A THREAD detailing the daily routine of Hindu emperors of the past during peace time. Once we are done through with the thread, one will realize what a contrast the present day secular state is to the Hindu Samrajyas of the past. As to how far we've moved away from tradition (1)

As an example we'll have a look at the life of Vijayanagara samrat Vira Narasimharaya. He was the elder brother of the great Shri Krishnadevaraya. Each aspect of Narasimharaya's life has been chronicled in detail in the Raayavacakam (2)
The day of Narasimharaya started with him waking up during the auspicious Brahma muhurta time (between 4:30 am to 6 am). First thing in the morning he'd listen to reading of books both on Dharma & statecraft. He'd then proceed to look at his own reflection in the mirror (3)
He'd then proceed to the gau-shala & touch a cow to seek her blessings. This is followed by performing of daily ablutions. He'd then put the the urdhva pundra (tilak) on his forehead. Before proceeding to the audience hall, he'd have a darshan of learned Brahmanas. (4)
While seated on the throne in the audience hall, the very first thing Narasimharaya would receive is the tirtha and the prasada of 108 Vishnu temples (divya desams), the sacred vibhuti, sandal paste and prasada of the 72 Shiva temples of the empire. (5)
Narasimharaya would receive the tirtha & prasada with great respect. He'd then request the Iyengars(Vaishnavas) & Aradhyas(Shaivas) to take their respective positions in the court. (6)
Narasimharaya would then go on to inquire from the Vaishnavas the state of functioning of 8 of the most important Vaishnava temples at Srirangam, Srimushnam, Venkatachalam (Tirumala), Saligramam, Thothadri, Naimisaranyam, Pushkarakshetram & Badarikashramam. (7)
The inquiry would include knowing from the Vaishnavas if the officials (mudrakarta) of all the Temples are conducting the worship of the deity without any deficiency; and the daily festivals are being celebrated properly in all the 108 Divya Desams (8)
Similarly Narasimharaya would inquire from the Shaivas the state of functioning of all 72 Shiva Temples, including the most auspicious Panchabhoota temples i.e. Ekamranatha(Kanchi), Jambunatha(Thiruvanaikaval), Arunachaleswara(Tiruvannamalai), Kalahastisvara & Chidambaresvara (9)
Narasimharaya would also inquire about the state of functioning of the 18 Shaktipeetas from the Aradhyas. To know if they received their proper allowances; and
that the daily festivals were being celebrated regularly. (10)
Narasimharaya would then present the Vaishnavas & Shaivas with Tambula following which they'd take leave of the audience. Next the king would summon Dharmasanam Dharmayya, a minister to inquire on the state of the Agraharas(dwellings) in each of the major regions.. (11)
In Andhra, Hoysala, Morasunad, Melnad, Karnataka, Ghattasimha, Chera, Chola, Magadha, Pandya & Malaya. The inquiry would mainly be regarding Brahmanas & their well being. That if they are performing their daily rites; learning the 4 Vedas, 6 Shastras etc (12)
Samrat Narasimharaya would then summon the Dandanayakas (Army commanders) to inquire from them the state of security of the all the durgas (forts). The Dandanayaka would present a report on security arrangements on all the different types of forts (13)
Different forts : giri-durgas, sthala-durgas, jala-durgas and vana-durgas. Satisfied with the state of security at the forts, the Dandanayaka would then call for the chief Talaari (Watchman) of the capital city (Vijayanagara). The Talaari would present his report (14)
The talaari during the reign of Narasimharaya was a person by the name Jangamayya. He'd then report to the Dandanayaka the general state of affairs of the citizens of Vijayanagara city. (15)
The Talaari's report would go like this :

"The talaaris are always actively vigilant in watching
Vidyanagara and its outer suburbs day and night. Therefore,
the people of the eighteen castes (who inhabit the city) are
enjoying happiness and great prosperity" (16)
The Dandanayaka would in turn report this information to Narasimharaya. Next in line to report to the king are the 9 Sampratis(accountants) who present to the king an account of the 18 ports of the empire. (17)
The account would usually involve reading of letters & other dispatches that came to Vijayanagara from different places.
When that was over, he'd summoned his ministers & Dalapati (Commander in the military) and took counsel with them privately for sometime. (18)
The king would follow this up with a Durbar where a variety of folks would be invited to participate. They are :

72 niyogas, palaiyagars (military governers), amaranayakas (nobles), purohits, acharyas, jiyangars, jyothishyas, Vaidyanathas(physicians), cavaliers, mahuts (19)
Police officers, tributary chiefs, Vaitalikas (bards), Vaijjaniks(scientists), Vainikas( Veena players), Gayakas(singers), playwrights, well wishers & a lot more. The king would give all of them an audience. (20)
For anyone who is interest to know more about the lives of Vijayanagara emperors in detail, the book is called Further sources of Vijayanagara history by Nilakanta Sastri.

/end

More from Ugra

More from Religion

Tripundra Dhaaran - Paapa Vimukti

Our generations are fascinated about Tripundram being just a religious symbol. There are in depth meanings of such a Tilak on a Seeker's Forehead


The very first mistake is the way it is applied.

Tripund isn't applied with dry Bhasm, it should be made wet and then applied in a prescribed manner with proper use of fingers and direction of application. Bhasm is collected from various sources


The most important ones mentioned in upanishats are 1. Yagnya Kund Bhasm 2. Bhasm made from Cow's Dung alone. A special agnihotram was perform to save the Bhasma after that for Dhaarana. A major mantra while applying bhasm is Mrutyunjaya Mantra


Dwijas have a very long process of applying the Tripundram along with their Sandhyavandanam. For commoners there are some basic rules people have to follow while applying Bhasm


Bhasm Applied in Morning - Should be mixed with water and applied
Bhasm Applied during Afternoon - Should be mixed with Chandan and Applied
Bhasm Applied during and after Pradosh - Should be applied Dry as such
#BookExcerpts #Venkateshwara #Balaji

I will write a 3 part thread series with some interesting points from this book.

Part-1 : History of Tirumala & Venkateshwara Swamy
Part-2: Rituals & Prasada Procedure
Part-3: Historical records

Part-1 thread below

1/


Venkatachala Hill

Maha Vishnu wished for the mountain Krida / Krida Parvatham / Kridhachalam from Vaikunta to be brought to the earth for his avataram.

This was brought to earth by Garuda and Ananta & placed it on banks of river Swarna Mukhi

2/


This is where current Tirumala temple is located. The fact that this was transported from Vaikunta is apparently a scientifically proven fact.

The scientific dating of the sedimentary rocks have confirmed the date to be around 120 million years ago..

3/

This timeline coincides with Swayambhu Manu manvanthara of the Sweta Varaha Kalpa which is the time when Swamy descended on earth in the form of Venkateshwara Swamy.

From a survey of flora and fauna, they have found rare species of plants & animals like golden gecko..

4/

that are exclusive to this hill range only and not found anywhere else in the world.

Tirumala hills are a range of 7 hills
1. Seshachala
2. Vedachala
3. Garudachala
4. Anjanachala
5. Vrishabhachala
6. Narayanachala
7. Venkatachala --> Where temple is present

5/

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