Canto 3 - The Chaulukya Kings of Gujarat

[Full title: English translation of the Vasantavilasa, Canto 3: The Chaulukya Kings of Gujarat]

[The third canto contains a brief history of the Caulukya Kings of Gujarat from Mularaja to Bhimadeva II, including Camundaraja, Vallabharaja, Durlabharaja, Bhima, Karna, Jayasmiha, Kumarapala, Ajayapala, Mularaja II and Bhimadeva. Then it is said that Arnoraja, the son of Dhavala protected the country. His son was Lavanaprasada and grandson was Viradha vala. Goddess of Gurjara kingdom appeared to Viradhavala in a dream and gave a description of Vastupala together with his brother Tejapala and directed him to appoint them as Ministers for protecting her from misery and downfall. Accordingly Viradhavala invited them with due honour and appointed them as Ministers, which they accepted in a spirited manner.] Once upon a time, there arose a hero, from the Culuka or hollowed palm of Creator Brahma, holding an open sword in his hand to protect like Narayana, the world tormented by demons. He was named 'Caulukya'. He made the entire earth intoxicated by drinking the blood of demons. 50 In his race which was like the milky-ocean, there was born like a moon, a jewel among Kings, by name Sri Mularaja. He was the fire to the hearts of the enemies and he had his fame spread far and wide. 51 His arm was like Rahu having the tongue in the form of waiving sharp sword. It was swallowing moons in the form of enemy-Kings. 52 He was performing worship to Lord Somanatha on every 1

1 i 155 Monday and always the Lord was helping him in his conquests of even very strong Kings. He could be won over only by Kinaya or modesty. Otherwise his rage was more scorching than the burning Sun. 53 Sri Mulareja's son was Camundaraja. His bright fame had reached even the heaven; it was sung in all the directions of the world. He had cut off the trunks of the enemies with his terrible sword. Such Camundaraja became the ruler. 54 Then Vallabharaja became the King. He was like Sri-Vallabha or Lord of Laksmi descended to this earth. He was known as Jagaj-jhampana and his fame had spread far and wide. He had a beautiful form like that of the flower-arrowed Cupid. His fame is dancing on the top of the mansion of all the three-worlds like the white flag which was waived by the heaving signs of the beautiful courtesans of enemy-Kings.5 55 There after Durlabharaja became the ruler. He had uncommon reputation. His lotus-like feet were bathed by the honey of the garlands worn on the heads by Kings who were bending down to him as his servants. The tears shed by the courtesans of his enemy-Kings living around him pooled as a lake but got dried up due to their own hot sight.5 56 Then Bhima became the ruler. He was terrible like Pandava-Bhima to other Kings who were like Duryodhanas. He destroyed families of wicked people as Pandava Bhima had destroyed families of demons like Kirmira. His

156 blue-lustred sword sports on the battle-field together with Goddess of victory. 57 There-after, when Bhima began to sport as a bee on the lotus-like faces of heavenly damsels (i.e. when he died), his son Karana wore the glory of the Gurjara kingdom as an ear-ornament (i.e. after Bhima, his son Karna became the King). Having seen his attractive beautiful form, capable of deluding any woman, Lord Siva began to suspect the fidelity of his wife Uma and so ran to the peak of Kailasa mountain to dissolve her in his own body. His daughterin-law-like sword bristling with brilliant lustre wore the drops of sweating in the form of pearls of the temples of the intoxicated elephants killed by him. 58 When Karna went to rule over the kingdom of heaven, Sri Jayasimha who had won victories by the strength of his arms became the King. 59 By his unobstructed might he conquered the Yoginipitha of Ujjayani and carried it to his own city. He destroyed Barbara or the King of the barbarians. 60 After Jayasimha, Kumarapala became the ruler. His rule was more just than that of Rama, son of Dasaratha; his lustrue was more brilliant than even that of a lion; his form was more beautiful than even that of the Cupid; and his speech was more powerful than even that of Brhaspati. He renovated temples of Kedara and Somesvara; he conquered the earth by the might of his arms. He built many monasteries. Even though he was averse to grab the wealth of impotent persons, he showed his enemies to be impotent and grabbed the

