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.
16. Ramavarmavijaya
Another Campu is by anonymous authorship, Ramavarma-Vijaya [Ramavarmavijaya][1] written on the exploits of Svati Tirunal Maharaja of Travancore (1813-47)
The author does not disclose his name, but says that he was a Pancalanyalagraharavasin, there by indicating that he was a Brahmin belonging to the Mahadanapuram near Kanyakumari Ullur[2] cites a few lines from the work, stating that the work is incomplete. Kunnunni Raja[3] also the same view. However, there is a complete copy of this work in the Kerala University manuscript library[4].
The subject matter of the work is an account of the journey of king Rama Varma to Kanyakumari. Specific details of the king are wanting still, he has been identified with Maharaja Svati Tirunal Rama Varma on the following consideration.
Svati Tirunal was very fond of chariot journey. It was he who instituted the charist procession on the Vijayadasami for which purpose he built a new chariot of superb artistic execellence. This chariot had been described by local bards in verses, and portrayed by artists on the canvas.
The hero of the Campu is stated to have been accompanied by his younger brother and not less than three nephews. The reference fits well Svati Tirunal because, he had a younger brother named Utram Tirunal Martanda Varma and five nephews, the sons of princess Rukmini Bayi and Rama Varma Koyittampuran of Puliyakkara. The nephews included Ayilyam Tirunal Rama Varma and Visakham Tirunal Ramavarma.
The title Ramavarma vijaya is very appropriate because the word Vijaya is often used also in the sense of journey.
The work as a whole does not possess any amount of historical significance. Still it contains a remarkable piece of historical information.
About the hero, it is said—
aṣṭādaśasu bhāṣāsu kavanaṃ ca karoti yaḥ
There need not be any doubt as to the credibility of this statement that he was able to write poems in eighteen language in the light of the general accomplishment of Svati Tirunal.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
Kerala Sahitya Caritram, Ullur -IV-Pp 4 -10, 32 -33
[4]:
Dr. Venkita subrahmania Iyyer -JKOUML -Vol. XVI -No. 4, 1967