Ayodhya Re-discovered by Vikramaditya

Vikramaditya in History of Kashmir

When 82nd king in the list of the Kashmir monarchs, Hiranya died without leaving any heir to the throne, the cabinet of the ministers, in Kashmir sent a prayer to their over-lord, Emperor Vikramaditya and requested him to depute a ruler. Then, out of his favour towards Matrigupta, a Scholar-poet of the court, Vikramaditya installed MatriGupta with the sovereignty of his vassal state, Kashmir in 14 CE. [Rajatarangini 3-125]

Vikramaditya in History of Nepal

In the year 3044 Kali or 57 BCE, Vikramaditya visited his vassal state Nepal and established his Era there (Vikrama Saka). This information is published in the Indian Antiquary Vol. XIII. Pages 411 onwards.

Several works by Jain authors include legends about Vikramaditya. These include:

• Prabhachandra’s Prabhavaka-Charita (1127 CE)
• Somaprabha’s Kumara-Pala-Pratibodha (1184 CE)
• Kalakacharya-Katha (before 1279 CE)
• Merutunga’s Prabandha-Chintamani (1304 CE)
• Jinaprabhasuri’s Vividha-Tirtha-Kalpa (1315 CE)
• Rajashekhara’s Prabandha-Kosha (1348 CE)
• Devamurti’s Vikrama-Charitra (1418 CE)
• Ramachandrasuri’s Pancha-Danda-Chhattra-Prabandha (1433 CE)
• Subhashila’s Vikrama-Charitra (1442 CE)
• various pattavalis (records of lineage of head monks)

Ayodhya Re-discovered by Emperor Vikramaditya

A local legend in Ayodhya states that the city was re-discovered by Vikramaditya, after having been lost for centuries. Vikramaditya started searching for Ayodhya, and met Prayaga, the king of tirthas (Prayaga personified). Guided by Prayaga, Vikramaditya marked the place, but subsequently forgot its location. A yogi told him that he should let loose a cow and a calf: Ayodhya would be at the place where milk starts flowing from the cow’s udders. Using this advice, Vikramaditya managed to re-identify the site of ancient Ayodhya.