157 wealth of their kingdoms. Even though he had abandoned all the seven-vices, he was addicted to the seven-fold constituents of the kingdom. He defeated and destroyed the Kings of Jangala, Kunkana and also Ballala. 61 Thereafter, Ajayapala became the King. By the strength of his army consisting of tall and ichor-oozing elephants, he subdued the King of Jangala. 62 When Ajayapala remained only as a picture (i.c. when he died), Sri Mularaja the second, became the King. Even as a child he reduced the Mleccha-King to dust.63 But he was lifted, even as a child, by the God of Death to his lap (i.c. he died) and after him his brother Bhimadeva ascended the thrown. He was a terror to the hosts of enemies.64 65 Bhimdeva's sprout-like palm was so spread out every where to destroy the miseries of one and all, that the supplicants made the very purpose of the functioning of Kalpataru designed by the Creator, futile and waste. But being a mere child, he was not able to rule the kingdom. Hence all the feudatory Kings began to wield their power in the Gurjara kingdom. 66 At that time, like a well-wishing chamberlain who protects women of the royal harem who become attached to other men, Arnoraja, son of Dhavala of the Caulukya dynasty protected the country from becoming a victim to any harm. When the subordinate Kings rising against the Gurjara King became hostile to him, Arnoraja destroyed them all, as the darkness becomes destroyed by the Sun. There is no wonder that this Arnoraja, son of Dhavala, made all the three

158 worlds dhavala (bright) by his dhavala (white) fame. But it cause wonder in us that his enemies were made quite dark.67 Arnoraja had a son by name Lavanaprasada born by the grace of Lord Siva, who was fond of battles wherein he destroyed many enemies. During his march of conquests due to his prowess, Cauda-King did not wear the crown-ornament; Kerala-King did not enjoy any sport; Lata-King became averse of showing his skill; Malava- King did not enter his palace with peace and comfort; Radha-King became dried up of his firmness; Huna-King quickly abandoned his love-sport; Andhra-King began to dwell hiding under the earth; Kanci-King gave up even Sri-Vara; Konkana-King did not move out of his hut; Jangala-King did not hear be resounding sound of auspicious songs; Pandya-King did not like to eat his food; Kuntala-King did not raise up his spear; Vanga-King adopted fast running like a deer; Kalinga-King did not follow the customs of Kaliyuga; and Caidya-King even though presented before him became invisible.68 Lavanaprasada's son was Sri Viradhavala, who was quite lustrous. His enemies were drowning in the pools of blood caused by his sword murdering hosts of scattering armies of enemy-Kings. His fame was so bright that the white-lustered Siva and Parvati became afraid of becoming invisible and hence of becoming separated and so they dissolved into one another and became Ardha-Narisvara.69 He pacified the itching of the mighty arms of

159 enemy-Kings and destroyed the circle of enemy-Kings as the royal physician . removes the itching of the skin and also the round spots of leprosy.' 70 Once when this Lord of Gurjara kingdom went to sleep after considering about the welfare of his kingdom, Goddess of the kingdom appeared in his dream and spoke to him thus : "O hero! you are worried about obtaining a Minister. I am the Goddess of Gurjara kingdom. I have come to guide you in this matter. Once upon a time, there existed a dynasty by name Pragvata. In that dynasty was born one by name Candapa, who was quite lustrous. His son was Candaprasada, who grew by the grace of Jina. The moon was like the orb of the ocean of his fame and stars were like jewels in that ocean. Then there was Soma who like the moon became agreeable to all the people in the world. He worshipped Jina as the God and Siddhadhipa as the King. His fame was written by Brhaspati, the God of speech on the canvas of the sky using stars as letters. 71 "As Kama, the son of Dasaratha married Sita, Soma also married a maiden by name Sita. For this, it was not necessary for him to break any bow,be accompanied by Laksamana or be guided by Visvamitra.72 Soma's son was Asvaraja. He was deeply devoted to his mother. He carried her with pleasure to many pilgrim-places. He built many lakes, wells, tanks, ditches and temples. The ocean-like lake of his fame bore lotus-

