Part 5 - Narayana A.D. (1150-11613)

Narayana, the second son of Beddana succeeded Bhima and Naga on the Pallava throne, His succession presupposes the death of his elder brother Nagadeva prior to Bhima, his earliest inscription is from Rajahmundry, dated 1149 A.D. registering the gifts of Somana, son of Daltena, and minister of Narayana to Virabhadra at Pattisam. It enumerates Somana’s charities, at Dhimavaram. Draksharama, Amadalu, Gudipudi, Palakel, Virabhadresvaram, Bhavapattana, Tamrapuri, Vijapura, Ghantasalapura, Gokaram, Elisvaram, Vegisvaram, Vjjayavataka, undavilli, Velpur, Guntur and Kadalupalli. In his record at Bezvada, dated A.D. 1150 Narayanadeva bore a prasasti. His next inscription dated A.D. 1155, also from Bezvada, mentions his pradhani, Somana preggada Dattena. Narayanans inscription at Srikakulam is dated A.D. 1155. An undated record of his at Bezvada mentions his pradhani Kuchenapreggada. Though no records of Narayana are found after A.D 1155 his reign may have lasted up to A.D. 1163—the earliest date for his successor Dorapanayaka.

As attested by records, the pallava kingdom retained its usual extent from Kallepalli to Draksharama under Narayana. Narayana’s prasasti differs from that of his predecessors, some of the titles, speaking of him as a distinguished warrior, destroyer of enemies and lord of Vengivishaya—Sri Vengivishayadhimandalesvara. In records, Narayana is mentioned as mahamandalika Boddana Narayana deva, Gonturi Narayana devaraju and Narayanadeva.

Some of Narayana’s contemporaries in other kingdoms were Rajaraja II of the Cholas, Gonka II of the Velanandu chodas, Bhima III and Loka of Kona Haihayas, Nalakama of the Palnad Haihayas, Dora I of the Chagis, Buddha IV and Manda IV of the Kondapadumatis, Bhima II of the Kotas, Trailokyamalla of the Parichchedis, Durga and Buddha of the Natavadis, Bhima II and Pota of the Konakandravadis Somayanayaka of the Saranathas, Nallapa II and Vijayaditya III of Pithapur charukyas, Mahadeva of the Chalukyas of Nidadavole, Vijayaditya of Nellore Pallavas and Nannichoda II of the Konidena Cholas. Narayana reigned in peace and does not seem to have come into conflict with any of these rulers. Probably he owed allegiance to Gonka II of the Velanandus.