Sunday, November 22, 2015

Gangaikonda Cholapuram – In Literatures

Gangaikonda Cholapuram – In Literatures
A number of literary works in both Tamil and Sanskrit refer to Gangaikondacholapuram and its temple.
Thiruvisaipa
The sacred hymns (Thiruvisaippppa) composed on the presiding deity of Gangaikonda Cholisvaram by Karuvur Devar, is the earliest work to refer to this great temple. Karuvur Devar, a Brahmin by birth, hailed from Karuvur the modern Karur in Trichy District. He was a great devotee of Siva and is believed to be a Siddha. He has composed devotional hymns on ten temples among which are included the Rajarajesvara temple of Thanjavur and the temple of Gangaikondacholapuram.
Karuvur Devar was a contemporary of Rajaraja I and his son Rajendra I, the builder of Gangaikonda Cholisvaram. Thiru-Isaippa is a particular type of poetic composition in Tamil. The ten hymns of Karuvur Devar and similar hymns of a few other Saivite saints have been Devar’s address to the deity of Gangaikonda Cholisvaram, is soul-stirring poetry that ought to be read in its original. 'People in large numbers from far and near throng to the temple of Gangaikonda Cholisvaram adoring the deity with folded arms' says Karuvur Devar. Siva as Gangadhara also comes in for special praise.
Vikramankadevacharita
The historical work, Vikramankadevacharita in Sanskrit on Chalukya Vikramaditya, by Bilhana throws valuable light on the relationship between the Chalukyas of Kalyan and the Cholas and incidentally refers to Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Bilhana, the poet, was born of a Brahmin family and hailed from Kashmir. He was born and brought up in Khonamushagrama in jayavana-highland of Kashmir. His father was Jyeshtakalasa and mother Nagadevi.
Bilhana attained distinction in Vedic learning, Sanskrit poetry (Kavya) and Patanjali's mahabhashya (grammar). He left Kashmir in pursuit of fortunes and went to Mathura, Brindhavana, and Kasi. From there he went to Dhara the capital of Bhoja, but before he could reach Dhara, Bhoja the great patron of Sanskrit learning passed away. Disappointed Bilhana went to Gurjaradesa, where he could meet only envious poets, Bilhana left Gurjara and went on a pilgrimage to Ramesvara in the south and on his way back was fortunate enough to visit the Chalukya capital.
Vikramaditya the Chalukya contemporary of Virarajendra Chola and Kulottunga immediately appointed Bihana as his court poet (Vidyapathi). Vikramankadeva Charita describes the exploits of Vikramaditya in eighteen chapters. It is needless to go into the details of the work. According to the work, Virarajendra Chola, the third son of Rajendra I, gave his daughter in marriage to Vikramaditya after affecting a truce with him, Possibly the marriage took place on the banks of Tungabhadra.
Virarajendra returned to his capital and soon after passed away. This plunged the Chola country into chaos. Vikramaditya had decided to place Virarajendra son, Adhirajendra on the Chola throne. Vikrama swiftly marched to Kanchi and spent some days there subduing some opponents. From there he turned his eyes on Gangaikonda (Gangaikonda Cholapuram) which abounded in wealth and learned men. The city was beautiful with lofty towers and resembled the veritable abode of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. It truly resembled Amaravathi the capital of the celestials. Vikramaditya crowned Adhirajendra, the Chola prince after defeating the enemies. He spent about a month there and returned to the banks of Tungabhadra, after subduing the forest archers (probably the Vettuars). But within a few days, the Chola prince was killed by his opposing subjects (Prakritvirodhana) and the seat was occupied by Rajiga, the Vengi ruler (Rajendra Kulottunga).
The above account of Bilhana gives the state of affairs at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the visit of Vikramaditya to that city. Scholars differ on the death of Adhirajendra. Sadasiva Pandarathar, who has written an excellent account of Chola history in Tamil, points out an inscription of Adhirajendra died due to illness and was not killed by his subjects. Probably Adhirajendra's weakness and the opposition he met from his generals, proved fatal to his life. Vikramaditya, wanted to punish the evil doers. But Kulottunga who by that time was firmly in Chola throne, fomented trouble, by instigating Vikrama's brother Somesvara to attack him from behind. Though Vikrama was successful in defeating his brother and is credited with a success against Kanchi, he never set foot on Gangaikonda Cholapuram again.
Kulottunga was strong enough to fall his attempts and was ably assisted by the experienced Chola Generals. Bilhana's Vikramanka deva Charita is said to have been composed in 1805 A.D.
Kalingattuparani
The Kalingattuparani a most fascinating historical work in Tamil literature, was composed by Jayankondar, to celebrate the conquest of Kalinga by Kulottunga I. Jayankondar adorned the court of Kulottunga I as his court poet and composed the work, Kalingattup parani towards the end of Kulottunga's reign. The work celebrates the exploits of Kulottunga from his childhood and the greatness of his general Karunakara Tondaiman, who headed the victorious Chola army on its Kalinga expedition.
From Kalingattup parani, it may be seen that Kulottunga was born and brought up at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. He was also made a crown prince at that city. The city is referred to as Gangapuri.
No detailed description of the city is however met with in the poem. Jayankondar, the poet hailed from Dipangudi and was recognised as an eminent poet (Kavichanditan) by his contemporaries.
Muvar Ula
Ottakuttar another eminent Tamil poet adorned the courts of three successive Chola emperors, Vikrama chola, Kulottunga II and Rajaraja II. He has composed three quasi-historical works, (Ulas), one on each of the above rulers. These works, Vikrama Cholan ula, Kulottunga Cholan Ula and Rajarajan Ula, are probably called Muvar Ula, and are known for their high literary accomplishments. Each poem gives a brief summary of the Chola history beginning with the mythical ancestors and details the exploits of the hero. Gangaikonda Cholapuram is referred to by name in Kulottunga Cholan Ula. The poet says that all the fourteen worlds were struck by the beauty and wealth of the capital.

The Rajaraja Cholan Ula describes the palace, entrance towers, palacial buildings, streets, pavilions, (mandapas), temples, chuligas, toranas, beautiful windows, pials (Terris), madas, dance halls etc. that adorned the capital.