Sanskrit sources of Kerala history
by Suma Parappattoli | 2010 | 88,327 words
This study deals with the history of Kerala based on ancient Sanskrit sources, such as the Keralamahatmyam. The modern state known as Keralam or Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast of India. The first chapter of this study discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. The second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatm...
This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript.
The Sucindram inscription of Martandavarma (Dated Kollam 586)
It is engraved on a pillar infront of the Panchalinga shrine in the Stanunatha Swami Temple at Suchindram[1]. It consists of 29 lines of Sanskrit verse in Grandha characters.
The verse records that in the Saka ear 1332, expressed by the cronogram rāgāloka, king Marthandavarma, being fond of prosperity, fame and long life, constructed the Sabhamandapa in the Suchindram temple.
rāgāloke śakābde surapatisacive siṃhayāte tulāyām
ārūḍhe padi?[Â]manīśe hṛdimiti dinayute bhānuvāre ca śambhoḥ
kāṅkṣān mārtāṇḍavarmā śriyamativipulā kīrtimāyuśca dīrghām
sthane mānī?[ä] śucīndre samakuruta sabhāṃ keralakṣmāpatīndraḥ ||
In the first half of the verse the data is furnished in the Saka era from this record we gather two important piece of historical information namely, the rule of Marthanda Varma extended upto 586 M.E. and the glorious stone Mandapa, known as the Sabha Mandapa in the Suchindram temple, was caused to be constructed by him. The attribute keralakṣmāpatīndra applied to Marthanda Varma does not seem to be a mere boast of empty attribute, because we have other coronorative data about his relative eminents in the political field.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Travancore Arceological Series Vol. VIII -P 33