Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 214

202
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
NOVEMBER, 1933
Scholars are divided on the question of the identity of this Mahîpala. Professors Sten Konow, Keith? and S. K. Aiyangar8 take him to be of the Gurjara-Pratihåra dynasty of Kanauj, while Prof. R. D. Banerjee identifies him with Mahîpåla I of the Pala dynasty of Bengal. The latter view is, however, impossible for the following reasons :
(1) Mahipala I of Bengal was a Buddhist, and was not therefore likely to be transported with joy as described in this drama over the story of Hariscandra. There is no peculiar Buddhistic trait anywhere in the drama--neither in the nåndi, nor in the body of the play.
(2) None of the inscriptions of this Mahipala give Kartikeya as his other name.
(3) This Mahîpåla of Bengal is not known to have been hostile to the Karnatas. In the Candakausika, however, the Sätradhâra quotes the following gatha, which, he says, is known to those who are conversant with tradition:
यः सश्रित्य प्रकृतिगहनामार्यचाणक्यनीति
जित्वा नन्दान् कुसुमनगरं चन्द्रगुप्तो जिगाय । कर्णाटत्वं ध्रुवमुपगतानद्य तानेव हन्तुं
दोर्दाढ्यः स पुनरभवच्छ्रीमहीपालदेवः॥ The late Prof. R. D. Banerjee tried to explain this verse as referring to the invasion of Bengal by Rajendra Cola; for " in those days the people of Bengal could not distinguish between Kannadas and Tamils." This argument is not convincing. It is more probable, indeed, almost certain, that Mahîpala of the Candakaušika was the first king of that name in the Gurjara-Pratihåra dynasty of Kanauj. (1) We know that he was a follower of Hinduism. He calls himself a devotee of the sun in his inscriptions. But he was not a sectarian, for he secured the image of Vaikuntha (Vişnu) which was afterwards placed in a beautiful temple at Khajuraho. The Pratihåras called themselves Suryavaṁsi, and traced their de. scent from Laksmana, the brother of Rama. It is but natural that Mahipala I should be overjoyed to see the life of one of his illustrious ancestors Hariscandra represented on the stage, as described in the Candakausika. (2) Like his father and grandfather, Mahîpâla I bore several names, Harsa,10 Vinayakapala and Herambapâla. 11 He was also probably known as Candapala. Candapála is the hero of the Prakrit drama Karpuramañjari of his court poet Rajasekhara. He is also probably referred to by the alternative title Pracandapândava of Rajasekhara's other drama, Balabharata, which was staged before him. Aryakşemisvar also seems to refer to him by the canda in the title Candakausika of his Sanskrit play. Both canda and pracanda are used several times in the two dramas Candakausika and Pracandapandava. It is again in the fitness of things that Mahipala I, the son of Nir. bhayaraja (Mahendrapala), should call himself Candapála. Now Canda is one of the names of Kartikeya, 12 and so it is no matter for surprise that Aryakşemisvar calls him Kartikeya in the Bharatavákya. The verse from the Kavyamimamsd cited at the beginning of this article describes one Kârtikeya who was either a predecessor or a contemporary of Rajasekhara. As stated above, no king of that name is known to have flourished before the age of Rajasekhara. It follows, therefore, that this Kartikeya is no other than Mahîpåla I of Kanauj. It may at first sight seem strange that Mahîpåla should be known by three such names as Harga, Herambapála and Kartikeya, denoting the three deities Siva, Ganapati and Kartikeya. But we have an analogous instance in his grandfather, Bhoja, being called Mihira (the Sun) and Adivardha (Vişnu). 6 Das indische Drama, p. 86.
7 Sanskrit Drama, p. 239. 8 J.I.H., II, p. 341.
9 JBORS., XIV, Part II, p. 520. 10 1.A., XV, p. 138.
11 E.I., I, p. 134. 13 Canda is included in the names of Kartikeya well-known in three worlds' in the Mahdbhdrata. Vana. parva adhydya, 232 (Bom. Ed.)