Inscriptions

1. Stone Inscription of Devikapuram
2. Some important Inscription
3. ARE Report 351/1912 to 406/1912

1. Stone Inscriptions of Devikapuram

Devikapuram

               

There is a small village called Devikapuram in the Arni Circle of North Arcot district. Very near this village there  is a small hill, on which there is a Siva Temple. In the village itself, there is a temple with a lofty tower and high walls dedicated to the Goddess, Brahadambal. This is Sanskritisation of the name " Periya Naiychiyar" mentioned in the stone inscriptions of the temple. The name of the principal deity is Kanakagiri Isvarar. It is not known how this name originated. In the stone inscriptions are found the name of "Tirumalai Udaiya Nayanar" and "Thirumalai Udayar".

Period of the Temples

                There are fifty – five stone inscription in the temple of the Goddess, and only one in the Siva Tmeple.  Of these, forty seven inscriptions give the name of the King  in whose reign the inscriptions were engraved. In the  stone inscriptions there is no mention of the King's name; in some of these is no trace even of a date. There are no hymns by the Nayanars referring to these  temples. Among the stone inscriptions in the temple of the Goddess there is not a single  inscription which relates to the Cola period. All the kings referred to in the stone  inscriptions are the Vijayanagar Kings or their descendants. One stone inscription relates to the Mahrattas, the other  two are not more than sixty two years old, and refer to the Arni Jagirdar. Therefore, it is appropriate to conclude that theses two temple were built during the time of the Vijayanagar Kings.

It seems that among the stone inscriptions relating to the Vijayanagar Kings, those which refer to Saluva Narasinga Udaiyar (1485-1492AD) belong to an earlier period of time. An inscription containing the name of Venkatadeva Maharaja who voluntarily gave up the Kingship in 1630 A.D. is found last in the list of Vijayanagara Kings. After this, we find an inscription of Thulaja Raja, Son of Sarboji Raja,  and two others relating to the Arni Jagirdar in 1889 AD. from a historical point of view, that the Devikapuram Temple have been existence for more or less six hundred years.

Stone Inscriptions

                Out of fifty six stone inscription, two are in Sanskrit, on is in the Mahratta language; the other fifty three are in Tamil. It is used to be the custom in those days to endow small villages and lands to the temples. The executive officers of the temple would lease out the lands to tenants. Further, temple servants, poets, and those who had endowed their entire properties to the temples would be given lands and houses. Many persons used to give money, ghee, etc., as gifts for the purpose of burning  lamps in the temples. Some offered endowments for the conduct of festivals. Some rendered service in person in the temples. Kings and petty chieftains often gave to the temple the income realized form the levy of certain taxes. There are Mutts near temples. The heads of those Mutts found a place in temple administration. Information about  these endowments were caused to be  inscribed on the stone walls of the temples and these are the stone inscription referred to. In each stone inscription is often found  the name of the king who ruled at that  particular period, the year of his reign or the year of the well known Salivahanam.  After this, the name of the donor, the nature of the endowment, and its purpose are mentioned. Sometimes, the King's victorious achievements and his glorified titles obtained a place in the text of the inscriptions.

                What was the purpose of such stone inscriptions? The inscriptions on stone endure several centuries, and those who read them are inspired to make similar endowments or perform similar services to the temples. We who read them today gather information about the kings who reigned in those days, the people over whom they ruled, the political conditions of the time, the state of art, religion, civilization and culture of the period, and we are able to get certain facts of historical importance.

From the Devikapuram inscriptions we gather some of the following data:

1.       (Saluva)              Narasingaraya Udaiyar                   AD 1485-1492

2.       (Immadi)             Narasinga Deva Maharaya             AD 1493-1499

                           Narasa Nayakar                                               

3.       (Thuluva)            Krishna Deva Maharaya

Son of Narasa Nayaka         AD 1509-1529

4.       (Achuda)            Deva Maharayar

Son of Narasa Nayakar         AD 1529-1534

5.                                 Sadasiva Maharaya                         AD 1534-1551

6.                                 Sriranga Deva Maharayar I             AD 1572-1589

7.                                 Venkata Deva Maharayar               AD 1630

8.                                 Thulaja Raja (Maratha King)           No date

9.                                 Arni Jagirdar Purna PriyaSrinivasa Rao Sahib     AD 1889

Government of the Country

                The Vijayanagar Kings ruled the whole of South India under one flag, or as indigenous phrase goes, South India was brought under one royal umbrella. The Headquarters of the King was Vijayanagar. There were a number of chieftains who were his representatives in the various regions or mandalas. Each Mandala was divided into many sub divisions or Seermais. Among the many seermais in the Thondaimandalam area, Padaivedu in Polur Taluk was one. It was made the capital of the Chieftain who was ruler of that region. The shrine of the Devikapuram is located within the seermai over which this rulership extended.

