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.
14. Nayakabharana or Astalayanayakiya
The Nayakabharana[1] is a Mahakavya of Mathukulam Sreedhar. In 19 cantos it interprets the story of the heads of eight families known as Ettuveettil Pillas. They exercised decisive prowess in the administrative matters of the old state of Travancore.
The poem begins with the description of the Malaya mountain and passes on to depict the position and privileges held by the heads of those eight families.
tathā ca veṇāṭapure mahodayā
babhuvuraṣṭā khalu nāyakāgrimāḥ
vivekino'ṣṭālayanāma carcitā
vipakṣavicchedacaṇa vipakṣaṇā
The customs and manners in the state are projected in tune with the same.
The rule of king Adityavarma is described next.
āsīdādityavarmeti ko'pi vañcīmaheśvaraḥ
kulamakramāgatāṃ lakṣmīmudvahan bhaktasattamaḥ
Princess Umayamma was adopted to the royal family. She harboured an ill-will towards the Ettuveettil Pillas. This resulted in the inefficiency of the queen as an administrator. Her friendship with the king of Kottayam was of no avail. When the attack of the Muslims came she could cut only a sorry figure.
The war waged between travancore and the Mugals is described at length. The princess Umayamma was succeeded by Ramavarma. When he took up the reigns of the administration the Pilla group offered their whole hearted support. The royal tour of the Sucindram temple is depicted beautifully. The marriage of the king, the children born to him their playful deeds and such other attractions of familial life are also subsequently detailed.
Umminittanka, the princess fell in love with Marthanda Varma, the kings nephew, who had only a strained relation with the Pilla group. This necessitated a change in his residence. Umayamma could not contain the fruitlessness of her love and the murder of her brothers, and she was left with the choice of self-immolation.
The annexing of the nearby principalities with Travancore by Martandavarma on his becoming king is dealt with elaborately.
Martandavarma made clandestine attempts to bring Elayitattu Rani under his power. Further attempts in this direction resulted in the self immolation of the Rani. The pilla group of men who did not enjoy the favour of the king right from the beginning were exterminated. Martanda Varma dedicated the country to Lord Padmanabha the family deity of the kings of Travancore, and took the vow of ruling the country as a representative of the Lord.
The poem is written with the specific purpose of glorifying the life and activities of Ettuvittil Pillas, though the history of Travancore takes them otherwise[2].