Rama Rajasekhara

For title used by Chera rulers, see Perumal (disambiguation).

Rama Rajasekhara
Sri Raja Rajadhiraja
Parameswara Bhattaraka
"Rajashekhara" Deva
Peruman Adigal
Depiction of "Cherman Perumal" Nayanar (who is generally identified with Rajasekhara) in Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur
Ruler of Chera Perumal Kingdom[1]
Reign870/71–c. 883/84 AD
PredecessorSthanu Ravi Kulasekhara
SuccessorVijayaraga
Names
Rama Rajashekhara[1]
Regnal name
Rajasekhara
HouseChera Perumals of Makotai
ReligionHinduism (Shaiva)
GranthaRama Rajasekhara's signature

Rama Rajasekhara (fl. 870/71 – c. 883/84 AD[2]) was a Chera Perumal ruler of medieval Kerala, south India.[3][4][5] Rajasekhara is usually identified by historians with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, the venerated Shaiva (Nayanar) poet-musician of the Bhakti tradition.[5][3][1]

Rajasekhara presumably succeeded Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara around 870 AD.[2][6] "Tripuradahana" and "Saurikathodaya", Yamaka poems by Vasubhatta, were composed under the patronage of Rajasekhara.[7] Two temple records, from Kurumattur, Areacode and Thiruvatruvay, Vazhappally, mention king Rajasekhara.[2] The former contain the only available "prasasti" of a Chera Perumal ruler of Kerala.[8][2]

Rama Rajasehara probably abdicated the throne toward the end of his reign and became a Shaiva nayanar known as Cheraman Perumal Nayanar.[2] He was succeeded by Vijayaraga (fl. c. 883/84-c.895 AD).[2]

  1. ^ a b c Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumals of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 64–65.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Devadevan, Manu (2014). "Changes in Land Relations during the Decline of the Cera State". In V., Kesavan; Davis Jr., D. R. (eds.). Irreverent History: Essays In Honour Of M. G. S. Narayanan. New Delhi: Primus Books. pp. 58 and 74–75.
  3. ^ a b Karashima, Noburu (2014). "States in the Deccan and Kerala". A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. Oxford University Press. pp. 145–47.
  4. ^ Narayanan, M. G. S. (2013) [1972]. Perumals of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks. pp. 64–66, 88–95 and 107.
  5. ^ a b Veluthat, Kesavan (2017). "The Temple and the State in Medieval South India". Studies in People's History. 4 (1): 15–23. doi:10.1177/2348448917693729. S2CID 158422635.
  6. ^ Veluthat, Kesavan (2004). "Mahodayapuram-Kodungallur". South Indian Horizons. École française d'Extrême-Orient. pp. 471–85.
  7. ^ Unni, N. P. (1965). "Kulasekhara Varman - His Date and Identity". Kulasekhara Varman and his Works. University of Kerala. pp. 16–20. hdl:10603/175255.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).