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A long line of Kings Following Nandana a host of kings ruled over the Musika country from time to time. The Kavya mentions a long line of succession as follows. Ugra scucceeded his father Nandana and he was followed by his son Ugradhanva. Simhasena who ruled next had a fleet of trained lions to be used in the battlefield and to pull his chariot. Candravarman who succeeded him met a premature death by Submarine fire when he entered the debts of the sea in pursuit of his foes. Then his son Brhatsutra came to power. He was succeeded by the son of his younger brother named Ugresva who retired to the forest for penance after a glorious tenure. Brhatsana who was the son of Ugresva’s elder brother succeeded him to the throne and he died without any issue. Ugrasena came back to the country from the self-imposed exile to save it from the opposing Kerala forces and again ruled over it after driving away the enemies. To have an issue he married again. After his son came of age, he again retired to the forest consecrating the son of the throne. Thus, the son Citraketana became the king of Musakas. His son ‘Satasoma’ was famous ruler. He performed a hundred sacrifices which threw fear into the mind of Indra who is known as Satakratu. He built a famous temple of ‘Siva at Celara (Cellur -Perumcellur), the fame of which spread all over the world and eulogized in many works. This devotee of Siva was succeeded by Asvasena who is in turn was followed by Simhekatu, Visvapala and Sarmadatta. Twenty-one generations of kings beginning with Sarmadatta. Thus, he was followed by Rudravarman, Vyaghrasena, Prthudyumna, Vajradhara, Valahaka, Bhimavarman, Brhatsena, Daksa, Atula, Nayavardhana, Mitrasoma, Bhadra, Viravarman, Amitakritu, Jagadasva, Suradyumna, Arjunavarman, Ugrabahu, Jayaditya and Vratasena. All these twenty-one generation of kings are said to have enjoyed longevity as long as they choose. Nothing significant is mentioned by the poet in describing their long reign. The next series of kings in the line were Utpalaksa, Mahakirthi, Devadyumna, Brhadyuthi, Ugra II, Manu and Brahadgriva, Vatukavarman, the son of Brhadgriva is mentioned as a great king. He is credited with the establishment of the temple known as Vatukesvara dedicated to Siva at Alasuddhi. The first half of the name is suggestive of his association with temple as its founder. Following him Ahirana ascended the throne. On the western banks of the river, Prtana, he established the temple called Ahiraneswara dedicated to Siva. He was followed by Ranabhara well known for his piety. Next came Aryagupta who was followed by Acala the founder of the city called Acalapattana in the vicinity of the Eli mount. He was followed by Asvasena II who was shortly after ousted from the throne by his younger brother Vikramasena. After him came his son Vinayavarman who passed on the rein to his son Rajavarman. He said to have established a jaina monastery known as Rajavihara after his name. But Jayamani the son the ousted king Avasena regained the country with military assistance provided by the Pandya king. The brave son of Jayamani called Ranamani then ruled over the Musika country. His successor was the much-famed ruler Udayavarman who is said to have fed ten thousand Brahmins every day. Then came Udayaditya who was probably the son of Udayavarman. He was followed by Virocana who is a brave battle which claimed many lives, killed a pallava king and claimed for his beautiful daughter in marriage. His son also called Virocana II was in due course succeeded by Kasena, Vyalasana, Satrumtapa, Brhadbhanu, Prthukirti, Amitrajit and Dvipanika Dvipanika had two sons Sasidatta and Janavrata both of whom were killed in the fight for ascendancy. The Magadha princess, the wife Sasidatta was pregnant at the time and her son Vajrasara came to the throne in due course. He was scucceeded by a long line of kings whose names are given as: Sura, Visala, Mahasvan, Ajita, Puskala, Bahukirti, Suketu, Vikata, Sudhanva, Satyavrata, Caturaketu, Udarakirti, Svarbhanu, Uttamakala, Sakala, Adriketu, Kamaprada, Nayadhana, Kavikarkasa, Parjanya, Paramayasas, Nipatavarman, Tivrasva, Sumati, Amitraha, Vicanda, Aksobhya, Samaresaha and Mahodaya. Mahodaya was succeeded by his pious son Sivacarite who had a virtuous son called Isane. The son of this great king was known as Kuncivarman and it is from him that the later of the Musika kingdom real begins. Later Kings: Kuncivarman It is from Kuncivarma, the renowned son of Isana, the really historical portion of the genealogy begins. Kuncivarman is supposed to have held sway over a big territory and he is reckoned as one among the learned. He had a daughter and a son called Isanavarman, the daughter