160 flowers in the form of stars in the sky; this ocean of fame is made to swell by the moon-light and the moon is the round orb of his fame. 73 The righteous Asvaraja married Kumaradevi of delicate form and of wide. fame. She was of gold-hue. He had obliged all the people by fulfilling their wishes. He has two sons Vastupala and Tejapala. Their elder brother was Malladeva, the champion of wrestlers. They two are shining like Sun and Moon, the two removers of darkness in this world. You, O Viradhavala I invite them and hand over the charge of the kingdom to them and thereby you can live happily there after". 74 On seeing the dream, Viradhavala became delighted. He invited the two brothers, Vastupala and Tejapala with honour and on seeing them he was immensely pleased. Both of them knowing full well the etiquette to be followed in a royal court presented thier gifts to him, and bowed down to him. After enquiring about their welfare, he addressed ot them thus :- "Your form itself tells about your superior qualities, nobility of the family, your innate modesty, knowledge of scriptures and the youth fit to be sung; hence we praise you, O Magnanimous ! Even though you are in the prime of your youth you are not affected by Cupid; even in prosperity, you do not lack discrimination; you are neither straightforward nor confused towards the wicked; and hence, it appears that you have been created by the Creator as novel creations. 75

161 "We, my father and myself have invited you to become our Ministers and help us in ruling this kingdom. My father defeated the enemies and with his long arms has captured the Goddess of royal glory. You bind her with all the six ropes in the form of six means of kingship and even though she is fickle make her firmly stationed here itself." $76 In response to Viradhavala's words,Vastupala replied with folded hands; "Your Majesty, that servant who his spoken by a good master like your Majesty, is certainly a good servant, has nobel birth and free from all blemishes. A master like your Majesty, who can discriminate between good and bad is obtained only through divine merit secured through previous austerities. Still I submit that the three previous Yugas passed away smoothly. Now we have the Kaliyuga, wherein both the servants and the masters lack gratitude. Now Kings are only after wealth and the servants simply follow the whims of their masters to please them. Hence both commit wicked deeds and as a result fall into dark hells. But they must honour the bounteous wealth brought to them and should offer it back in multiplied form. The servants of a King should be appointed at proper places as words are placed at proper places by a poet. Moreover, King should treat them as friends. If your Majesty stands upon justice, abandons greed, keeps away car-whisperers and holds upon calmness then consider that we have accepted your order on our head. Otherwise, we leave. Good bye".77 Having listened to these spirited words of Vastupala, the whole body of Viradhavala became horripilated. Thinking it to be good fortune, he decorated their hand with his golden-seals.

Footnotes for Canto 3:

[[ p. 77 ]]]

kascitpura danavadunavisvatranaya narayanavatpayodheh | svayambhusandhyaculukadudasthadviro vikosasivihastahastah || 1 || caulukyanama kamathendrakhattamahahitulitalasannivistham 1 sa daityaraktapavasanamattamadhayabhumisumukhi siseve || 2 ||

gdho 51 ) tadvamsadugdodadhisitarasmirasminpure parthivamauliratnam | srimularajoriphuratkukulam digantakulankasakirtirasit || 3 || se ni 52 ) caturyutasitimitani bhupateryatra sitadyutimandalani yadvahuharustharalasipattajihnah samitparvani carvati sma || 5 || tra = 53 ) srisomanathah pratisomavarayatreddhasesahirayo'sya tustah | durutsahanamapi bhupatinam jayesu bheje sahakaribhavam || 6 || uddhumakesam padalagnamagnimekam visehe vinayaikavasyah | pratapino'nyasya kathaica ka yadvibheda bhanorapi mandalam yah || 7 || bhra 54 ) tasyajah svargajasubhtrkirtirdigantasangitayasa rasayam | candasidandaksatavairimundascamundarajah prabhutamavapa || 8 || 55 ) tato jagajjhampana ityudattakirtih svayam bhumimivavatirnah | srivallabho vallabharajanama vabhuva bhupah kusumesu rupah || 10 || si yasyadvisadbhupativaravaravilasininisvasita nilena | sita patakena jagatrayaikaprasadamili narinati kirtih 1199 11 56 ) tato'bhavaddurlabhakirtirasyah patirbhuvo durlabharajadevah | sevanamadrajakami limalyamadhudakasnatapadaravindah || 12 || 219

