraction. Both were men of culture and capacity, of romantic temperament and adventurous spirit. Both were men of great penetration, of organizing genius. Equal23 in ambition and intellect, in hardy physical valour as well as intellectual vigour, in the potential capacity for political organization and the potential talents of statesmanship, they seem to have had from the beginning a feeling of mutual esteem, cordiality and confidence. It is said, that the entry of Aryanàtha into Peñja Mudali's service was signalised and followed by & very suspicous occurrence in the career of his master. Peñja Mudali had, we are told, the honour of receiving the privilege of a royal palanquin. Attributing his fortune to the auspicious advent of the young hero, Peñja entertained a tender regard for him and became inspired by a zeal to elevate him. He therefore commended his virtues and his talents to Nagama Naik, who promptly introduced him into the imperial presence. Tradition has it that,
» Aryanatha must have been about 20 years younger than Visvanatha..