was married to the king of Kerala and the country was passed on to his son before he left the world. Son in law of Kuncivarman It is made clear that the Kerala king who married the princes was Raghupati alias Jayaraga and that a son was born to them by the name of Goda alias Keralaketu. The identity of this king of Kerala has become a vexed problem among the historians. Thus different views are found expressed in this connection. Isanvarman II Alias Ranamani When Isanavarman reached the marriageable age, his minister suggested to him that he may enter into matrimony with the daughter of the Cedi king who was then living in exile disguised as a Brahmin in the neighborhood of the Musaka country. The minister informed him that the Cedi ruler has a daughter called Nandini who is then in her teens. It seems that the new relationship with the cedi royal family infuriated the Kerala king who was the brother-in-law of the Musika. Raghupati alias Jayaraga of Kerala launched an attack on Musaka country before Isanavarman could reach his capital after rendering assistance to his father-in-law, the king of Cedi. Isana continued to rule over the kingdom in peace, though he was worried over his childness with a view to having a scion he married the daughter of the king of Cola. The marriage was successful and soon he be got a son called Nrparama. Isanavarman who built many temples dedicated to siva was incapacitated by fever to which he ultimately succumbed. Towards the end of his days he performed the rare Mahadane ceremony by giving away sixteen valuable things to recipients when Isanavarman passed away, his second son Palaka was living in Cedi with his maternal grandfather. Nrparama It is stated that immediately after the death of Isanavarman the people approached Palaka to assume the reings of the government. Palaka reportedly sent back the popular representatives with the reply that so long as a capable and strong elder brother like Nrparame was alive, he could not agree to their demands. Naturally Nrparama was crowned as the king of the Musakas after his father. Candravarman Nrparama did not live long and his baby son Chandravarman was places on the throne while yet young. The boy was rather imbecile and unhealthy and he ruled practically lying in couch. In a short time he expired leaving the country exposed to enemies. Palaka I The long-awaited opportunity presented itself before Palaka who was again approached by the minister and citizens through a messenger. They were pulling on with the administration of the country where anarchy had set in. The chieftains of the neighborhood rallied around him and he was coronated in a grand ceremony as the king of the Musakas. Validhara With the demise of Palaka after a long and glorious reign a new chapter in the history of the Musaka dynasty began. He was succeeded to the throne by Validhara the son of his sister In the long history of the dynasty, it is for the first time that a nephew succeeds his uncle to the throne. Ripurama The nephews succeeding to the throne of the Musaka kingdom. If the king dies early his brother will naturally succeed. But after that it is invariably the son of the sister of the ruling prince that assumes the reins. The nephew who succeeded Validhara was Ripurama who was compared to great kings like Bharata and Nahusha by his prowess. His rule was rather peaceful nothing untoward happening in his days. Vikramarama He was succeeded by Vikramarama who was most probably his younger brother. There is some doubt regarding his relationship with his predecessor for the manuscripts of the Musakavamsa give a doubtful regarding when this relationship is mentioned. Janamani Following Vikramarama Janamani who was most probably his nephew occupied the Musaka throne. He is described as a great ruler with a bias to the well-behaved. He had also performed many sacrifices which earned for him much merit. Sankhavarman Next in the line of succession was Sankhavarman probably the nephew of his predecessor Jayamani Sankhavarman was followed by Jayamani who ruled over Kolam or Musaka country for a long time. His was a glorious rule. During his period the capital was at the zenith of its splendor with tall buildings, bazars, abounding in commodities drawn from all over the world and highways frequented by important royalties and citizens. Though he was a devout saivaite his reign gave a feeling of secularism. Valabha I With the advent of Valabha I on the throne a new chapter is begun. He was a proud ruler and once he was offended by the cheiftain of a particular region called Bhatashali. What exactly was the nature of the offence, the poet is vague about that. But it was of such a magnitude that it prompted valabha to take up arms against the revolter. It