220 velavanalisu nivasininam yaddhavesibhupalavilasininam | nihsvasabaspaprasaraih sarasvan sosam ca sosam ca sahabhyupaiti || 13 || bhi 57) duryodhana ksmapatiyedhanasrih bhimastato bhima ivatibhimah | mahi mahelapatitam prapede duskarma kirmirakulantakari || 14 || yasahpratapendupatanganetrah sriyasamam sangarasagarantah | krsnah krpano'sya bhujabhujangatalpasthitah kalpayati sma kelim || 16 || 58) tasminsurastrivadanaravindaro lambalilayitamadadhane | tadangaji gurjararajyalaksmi karnavatamsatvamavapa karnah || 17 || vilokya narijanamohanam yam nijapriyayamabhisankamanah | pravesayansvangami mamumesah kailasasailagramapi prapede || 18 || sangramavasaikasi kantiromancita sakampasilatavadhuti | yatpanisangatprahate bhakumbamuktaganasvedakananuvahah || 16 || 59 ) atmapriyasamrtasankamindramasminsahasraksayati ksitindrah | ajayatavaridhivardhitaridoh srijayah srijayasimhadevah || 20 || pi 60 ) yo yoginipithamakustasaktirjitvojjayinyah svapuram ninaya | kincaparam varbaramapyanai sidvetalamuttalabhujisyabhavam || 23 || 1.

1 61) ramadapi nyayapara'sya vrttirmrgadipadapyaticandamojah | ratiprabhorapyaticaru rupam vacah sudhaturapyabhavapradhanam || 25 || gni si kedarasomesvaradevadhamni manisimukhyoyamativa jirne | uddhrtya dostambhasamudrataksalokah sa lokadvayamuddhadara ||26 || ihasatam hamta pare parastaddrsanmayanapyavanibhrato yah | utthapya samsthapayati sma dharmannirmapitane kaviharamu || 27 || nirvikiravittaparanmukho'pi nirbirikariksitivittamadat | yastyaktasaptavyasano'pi saptarajyangasankhyani babhuva || 28 || || ranangane jamgalakunkanesa kantacchidasaditapathavena | ballalamullalayati sma khaddudandena yah kandukalilayaiva || 26 || na 62 ) tatra ghusadvaravilasininamuddijyamane camaravalibhih | baliyasamekanidarsanam bhusubhrudhavo'bhudajayabhidanah || 31 || ksaranmadhambhobhirativa tungaiscalagirindrairiva kunjarendraih | yasyabhrta prabhrtamudbhalasya galanmiya jalabhumipalah || 32 || 63) alekhyasesatvamiha prayate dhatri papai dvaidhanayiddhasaram | srimularajah sisunapi yena mlecchadipo'kalpyata pamsukalpah || 34 || .221

64) bale'pi tasminkututu kadivankam nite krtantena tadiyabandhuh | kulam ripunam hrdibhimadeva kurvanrpendro'jani bhimadevah || 35 || (65) vyarthikrtasesavipaddisesastatha jajrmbhe karapallavo'sya | yatharthisarthena buthaiva dhaturvikalpita kalpatarupravrttih || 36 || 66 ) bhoktum sisuvatvadavanimanise'musmin digantabanimandalikah | vita ivaitamupabhuncate sma narimivarinavikarabhajah || 37 | | 67) satkancuki ksemacakirnrpasya drstva parabhyasaparam mahelam | raraksa tamaksatavrttamarno rajasrulukyo dhabalangajanma | | 38 | | jajrmbhirodhah kila mandalikah krtauvyalika bhuvi gurjarendoh | tanesa nihsesayati sma surah surastamamsiva navapratapah || 36 || kim tatra citram dhavalairyasobhirjagatrayam yo dhavalicakara | vidvesino yatkalusanvitena tenedamunmilati kautukam nah || 40 || 68 ) tadangajahsangarasangaranga krtaribhangasmaracangadehah | ajayata srigirisaprasadaprasadalilo lavanaprasadah | | 41 || caudo na cudabharanam babhara na keralah kelimalancakara | na patacam latapatirlilesa na malaviyo nilayam vivesa || 42 | | radhadhinatho drdatam susosa hunasca turnam pranayam mumoca | andhro mahirandhra mahinamatkancipatih srivaramapyapastat || 43 222

