Vaishnavite Dynasties (idea)

A list of Vaishnavite Dynasties in Indian History:

• Vaishnavism is recorded in the 6th/7th Centuries BC where the Bhagavata Cult was propogated by Vasudeva Vishnu. By the second century AD it had reached Andhra Pradesh.
• In Orissa, indications are that Vaishnavism existed from ancient times in the shape of:
  • The Rig Veda, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas include references to the God Purushottama Jagannatha at Puri; and
  • Ashoka's edicts of Dhauli mention Brahmins, who were in all likelihood Vaishnavas.

  Vaishnavism in Orissa,
  S.K. Patel

  In Orissa the Matharas, closely linked culturally to the Guptas of North Koshala, patronised Vaishnavism in Kalinga and Koshala, and supported the Brahmins. However, Vaishnavism received a setback under the East Gangas, Sailodbhavas (Kongoda), Somavamsis (Koshala and Utkala) as these patronised Shaivism, and the Bhaumakaras of Toshali supported Buddhism. Chodaganga revived Vaishnavism because he followed Ramanuja, but after him different faiths were patronised by different kings. Vaishnavism rose to it pinnacle of glory in Orissa under the Suryavamsi Gajapatis in the form of Jagganathism.
• The Sungod (Surya) was not adored by Vaishnavites in the 5th Century AD, as evidence by the degradation of Samba, a champion of the Surya cult, and sometimes identifified with the Sun-God, in the estimation of Vaishnavas, and also in the Gangdha Inscription, verses 21-22 (c. AD 423).
• Sri-Lakshmi worship may be the equivalent to the cult of the Indo-Greek goddesses, e.g. Pallas, Athene, introduced by the Indo-Greeks as seen on their coins circa 2nd Century AD.
• The early Chalukyas of Badami has the boar (Varaha) as their family emblem, obtained by the grace of Narayana. Most of their inscriptions and subordinates begin with stanzas in praise of this boar incarnation of Vishnu. The early Chalukya Emperors bor the title Shri-Prithivi-Vallabha (Lord of Sri and Prithivi) apparently claiming to be the incarnations of Vishnu.
• The Ikshvaku kings used to worship Vishnu in the 6th Century.
• The 5th Century Vakataka Queen, Prabhavati, daughter of Chandragupta II, was devoted to Ramagiriswamin ("lord of Ramagiri" [Ramtok, near Nagpur]).