The City with its huge ramparts, placid lakes ,well laid gardens, of beautiful ,
colourful and sweet smelling flowers presented a paradise on earth. The bowers on
the banks of the perennial river Godhavari were places struck with Cupids arrows
frequented with young lovers. Cultural festivals like Madana poornima were performed
during (springtime) vasantha ruthu. The environment was lush green and no trees
were unnecessarily cut to make a living place. The forests were dense and forest
products like firewood, herbs and honey were collected. Huge peepul trees provided
shade for the travellers, resting place for animals and nesting place for birds.Under
these huge trees, Naga devathas (serpent Gods) were installed usually according
to Vedic rights- Neem Tees were also planted beside the peepul trees and marriages
were performed to them as if they were humans. Such was the early religion which
considered the trees as sacred. No sacred tree can be cut or its barks sheared.The
neem tree (margosa) provided healthy air- Its resin and oil were natural disinfectants.
It was a custom to hang a bunch of neem leaves on the doorsteps, cautioning that
a child in their house was afflicted with small pox.The jammy tree is considered
as sacred to the Vysya community. Only after performing pooja to the jammy tree
the procession of the deity commences, which is known as parveta.
In any country peace cannot prevail for all time to come. The peace was disturbed
by the arrival of the great Challukya King Vishnuvardhan. It was not his intention
to do so, but destiny guided him. He was a great King and overlord of Penugonda.
History says that Kings however powerful they are, cannot take it for granted that
all is well in the far distant corners of their Kingdom. The King has to visit his
domain with an army to strengthen his authority.
During such times the King will be offered plenty of gold ornaments and rare things
like ivory and sandalwood carvings, king Vishnuvardhan appointed his heir apparent
Narendra to take charge of his state during his absence at Rajamahendravaram. The
King going round his country with an able army is called Vijaya yatra.Vishruvardhan
according to his schedule went far south and established his rights by getting
his sanmanam.
There was no resistance to his authority and gifts galore were being carried back
to his capital- Vishnuvardhan was returning triumphantly to Rajamahendravaram.
On his way he reached the outskirts of Penugonda. The beautiful gardens, the lovely
trees providing shade and cover to his tired army, cool waters of Godhavari and
the salubrious climate goaded him to pitch his camp there. From his tent he saw
the huge ramparts of Penugonda and the gates manned by a small pack of well trained
scouts and no militia. He was able to judge the prosperity of the land and the peace
prevailing there. Since he was regularly getting his dues, he never thought of establishing
another contact.
Meanwhile when Kusumareshti came to know the arrival of King Vishnuvardhan through
his net work of informants, he hurried to greet the king with his retinue of servants
officials, food and fruits, spices and water. After exchanging salutations and adhithi
sathkara he invited the King to visit the Shrine of Lord Nagareswara and accept
a banquet in honour of his visit. As an ardent follower of Lord Shiva, he readily
accepted to have the darshan of the presiding deity of the city and the hospitality
of the Trading Vysya community. The city was decorated with flags and festoons.
Fully grown plantain trees with bunches of unripe fruits were tied to pillars and
tender coconuts in bunches were hung along with lender white coconut leaves cut
in flower patterns.The King entered the city escorted by Vysya nobles and retinue
of servants to the accompaniment of Nadhaswara music. The people looked at him with
awe and reverence
His broad shoulders were bedecked with royal insignia of challukyas shining yellow
with pearl strings flowing. His head gear of gold and silk embedded with precious
stones of bright colours stone in the bright sun of the morning. He was walking
like a bull elephant. His hawkish eyes and big moustache instilled fear unto the
onlookers. The royal lion of a man prayed before the lord Almighty with devotion
to the admiration of all thepeople. He was overwhelmed by his Satvaguna (pious nature)
in the temple. The royal procession went through the main roads of Penugonda.Beautiful
Vysya women clad in colourful silks, of gold and Zari sporting their finest jewellery
were standing near the threshold partly hiding behind the doors to see him.
Vasavi sitting in her apartment was playing on her manikya veena. The enchanting
music poured forth through the portals of the palace and caught the King's attention.
Vishnuvardhan was not only a war lord, but a lover of music, particularly of Veena.
He enquired as to who was playing on the veena. The people around avoided for a
while.but had to tell him that the music and the voice was of Vasavi, the Princess
of Penugonda. He was a great warrior king, who fought pitched battles. His love
for music and dance was well known. His strength lay in his administration and his
weakness was women.When he came to know that such enthralling music came from a
Princess, his thoughts ran helter-skelter and paid little interest in the people
around him.He remained calm with great difficulty.