Parivrajaka Family

Written by Alok Mohan on October 20, 2022. Posted in Uncategorized

The kings of Parivrajaka dynasty, were feudatories of Gupta empire and ruled central India during 5th and 6th centuries. They bore the title Maharaja The details of this dynasty are evident from the inscriptions of Hastin and Samkshobha.
Most of the kings of this dynasity ruled the forest region.
Inscription number 36.
Bhumara Pillar Inscrlption of Hastin and Sarvanatha.
Provenance: Bhumara, in former Nagaudh state, Satna district.
Madhya Pradesh.
Script: Brahmi, Northern class.
Language: Sanskrit.
References: Cunningham, A S.I. Reports, IX 1879, pp.16,
No.9, Fleet, CI,I, III, pp.110-12; D.C. Sircar, Ep.Ind. XXXIII, pp.167-72.

Footnote-1
The Parivrajaka king Hastin is known from his charters issued in the Gupta years 156(475 A.D.) 163(482 AD.)
170 (489 A.D.) 191) 510 A.D.) and 198 ( 517 A.D.) while the known dates of the Uchchakalpa king Sarvanatha are
the Gupta years 191 (510 A.D.), 193 (512 A D.). 197 (516 A.D.)and 214 (533 A. D.).
Both the kings must have been contemporaries for a brief period before and after 510 A.D. To this period the present inscription has to be assigned. A difficulty is created by the reference in the inscription to the existence of two independent rulers of different dynasties, one ruling over the Rajya kingdom, the other over a bhoga or a district, within it. To overcome this
difficulty, cunningham amended the word vala-yashti to valaya-yashti. interpreted the key phrase as, ” this
boundary pillar was set up” between the territories of the two rajas. But the text is clear that the vala-yashti
was erected in sarvanatha’s bhoga located within the rajya of Hastin. Sircar’s interpretation is more
convincing. Sarvanatha, owned a bhoga, i.e. a fief or a Jagir, perhaps received as dowry, within the dominions
of Hastin.
He quotes Ep.Ind. XXXIII, pp.170) the well- known story according to which Kasi-grama or Kasi-nigama
was gi ven as dowry by Mahakosala, the king of Kosala to his daughter Kosaladevi, when she married Bimbisara of Magadha, and it remained in his Possession till his death,
when it was resumed by Prasenajit the son of Mahakosala, and was again given by him to Ajatasatru of Magadha as dowry of his daughter vajra. Sircar takes vala-yashti in the sense of bala-yashti, i.e. a strong pillar. In the absence of a better interpretation, I have adopted the same.
He thinks, this was a memorial pillar, raised in memory of some dead relative and cites the words,
स्व – पुण्याप्या यनार्थ यश : कीत्र्ति प्रवर्धमान गोत्र शैलिका बलयष्टि : प्रतिष्ठा पिता वर्ग ग्रामिवेर्गा

From the supia Pillar Inscription
of the reign of skandagupta and dated in the year 141
(=460 A.D.), also discovered from the Bhumara region( Supra II, 28)
1. From the facsimile in Ep.Ind., XXXIII, Pl.- XV-A, pp.112.
2. Fleet: इन्दन

English Translation of the inscription.
English Translation

In Ambloda, in the kingdom of Maharaja Hastin, who meditates on the feet of Mahadeva and in the bhoga
(fief) of sarvanatha, ( this) strong pillar was erected by sivadasa, the son of the village headman Vasu, and the grandson of Indana, on the 19th day of the month of Karttika in the
Maha-Magha year.
Footnote-2.

The date is given in the Mahamegha year of the Jupiter’s twelve-year cycle. The year has been variously taken
as corresponding to the Gupta years 165 (484 A.D.), 189 (508 A.D.) and 201 (520 A.D.) (See Bhandarkar’s
List, No.1661). Among these 189 (508 A.D.), being nearest to 510 A.D. may be taken as the year under reference.

The term “Parivrajaka” means a wandering ascetic. The family came from a lineage Brahmins of Bharadvaja gotra.
They may have been wandering ascetics or this term, may just be a reference to the then tradition, wherein kings abdicating their thrones in old age, were becoming wandering ascetics, in accordance with ashram system.The term, Parivrajaka, is important to Hindus, who leave their homes for the sake of god realization.
Parivrajaka is a life style wherein the seeker forsakes attachments in spiritual pursuits on his own.
Damodara was a charitable king, and used to donate cows, horses, elephants, gold and land to brahmins. Maharaja Hastin, the son of Damodara, is also known for his initiatives in charity work. He had actively participated in Guptas’ war against Hunas.

Alok Mohan

The admin, Alok Mohan, is a graduate mechanical engineer & possess following post graduate specializations:- M Tech Mechanical Engineering Production Engineering Marine engineering Aeronautical Engineering Computer Sciences Software Engineering Specialization He has authored several articles/papers, which are published in various websites & books. Studium Press India Ltd has published one of his latest contributions “Standardization of Education” as a senior author in a book along with many other famous writers of international repute. Alok Mohan has held important positions in both Govt & Private organisations as a Senior professional & as an Engineer & possess close to four decades accomplished experience. As an aeronautical engineer, he ensured accident incident free flying. As leader of indian team during early 1990s, he had successfully ensured smooth induction of Chukar III PTA with Indian navy as well as conduct of operational training. As an aeronautical engineer, he was instrumental in establishing major aircraft maintenance & repair facilities. He is a QMS, EMS & HSE consultant. He provides consultancy to business organisations for implimentation of the requirements of ISO 45001 OH & S, ISO 14001 EMS & ISO 9001 QMS, AS 9100, AS9120 Aero Space Standards. He is a qualified ISO 9001 QMS, ISO 14001 EMS, ISO 45001 OH & S Lead Auditor (CQI/IRCA recognised certification courses) & HSE Consultant. He is a qualified Zed Master Trainer & Zed Assessor. He has thorough knowledge of six sigma quality concepts & has also been awarded industry 4, certificate from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation Knowledge Hub Training Platform  He is a Trainer, a Counselor, an Advisor and a Competent professional of cross functional exposures. He has successfully implimented requirements of various international management system standards in several organizations. He is a dedicated technocrat with expertise in Quality Assurance & Quality Control, Facility Management, General Administration, Marketing, Security, Training, Administration etc. He is a graduate mechanical engineer with specialization in aeronautical engineering. He is always eager to be involved in imparting training, implementing new ideas and improving existing processes by utilizing his vast experience.