# Sthanu Ravi Varma

Sthanu Ravi Varma (Early Malayalam and Tamil: Ko Tanu Iravi), known as the Kulasekhara, was the Chera Perumal ruler of Kerala in southern India from 844/45 to c. 870/71 AD. He is the earliest Chera Perumal ruler known to scholars. Sthanu Ravi famously helped the Chola ruler Aditya I (c. 871–907 AD) to conquer the Kongu country from the Pandyas in c. 885 AD.
The famous Quilon Syrian Christian copper plates are dated in the fifth regnal year of king Sthanu Ravi. Two more inscriptions dated in the regnal years of Sthanu Ravi can be found at Irinjalakuda Kudalmanikyam Temple, and at Thiruvatruvay, Thiruvalla. Koyil Adhikarikal (the Royal Prince) during the time of Sthanu Ravi was his son-in-law (husband of his daughter) Vijayaraga. Sthanu Ravi had a son born to him in or about 870 AD. He was succeeded by Rama Rajasekhara (c. 870/71–c. 883/84).
Sthanu Ravi probably abdicated the throne toward the end of his reign and became a Vaishnavite alvar saint known as Kulasekhara Alvar (seventh of the twelve mystic alvars). He is also identified with playwright Chera king "Kulasekhara Varma".

## Background

Present-day central Kerala likely detached from the larger Kongu Chera or Kerala kingdom around the 8th–9th century AD to form the Chera Perumal kingdom. Central Kerala was perhaps under some form of viceregal rule prior to this period.
The direct (sovereign) authority of the Chera Perumal king was perhaps restricted to the country around capital Makotai (Mahodaya, present-day Kodungallur) in central Kerala. His pan-Kerala kingship was perhaps only ritualistic, remaining nominal compared to the power that local chieftains (the Udaiyavar) wielded politically and militarily in distant regions. Nambudiri Brahmins also held significant authority in religious and social matters (a system often described as "ritual sovereignty combined with Brahmin oligarchy")

## Chola contemporary of Sthanu Ravi

Sthanu Ravi was a partner in the Chola king Rajakesari Varma's campaign in Kongu country (central Tamil Nadu). It is known that the two rulers jointly conferred military honours on a chief of Tanjore called Vikki Annan (who was the husband of "Kadamba Mahadevi"), probably a Ganga prince. Vikki Annan, son of Prithvipati, is mentioned in a Ganga inscription of the mid-9th century AD. The title "Kadamba" suggests a relationship with the Kadamba lineage.
King "Rajakesari Varma" can be identified either with Aditya Chola (c. 871–907 AD) or with Srikantha Chola (817–845 AD).
* Identification of Rajakesari Varma with Aditya Chola (c. 871–907 AD) (followed Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai) – Pillai thus assumes that Sthanu Ravi ruled Kerala up to 885 AD to be able to become the junior partner in Aditya Chola's wars in Kongu Nadu (conquest of the Kongu Nadu from the Pandyas, c. 885 AD). – this view is found acceptable by the recent scholarship.
* Identification of Rajakesari Varma with Srikantha Chola (817–845 AD) – this puts the joint action in the Kongu country in c. 844/45 AD. – this view was found acceptable by M. G. S. Narayanan (following T. V. Mahalingam).

## Astronomy

Astronomer-mathematician Sankaranarayana (c. 840 – 900 AD) was a member of the royal court of Kulasekhara (at the Chera capital Mahodayapuram-Kodungallur). Sankaranarayana is best known as the author of Laghubhaskariyavyakha, a detailed commentary on the works of mathematician Bhaskara I (early 6th century AD). An astronomical observatory functioned at Mahodayapuram under the charge of Sankaranarayana. There are references to an instrument called "Rashichakra" marked by a "Yanthravalaya" in the Vyakha. This instrument might be the same as the Golayanthra/Chakrayanthra mentioned by famous polymath Aryabhata. The Chakrayanthra was developed further and called Phalakayanthra by Bhaskara I.