                Those who ruled the padaivide seermai belonged to the Kannadiya race of the Vijayanaga r Kings. They were entitled to use the title Nayakkar. During the reign of Saluva Narasinga rayar, Ettappanayakkar was a high official in Padaividu Sirmai. When Immadi Naraingarayar was the ruler, the administration of the country was looked additionally by the general of the Army, Narasa Nayakkar who was the father of Krishnadevarayar. During that period and also during the period of Krishnadevarayar, Tiruvamalai Nayanar, son of the before mentioned Ettappa Nayakkar, was a high official in Padaividu Sirmai. During the reigh of Achutarayar, Kalatisvara Nayakkar, son of this  Thirumalai Nayakkar, ruled over the Padividu sirmai. One stone inscription says that Ekambara Nayakkar, son of Ramiappa Nayakkar was the ruler of the area.

                It is the stone inscription of this temple which reveals that many people of the Kannadiya race lived in the city of Padaividu. Among these, there were a few who had received the temple lands for cultivation purposes. A number of  other inscriptions state that some of tem performed many charitable deeds in and for the temple.

Endowments for the Welfare of others

It was customary for the petty chieftains and high officials to make certain offerings to the temples for welfare of their kings. In the same way, for the welfare of petty chieftains and the rulers of a seermai high officials and others  used to give offering of charities. The prevalence of this custom is revealed in 16 stone inscriptions to be found in this temple. Some of the temple charities  have been made for the welfare of Kings like Narasa Nayaka, Krishnadevarayar, and Achuta Devarayar. The rulers of Padaividu Sirmai like Tirumalai Nayakkar , Kalathisware Nayakar, also had come charties made by others for their welfare. Similarly there were also other charities for the welfare of high officials. Thirumalai Nayakkar and Isvara Nayakkar sons of Ettappa Nayakkar employed two persons for the purpose of singing the sacred Hymns for the welfare of Nayara Nayakar. They ware given house and land and arrangements were made to give them food in the temple. When Narasa Nayakar died, they commemorated his memory by giving away the house and land to Samarapungava Dikshitar.

Devadhana Villages

                Devikapuram was mentioned in a stone inscription as "Devikapuram belonging to the Murugamangalam Parru of Melkunra Nadu in Palkuntra Kottam of Jayamkonda cola mandalam. The temple of this place was endowed with many small villages. They were Sembya Mangalam , Kailasam, Sorppundir, Kamachi Ravuttan Thangal, Uvattur and its adjoin small villages Singayya Ravuttan Thangal, Somsipuram known as Manalapakkam.

Other Villages

In the stone inscription the names of other villages are also found. They are as follows.

1.       Murugamangalam, 2. Idaithurai, 3. Tiruvilakkukudi, 4. Serrupattu, 5. Piramanapakkam, 6 Mamanambakkam, 7. Kannnur, 8. Arruvanpadi, 9. Naruvilithangal.

Temple lands         

                Officials of the temple used to lease out the lands belonging to the institution to many Kannadiars and also to others, as revealed in a number of stone inscriptions. One person who was appointed to supervise the temple was endowed with a temple land, the income from which was his remuneration. The actual administration of the temple was looked after by persons specially selected  for the purpose, the head of the Bhiksha Mutt adjoining the temple, the Kaikkola Mudalis, in the village and the temple priests. These temple officials endowed a land and a house in a Devadhana Village, known as Sorappundi to a poet called Vadamalaiyar who belonged to the village of Arruvanpadi. Attavanai Venkkappan who was responsible for getting the village of Sorappundi as an endowment to the temple from the King was given the gift  of two houses and a piece of land. He also obtained another small  village, called Taraippadi for the temple. He was given a house and the rent of the village by the temple officials.  For the temple festival feedings and burning  of incense etc., Tirumalai Nayakkar  and Isvara Nayakkar  endowed lands in Murugamangalam village.  But Nayinnppa Nayakar son of Krishnappa Nayakar dua tank and some wells in a land and made the land cultivable later he gave it away as gift to the temple.

Charities

It is gathered from stone inscriptions that Tiruvadirai, Tirukarthigai, and Uttira Tirunal festivals were celebrated in the temple. Many people gave gifts of money, land and ghee for the conduct of those festivals. The Arni Jagirdar had the Asthapanthana Kumbabhishekam performed for the Deity on the Hill.

