1838.] Account of the Chola-rajas. 511 



was expended and every possible method taken, yet the chasm still swal- 

 lowed up the Caveri as before. The king resided eight years in the 

 neighbourhood ; the better to superintend the work. A rishi, living near, 

 told the king, that his labour was in vain, seeing that for some cause the 

 chacra of Vishnu had entered the earth there, and by consequence the 

 remedy was that either some enlightened king, or else some virtuous 

 rishi (or ascetic), must enter the chasm, and be seated beneath on the 

 chacra, when the gulph would close. The king took leave and returned 

 to his town ; where he assembled his council and declared what he 

 learned. After many donations, he proceeded in state, with the intention 

 of casting himself into the chasm. The minister told the rishi, that if 

 the king plunged into it, the same would be dishonor ; but that if he 

 (the rishi J entered, it would be to him lasting fame. The rishi accord- 

 ingly entered the chasm which immediately closed. A fane was built on 

 the spot called Tiruvala anchur, (or the sacred whirlpool turning to the 

 right "hand.) The king and his suite returned to the palace; where he 

 prosperously ruled, but the Caveri now did damage, by overflowing its 

 banks ; and the king went to the wilderness, and did penance six years, 

 on that account ; when Siva, sent a shower of mud, which raised the 

 embankment, and kept the river within its proper channel. 



A certain chief by the favor of Rang a Svami (Vishnu) built the 

 fane of Sri Ranga, with the spoils which he had plundered from the 

 people even to the extent of snatching away the tali, or sacred token of 

 marriage. Many laborers were employed, and a great balance remain- 

 ed due to them, which the said chief had not the power to defray. He 

 in consequence inveigled them all into a boat, promising to pay them 

 in the middle of a branch of the Caveri ; and, when there, he upset the 

 boat, and they all perished ; but as this was a sacrifice to Ranga Svami, 

 all the laborers so sacrificed obtained beatification. Hence the spot ac- 

 quired the name of Colidam (corrupted into Coleroon*). 



The king, expending a great deal of money, had the Caveri conduct- 

 ed to the westward of Combaconum, and opened channels for irrigation 

 to a great extent around ; effecting a communication between the Caveri 

 and Coleroon rivers. Of the additional produce so obtained, he took 

 l-6th, and gave the rest to the people. At Combaconum he built many 

 fanes and prosperously ruled. His reign lasted 70 years. He had no 

 son ; but his wife was three months pregnant. The Pandiyan took ad- 

 vantage of this time to attack the kingdom, and the aforesaid (hola 

 king being worsted, took refuge with Cumbhesvarer, and did penance in 



* This is a current tradition as to the origin of the name of the Coleroon ; the 

 meaning of Colidam is " the place of slaughter." 

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