Essay name: Vasantavilasa of Balachandra Suri (translation and study)
Author:
R. T. Bhat
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
This is a study and English Translation of the Vasantavilasa鈥攁n historical epic poem written by Balachandra Suri that explores the life and achievements of Vastupala, a minister of the Chaulukya dynasty in 13th century Gujarat. The thesis is organized into three parts, covering the historical context of the Caulukya dynasty, Vastupala's accomplishments, and a literary analysis of Vasantavilasa's 14 cantos.
Chapter 3 - Historical account of Vastupala and his achievements
8 (of 55)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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86
B) Vastupala - A great Patron Of Literature And Art And
A Man Of Letters
As can be seen from previous pages, Vastupala and Tejap膩la wielded
great influence at the courts of Dhavalakka and A峁嘺hilava岣�, and they
consolidated the state of Gujarat politically as well as economically. But they
are more remembered for cultural activities inspired by their splendid
munificence. They brought a cultural renaissance in Gujarat, such as would
remind one of the days of great savant Hemacandra, and which vied with the
cultural glories of Malva under kings Mu帽ja and Bhoja.
38 According to the Prabandhas, Vastupala had made thirteen pilgrimages
to Mt. Satrunjaya and Girnar. In childhood he went to both the places with his
father A艣var膩ja, who was a Sanghapari or a leader of pilgrims caravan. After
becoming minister he led the Sanghas more than once, and undertook the
pilgrimage to Satru帽jaya and Girnar five times. He also went to Satrunjaya
only with his family in the years A.D. 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231, 1232 and
1223 The last pilgrimage, which he desired to make, to 艢atru帽jaya, but
could not complete owing to his death on the way, was begun in 1240 A.D.,
and has been poetically described by Balacandra Suri in the Vasantavil膩sa
Mah膩k膩vya.39 The pilgrimage which he did in 1221 A.D. was probably the
most important one, as it is the only pilgrimage repeatedly mentioned in the
Girnar inscriptions and presumably the same one is described with remarkable
accuracy and poetic skill in contemporary works like the Kirtikaumudi, the
Sukrtasankirthana, and the Dharmabhyudaya.