Some stone inscriptions reveal that officials endowed certain taxes as offerings to the temple. A high official called Mallappa Nayakar endowed a tax worth 331/2 Panam. Collections at the rate of 1 1/4 panam per loom were made in Devikapuram and given to the temple.

Mutts

                A famous mutt of Devikapuram was known as Bhikshavritti Mutt or Bhiksah Mutt. It is situated south of  Cheyyar in Devikapuram. Two of the heads of this mutt who lived at different times, were Isana Sivachairyar and Visvesvara Sivachariar. They took a great part in the administration of the temple.

Rajakambiran Malai.

                A hill adjoining the village of Murugamangalam was known by the old name of Rajakambiran Hill. The name of Rajakambiran was used as a victory title by the Cola kings Virarajendra (AD 1064-69) and Rajaraja II(AD 1146 – 1173). Of these two kings, it was virajendra, the great hero, who defeated the Western Chalukyas thrice on the banks of Tungabhadra. During these times of was, he went beyond the Tondaimandalam and reached  the Tungabhadra. His victory title, seemed to be associated with the name of the hill.

Occupational names

                The names of certain persons who were engaged in specific vocations are also to be found in some of the stone inscriptions. The person who supervised the temple was called Kovil Kelvi. The name Adaippam was given to the man who used to stand near the king and give him betel leaves. The person who made  a note of the kings' engagements for the day was always close at hand to remind him of his duties was called Attavanai. Those stone inscriptions also reveal that the petty chieftains used to call the kings Swami and the same title was used by administrative officials and the general public to denote both the kings and the petty chieftains. 

M. Rajamanikkam.

2. Some Important Inscriptions

திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்டம், ஆரணி வட்டம், தேவிகாபுரம் என்னும் ஊரில் பெரியநாயகி அம்மன் கோயில் எதிரில் அமைந்துள்ள தேரடி நிலையில் அடியில், ஒரு கற்பலகையில் வெட்டப்பட்ட கல்வெட்டு.

சதாசிவ மகராயர், கி.பி. 1564

வீரப்ப நாயக்கரின் மகன் பாப்பு நாயன் என்பவன் பெரியநாயகி அம்மன் கோயிலைச் சுற்றி அமைந்துள்ள புது மதிலில் தெற்குப் பக்கத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள திட்டி வாசலுக்கு எதிரில் இருந்த பெரியமனைப் பகுதியை விற்று, திருமலா உடைய நாயனார்க்கு திருக்கண் சாத்தவும், இரண்டாம் நாள் திருவிழா கொண்டாடவும், மோப்பூர் விநாயகரை எழுந்தருளச் செய்யவும் செய்த ஏற்பதாடுகள் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளன.

கல்வெட்டு: ஸ்ரீமந் மஹாமண்டலீஸ்வர ராஜாதிராஜ ராஜபரமேஸ்வரன் சதாசிவ தேவமகாராயர் ப்ரிதிவிராஜியம் பண்ணி அருளா நின்ற சகாப்தம் 1486 மேல் செல்லா நின்ற ப்ரபவ சம்சவச்சரத் விருச்சிக நாயற்று பூர்வ பஷத்து பவுர்ணமியும் ரோஹிணி நட்சத்திரமும் பெற்ற ஆதித்த வாரத்து நாள் திருமலா உடைய தம்பிராநாற்கு திருக்கண் சாத்தவும் இரண்டாந்திருநாள் உபையத்துக்கு தென் புது மதில் திட்டி வாசலுக்கு எதிர்மனை விளையாக கொண்டு மடமும் மண்டபமுமரிக் ககட்டி மோப்பூர் விநாயகனையும் எழுந்தருளப் பண்ணி இந்த தலத்திலுள்ள பேற்கெல்லாம் புண்ணியமாக மோப்பூர் வீரப்ப நாயக்கர் புத்திரன் பாப்பு நாயன் கட்டளை பண்ணின தற்மம் ஆதிந்தராதமாக நடக்கக் கடவதாகவும் இந்த தற்மத்துக்கு அகிதம் பண்ணின பேர் கங்கை கரையிலே காராம் பசுவை கொன்ற தோஷத்திலே போகக் கடவராகவும் இப்படி ன்மைக்கு கோயில் கணக்கு வீரப்பந் எழுத்து.