## Inscriptions
### As Sthanu Ravi

Ayyan Adikal, the chieftain of Quilon (Kollam) under Sthanu Ravi, issued the famous Quilon Syrian Christian copper plates in c. 849 AD. The inscription records that Ayyan Adikal granted land and serfs to a Christian church at Quilon, built by Mar Sapir Iso, and entrusted its maintenance to trade guilds anjuvannam and manigramam. The grant was made in the presence of Chera Perumal prince Vijayaraga. Daughter of Kulasekhara, with the title Kizhan Adikal Ravi Neeli, was married to Vijayaraga (who was probably the son of the sister of Kulasekhara also).
| Year | Inscription | Nature (language) | Royal Name | Notes |
| 849 AD | Quilon Syrian Christian copper plates | Royal charter (Malayalam) | "Tanu Ravi" "Koyil Adhikarikal Vijayaraga Deva" | The oldest Chera Perumal inscription from Kerala. Dated in the 5th regnal year (849/50) of king Tanu Ravi. Ayyan Adigal, the chieftain of Venad, grant land and serfs to the Christian church of Tarsa, Quilon. Koyil Adhikarikal (the Royal Prince) Vijayaraga is present when Ayyan Adigal gives privileges to Christian merchant Mar Sapir Iso. |
| 855 AD | Irinjalakkuda inscription (Kudalmanikyam Temple) - a single granite slab currently fixed on the bottom portion of the inside wall of the first prakara of the temple. | Temple committee resolution (Malayalam) | "Tanu Ravi, Ko" | Dated in the 11th regnal year (855/56) of king Tanu Ravi. A council of the "Irungadikkudal" Parathaiyar (the Temple Committee) and Ilayavar. The council unanimously decide to lease out land for some purpose. |
| 861 AD | Thiruvatruvay copper plate - owned by Muvidathu Mecheri Illam (Thiruvalla) | Temple committee resolution (Malayalam) | "Tanu Ravi, Ko" | Dated in the 17th regnal year (861/62) of king Tanu Ravi. Earliest reference to Onam Festival in Kerala. A council of the Thiruvatruvay Sabha (the Temple Assembly) and Adikalmar (the Respected People). The council unanimously wrap up Avani Onam feast arrangements with the land donated by certain Punchappatakarathu Chenthan Sankaran. |
| Inscription of Aditya Chola |||||
| c. 885 AD | Thillaisthanam inscription (Tanjore) - a single granite slab on the south wall of the central shrine in the Ghrithasthaneshwara Temple, Thillaisthanam. | Temple inscription (Tamil) | "Cheraman Tanu Ravi, Ko" | Hail Prosperity! The wife of Vikki Annan, who was honoured by the king Kandan Rajakesari Varma who was the possessor of several elephants ["tondai-nadu-pavina-cholan-pal-yanai-ko-kandan"] and by the Cheraman Ko Tanu Iravi, with [the privilege of using] the seat [of honour], the chauris, the palanquin, the drum, a palace, [royal] dinner, [participation in it perhaps] and the bugle and [who was presented] with a battalion of elephants and the hereditary title of Sembiyan Tamilavel - Kadamba Mahadevi gave to the god Mahadeva at Tiruneyyttanam a perpetual lamp, for which the number of sheep given by her is a hundred. My these [charities] be under the protection of the several mahesvaras.— Travancore Archaeological Series (Volume II) |

### As Kulasekhara

| 9th century AD | Thirunanthikarai inscription - a single slab of granite in the courtyard of the structural temple | Temple committee resolution (Tamil) | "Kulasekhara Deva" "Vijayaraga Deva" | A donation by Chera/Perumal princess Ravi Neeli Kizhan Adigal to Thirunanthikkarai Temple. Thirunathikkarai Perumakkal (the Village Elders), the Thaliyalvan, and the Kanakar (members of the temple trust) meeting to receive 10 kalanju of gold from (princess) Ravi Neeli Kizhan Adigal for the Permanent Lamp (the nanda-vilakku) in the Thirunathikkarai temple. Princess Ravi Neeli Kizhan Adigal is described as the daughter of king Kulasekhara Deva and wife of Vijayaraga Deva. |

