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TILAKAMAÑARI OF DHANAPĀLA
ferocity. He made his capital Kāñci heaped with multi-powered mechanical instruments (or arms) placed on the tops of the fortifications and sent couriers to allies reigning contiguously seeking their succour.
Vajrāyudha (the army-in-chief of Meghavāhana) lay siege around Kāñci and created a terror in the hearts of the populace with channels of reinforcement and supply of resources blocked en route to Kāñcī. His vassals mounted on tuskers arrayed into battalions marched off to effect a break-through into his fort. Of the forts in particular, Dhanapāla has mentioned one named Mandraka, a durgagiri with its caverns abounding in herds of wild elephants roving about undaunted. Its series of peaks being visible from afar, it was having the city stationed on its tops surrounded by a huge rampart. It was the sole abode of the enemy kings incarcerated within."
As already observed? Tilakamañjari favours Saradstu as the suitable time for expedition. The march of the army of Samaraketu has been described as a colourful and spectacular affair. The march of the army has been called “Yātrā” whose auspicious occasion had been marked by the ladies of the harem carrying golden vases full of unhusked rice placed in front along with curd, flowers, dūrvā sprouts etc., who were as if the glories of victory in corporeal form. Samaraketu was followed by a group of Brāhmaṇas led by Purodhā vociferous with the noise of the chanting of the Apratiratha' hymn (sung at the time of departure) after having propitiated the silver jar placed in front and bearing the imprints of the fresh sprouts of Saptacchada plant carved on the mouth. He rode a scent elephant named A00maravallabha held by the mahāmātra (driver) Vajrārkusa. The tops of both of his shoulders were elevated owing to the pearl-inlaid-quivers stuck fast unto them. His left hand was provided with a bow having its central part variegated with textures of gold-leaves. He had clusters of flywhisks Obeing waved quite gracefully. The tremor in the earth was being caused unaccounted for by the relentless stepping of the feet of the pedestrians (i.e. foot soldiers) moving with dignity. The bards were proclaiming the victory pronouncements. The Universe was being resounded with the call of the trumpets. The openings of the quarters were reverberous with sounds of tabors (Dhakkanāṁ). The white parasol bearing the golden staff was oscillating in front. The group of insignia bearing marks of elephants, boars,
1. TM Vol. III pp. 32-33. 2. See 329-333 above. Paramāras 228. 3. साक्षादिव जयश्रीभिः पुरोनिहितदधि कुसुमदूराकुरसनाथा-क्षतपूर्णकनकपात्राभिरन्त पुराविलासिनीभिः संपादित
H4674511466: ITM Vol. II pp. 252-253.
