Indian Antiquary Vol 58

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

Page 267

FEBRUARY, 1929]
NOTES ON THE SEVEN PAGODAS
31
the region of Cannanore now. One of the hill forts belonging to that chief 'was called Elil Malai (a hill about 18 miles north of Cannanore now). That hill-fort had fallen into the possession of the northerners, as the Tamils called them (Vadukar), and the territory was recovered by a certain Chola King, by name Ilanjếtchenni, victor at Sețuppaļi or Paļi over these northerners (Vadukar),67 The same incident is referred to in connection with tho same king in Puram 378. That is for the west coast. In regard to the east, the Tamil ohief Kari, ruler of Malai Nadu round about Tirukkovilur in the South Arcot District, is said similarly to have beaten back an Aryan force which laid siege to his hill fort of Mulsår. 68 These references in classical Tamil literature make it quite clear that at the commencement of the Christian era there was a general forward movement of the northerners (Aryans or Vadukar) into South India, which was resisted with all their power by the Tamilians across the whole width of the peninsula. The boast, therefore, of the Pånd yan ruler, who figures prominently in the Silappadhikaram, that he defeated an Aryan army, and the various northern achievements of Senguttuvan seem founded on a basis of fact. The native Kurumbars, therefore, who must have figured in this general opposition, must have been gradually overcome by the invaders and their territory occupied completely by the Pallavas, who figured prominently in South Indian history at least from the commencement of the 4th century A.D. This would satisfactorily account for the hiatus between the Tamilian rulers of Kanchi, generally known as Tondaiman, and the later rulers of the same region, usually known by the Sanskrit name Pallava, though this is but a translation of the word Tondaimán.
Special Note. The Varaha cave, which is on the canal side of the lighthouse, has not been mentioned above, except in Mr. Gopalan's note. This contains a representation of the Varaha Avatâra of Vishņu. Being under worship, people are not freely admitted at all times, and the cave has often to be given up, as it is difficult to suit oneself to the convenience of the priest in charge. It has recently become one of the most important features of Mahabalipuram, as it contains the two panels of representations of Simhavishnu and his son Mahendravarman, with thcir queens one on either side of the front verandah of the cave (Plates 5 & 6). These are represented with their queens, Simhavishņu seated, while his two queens are standing. Mahêndravarman is standing leading his two queens, as it were by the hand. The sitting figure is that of Simhavishņu, as the inscription on the top unmistakably showg, and the standing figure is that of his son, Mahendra. varman. The discovery of these reliefs increases the probability that the place was one of very considerable importance in the days both of Simhavishnu and his son Mahendravarman. As we know that Sinhavishnu was & Vaishnava,69 the presence of his representation in the Varaha cave would be nothing strange. This newly discovered feature enhances the probability that it was regarded as a Vaishnava holy place rather than a Saiva. It would be difficult to explain the presence of the relief of Mahendravarman, as traditionally he was regarded as first of all a Jain, later on converted to Saivism. Although this by itself is no insuperable objection to the presence of this panel of his relief in the Vaishnava temple. The appearance of the relief in company with that of his father would perhaps indicate that early in his life, and as a prince, who had not developed any pronounced partiality for any of these particular faiths like Indian sovereigns generally, he visited this place of worship impartially. Hence the conclusion seems justifiable that the reliefs were cut out in the reign of Simhavishnu himself. If so, the place must have been of some importance in his reign, and the existence of this Vardha shrine may be inferre from a reference in Tirumangai Alvar's Peria
87 Akam 375 or 374 in the MS. copy in the Govt. MSS. Library at Madras. IB Narrinai, 170.
60 See p. 28 ante.