na kaunkanah pakvanamutsasarja na jangalo mangalikairjagarja | pandyo na pindagrahanam cakara na kuntalah kuntalamuddhadhara || 44 || vangah kurangaplutimalilinga samadade naiva kalim kalingah | caidyonivedyo'pi tathadrso'bhudyajjaitrabherisu viravinisu || 45 || vi ti 69) srivirapurvi dhavalah ksitindurasyabhavatsunuranunatejah | nasiraviraprakarasiniranimajadurjasvalavairivargah || 46 || kell yatkirtigauryena mitopalaksyom gaurigirisau divi gaurakanti | karaprapancairmilitau viyogabhityardhanarisvaratamupetau || 47 || 70) yah satravaksonibhrtam pracandadordandakandum samayambabhuva | ucchedayamasa ca mandalani sa rajavaidyo vacasamapanthah | | 46 || 71) he vira ! vairirvyayadhira mantricintacayam cetasi sancinosi | esa'smyaham gurjararajyalaksmiretam vinitum bhavatah sameta || 52 || asitpura'simavasudayena visutritasesatamah ksamayah | pragvatanamnonvayanirajasya candadyutiscandapanamadeyah || 53 || candaprasadastanayo'sya jajne jinaprasadaprasaro jitasrih | L at yatkirtisindhoriva cakrumindurmuktaphalaniva ca tarakani | | 54 || 223

somastatah somasamah samastajagajjanastomasamihito'bhut | devesu devo jina eva yasya nathesu siddhadhipa eva nathah | | 55|| - vacamadhisena krtantikena pritatmana yasya yasahprasastim | vidhililekhambharapattikayam naksatramalaksaramandalibhih | | 56 | | mba 72) sitamasitamsukulapravira ivaisa nanyo'krtadhanurbhangah | alaksmanangikrtagiravisvamitro manisi bata paryanaisit | | 57 | | si 73) tato'srvarajadyutikirtipuratato'srvarajastanayo babhuva | manisitam gurjaranirjarendramanisitam prapa ya eka eva || 58 || svamataram yah kila matrbhakto vahanpramodena sukhasanastham | saptaprabhadrptaya sastatanojayanta satrunjayatirthayatrah ||56 || krpanakuparagabhiraceta vapiravapi sarasirasima | prapah krpavanatanista devasaudhanyasi dharmikacakravarti ||60 || yatkirtisindhoh kumudakaratvamami bhajante divi tarakaughah | kallottamaliyati candrikasau dindirapindiyati sitarasmih ||63 || 74 ) sa tarakirti sukumaramurti kumaradevimiha punyasevi | kilopayeme drutamagaurimurikrtasesajanopakarah | | 62 | | srimanihaste puri vastupalah sritejapalasca sutau tadiyau | yayorabhudagraja ekamallah srimalladevah kalimallasate | | 63 | | 224

tamopaharaprakrti vivasvacandraviyorvyamiha yau vibhatah | tayosciram visvadhuram nivesya sukham svayambhuriva manaya tvam || 64 | | 75) murtirgunan samsati vo garistan kulapratistam vinayakramasca | sastratam gauravagitavitam vayo vayam tu stumahe mahecchi ||70 || na yauvane'pi smaraghasmaratvam na vaibhave'pi kvacanavivekah | na durjane'pyarjavaviplavo yattannirmitau va vidhina navena | 171 || 76) purarivistaritabhumibharasambharasmabharitayo ridanim | sahayyahetoh pitrputrayorni hantopadhuryau bhavatam bhavantau | | 72 | | pitra mama trasitavairina ya bandikrta dirghabhujena laksmih | sadbhirgunai satamabhito niyamya calamapi sthema | tam bhavanti | |73 | | 77) sa sevakah sevakalah kulino vilinadosah sukrti ca deva ! | prasannagambhira ! bhavadrsena sambhasyate suprabhusna ya evam | |75| | vyavasyatam visvajayaikavirasarirabhajam bhavati tvadabhah | svami yadi pracyatapobhireva pumso'ntaram yah sadasacca vetti ||76 || vijnapyase kintu visosavijna ! yugatrayi dhanyatama jagama | kalistvasau yatra na sevakesu krtam na nathesu krtajnata ca | 77 || bhubhujo dravinadrstayo'dhuna sevakastadanuvrttivrttayah | te'pi te'pi krtaduskrtodaya hi paratra nipatanti raurave ||78 || 225

atyarthamarthamupadhaukitamadriyante tam ca prabhutagunitam punararpayanti | nyastah pade samucite gamitasca maitrim sabdah kaveriva nrpasya niyoginah syuh | | 76 || nyayam yadi sprsasi lobhamapakarosi kanaijapanapadhinosi samam tanosi | susvaminastava dhrttah sirasa nidesa - stanunamesa mayaka'paratha'stu bhadram | | 80 | |