செய்தி: தேவிகாபுரம் திருமலை உடைய நாயனார்க்கு பூஜை, திருப்பணி செய்யவும், கோயில் கோபுரத்தைச் செப்பனிடவும், சவரப்பூண்டியில் திருநாமத்துக் காணியாக நிலம் விட்ட செய்தி குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.

ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ ஸ்ரீமன் மஹாமண்டலீஸ்வரன் மேதினி மீசுர கண்ட கட்டாரி சாளுவன் இராசா பரமேஸ்வரன் அரியராய விபாடன் பாஷைக்கு தப்புவராய கண்டன் கண்ட நாடு கொண்டு கொண்ட நாடு குடாதான் துலுக்க மொகறம் தவிர்த்த கெசபதி தளவிபாடன் கச வேட்டை கண்டருளிய ஸ்ரீவீரபிரதாபன் பூறுவ தஷிண பச்சிம உத்திரத்து சமுத்திராதிபதி ஸ்ரீவீரபிரதாபன் நரச நாயக்க உடையார் குமாரன் ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணதேவ மஹாராய பிரதி இராச்சியம் பண்ணி அருளா நின்ற சகார்தம் 1442 மேல் செல்லா நின்ற விக்கிரம ஆண்டு தாது சிங்க நாயற்று பூர்வ பஷத்து சஷ்டியும் செவ்வாய்க் கிழமையும் பெற்ற அனுஷத்து நாள் செயங்கொண்ட சோழ மண்டலத்து பல்குன்றக் கோட்டத்து மேல் குன்ற நாடு இராசா கெம்பீர மலைக்கு அடுத்தப் பற்று முருகமங்கலப் பற்று சவரப்பூண்டி தேவஸ்தானம் தேவிகாபுரம் திருமலை உடைய நாயனார் திருநாமத்து காணியாக மனபூஜைக்கும் திருப்பணிக்கும் கோபுரத்துக்கும் தளப்புறுமாப் பண்ணிக் குடுத்தோம் இந்த திருமலை உடைய நாயினார்க்கு சதயித்த முருகமங்கலப் பற்று சவரப்பூண்டி ஆன இராபணம் பூஜை திருப்பணிக்கும் கோபுரத்துக்கும் நடக்கக் கடவதாகவும் இந்த தன்மத்து இயாதொருவர் அகிதம் பண்ணினவர்கள் கெங்கைக் கரையில் காராம் பசுவையும் மாதா பிதாவையும் கொலை செய்த பாவத்தில் போகக் கடவராக இப்படிக்குக் கோயில் கணக்கு உத்தண்டி எழுத்து.

3. ARE Report 351/1912 to 406/1912

DEVIKAPURAM  INSCRIPTIONS

351 of 1912.—(Tamil.) On the west and south walls of the central shrine in the Brihadāmba temple. Records in Ś. 1399, Hēviļambi, gift of land to the temple of Tirumala-Uďaiya-Nāyanār at Dēvakkapuram by Rāyappuďaiya of Koņďapalli and others.

[See N.A. Manual, II, p.316.]

352 of 1912.—(Tamil.) On the south wall of the first prākara of the same temple. A record of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1442, Bahudhānya, Makara, ba. di. 5, Friday, Hasta; corresponding to 21st January, 1519 A.D. The king bears Sāļuva titles. Registers a lease of certain temple lands to Tirumalai-Nāyaka, One of Kannaďiya-Nayakas, living in Marudaraśar-Paďaiviďu, by the temple treasurer Īśāna- Śivāchārya of Bhikshā-maţha at Davakkāpura on the southern bank of Seyyāru, which was a village near Rājagambhīran-malai in murugamańgala-ppaŗŗu, a subdivision of Mēlkunŗa-nāďu in the district of  Paļagunŗa- kōţţam in  Jayaņgoņďaśōļa-maņďalam.  

353 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1441, Bahudhānya karkaţaka, śu. di. 13, Tuesday, Aśvini, Siddhayōga. Registers the right of cultivation of temple lands (uļavu-kāņiyākshi) granted to a certain Sadāśiva-Nayaka of Marudaraśar-Paďai-vīďu. [The date is a little irregular. Mr. Swamikannupillai says that Aśvini and Siddhayōga can occur only on Friday, January 7, A.D. 1519.]  

354 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Sāļuva king Immaďirāyadēva-Mahārāya, son of  Naraśińgarāya-dēva-Mahārāya (the founder of the usuring line), in Ś. 1429, Raktākshi (wrong) Mīna, ba. di. 10, Friday, Uttiram. Registers a similar right granted to a resident of Dēvakkapuram by the temple trustee, gurukkaļ, Viśvēśvara-Śivāchārya of Bhikshā-maţha and others. [Raktākshi corresponds to Ś. 1427, and then the date would be Friday, 28th February 1505.] 

