The Royal King of Rashtrakuta

 Preface

This is an attempt to write a historical story drawing inspiration from many movies. Although, the names and characters are lifted directly from History, this story is totally fictitious and came out of my imagination. No intention of distortion or mis-representation of the facts.                                                 

Credits

I would like to thank and dedicate this to my Son (Karthik) who has been the reason for the idea of writing and encouraging my narrative abilities to put down as a story. He has also done proof reading.

Prologue 

It was early 10th Century and the great Rashtrakuta Dynasty was already established by the Great King Dantidurga from 8th Century to 10th Century CE in South India. Dantidurga was followed by Krishnaraja and later by Dhruva Dharavarsha.

Govinda III succeeded his father Dhruva through a family feud but proved one of the most powerful emperor of the Rashtrakutas. He expanded his kingdom from Kannauj to Cape Comorin (now Kanyakumari) and from East of India from Banaras, Bengal etc to West of India, mainly Gujarat territories.   He has defeated the Pallava King Dantivarman, Cholas, Pandyas and also Vishnuvardhdan IV of Vengi. They admitted his subjugation and continued as a feudatory of the Rashtrakuta King by paying him time to time.

This is a story about one of the supreme, magnificent Rashtrakuta King, and his glorious rule (64 years) - the Great King Sharva also popularly known as Amoghavarsha I (814-878 CE).

Chapter 1 - The Birth of Sharva

Govinda, after his triumph, is overwhelmed on the successful campaign in North India. He called for the Darbar (Council of Ministers) meeting.

Maharaja Govinda: Hail Mahamantri, Kuta Raskhakas, Rashtrapatis I am happy on our success. Now that we are successful, begin our preparations to return to the palace in Capital City - Mayurkhandi. 

The Council has started the preparations.

In the Palace, Queen Rani Somadevi was excited on hearing the news of the glorious victory of the Raja. She ordered the court-man Narasimha to be present.

Rani Somadevi: Narasimha, make preparations. We will see the Raja on the way. I cannot wait to meet and greet his majesty and give him the news.

Narasimha: Maha Rani, please forgive me. I am afraid I cannot take your orders. You know the situation. The court medic has asked you to not travel in 9th month of pregnancy. What if the Maharaja comes to know of this, please excuse me.

Rani Somadevi: Narasimha, how dare to oppose me. Obey my orders and start the preparations at once.

Narasimha: Okay my lady.

And soon the Queen along with a team of medics, woman assistants headed by her personal assistant Vaasanthi started their journey to Ujjain from Bidar. 

The King Govinda, along with his Council, Soldiers, Sipahis, Cavalry, started from Ujjain to Bidar.

On the second day of journey, the Queen suddenly started labour pains.

Vaasanthi : Stop Stop. Please stop the Palanquin. Our Maharani developed pains. We should halt immediately and stay at the Palace at Hampi. 

And so, they moved towards the Palace of Hampi. The Queen was immediately monitored and supervised by the medics. She had struggled all through for 3 hours and then everybody around were overwhelmed with the sound of tiny cries.

Vaasanthi: Jaya Ho Yuvaraja..A Yuvaraja (Prince) is born. The future King of Rashtrakuta dynasty is born.

The Hampi Palace was full of celebrations. Sweets, Gold, Silk Sarees were distributed.

Rani Somadevi : Vaasanthi, immediately send a messenger to the Raja and share the joyful news. I want to meet the Raja here at the earliest. His Majesty should be part of this joy and celebration as we waited so long for the happy moment.

A messenger was sent to Raja Govinda. Maharaja, on hearing the news was joyous and extremely happy. Soon celebrations started all the way he travelled from Ujjain to Hampi. The Maharaja's grand convoy reached the Hampi Palace.

The Maharaja was super excited to meet the heir of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. 

Raja Govinda: Rani, how are you doing? How is my little lion cub.

Rani Somadevi: Maharaja, auspicious time is going for the dynasty. You have succeeded the North of Bharata and also we have an heir of the Rashtrakutas. We should celebrate the victory and naming ceremony of our son. 

Raja Govinda: You are right Rani Soma. We will check on the auspicious dates with our palace Guru Kasyapasiva.

Raja Govinda ordered the aantharangika (palace servant) and asked for the Guru Kasyapasiva.

Soon, grand celebrations for a week were planned. The entire region in and around Bidar was full of celebrations. Food, Gold, Land, Clothes were distributed to all. A lavish, grand feast was organized to the entire royal family for the naming ceremony of the yuvaraja under the guidance of Guruji Kasyapasiva. A golden plate is filled with rice and the Maharaja Govinda has to right the name of the Yuvaraja with his ring on the plate filled with rice. All are eagerly waiting for the King.

Maharaja Govinda has to first write the name on the plate, feed the baby with a drop of honey and whisper his name into the ears of the child three times. Then the other elders in the family will bless the child. 

Maharaja Govinda has written the name : Sharva on the plate and whispered the name three times in the ears of the baby. Soon, the Raajamaata (grandmother), Dhanavardhini who is a widow to the late King Dhruva Dharavarsha was handed the baby. She blessed the baby boy with all her heart. 

After the rituals, 

Maharaja Govinda: Guruji, please have a look at the janma kundali (horoscope) of my dear son and future king. Please let us know if any Shanti homam (Peace pooja) has to be performed. 

Guru Kasyapasiva: Maharaja sure. The janma nakshtatra of the yuvaraja is Punarvasu which of the lord Srirama himself. He will be next best Kind of the Rashtrakuta dynasty please be assured.

Upon hearing this, Raja was so very pleased and took the blessings of the Guru and felicitated him with the best. Later, the entire public was invited to the Capital hall where a stage drama, harikatha, dance and other cultural events were organized. People were provided food and also they were able to have a glance of the Yuvaraja Sharva. People enjoyed the events, grand lunch and blessed the boy and returned homes happy.

Thus, the celebrations of the birth of the Prince Sharva continued for 1 long week.

Chapter - 2 - The ascent to throne