Vikramaditya (r. c. 884—911/912 AD[1][2] or 920 AD[3]) — better known as Vikramaditya "Varaguna"—was a ruler of the Ay dynasty in south India. His surname indicates that he was a vassal of the Pandya ruler Varaguna II (r. 862—885 AD).[4][1]
Vikramaditya is described as the ruler of the port of Vizhinjam.[1] He was the immediate successor of Karunanthatakkan, the Ay ruler associated with the Parthasarathy Vishnu Temple, Parthivapuram.[5] The religious pluralism of the Ay rulers of this period is evidenced by several endowments of Vikramaditya (to a Buddhist vihara in central Kerala and to Jain temples, in addition to Hindu temples).[6][7]
The act of donation (898 AD) to a Buddhist vihara outside the Ay country is considered as a symbol of friendly attitude towards the Chera rulers of Kerala (after the fall of the Pandyas in the battle of Sripurambiyan in c. 885 AD).[6][8] Later years of Vikramaditya's reign coincided with the Chola conquest of the Pandya country under king Parantaka (in 910 AD). It is likely that the Ays were thus liberated from the Pandya rule.[8]
Records of Vikramaditya Varaguna
Thirupparappu Plates[3][9] — donation/associated with Thirupparappu Shiva Temple.[9]
Thirunandikkarai Plates (regnal year 8 = 892 AD)[3] — donation to Thirunandikkarai Temple by Murukan Chendi or Ay-kula Mahadevi, the daughter of Thenganadu Kizhavan.[10][2]
Chitharal inscription (regnal year 28 = 911/12 AD) — donation by Kunanthangi Kurattikal, the disciple of Perayakkudi Arattanemi Bhatara, to the Thiruchanattu Malai Bhatariyar Jain Temple.[11]
Certain "Varaguna" — may be Vikramaditya — the disciple of Thirucharanattu Pattini Bhatarar appears as a donor in an inscription discovered from the temple of Thiruchanatu Malai in Chitharal.[1]
Paliyam Copper Plates
Date of Paliyam Copper Plates
The currently accepted date of the Paliyam Copper Plates was fixed by historian M. G. S. Narayanan.[12] According to the plates, the grant was issued on a Thursday, in the Solar month of Makara and the Lunar month of Pushya when the star was Mrigasira [on a Sukladwadasi day; falling in the year after the 15th year of Varaguna].[2]
Three dates are suitable for the astronomical data contained in the plates.
868 AD - suggested by Gopinatha Rao - historically untenable (within the regnal period of the preceding Ay ruler Karunanthadakkkan).[12][2]
925 AD - suggested by Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai - [12] Outside the regnal period of Pandya king Varaguna II (r. 862—885 AD).[2]
898 AD - Currently accepted date (M. G. S. Narayanan)[12] - Within the regnal period of Pandya king Varaguna II.[2]
Content
The Paliyam Copper Plates name the Ay ruler with his title "Varaguna", and do not mention the given name Vikramaditya.[7] The ruler was distinguished from the Pandya ruler of the same name on the basis of the reference to the [dynasty of] vrishni kula, and the lord of Vizhinjam.[2]
According to these plates, in 898 AD, Vikramaditya made a donation of certain lands in the Ay country to the deity of Srimulavasa Buddhistvihara (somewhere in central Kerala, in the kingdom of the Chera Perumals).[1]
Paliyam Copper Plates open with three Sanskrit slokas in praise of Soudhodani (Buddha), Dharmasangha (Dharma) and Avalokitesvara.[1]
Show arrangements made to protect the plot handed over to the Srimulavasa vihara. It is tentatively concluded that the king had appointed Vira Goda, a member of the Chera Perumal family, to protect the plot.[1]
Contain request to the king's descendants to "uphold dharma" and protect the land of donation[1]
Contain general appeal to all people to turn to "acts of benevolence".[1]
Tamil portions show the details - such as boundaries - of the plot donated[1]
^ abcdefghNarayanan, M. G. S. (1972). "Vikramaditya Varaguna and Srimulavasa Vihara". Cultural Symbiosis in Kerala. Trivandrum: Kerala Historical Society. pp. 10-13 and 45.
^ abRao, T. A. Gopinatha (1912). No. XII: Two Inscriptions of Vikramaditya Varaguna. Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol. I. Madras: Government of Travancore. pp. 187–188.
^ abNarayanan, M. G. S. (1972). "Vikramaditya Varaguna and Srimulavasa Vihara". Cultural Symbiosis in Kerala. Trivandrum: Kerala Historical Society. pp. 15–16.
^Rao, T. A. Gopinatha (1912). No. XII: Two Inscriptions of Vikramaditya Varaguna. Travancore Archaeological Series. Vol. I. Madras: Government of Travancore. pp. 193–195.
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