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RELIGIOUS SECTS
It does not appear, however, that the king was made a convert, or that he approved of the principles and conduct of his minister. He seems, on the contrary, to have incured his death by attempting to repress the extension of the Vira Saira belief. Different authorities, although they disagree as to the manner in which Bijala was destroyed, concur in stating the fact: the following account of the transaction is from the present work.
"In the city of Kalyána were two devout worshippers of Siva, named Allaya and Madhuvaya. They fixed their faith firmly on the divinity they adored, and assiduously reverenced their spiritual preceptor, attending upon Basava whithersoever he went. The king, Bijala, well knew their merits, but closed his eyes to their superiority, and listening to the calumnious accusations of their enemies commanded the eyes of Allaya and Madhuraya to be plucked out. The disciples of Basava, as well as hiniself, were highly indignant at the cruel treatment of these holy men, and leaving to Jagaddeva the task of putting Dijala to death, and denouncing imprecations upon the city, they departed from Kalyána. Basara fixed his residence at Sangamesrara.
Macháya, Bommideraya, Kinnara, Kamnatha, Bommadeva, Kakaya, Masanaya, Kolakila Bommadera, Kesirajaya, Mathirajaya, and others, announced to the people that the fortunes of Bijala had passed away, as indicated by portentous signs; and accordingly the crows crowed in the night, jackals howled by day; the sun was eclipsed, storms of wind and rain came on, the earth shook, and darkness overspread the havens. The inliabitants of Kalyána were filled with terror.
When Jagaddera repaired home, his mother met him, and told him that when any injury had been done to a disciple of the Saiva faith his fellow should avenge him or die. When Daksha treated SivA with contunely, Parvati threw herself into the flames, and so, under the wrong offered to the saints, he should not sit down contented: thus saying, she gave him food at the door of his mansion. Thither also cane Mallaya and Bommaya, two others of the saints, and they partook of Jagaddeva's meal. Then smearing their bodies with holy ashes, they took up the spear, and sword, and shield, and marched together
