The early rulers of the dynasty migrated from eastern deccan to the west deccan in search of employment however subsequently, they attained feudatory status. During the reign of Madhava Varma, Vishnukundin became independent and conquered coastal Andhra from the Salankayanas and established his capital at Denduluru, near Eluru. The dynasty had initially ruled from Indrapalanagara and later shifted to Denduluru, and Amaravati. Vishnukundin empire was divided into a number of Karma Rashtra, Rashtras, Guddadi, Vishaya etc. All disputes were sent to the highest court of justice headed by the king. Vishnukundina rulers had established several well documented punishments for various crimes. Vishnukundin kings were known for their impartial judgment and high sense of justice.
Inscription number 49.
Ipur Plates of Madhavavarman 1, son of Devavarman. Provenance: In the possession of Brindavanam Gopalacharlu of Ipur, Tenali taluk, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Script: Early southern type of Brahmi. Language: Sanskrit. References: E. Hultzsch, Ep.Ind, XVII, pp.337-39. (For Vishnukundin genealogy, see in Infra, IV, 50, n.1.) Footnote 1. From the facsimile in Ep.Ind, XVI, facing pp.338. 2. Malaya is the same as the western Ghats. Note that Devavarman is not given any royal title. He may not have ruled. 3. Sriparvata is the same as modern srisailam in Kurnul district. 4. Hultzschs: मुरो – क – कि-ग्रामे Footnote-2. 1. Hultzch: राज-ध्यानोदात्ता 2. Expressed by the spiral symbol. वा is an an abbreviation for वासा a Prakritised form of वाप or may stand for वार्ष: पक्ष:. or वासन्त: पक्ष: 3. The seal impression in the Ep.Ind. XVII is illegible 4. The reading given above is produced from Hultzsch. English Translation of the inscription. Hail ! ! From Amarapura, the dear grandson of the illustrious Maharaja Madhavavarman, who had shaken off the sins of the world by ritual baths at the end of eleven horse sacrifices, who had performed a thousand agnistoma Sacrifices, whose pair of lotus-like feet was studded with the jewels of the crest of the diadems of many bowing vassals, the dear son of illlustrious Devavarman. whose matchless renowned valour started with an attack on kshatriyas, the glorious Madhavavarman, the lord of the Trikuta and Malaya (mountains) who is endowed with statesmanship, modesty and stamina, who meditates on the feet of the holy lord of Sriparvata and who belongs to the family of Vishnukundins. commands as follows, the people at the village of Murodyakadriki. We have granted ths village Murodyakadriki to Agnisarman and Indrasarman who are rich in the Performance of self restraint, Yama the obligatory rituals, myama, the study of sacred texts and Sacrifices. knowing thus this village be exempted by the district officials janapadaih and caused to be exempted by others. The execution of this charter was obtained from the mouth of the vishnukundin sovereign. The year 47, the 7th day of the 7th fortnight of the rainy season (or spring season) Om ! Here follow two of the customary verses. Seal: The illustrious Madhavavaman. Footnote. Yama and niyama are the first two of the eight steps or stages of yoga, the last stage being samadhi or ultimate communion with God. Serially the eight steps are Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara dharama dhyana, samadhi.
