Indian Antiquary Vol 57

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 98

80
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
( MAY, 1928
Bhandari, Narayana Birudunka. Perhaps he is the individual mentioned under the name of Guruvappa in 1380 Bahudhânya as ruling at Barakûr.
Panta Mailâra, who claims to be Déva Râya's lieutenant, has his inscriptions dated in Saka 1351, Kilaka.18 He was the cousin of Sûra Nripati and had the significant titles Dharani. vardha, Chantináda, Chauhatta Malla, which are distinctively Salva titles.
Vallabhâmâtya was the ruler of Vinukonda, who not only patronised Srinatha but also wrote in Telugu his Kridabhiramamu. He ruled over Môpuru in Muliki Nadu. It was through his assistance that Srinatha was able to enter the imperial court.
Irugappa Dandanatha, the revered minister of Bukka II and Hari Hara II, seems to have been still living, as in A.D. 1422 he made a grant at Sravana Belgola to the great Jaina scholar Panditarya Sruta Muni.19
Déva Raya served his apprenticeship as Viceroy of Muļuvây or Muļbagal.20 He seems to have had definite leanings towards Vira Saivism. All the kings of the first dynasty were the hereditary disciples of the Kriyášaktis, the exponents of the Tar trio Saivism of Kashmir. S&]va Tippa, the brother-in-law of Deva Raya II, is spoken of as " Kamsdri padambuja raja hamsah,"21 while Vishnu in the form of Râma came to be definitely worshipped during the time of Virgpâksha II, who was converted to the worship of Rama by Vaishnava saints. Dêva Raya in an inscription of 1340 Viļambi, is spoken of as “Vira Saivagama adra sampanna," (learned in the Agama texts of Vira Saivas).22 The vast Vira Saiva literature which grew up in this and later reigns, speaks of a hundred and one virakta, who were a hundred and one Ganadharas of Siva, born on the earth. Moreover Karasthala Viranna, one of the saints, is described as the son-in-law of Deva Raya.
Of the three prominent sects of the period, there was little antagonism between Jainism and Vira Saivism, while Vaishnavism was always at loggerheads with the other two. Dêva Raya, like the great Mughal, took intense delight in watching disputes between the rival theo. logians, and if any sect presumed to dominate the others, he promptly snubbed it. He dealt out justice fairly equally, and would not brook any breach of the peace. The Vaishnava teacher Kandaļa Peddayacharya expounded the Mahabharala and Ramayana for nine months and took the works eighteen times in procession. Jakkanna, the Vira Saiva saint, wrote his Nirondusthala and took the book in procession at night, surrounded by the hundred and one viraklas. Thereupon ensued a contest in which Châmarasa, aided by Jakkanna, was successful and was rewarded with the post of minister to Deva Raya.
Déva Râya later in the reign became more eclectic. Not only is he supposed to be the author of Maha Na taka Sudhanidhi, treating of the story of the Ramayana, but we know that his wife Annala Devi and he together built the exquisite Hazara Rama Temple in honour of Sri Rama. His Jaina minister, Irugappadandanátha, patronised Jaina scholars, while the fact that an epigraph at Sravana Belgola bewails his death is a proof of his good will towards Jainas also.23
Déva Raya was supposed to be Indra himself, the ruler of the Gods, born on earth. Gangadása terms him togET "4 and Lakkanna calls him "Dévêndra". The Channa Basava Purana plainly asserts that Indra was born as Praudha Déva Raya. Déva Raya's wealth was far-famed, and struck Abd'ur-Razzak, as marvellous. Nuniz also affirms that Déva Raya was immensely rich and gained eight hundred and fifty millions of gold besides precious stones. The kings of Coullio, Ceyllio, Paleacate, Pegua and Tanacary paid tribute to him." In fact Vijayanagar was at the zenith of its prosperity during this king's reign.
18 Inscriptions of Madras Presidency, vol. I, p. 1061. 19 Śr. Bel, 253 (82), Epi. Car., vol. II. 20 Bp. 15, Epi. Car., vol. X.
21 Cd. 29, Epi. Car., vol. XI. 33 Mysore Archeological Report, 02 of 1923, p. 91. 43 r. Bel. 328 (125), Epi. Oar., vol. II. ** 8. Krishnaswami Aiyangaps Sources of Vijayanagar History-Gang Adasa's Pratápa Vilasam.