See Nos. 166 and 190.     

355 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. Records in Ś. 1422, Raudri, karkaţaka, śu. di. 7, Friday, Attam, corresponding to 3rd July 1500, gift of land in the dēvadāna village of  Śembiyamańgalam, a house at Dēvakkapuram and food in the temple, to two persons who had to sing in the temple. The grant was made by Tirumalai-Nāyaka and Īśvara Nāyaka, sons of Ettappa Nāyaka, for the merit of Narasa-Nayaka (the founder of the Tuluva dynasty, who died in 1503)

356 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Achyutayyadeva- Maharaya, son of Narasa-Nayaka-Udaiyar in Ś. 1455, Vikriti (wrong), Śinga, su. di. 10, Friday, Uttiram. The king has a long list of Birudas. Records that Kalattisura-Nayaka son of  Tirumalai-Nāyaka of Marudarasar Padaividu was granted the right of supervision, etc.., in the temple and the enjoyment of certain lands at Murugamangalam, from Īśāna Śivāchārya of Bhikshā-maţha, the trustees and the kaikkola mudalis of the Tirumala-Udaiya-Nayinar temple at Dēvakkapuram.                [See No. 201 below.]   

357 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the west wall of the same prakara.  Records in   Ś. 1425, Rudhirodgrin, gift of land and a house in the village Kailasa, to a certain Samarapungava-Dikshita for the merit of king (svami) Narasa-Nayaka (the Thuluva usurper) ‘who went to Sivaloka (i.e., died), ‘ by(his subordinates) Tirumalai-Nayaka and Isvara-Nayaka .[The great Vaishnava writer Mahacharya had a Samarapungava for his teacher. See Trien. Cat. Sans. MSS., 1910-3, pp.25 and 1012. Also Des. Cat. Sans. MSS., Vol. X, p.3642].

358 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Krishnadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1441, Bahudhānya karkaţaka, śu. di. 13, Tuesday, Aśvini, Siddhayōga. The king has a Saluva titles. Recorders a gift of revenue, amounting to 33½ panam to the temple of Tirumala-Udaiya-Nayinar at Devasthanam Dēvakkapuram by Harihara-Nayaka, son of Mallappa Nayaka of the Kannadiya-Nayakas living at Marudarasar Padaividu for the merit of the king and Tirumalai-Nayaka. For date see 154 above .    

359 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. Records in Ś. 1418, Durmati, gift of land at Murugamangalam by Tirumalai-Nayaka and Isvara-Nayaka for providing offerings, incense, etc., at festivals. 

360 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. Records in Subhakrit, that a certain Nayinappa-Nayaka provided ghee for the festival of Tiruvadirai in the same temple in order to secure merit for Adaippam Mallappa-Nayaka.  

361 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1443, Vikrama, Kartigai, Ekadasi, Monday, corresponding to 9th July 1520.  Records that Sadasiva-Nayaka provided ghee for lamps during the festival of Tirukkartigai in the same temple, for the merit of chief (svami) Tirumalai-Nayaka.

362 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the north wall of the same prakara. A record of the Vijayanagara king Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1444, Vrisha. Records gift of ghee for the same festival by the daughter of the Kannadiya chief Devappudaiyar at Marudarasar Padaividu.

363 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Mahamandalesvara Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1447, Sarvajit. Records gift of ghee for lamps by Sriranganathar, the maniakaran (monegar) of Idaitturai, for the merit of Namassivaya-Nayaka, son of Mallappa-Nayaka of Marudarasar-Padaividu.

364 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1454. The king bears Saluva titles. Records grant of the tax Pattadai-nulayam, at 1½ panam per annum on each loom, to the temple, for the merit of Kalattisura-Nayaka.

365 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1446. Chitrabhanu, Tai, su. di. 10, Uttiram, Saturday (=28th March, 1523). Records gift of land and a house in the devadana village Sorappundi to Vadamalaiyar, one of the Pandits (vidvan) of Arruvanpadi, by Visvesvara Sivacharya of the Bhiksha-matha at Dēvakkapuram, the Kaikkola-mudalis and other trustees of the temple. The record is stated to have been engraved on the kumudappadi of the temple. [See NA 155 above. Vadamalayar was probably the Tamil poet who wrote the Machchapurana and Nidurtalapurana. See Abhidanachintamani, p.840. Visvesvara might be the Saktaic and Vira Saiva author of the Syamarchanatarangini referred in Rais. Catal. II, pp. 288 and 438; but it is doubtful. He ought not to be confounded with the Dharma-sastraic author of the Karma vipaka 

(See Des. Cat. San. MSS., Vol. II, p.2626) or the Advaitic writers referred to in NA 190]. 

