Mangaluru : In the premises Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in Southern Goa a rare inscription written in Kannada and Sanskrit languages was found by my friend Dr. Rajendra Kerkar a dedicated environmentalist of Goa, and brought to my notice for the study, say’s Prof. T. Murugeshi., Associate Professor in Ancient History and Archaeologist (R)., from Udupi in his press release.

The epigraph is engraved in Kannada and Nagari characters of 10 th century A.D., and belongs to the Kadambas of Goa. The inscription opens with an auspicious word Be it well (Swasthi Shri), and records that when Talara Nevayya was administring the mandala, his son Gundayya having taken a vow to fulfill his fathers desire of capturing a Gopura the port of Goa, fought and dead after fulfilled his father wish. Very interestingly, the record is composed as a vocal statement on the death of his son from the mouth of a lamenting father. It is in the literary style of Talangre inscription of Jayasimha I of the same period.

Importance :
Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of Kalyana. Chalukyan emperor Tailapa II was appointed Kadamba Shasthadeva as Mahamandaleshwara of Goa, for his help in over thrown the Rashtrakutas. Kadamba shasthadeva conqured the city of Chandavara from the Shilaharas in 960 A.D. Later on he conqured the port of Gopakapattana (prasent day Goa), perhaps in this battle Gundayya the son of Talara Nevayya was participated and won the port at cost of his life. Lamented father prized the heroic fight of his son and erected a memorial stone of inscription in honor of his son in the temple premises of Mahadev of Cacoda.

I am thankful to Dr. Rajendra Kerkar of Goa, Dr. Munirathana Reddy,. The Director (Epigraphy) Dr.Nagarajappa of ASI Mysore and Dr. R.K. Manipal for their help in discovring, reading and inerpretations of this record.