was a fullscale assault inwhich many lost their lives and many others fled their country. It was not just an ordinary punishment that was meted out to the provincial chief. The place was taken under the direct control of the Musaka king and a cion of the line by the name of Nrparama alias Ripurama was appointed governor of the locality. Nrparama was put in complete authority of the province. After accomplishing this Valabha returned to his capital. It seems that the region was enjoying the status of a province under the dominion of the Musaka. Kundavarman Valabha I was succeeded by Kundavarman, a benevolent administrator. He amazed much wealth by legitimate means and used it for auspicious purposes. He built the famous temples of Narayanapuram dedicated to Vishnu the enemy of Mura. Palaka II Palaka II the nephew of Kundavarman was the next king of Muskas. But he did not last long. His untimely demise posed a problem since there was no direct descendant fit enough to follow him. Ripurama Ripurama alias Nrparama a member of the family who was ruling over Bhutasthali was consecrated as the new king. At the time the nephew of Palaka II must have been quite young. Hence, he was superseded by the more experienced Ripurama who had already established his reputation as the provincial governor of Bhutasthali. By the time Ripurama expired the natural heir was ready to shoulder the responsibility. Thus Gambhira the direct nephew of Palaka II came to the throne . Gambhira Gambhira was a powerful monarch and he expected his writes to be carried out explicitly. He did not tolerate slightest offence on his authority. On one occasion the provincial chief of Marupura intercepted his political dispatches and challenged his authority. He was only inviting trouble by his careless action. Gambhira took prompt steps and beseiged Marupura with an army. He returned from the expedition only after razing down the city and reducing it to ashes. Such was his prowess that he did not tolerate any infringement upon his authority. Jayamani II His younger brother Jayamani II who succeeded him was a patron of art and literature. He had a comparatively long reign and a peaceful rule ensured. He found enough time to encourage artists and men of letters. Vikramarama He was most probable a member of the royal family though not in the direct line of succession to the throne. Valabha II The accession of Valabha to the throne heralded a new era for the dynasty. He was interested in the promotion of trade and other progressive measures. At the confluence of the river Killa with the ocean he built the city called Marahi for the development of foreign trade. Ships and other sea going vessels hauled a variety of rare merchandise from distant Islands. This must have naturally helped in the export of goods to foreign countries. The bazars of the city were abounding in foreign goods. He also fortified the city called Valabhapattana by erecting a fort with high walls having lofty towers surrounded by deep moats. *He was also interested in the promotion of religion in the vicinity of the temple of Vatukesvara dedicated to Siva he constructed a new shrine for Arya (Sasta)* It appears that Valabha had a well organised naval power, for he is said to have ruled over several islands. It is possible that he might have held sway over some time islands of the Arabian sea, probably with a view to promoting the trade. This is poetically hinted at by Atula when he says that the great Rama had subdued only a single Island called Lanka where as Valabha had controlled several Islands. Srikantha The most glorious chapter of the history of the dynasty and the last as far as we know from the pen of Atula begins with the advent of Srikantha. Athula is all praise for the many good qualities of his royal patron who is introduced in glowing terms. It is made clear that the king was the elder brother of Valabha II who he succeeded to the throne. >From the legendary Ramaghata Musaka upto the times of Srikantha, the contemporary and patron of the author a long line of succession is enumerated. Altogether 118 kings appear through the pages of this history. Every aspect of history is dealt with in vivid details, chaos and conquests, usurpation and ascendancy, invasions of foreign Islands, suppression of revolts, marriage alliances, marches for victory, establishment and renovations of temples, monasteries and cities all find a place in this remarkable account. Thus, though the Musakavamsa of Atula contains much legendary matter pertaining to the origin of the Musaka royal family it yields some genuine historical information also. In the midst of a lot of legendary stories we find a few grains of what appears to be real history of which however epigraphy is utterly