366 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1444, Vikrama, Kumbha, su. di. full-moon Friday, Uttiram, corresponding to 22nd February 1521. Records gift of land and two houses to a certain Attavanai Venkappa who secured for the temple the village Sorappundi as a gift from the king.  

367 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1452, Sarvadhari, Kartigai, su. di. 10, Uttiram, Saturday (=29th March, 1529). Registers that the trustees of the temple granted to a certain Ambalattadi the right of cultivating (ulavu-kani) the devadana village of Kamakshi-ravuttan-tangal and fixed 15 panam and 20 kalams of paddy to be paid to the temple every year.

368 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1444, Vikrama, Kumbha, su. di. 10 Saturday, Punarpusam which corresponded to 16th February 1521.Records gift of the village Uvattur with its hamlet Tarapadi to the same temple by a certain Ammaiyappa Nayinar as a Tirunamakkani. On receiving this, Isana-Sivacharya of the Bhiksha-matha and other trustees of the temple made the same donor the lessee of the village and presented a house.

See No.201.   

369 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1453, Virodhi, Sittirai, su. di. 10 Attam. Registers the permanent lease, (ulavu-kaniyakshi) of Devarayan pattadai to a Kannadiya-Nayaka of Gangapuram in Pangala-nadu.

370 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1450, Sarvadhari, Ani, su. di. Uttiram, Monday (=22nd June 1528). Records gift of ghee for a lamp. 

371 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1443, Vikrama. Records gift of ghee for a lamp by a lady of Marudarsar-Padaividu.

372 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Krishnayadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1431, Sukla, Makara (should be Kanni su.di.10), Sunday, Tiruvonam, corresponding to 23rd September 1509. Recorders gift of the hamlet Singayaravuttan-tangal near Kayilayam as a Kaniyakshi, to a certain Tiruppani Vasuvana-Udaiyar, by Tirumalai-Nayaka, son of Ettappa Nayaka and others. The donee was evidently an officer in charge of the works connected with the temple.              

373 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the south wall of the second prakara of the same temple. A record of the Vijayanagara king Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya, son of Virapratapa Narasa-Nayaka in Ś.1452, Vikriti, Makara, su. di. 13, Monday, Pusam, corresponding to 30th January 1531. Records sale, by the trustees of the Devikapuram temple, of land at Suvarappundi to a temple of Udaiyavar Sadasivamurti built by Tirumalai Nayaka, son of Sadasiva Nayaka of Marudarasar-Padaividu, at Vada-Kayilam which was the tirunamakkani village of Tirumala Udaiyar. Madapatyam Kalattisura-Nayaka and Bhikshamatham Isana Sivacharya are mentioned among the trustees.  

374 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya, son of Virapratapa Narasa-Nayaka in Ś.1454, Vikriti (wrong) Panguni, su. di. 11, Monday (=27th February 1531). Registers that certain families of shepherds at Serruppattu were dedicated to the temple as tiruvilakku-kudi by Kondama-Nayaka, after securing their services with the permission of Kalattisuna-Nayaka who was then governing the Padaivittusirmai.

375 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya, son of Virapratapa Narasa-Nayaka in Ś.1452, Vikriti, Simha, su. di. 14, Sunday, Tiruvonam, corresponding to August 7, A.D. 1530. Registers that the trustees of the temple leased out some lands at Piramanampakkam to Viramahesuran Mallikarjuna-Ayyan-matha at Sembiya-mangalam as ulavu-kaniyakshi, for maintaining the workship of the god  Tirumalaudaiya-Nayinar at Vasanta-mantapam.

376 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. Records in Sarvari Masi, 14, that Mallappa Nayaka and Sevvappa Nayaka appointed certain shepherds to supply ghee for lamps to the same temple inorder to secure merit to king Achyutadeva-Maharaya.

[Sevvappa was not improbably the brother-in-law of Achyuta and the founder of the Tanjore dynasty of Nayakkas.]

377 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś.1452, Vikriti, Simha (should be makara, ba II), su. di. II, Friday, Anusham, corresponding to 13th January 1531. Records giftof land by the residents of Mamanambakkam for the maintenance of worship in the Vasantha-mantapa of god Tirumala Udaiyar, for the merit of svami Tirumalai-Nayaka, Immadi Tirumalai Nayaka and Kalattisura-Nayaka.

