Talagunda Pillar Inscription of Santivarman

This inscription starts with the praise of Sthāṇu i.e. Śiva and records the foundation of Kadamba power by Māyuraśarman. There existed a Brāhmaṇa family belonging to Mānavya gotra and called Hāritīputra, who acquired the name Kadamba from the existence of a Kadamba tree near their house. Māyuraśarman of this family went to Pallavendrapurī (i.e. Kāñcī) with his teacher Vīraśarman, to study at the ghaṭikā of that place. Because of a quarrel at the time of a horse-sacrifice (aśvamedha) where the Brāhmaṇas were not treated with proper respect by the Kṣatriyas, he became a warrior and taking refuge in Śrīparvata, he began to harass the Pallava frontier guards and levied tribute from Bṛhatbāṇa and others. The Pallavas having failed to subdue him crowned him king of the country between Apārarṇava (Western Ocean) and Preharā.

His son was Kaṅgavarman, famous in battle. His son Bhagīratha was the father of Raghu who was a poet and a scholar. Raghu’s brother was Kākutsha who was like the sun and by means of rays (daughters) caused lotuses of Gupta and other royal families to bloom in friendliness, eagerness and love. He came to Sthānakundūru on a hunting expedition and near the temple of Mahādeva who had been worshipped by Śātakarṇi and others previously, caused a big tank to be excavated. His son who had three crowns was Śāntivarman. Śāntivarman caused this inscription. It was composed by the poet Kubja