ignorant -observes T.A. Gopinadha Rao who first noticed this work in 1916 AD. In short, the poem is an interesting record of regional history corroborated to some extent by facts. A detailed study into these aspects will be of great interest to a student of Kerala History. [2]:The poem gives the history of the land till about the 12th century A.D. Later this kingdom came to be known as Kolattunadu and the kings Kolattiris. After the 12th century the history of the land for about two countries is completely shrouded in obscurity, then it only by the beginning of the 15th century that be find clear reference to the Kola country in literature. [3]:Atula could be the Sanskritised name of Tolan, but the author of this poem can not be identified with the Tolan, famous introduction as the friend and advisor of the royal dramatist Kulasekhara [5]:bile'bhavad yena sa mūṣikasya rāmācca yaḥ prāpa ghaṭābhiṣekam | babhūva tenāsya jagatprakāśam samūṣikaṃ rāmaghaṭābhidhānam || 2-36 [6]:mahiṣmatīyo matimān kulīnaḥ śreṣṭhī mahānāvikanāmadheyaḥ mantrī mahīyān kṣitibharturasya vācaspatirvṛtrariporivāsīt || 2 -41 [7]:uttamo'tha vinayena mantriṇāṃ nāviko vacanamityabhāṣata || 4-36 [8]:rāṣṭre sa tatra svaguṇānurakte śobhāvatīmāhitaguptiyogām cakre gururmūṣikabhūpatīnāṃ kolābhidhānāṃ kularājadhānīm ||2 -42 [9]:kolabharturiti śaṃsati dūte bhāratīṃ sadasi vītaviśaṅkam || 5-54 [13]:śuśruvānatha hṛtānanāthavanmāgadhena sa nṛpeṇa hehayān | kopadoṣakaluṣīkṛtāśayo mantribhissaha rahasyamantrayan 4-24 yā nṛpeṇa vihitā mahiṣmaṇā pālitā ca gurubhirnirantaram mādhavena (māgadhena) kila dūravartinassā hṛtā mama purī suvarmaṇā || 4-27 [14]:bhūvanabharasahe sute sa tasmin suciraghṛtāṃ dhṛtimātmano nidhāya | atha vanamadhigamya yoganiṣṭhaḥ śivamanapāyi padāntaraṃ prapede || 6-71 [15]:atha vāsaraśriyamivāhimayutiḥ paramaḥ punāmiva ca padmadevatāṃ sakalamuvāha dharaṇīṃ sa nandanaḥ parirambhasāmiva nadīṃ trivartmagām || pitṛnirviśeṣapaṭunā svatejasā jagati prajāsviha vinītavṛttiṣu saciveṣu bhāramavasajjya bhūpatirviṣayopabhoganirato babhūva saḥ || 7-1,2[16]: [17]:Works like Cellurnathodayam Campu, Cellurisavilasam, Cellurnathastavam (all in Malayalam) and Cellurstotra (in Sanskrit) eulogise the God. [18]:sa cakāra śubhākāro bhaktyā muktyāgamārthayā ālaśuddhimanuprāptaṃ śāśvataṃ vaṭukeśvaram || 11-61 [19]:pṛtanāsaritastīre paścime pṛthivīpatiḥ āhīraṇeśvaraṃ nāma dhāma cakre sa śūlinaḥ || 11-69 [20]:ahīraṇasuto rājā mahīṃ raṇabharāhvayaḥ | apālayadāpavṛtya kṛpālayamanā nṛpaḥ || 11-70 [21]:svasāramahimākrānta kuberapuravaibhavam eliśailasanīḍe yaścakārācalpattanam || 11-79 [22]:citrairabhraṃlihābhrairyaḥ prāsādairupaśobhitam vihāraṃ rājanāmāṅkaścakre ratnatrayāspadam || 11 -84 [23]:putrastato'śvasenasya daṇḍamādāya pāṇḍyataḥ pratyasīdatsvakaṃ rājyaṃ jayamānī jagatpatiḥ || 11 -85 [24]:nihatya pallavaṃ saṃkhye mahatyasuhare nṛṇām jahāra hariṇīṃ so'sya kanyāmanyāmiva śriyam || 11 -90 [25]:T.A. Gopinatha Rao (Travancore Arceological Series II -P -110) gives the name as Dvirocana [26]:atha pṛthumabhujavīryopārjitāśeṣabhūbhṛnmukuṭamaṇimayūkhāmṛṣṭapadāṃbujanmā | aśiṣadavanimenāmuddhṛtaikātapatraṃ jagati budhajanānāmañcitaḥ kuñcivarmā || 12 -1 [30]:svabhūvamabhijigīṣuḥ mūṣikendro balaughaissarathagajaturaṅgaissārthamṛddhānubhāvam | calitamacalitaśrīḥ keralendraṃ purātsvāt puramathanasamānasso'tha śuśrāva tāvat || 12-15 [33]:pitari divamupete pālakaścedisaṃsthaḥ prakṛtibhirathasadyaḥ prāpitāṃ rājalakṣmīṃ | vipulabalabhujo'pi jyeṣṭhabhāvānuvṛtya kathamapi nṛparāmaṃ ruddhabuddhirviṣehe || 12-75 [38]:vrajati gatimamartyamīśvare'smin jagatyassapadi tadanujanmā janmabhajāṃ purogaḥ abhajadavanicakraṃ vikramodghātanāmā kṛtamatiratha rāmaḥ somavaṃśapradīpaḥ || 12-95 [43]:tamanu pramanāḥ samākhyayā bhuvi gambhīra iti pratītimān suta eva tu pālakaḥ svasuḥ kṣitimenāṃ kṣapitāriragrahīt | 13-24 [44]:N.V. Krsnavaryar does not include Gambhira among the rulers though he had quoted the verse mentioning the king. He assumes that it was palaka, who was opposed the chieftain of Marupura. The name of the locality is given by him as Manipura. [46]:N.V. Krsnavaryar postulates that Jayamani was the younger brother of Palaka II. This is because he misses the intervening ruler Gambhira in his chronological account. [47]:vrajati tridaśeṣu gaṇyatāṃ nṛpatau tasya nirastavidviṣaḥ anujo manujottamaściraṃ jayamānī jagatīmapālayat | [53]:śrīkaṇṭha ityavarājo'tha nṛpasya tasya śrīkaṇṭhapādasarasīruharājahaṃsaḥ śrīkaṇṭhanātha iva śauryaguṇena harṣaśrīkaṇṭhasaṅgini bhuje bhujamāsasañje || 15-1 [(h) A survey of Kerala History -P -24, Ullur Sahityaparishat Traimasikam V -Pp -383 -405 ----------------------------------------------------K RAJARAM IRS TO be contd 11824 12824 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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