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POLITICAL HISTORY OF N. INDIA FROM JAIN SOURCES
Whatever may be the truth behind the war of this succession, it is, however, a fact that Vīrama was not a son of Viradhavala for the epigraphical evidences regard him as the son of Lanaprasāda and hence a brother of Viradhavala.1
A story of the war of succession is narrated in the Puratana-prabandhasangraha, which, in my opinion, may be considered more reliable than the story recorded in the Prabandha-kośa. It states:
"After the death of Viradhavala Lūnaprasāda asked Tejaḥpāla as to who should be made king, whether Viradhavala's son (who was then an infant) or Virama. The minister gave his consent in favour of Visala. Thereupon Virama striking Lavanaprasāda by his foot asked him whether he had still hope of ruling the kingdom, whether he wanted to see him also dying, and thus saying he left him. This act of Vīrama enraged Lavaṇaprasāda much and he asked Nagada to bring Visala as soon as possible. Then Lavanaprasāda marked Visala with tilaka and seated him on the throne with great ceremony. Virama stood there murmuring and was kept aside by the order of Visala. Visala also thought with the advice of Tejaḥpala that the old Lavanaprasada still had affection for Virama, he, therefore, wanted to poison him secretly. Lavanaprasada, on the other hand, also thought that he had done wrong and next day he would give his throne to Virama. He ordered the gate-keeper not to allow any one to enter in his house. But Visala in spite of the restriction entered in and asked Lavanaprasāda to drink soon the nectar that he had brought. Lavaṇaprasāda hesitatingly drank it and soon after expired. The title 'Rajasthāpanācārya' 'the king-maker' was conferred upon Tejaḥpāla.
Visala then turned his mind towards Virama. He outwardly showed his respect to Virama and told him that he was ready to leave his kingdom if Virama aspired for it. This unexpected honour lowered the pride of Virama and he asked only five big and particular cities to be handed over to him with three lakhs of Drammas per year (for his maintenance). Visala accepted this demand. His minister skilfully constructed five villages having similar names to those cities, in the suburb of the capital and were given to him. He raised great objections and threatened to escape in case his demand was not met with. He was then killed by Visala while he was escaping towards the country of Malava,
1 See supra, p. 311.
2 SJGM., II, p. 67.
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