378 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A damaged record of the Vijayanagara king Sadasivaraya in Ś. 1471, Saumya. The king receives Saluva titles. Seems to record the supply of ghee for lamps to the same temple.

379 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Achyutayyadeva-Maharaya in Ś. 1457.  Records gift of ghee by certain shepherds. 

380 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the west wall of the same prakara. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś.1455, Hevilambi (wrong). Records gift of ghee for lamps.

381 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. Record in Subhakrit, Masi, 17, gift of ghee for lamps by Nayinappa-Nayaka, agent of Adaippam Mallappa-Nayaka, for the merit of his master.

382 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the north wall of the same prakara. A damaged and fragmentary record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1458, Manmatha, Mina, su. di. 10, Friday, Tiruvonam (=17th March 1536).

383 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A damaged record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1464, Subhakrit. Records gift of money for maintaining the festival Uttirattirunal in the same temple by Nayinappa-Nayaka, agent of Addaipam Mallappa-Nayaka for the merit of Sevvappa-Nayaka.

[The latter was evidently the founder of the Tanjore Naik dynasty. See Tanj.Gazr., p.38]

384 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1456, Jaya, Kanni, su.di.10, Monday. Records gift of money for conducting a festival in the temple certain residents of Sembiyamangalam. 

186. 385 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1454, Virodhi(wrong). Records gift of ghee for a lamp.

386 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Virapratapa Achyutayyadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1454, Nandana. Records that Kondama Nayaka of Serruppattu granted land at Kannanur as ulavukani and arranged 10 panam to be paid annually to the temple.

387 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A damaged record of the Vijayanagara king Sadasivadeva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1470, Saumya (wrong), Rishabha, su.di. full-moon, Monday, Tiruvonam, Records gift of some temple land as kaniyakshi to a private individual.

388 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A record of the Vijayanagara king Venkatadeva-Mahārāya, son of Tirumalaideva Maharaya in Ś. 1552, Sukla, Tai, 21st day, Monday, Pusam. Registers that a certain Nayinappa-Nayaka, son of Krishnappa-Nayaka, improved a certain land by constructing a tank near it and by digging wells. He made cultivable and presented the same to the temple. [It is difficult to say who this Venkata is. That he cannot be Venkata II is clear in the fact that his father is one Tirumalaideva].

389 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the east wall of  the Nataraja shrine in the same temple. A  record of the Vijayanagara king Krishnayyadeva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1436, Srimukha, Karkataka (wrong got Rishabha), su.di.10, Friday, Uttiram (=13th May 1513).  Records gift of the village Semibiyamangalam as a ulavu-kaniyakshi to Namasivaya Nayaka, son of Mallappa-Nayaka of Marudarasar Padaividu.  He was to pay 10 panam and 10 kalams of paddy in the first year, but in the fifth year, 50 panam and 50 kalams of paddy had to be paid.  The trustees included  Visvesvaracharya of Bhiksha-matha.  [A Visvesvaracharya is mentioned in Dr.Hultsch’s Rep. Sans.MSS.III, as the author of the padavakyarthapanchka, a commentary on the Naishadha; A Visvesvara Pandita, the author of a commentary on Sankara’s Vakyavrulti, is also mentioned. There are also others referred to in No.166 above.  But there is no evidence to prove the identity of any of these].

390 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A damaged record in Ś. 1437, Vibhava (mistake for Bhava), Jyeshtha, su.di.12, Saturday, Visakha. Seems to record a gift to a Brahmana by the manager of the temple (koyil-kelvi) Visvesvara Sivacharya and Tirumalai-Nayaka. Refers to a Vira-Narasingaraya See Nos. 190 and 166.

391 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the west wall of the kitchen in the same temple. A record of Vijayanagara king Sadasivadeva-Maharaya in Ś. 1468, Parabhava, Vrischika, Friday, Tiruvonam. Records gift of ghee to the temple by Surappa Nayaka for the merit of Krishnappa-Nayaka.

392 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same wall. A damaged record of the Vijayanagara king  Achyutadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1453, Vikriti.

393 of 1912.—(Grantha) On the second gopura of the same temple, right of entrance. One Sanskrit Verse in praise of Visvesvaracharya. He is stated to have been foremost devotee of  Srigirisvara (i.e., the god on the sacred hill). See Nos. 190 and 166.

