Part 2.3 - Biography of Vallabharaja (A.D.1009)

[Full title: History of Chaulukyas (3) Vallabharaja [V.S.1066] (A.D.1009)]

Hemacandra nowhere refers to Vallabha as a king, far less does he mention his coronation in the Dvyasrayakavya, though a bendictory verse in the Siddha-Hemacandra is devoted to Vallabha, which shows that Hemacandra regarded Vallabha as a king, for those verses were composed in honour of only the Caulukya Kings.60 The Vadanagar-Prasasti, composed during the time of Hemacandra includes Vallabha in the list of the Caulukya kings. Balacandra Suri also includes the name of Vallabha in the Caulukya genealogy 61 respectively in the same line up. Some Caulukya inscriptions do not include the name of Vallabha in the Caulukya genealogy, but most inscriptions do. The reason may be as suggested by Buhler, that the shortness of the reign induced the writers of inscriptions sometimes to omit his name; it may also be due to the possible fact that his father Camundaraja was living when he died, as suggested by Dr.Ray. In view of the insertion of the incidents mentioned above by Abhaytilaka Gani, the suggestion of Dr.Ray seems to be correct solution to the problem.62 Merutunga in his Prabandhacintamani states that Vallabha ascended the throne after the death of Camunda and reigned for six months.63 But in his other work, namely, Vicarasreni, he has assigned Vallabha a reign of fourteen years, and has placed Camunda in the list of Chapotkata kings.64 Probably Merutunga gave the correct version in the Prabandhacintamani, but it is evident from his conflicting testimonies that his source of information for this particular period was corrupt. This confusion of the narrator can be

36 Hemacandra has described the exploits of Mularaja in six long cantos ; and in his dedicatory verses to Mularaja in his Siddha-Hemacandra, praises the latter in unmeasured terms customary to a court poet. But, both he and the other court poet, Somesvara, and also Balacandra Suri of Vasantevilasa Mahakavya,are entirely silent about Mularaja's pedigree and his mode of accession to the throne. Had Mularaja come as a conquerer, it would have been reasonable to expect atleast one of them to have mentioned the fact in his eulogy. Hence their silence may be taken to be significant; it fits well with Merutunga's statement that Mularaja murdered his uncle, the last Chapotkata king. And there it seems, until further evidence is available, the question must rest at present. Mularaja had appointed his son Camundaraja as the Yuvaraja, and had granted him the important right of issuing land grants without his sanction as early as V.S.1033. According to Hemacandra, after Camunda's return from the victorious campaign against Barapa, Mulataja invested him with full royal powers, and had his Abhiseka performed. Then Mularaja retired to Siddhapura where he gave up life by immolating himself on a funeral pyre on the bank of Sarasvati. 50 Merurunga gives a different version of the abdication of Mularaja. 51 It may therefore be concluded that shortly before his death Mularaja abdicated in favour of his son, most probably in V.S.1053(A.D.997)

40 explained if we assume that Vallabha actually ruled during the life time of his father Camunda which Merutunga was loath to believe probably because assumption of loyalty by a son during his father's life time was beyond the range of his knowledge. 65 Abhayatilaka Gani has supplied some details about the death of Vallabha. From the description of disease left by Hemacandra, the commentator rightly concludes that Vallabha was attacked by small-fox, and this is corroborated by Merutunga. At first the disease was not properly diagnosed, but with the appearance of erruptions all hope of life was given up. Vallabha then called to his death-bed all his ministers and chided them for not being able to come to a decision even when he was alive. He then called for the commander of the army and ordered that officer to keep his death a secret. Vallabha then offered the officer some gifts and added: "If you remember any benefit derived from my father, return immediately to Anahilapataka with the army. ". The unhappy officer had to carry out his orders, but could not prevent the news of the King's death from spreading. But the army returned safely to the capital from Northern frontier of Malava, though mourning the loss of the gallant prince, who, placing the safety of the army before his own, had chosen to die alone 66 The death of his eldest son under such tragic circumstances, naturally affected Camunda, who placed his second son Durlabha on the throne and retired to Suklatirtha on the banks of the Narmada where he died some time later. 67