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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[DECEMBER, 1914.
Sekhara had lost the respect and forfeited the affections of his people. He had been too incompetent to protect them from external enemies or internal commotions. Visvanatha on the other hand had displayed many useful and benevolent virtues which shone with greater effect in comparison with the glaring frailities of the Pandyan monarch. His keen efforts to secure the welfare of the country had gained for him the esteem of the wise and the love of the multitude. His guiding hand had been seen in every act of administration, and the country enjoyed the full fruits of peace and good government. His magnetic personality, in short, had asserted itself over his mild ward. The deliverer and benefactor had become unconsciously the master and dictator. It is not surprising that, on the death of the Pandyan, the people clamoured for Visvanatha's elevation.
His Coronation at Vijayanagar. The consequence was, on an auspicious Friday, the 15th of Mârgali; year Raudri, S. 1481, corresponding to January 1559, amidst the chant of Vedas, the blessings of the pious, the cheers of the soldiers, the noise of festivities, and the acclamation of the crowds, the fortunate son of Nagama was crowned with splendid and gorgeous pomp by holy men at Vijayanagar, after the purification of his body with water brought from the distant Ganges and in the presence of the tutelary goddess Durga. Wheeler gives a glowing acoonnt of the ceremony. The golden diadem was placed on the hero's head. "His earg$$ were adorned with emeralds and pearls, his neck with costly carcanets, his breast with gems set in different figures, his fingers with amulets, his waist with bracelets, his arms with amulets of carbuncles. He was arrayed in royal vestments of cloth and gold, and was placed on an elephant richly caparisoned. An umbrella of silver brocade was held over his head, and the chowries were waved about him on either side. He was also honoured with the royal insignia of Krishna Rai. A crimson shield was carried before him, together with the standards bearing the bird Garuda and the monkey Hanumân. He was conducted in procession through the streets of Vijayanagar, escorted by troops, charioteers and footmen, all clothed in rich apparel. After the procession he was entertained by Krishna Rai in the banqueting house and feasted on milky food." A number of presents were then showered on the hero, and he was then sent to Madura. The singular favour which Vievanátha enjoyed at the hands of the Râya can be realised from the fact that even his request to have possession of Durgâ, the guardians of the Empire and the life of its glory, was, in spite of the solemn warnings of his advisers, readily granted. With the <leparture of Visvanatha to Madura, then, Durga also departed, and with this the prosperity or independence of Vijayanagar.
His Coronation at Madura. At Madura, Visvanatha was received with frenzied enthusiasm.00 The Brâhmans were the leaders of the jubilee. Triumphal arches of divers colours adorned the streets of the smiling city. Visvanatha entered it on a richly adorned elephant, surrounded by badges of royalty bestowed by his suzerain. The great procession reached the temple of Minakahi where, we are informed, the . Karta' alighted, and paid worship. He, then, we are told by Wheeler (on what authority we do not know) proceeded to his father's
$ Wheeler's Ind. Hist. IV, p. 671-2. As usual the author has not given the authorities on whom he. based his account.
89 Bee Appendix I.
90 Ibid; Wheeler IV, p. 573. It is very doubtful if Nagama Naik was alive at this time. No MS. says anything about him after his unsuccessful rebellion.
