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Sthanu Ravi Varma
"Kulasekhara" Deva From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Sthanu Ravi Varma (Early Malayalam and Tamil: Ko Tanu Iravi), known as the Kulasekhara, was the Chera Perumal ruler of Kerala in southern India from 844/45 to c. 870/71 AD.[4][5][6] He is the earliest Chera Perumal ruler known to scholars.[6] Sthanu Ravi famously helped the Chola ruler Aditya I (c. 871–907 AD) to conquer the Kongu country from the Pandyas in c. 885 AD.[7][8]
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The famous Quilon Syrian Christian copper plates are dated in the fifth regnal year of king Sthanu Ravi. Two more inscriptions dated in the regnal years of Sthanu Ravi can be found at Irinjalakuda Kudalmanikyam Temple, and at Thiruvatruvay, Thiruvalla.[9] Koyil Adhikarikal (the Royal Prince) during the time of Sthanu Ravi was his son-in-law (husband of his daughter) Vijayaraga.[10] Sthanu Ravi had a son born to him in or about 870 AD.[11] He was succeeded by Rama Rajasekhara (c. 870/71–c. 883/84).[6]
Sthanu Ravi probably abdicated the throne toward the end of his reign and became a Vaishnavite alvar saint known as Kulasekhara Alvar (seventh of the twelve mystic alvars).[12] He is also identified with playwright Chera king "Kulasekhara Varma".[13][14][15]
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Background
Present-day central Kerala likely detached from the larger Kongu Chera or Kerala kingdom around the 8th–9th century AD to form the Chera Perumal kingdom.[16] Central Kerala was perhaps under some form of viceregal rule prior to this period.[17]
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The direct (sovereign) authority of the Chera Perumal king was perhaps restricted to the country around capital Makotai (Mahodaya, present-day Kodungallur) in central Kerala.[18] His pan-Kerala kingship was perhaps only ritualistic, remaining nominal compared to the power that local chieftains (the Udaiyavar) wielded politically and militarily in distant regions. Nambudiri Brahmins also held significant authority in religious and social matters (a system often described as "ritual sovereignty combined with Brahmin oligarchy") [18][19]
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Chola contemporary of Sthanu Ravi
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Sthanu Ravi was a partner in the Chola king Rajakesari Varma's campaign in Kongu country (central Tamil Nadu).[20] It is known that the two rulers jointly conferred military honours on a chief of Tanjore called Vikki Annan (who was the husband of "Kadamba Mahadevi"), probably a Ganga prince. Vikki Annan, son of Prithvipati, is mentioned in a Ganga inscription of the mid-9th century AD.[21][22] The title "Kadamba" suggests a relationship with the Kadamba lineage.[23][20]
King "Rajakesari Varma" can be identified either with Aditya Chola (c. 871–907 AD[7]) or with Srikantha Chola (817–845 AD).[24][8]
- Identification of Rajakesari Varma with Aditya Chola (c. 871–907 AD) (followed Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai) – Pillai thus assumes that Sthanu Ravi ruled Kerala up to 885 AD to be able to become the junior partner in Aditya Chola's wars in Kongu Nadu (conquest of the Kongu Nadu from the Pandyas, c. 885 AD).[11] – this view is found acceptable by the recent scholarship.[7][25]
- Identification of Rajakesari Varma with Srikantha Chola (817–845 AD) – this puts the joint action in the Kongu country in c. 844/45 AD.[11] – this view was found acceptable by M. G. S. Narayanan (following T. V. Mahalingam).[11]
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Astronomy
Astronomer-mathematician Sankaranarayana (c. 840 – 900 AD) was a member of the royal court of Kulasekhara (at the Chera capital Mahodayapuram-Kodungallur). Sankaranarayana is best known as the author of Laghubhaskariyavyakha, a detailed commentary on the works of mathematician Bhaskara I (early 6th century AD).[26] An astronomical observatory functioned at Mahodayapuram under the charge of Sankaranarayana.[27] There are references to an instrument called "Rashichakra" marked by a "Yanthravalaya" in the Vyakha. This instrument might be the same as the Golayanthra/Chakrayanthra mentioned by famous polymath Aryabhata. The Chakrayanthra was developed further and called Phalakayanthra by Bhaskara I.[28]
Inscriptions
