Part 2.8 - Biography of Kumarapala (A.D. 1143-1172)

[Full title: History of Chaulukyas (8) Kumarapala [V.S.1200-1229] (1143-1172 A.D.)]

To a large section of his countrymen particularly the Jains, Kumarapala remains the greatest king that ever sat on the throne of Gujarat. His fame rests not so much upon the great power in wielded over the extensive territory that formed his kingdom, but on his propagation of the Jaina faith which he adopted. Of all the Indian kings, ancient and medieval, he has the unique distinction of being the one about whom the largest number of Chronicles have been written. This makes his life an interesting study, but unfortunately the Chronicles differ in many important details, and it is therefore necessary to examine the more important of them. According to Hemacandra, Bhima's son was Ksemaraja to whom a son Devaprasada was born during Bhima's reign. Hemacandra further states that Ksemaraja was, from his youth, of an ascetic disposition, hence the name and that renouncing the throne offered to him of his son Devaprasada 112

53 be retired to Dadhistali, whither Karna, on his accession, sent Devaprasada to look after him. Learning of Karna's death Devaprasada put his son Tribhuvanapala in the care of Siddharaja and burnt himself. Tribhuvanapala served Siddharaja faithfully ; but Hemacandra does not mention when or how he died, though the point is of some importance as we shall see later. Tribhuvanapala's son was Kumarpala who succeeded to the throne after the death of Siddharaja. 113 According to Merutunga, during the reign of Bhima I, there was a hetaera called Bakuladevi at Pattana, famous for her beauty and other merits. The king wishing to test her rectitude arranged that his servants should deposit with her a dagger worth a lac and a quarter, as a retaining fee, and on that very night he himself left on an expedition to Malava. After having spent two years in that country he returned and found that Bakuladevi had, on the strength of the retaining fee, avoided all men and lived in a state of perfect chastity. Her behaviour pleased the king and she was placed in the Antahpura. Bhima had a son called Haripala by Bakuladevi, and Haripala's son was Tribhuvanapala, the father of Kumarapala. 114 According to the Chronicles, Kumatapala defeated Mallikarjuna the king of Konkana, who has been identified as the Sitahara king of that name who ruled in North Konkana. From the Kumarapalacarita of Hemacandra, it appears that Kumaranala did not take any part in the battle. Hemacandra relates that one day while

54 Kumaranala was seated in his court, a Sandhivigrahika described campaign in Konkana to him: "Listen now, to what has happened to the lord of Konkana, who by virtue of his strength, opposed you". The Sandhivigrahika then dwelt on the strength of Mallikarjuna and told how in the fight the soldiers of Gujarat · at first fared badly and some of them began to flee from the battle field. The situation then became so critical that collyrium mixed with their sweat ran down the faces of the Gurjara soldiers blackening not only their faces but their glory as well. But some of the soldiers valiantly continued the fight; then suddenly Mallikarjuna, who had all along been in the forefront of the attack, fell from his elephant and was immediately surrounded by Gurjara soldiers who struck off his head. 115 Somesvara also mentions this victory of Kumarapala but from his statement it appears that Kumarapala personally led the attack.116 But Somesvara does not supply any detailed information and his version need not be taken seriously. Arisimha states: "What is wonderful in this strong one's (Kumarapala) conquering even the Jangala princes, seeing the ruler of the masshy land, the Kaunkana emperor was defeated by his very tradesman (Vanik)". 117 This victory was also credited to Kumarapala by Balacandra, who says as follows: "Even though he had abandoned all the seven vices, he was addicted to the sevenfold constituents of the kingdom. He defeated and destroyed the kings of Jangala Kaunkana, and also Ballala. '118

55 <<119 This tradesman was evidently Ambada, the son of Udayana, who is credited with this victory by Balacandra, according to whom Vastupala when provoked exclaimed: "Did not Ambada, though a Vanik kill Mallikarjuna? According to Prabhacandra, Ambada was the second son of Udayana. Ambada was a very powerful man and in execution of Kumarapala's order struck off the head of Mallikarjuna, the king of Kunkana. 120 Kumarapala is remembered today as the last great royal protagonist of Jainism; in that respect his position is unique in the history of medieval India. When he first became attracted to Jainism is not known; some Chronicles state that as a young man he met Hemacandra at Siddharaja's court where he was induced by Hemacandra to take a vow that he would 'view other people's wives' as sisters. Most probably this tradition according to the modern historian, A.K.Majumdar, is incorrect, and it may be true however that Kumarapala gained his throne with the active support of Udayana's family with which Hemacandra was closely associated. 121 Jayasimha Suri relates that one day Kumarapala told Hemacandra to advise him as to who should be his successor. "Shall I leave it", said the king, "to Ajayapala my nephew or to my grandson (Dauhitra) Pratapamalla". Hemacandra told Kumarapala that Ajayapala was a rascal and was not fit to be a king; and that if indeed he got the kingdom, he would destroy everything. As Pratapamalla was not as a bad as Ajayapala, Hemacandra advised Kumarapala to nominate Pratapamalla as his successor. Kumarapala said that he would do so in proper time and left.

56 This conversation was overheard by Balacandra (not the author of Vasantavilasa), a wicked disciple of Hamacandra, and a childhood friend of Ajayapala. Balacandra went to Ajayapala and told him everything that had passed between the king and Hemacandra. In return for this treachery, Balacandra received the thanks of Ajayapala and his promise that should he become the king, he would appoint Balacandra as his preceptor as Hemacandra was of Kumarapala. In V.S. 1229 (A.D.1172), Hemacandra died. Kumarapala was overtaken with grief; he was also an old man. He therefore thought of bequeathing his kingdom to Pratapamalla; but before he could take any decesive step, he was overtaken by illness. Ajayapala having learned of the intentions of Kumarapala from Balacandra, harbored murderous thoughts; and when opportunity presented itself; he mixed poison with milk and administered it to Kumarapala. Immediately after taking the poison, Kumarapala felt its effects and asked that the shell which was an antidote should be brought from the treasury. But the treacherous Ajayapala had already hidden it. Kumarapala thereafter banished all worldly thoughts from his mind and gradually passed away. He died in V.S.1230. (A.D.1173) 122 Almost the same story is repeated by Rajasekhara and Jina Mundana. But for reasons which will be given later, it is difficult to believe this version of the Jaina Chroniclers. 123 "

57 Kumarapala's body was cremated and his ashes immersed in the holy water of the Ganges and Jamuna at Prayag by the Brahmin Chaplain of his successor, who probably also offered oblations for his departed soul at Gaya. 124