## Literary references
### Contradicting testimonials

* An anonymous work called "Padmapadacharyacharita" says that the protagonist (who was the disciple of philosopher-theologian Sankara) flourished in time of king "Kulasekhara". However, "Shivanandalahari," attributed to Sankara, indirectly mentions the Kerala ruler as Rajasekhara. "Shankaravijaya" by Vidyaranya also refers to a Kerala king named Rajasekhara, who was a contemporary of Sankara.
* Vasubhatta, a famous Yamaka poet of medieval Kerala (author of "Tripuradahana" and "Saurikathodaya"), names his patron king as "Rama". "Vijayadarsika" by Acynta, a later commentary on the poem "Yudhisthiravijaya" by Vasubhatta, says that "Kulasekhara" was the coronation title of king Rama (the name given to the king by his parents was Ramavarman - "Kulasekhara ityabhisekakrtam nama; pitradikrtam theramavarmeti"). "Ratnapradipika" by Sivadasa, another commentary (which later to "Vijayadarsika") says the same - "Kulasekharasya Kulasekhara iti namavatah, etadabhisekakrtam nama. Pitradikriam tu ramavarmeti" Modern scholars generally consider this a result of confusion on the part of the commentators Acynta and Sivadasa (between Sthanu Ravi Kulasekhara and Rama Rajasekhara) who were separated in time from Vasubhatta.
* Some scholars also identify king Rama Kulasekhara as the patron of poet Vasubhatta (and thus placing Vasubhatta in 11th-12 centuries AD). This view is generally found unacceptable on several counts.

## Laghubhaskariyavyakha

Sankaranarayana says that he was patronized by king "Ravi", who had the title "Kulasekhara" (and thus helps in the identification of "Sthanu Ravi" with "Kulasekhara"). The opening verse of the commentary also gives an indirect invocation to the lord called "Sthanu" (carefully composed to be applicable to god Siva and the ruling king).
   "Sa Sthanurjayati trirupasahito lingepi lokarcitah."
The commentary also gives the two dates in the Kali Era and as the Saka Era.
   "Angartvambara nanda devamanubhir yate dinanam gane Graste tigma mayukhamalinitamobhute parahne divi Prsta praggrahanad dvitiyaghatika grasa pramanam raver Bharta sri Kulasekharena vilasad velavrtaya bhuva."
* "Angartvambara nanda devamanubhir yate dinanam gane"
** Anga = 6, Rtu = 6, Ambara = 0, Nanda = 9, Veda = 4, and Manu = 14
** Order - 6609414
** Reverse Order - 1449066
* Kali Date - 3967 years and 86 days = 25 Mithuna, Kollam Era 41 = 866 AD
   "Evam Sakabdah punariha candra randhramuni sankhyaya asambhiravagatah."
* "Sakabdah punariha candra randhramuni sankhyaya"
** Candra = 1, Randhra = 9, and Muni = 7
** Order - 197
** Reverse Order - 791 (Saka Year) = 870 AD
Laghubhaskariyavivarana, according to the commentary itself, was composed in the 25th regnal year of king Ravi Kulasekhara (thus dating the coronation of Ravi Kulasekhara in 844/45 AD).
   "Capapravista guru sauri samatva kalam Yamyottaram gamanamantaratah pramanam Acaksvya sarvamavagamya bhatoktamargad Ityuktavan ravirasena nrpabhivandya." "Tada pancavimsati Varsanyatitani devasya."
* Meeting of Guru (=Jupiter) and Sauri (=Saturn) in Capa (Dhanu) = 25th regnal year of the king. In the 9th century AD, these Jupiter and Saturn came to Dhanu Rasi simultaneously only in 869 AD.