Somesvara III

Old Kannada inscription dated 1129 A.D. of King Somesvara III at Balligavi, Karnataka state

Somesvara III (r. 1126–1138 CE) was a Western Chalukya king and son of Vikramaditya VI and Queen Chandaladevi. A monarch more inclined towards literature, Someshvara III had to face the invasion of the Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana, but was able to suppress him. He lost some territory as the Vengi Chalukyas tried to gain freedom, but was able to maintain most of the vast empire left behind by his famous father. He was a scholar of merit and wrote the Sanskrit classic Manasollasa. He held titles like Tribhuvannamalla, Bhulokamalla and Sarvanjyabhupa. He also authored in Sanskrit a biography of his famous father, Vikramaditya VI, in a historical called Vikramankabhyudaya. The text is a historical prose narrative which also includes a graphic description of the geography and people of Karnataka.^[1]

The Manasollasa

The Mānasollāsa (Sanskrit: मानसोल्लास) (the refresher of the mind) or the Abhilaṣitārtha Cintāmaṇi (the magical stone that fulfils desires) is an encyclopedic work in Sanskrit composed in 1051 Saka era (c. 1129 CE). This work is divided into 100 adhyāyas (chapters) which are grouped into five viṁśatis (twenties) and each chapter deals with a specific topic. This treatise deals with a wide range of topics, which include the means of acquiring a kingdom, methods of establishing it and royal enjoyment. It contains valuable information regarding Indian art, architecture, cuisine, ornaments, sports, music and dance. The number of ślokas in this work is:

References

1. ↑ A Textbook of Historiography, 500 B.C. to A.D. 2000 by E. Sreedharan, p.328, Orient Blackswan, (2004) ISBN 81-250-2657-6

• Dr. Suryanath U. Kamat (2001). Concise History of Karnataka, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002). LCCN 80-905179
• Dr. P. Arundhati (1994). Royal Life in Manasollasa, New Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, ISBN 81-85067-89-9.