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As Sthanu Ravi
Ayyan Adikal, the chieftain of Quilon (Kollam) under Sthanu Ravi, issued the famous Quilon Syrian Christian copper plates in c. 849 AD. The inscription records that Ayyan Adikal granted land and serfs to a Christian church at Quilon, built by Mar Sapir Iso, and entrusted its maintenance to trade guilds anjuvannam and manigramam.[20] The grant was made in the presence of Chera Perumal prince Vijayaraga.[29] Daughter of Kulasekhara, with the title Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neeli, was married to Vijayaraga (who was probably the son of the sister of Kulasekhara also).[30]
As Kulasekhara
| 9th century AD | Thirunanthikarai inscription - a single slab of granite in the courtyard of the structural temple | Temple committee resolution (Tamil) |
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Literary references
Contradicting testimonials
- An anonymous work called "Padmapadacharyacharita" says that the protagonist (who was the disciple of philosopher-theologian Shankara) flourished in time of king "Kulasekhara". However, "Shivanandalahari", attributed to Shankara, indirectly mentions the Kerala ruler as Rajasekhara. "Shankaravijaya" by Vidyaranya also refers to a Kerala king named Rajasekhara, who was a contemporary of Sankara.[36]
- Vasubhatta, a famous Yamaka poet of medieval Kerala (author of "Tripuradahana" and "Saurikathodaya"), names his patron king as "Rama". "Vijayadarsika" by Acynta, a later commentary on the poem "Yudhisthiravijaya" by Vasubhatta, says that "Kulasekhara" was the coronation title of king Rama (the name given to the king by his parents was "Ramavarman" - "Kulasekhara ityabhisekakrtam nama; pitradikrtam theramavarmeti"). "Ratnapradipika" by Sivadasa, another commentary (which later to "Vijayadarsika") says the same - "Kulasekharasya Kulasekhara iti namavatah, etadabhisekakrtam nama. Pitradikriam tu ramavarmeti"[37] Modern scholars generally consider this a result of confusion on the part of the commentators Acynta and Sivadasa (between Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara and Rama Rajasekhara) who were separated in time from Vasubhatta.[38]
- Some scholars also identify king Rama Kulasekhara as the patron of poet Vasubhatta (and thus placing Vasubhatta in 11th-12 centuries AD).[39] This view is generally found unacceptable on several counts.[40]
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Laghubhaskariyavyakha
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Sankaranarayana says that he was patronized by king "Ravi", who had the title "Kulasekhara" (and thus helps in the identification of "Sthanu Ravi" with "Kulasekhara").[41] [42] The opening verse of the commentary also gives an indirect invocation to the lord called "Sthanu" (carefully composed to be applicable to god Siva and the ruling king).[26]
"Sa Sthanurjayati trirupasahito lingepi lokarcitah."
Chapter I, Laghubhaskariyavyakha
The commentary also gives the two dates in the Kali Era and as the Saka Era.
"Angartvambara nanda devamanubhir yate dinanam gane
Graste tigma mayukhamalinitamobhute parahne divi
Prsta praggrahanad dvitiyaghatika grasa pramanam raver
Bharta sri Kulasekharena vilasad velavrtaya bhuva."
Chapter IV, Laghubhaskariyavyakha
- "Angartvambara nanda devamanubhir yate dinanam gane"
- Anga = 6, Rtu = 6, Ambara = 0, Nanda = 9, Veda = 4, and Manu = 14
- Order - 6609414
- Reverse Order - 1449066
- Kali Date - 3967 years and 86 days = 25 Mithuna, Kollam Era 41 = 866 AD[26]
"Evam Sakabdah punariha candra randhramuni sankhyaya asambhiravagatah."
Chapter I, Laghubhaskariyavyakha
- "Sakabdah punariha candra randhramuni sankhyaya"
Laghubhaskariyavivarana, according to the commentary itself, was composed in the 25th regnal year of king Ravi Kulasekhara (thus dating the coronation of Ravi Kulasekhara in 844/45 AD).[26]
"Capapravista guru sauri samatva kalam
Yamyottaram gamanamantaratah pramanam
Acaksvya sarvamavagamya bhatoktamargad
Ityuktavan ravirasena nrpabhivandya."
"Tada pancavimsati Varsanyatitani devasya."
Chapter VII, Laghubhaskariyavyakha
- Meeting of Guru (=Jupiter) and Sauri (=Saturn) in Capa (Dhanu) = 25th regnal year of the king. In the 9th century AD, these Jupiter and Saturn came to Dhanu Rasi simultaneously only in 869 AD.[41]
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References
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