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ISSN 2063-5346
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The Divine Rights of the King as "Devaputra"- A Critical Study of the Kings of Kakatiya (Chalukya) dynasty of Bastar

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Dr Vineeta Diwan
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.si8.433

Abstract

The historical times of Bastar enlist the Kakatiyas (Chalukyas) as the last ruling dynasty. During the times of Bhaonsala of Nagpur, Bastar was integrated into the British Raj till 1947 when the nation attained freedom. The paper attempts to study the ancient Vedic philosophy of Kingship and divine rights of a King as the "Devputra" or the Son of God while performing their duty towards the clan God or goddess throughout their life. The paper also highlights the Vedic concept of close association of the King with the cosmic power and energy of Shakti through Shaktiupasana which provides the King a much higher status that common people as he acts as a bridge between the powers of the heaven and the life giving forces on the earth. In the Kakatiya dynasty the king is regarded as the Maati Pujari or First Priest of the goddess and throughout his life he is attached to his people but at the same time he has a detached devotion while he serves the goddess. The dynasty chosen to study the concept of Devputra and the divine rights of a King is the Kakatiya (Chalukyas) of Bastar royal house who have been serving the clan Goddess Maa Danteshwari since ages as a family member and a living Goddess.

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