394 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same place. A damaged record of the Vijayanagara king a Achyutadēva-Mahārāya in Ś. 1451, Virodhi. Seems to record a gift of Mallappa Nayaka, one of the adaippam servants of the king.                 

395 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same place. A record of the Saluva king Immadi Narasimha-Tammayadeva-Maharaya in Ś. 1426, Raktakshi, Kanni, ba. di. I, Wednesday, Asvati(=Wednesday,25th September 1504). Records gift of land in the village of Sembiyamangalam together with money and houses to a private individual who worshipped in the temple of both the god and goddess, by Tirumalai-Nayaka, agent of Narasa-Nayaka. Mentions  Ettappa-Nayaka,  the  father of the donor.  [Immadi Narasimha was the son of 

Saluva Narasinga, the usurper who had to give place to Narasa Naik.] See No.254 below.

396 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same wall. A record of the Saluva king Immadi Narasimharaya-Maharaya, son of Saluva Narasimharaya-Maharaya in Ś.1426, Raktakshi, Kumbha, ba, di.14 Sunday, Tiruvonam, Sivaratri (=2nd February 1505). Records gift of the village Manalpakkam alias Somasipuram south in Seyyaru in Kachchur-nadu, a subdivision of Palakunra-kottam in Murugamangala parru, by Samarapungava Dikshita, to the temple of the god and goddess, for oblations. The village was originally granted to him for agnihotra (i.e., keeping the sacred fire) by Tirumalai-Nayaka. See No.158 above.

                 

397 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same wall. A record in Kali 4990, Ś.1811, Virodhi and A.D. 1889, November 27. Abhinabapurnapriya Srinivasa Rao Sahib, Jaghirdar of Arni, piously performed the ashtabandhana-kunbhabhisheka of Kanakagirisvara, on this day.

398 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same gopura, left of entrance. A record of the Tanjore Mahratha king Tulajaraja Saheb(1763-87), son of Maharaja Saheb Saraphaji in Kshaya Phalguna, ba. di.10 Monday. Records consecration of the image of the goddess which perhaps had become shaky on its pedestal.

399 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same place. A damaged record of the Vijayanagara king  Srirangadeva-Maharaya(i.e., Ranga II) in Ś.1499, Isvara, Kumbha 28(wrong for 27), ba. di. Sunday, dvitiya, Hasta, corresponding to 22nd February 1578. Registers a gift made to the temple for the merit of Agastyappa-Nayaka of Velur. Mentions also Bomma-Nayaka of Velur.

201. 400 of 1912.—(Grantha) In the same place. Records that Isvanasiva-Yogindra, the head of the Golaki-matha, obeyed the command of Siva(i.e., died).[Was he the teacher of the Pandyan king and writer Varatunga ? Was he the same as the author of the Saivasiddhanta paddhati ? We have no means of answering definitely he was of course different from his namesake of the Biksha-matha referred to in N.A. 169 etc.,].

401 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same place. A record in Ś.1401, Vilambi, Mithuna, su. di.7, Monday Uttirattadi, Subhayoga and Garaja-karana. Registers that a number of maid-servants (devadimai) were provided for the temples of Tirumalai-Nayinar and Periya-Nachchiyar, by Ettappa-Nayaka, for the merit of Isvara Nayaka.

402 of 1912.—(Tamil) In the same place. An unfinished record of the Saluva king Narasingaraya-Udaiyar(the usurper) in Ś. 1401, Vilambi, Mithuna, su. di. 7th Monday Uttirattadi, Subhayoga and Garaja-karana. “Perhaps Monday, 22nd June, A.D. 1478”.

403 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the first gopura of the same temple. A damaged and unfinished record of the Vijayanagara king Sadasivadeva-Maharaya in Ś. 1493, Kshaya (wrong). Seems to register a gift for the merit of Krishnappa Nyaka and Era-Bomma-Nayaka and Nalla-Bomma-Nayaka of Velur.

404 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the same gopura. Records in Vijaya the levy of taxes on looms for the merit of Lingama Nayaka, while Ekambara-Nayaka, son of Ramayappa-Nayaka, was governing.              

405 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the east wall of the Ganesa temple at the fresh water tank in the same village.  Records that the temple and the gift of one of the merchants (nagarattar) of  the Vaisiya (i.e., Vaisya)—Vaniyan sect.

406 of 1912.—(Tamil) On the gopura of the Kanakagirisvara temple on the hill in the same village.  A record in Kali 4990, Ś. 1811, Virodhi and A.D.1889, November 27. Copy No.397 above.