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 Poonamallee inscription
An inscription engraved on the foundation of the Puvirundavalliperumal temple reads as given below[1].
cerapāṇḍya caturvedimaṅgalaṃ cerabhūpatiḥ
jetā sundarapāṇḍyasya dadau bhogyaṃ dvijanmanām |
This records reveals that the Cera king, the victor of Samudrapandya, donated the village cerapāṇḍya caturvedimaṅgalam for the enjoyment of the Brahmins. At the margins of the verse, the symbol of a fish and elephant -God have been engraved on the stone wall. The symbol signifies the Cera’s victory over the Pandya. Since Ravivarma Kulasekhara is the only Kerala king who is known to have conquered as far north as Poonamalllee in historical times, the inscription has been ascribed to him.
The unique historical worth of the inscription consists in two important points. Firstly it is proved that Sangramadhira’s sway extended beyond Kancipuram in the North. Secondly, this is perhaps the only document which eludes to Sangramadhira’s victory over Sundara Pandya, to be identified with Jatavarman Sundarapandya II.