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DECEMBER, 1914.]
SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE MADHVA ACHARYAS
263
Badarikásrama, 17 Padmanabha Tirtha ruled as the pontiff of the Madhvas for six years, nine months and twenty days.18 He was succeeded by Narahari Tyrtha, whose pontificate extended to nine years, one month and twenty-three days, beginning from the 14th tithi of the month of Kärttika of the year Raktákshin. During this period, he set up in a temple the image of Narayana found in a lake, and renamed the village Nárayapadevarakere (in the Bellary District). He died on the 7th tithi of the bright fortnight of the tenth month in the year Srimukha 10
As already stated, there are a number of inscriptions in the Telugu districts mentioning Narahari Tirtha. The records range from S. 1186 to S. 1215, i.e. for nearly a period of 30 years. The earliest of these mentions that Narahari Tirtha made a gift of some gold to the temple of Kürmêsvara.20 Two others dated S. 1205 mention a certain Narasimha Mahabhattopadhyâya, who is described as a contemporary of Anaugabhîma.21 This Narasimha Mahâbhattopadhyâya is said to have constructed an enclosure of black stone for the temple of Kûrmêsvara. Another inscription informs us that Anai gabhima belonged to the family of the Gaigas of Kalinga.22 No. 290 of the Government Epigraphist's Collection for the year 1896 describes Narahari Tirtha as the disciple of Ananda Tirtha, who was a disciple of Purushottama Tirtha. Narahari is therein represented "as a (dutiful) son following the profession of (his) father, practising high politics in a righteous manner (and) himself facing the frightened garrisons () of the fortresses of crowds of hostile kings; and being devoted exclusively to the great services of the Lord of Sikamatha, holds, in order to prevent the ruin of this (temple), an excellent sword (which is) a thunderbolt to the mountains-the Sabaras, -(but) the proper action of which was totally imperceptible because no victim was left, the enemy having lost his life through its mere flash."23 This inscription is dated Saka 1203. One other inscription states that 'the S. 1215 corresponded to the 18th year of the reign of Pratâpa Vîra-Narasimhadera24 ; that is, the last known dated record which mentions Narahari Tirtha belongs to the 18th year of the reign of Narasim hadeva. Hence, the first year of his reign or the year of coronation of this prince must have taken place in S. 1197.
With these facts gathered from epigraphical sources let us scrutinise the life of Narahari Tirtha as given in the stótra. That Narahariyati followed the footsteps of his father in protecting the Kaliiga country enables us, as was rightly observed by Mr. Krishna Sastri, to infer that his father was also like himself the prime minister of the kings of Kaliüga. The country appears to have been always subjected to attacks from the wild mountain race, the Sabaras, and Narahari's attention was constantly bestowed upon his troublesome neighbours. From the statement that one Narasimha Mahâbhattopadhyâya was a contemporary of Anaugabhime We are inclined to take that Narahari is meant thereby. If this
17 भानीतं नरहरिभिक्षुणा सीतं श्रीगर्म खगज(80)दिनानि पूजयिन्वा । हृष्टस्सन् विपुलहदानामतीर्थ त्वं पूजाकुरु महतीमिति त्यवादीत् ॥ ६॥
श्रीमानंबुजनाभतीर्थयतिरार संपूज्य बत्सरान् श्रीराम नहरबतीधर करे दत्त्वा ययौ स्वं पदम् । एकाक्षीशारदशतुर्दशतिधाबजायमासे सिते पक्षे श्रीनहरिबती समभजमण्डलाचार्यताम् ॥ ८॥ " संचारकाले पुरुमाप्य किंचित्स्वमे तटाकस्थहरि समीक्ष्य । संस्थाप्य नारायणदेवपाकराभिधान नगर चकार ॥१०॥
एवं श्रीयतिरागमहामहिमयुक श्रीरामदेवं ततो दत्त्वा माधवतीर्थहस्तकमले संप्राप्य तुंगातटम् । वर्षे श्रीमुखमाधि मासि दधम पक्षे सिते सप्तमे घने देहमिमं त्यजन् पदमगाच्छ्रीविष्णुनावः शुभम् ॥१५॥
* No. 369 of the Government Epigraphist's Collection for 1896. 2 Noe. 298 and 298 of the same.
22 No. 307 of the same. The translation of Mr. Krishna Sastri is quoted here. Ep. Ind. Vol. VI. p. 380. # No. 363 of the Government Epigraphist's Collection for 1896.
