Raja Raja Chola (Deified)

Raja Raja Chola I (c. 985–1014 CE) was the greatest emperor of the Chola dynasty, whose reign marked the zenith of Chola power in South India and Southeast Asia. After his death, he was deified by his subjects and descendants, and his statue was installed in the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur, which he himself built. The temple's inscriptions, recorded in the *Tanjore Inscriptions* (South Indian Inscriptions, Vol.

II), detail his military campaigns, administrative reforms, and generous endowments to the temple, establishing him as a model of royal piety. According to the *Skanda Purana* (Maheshvara Khanda), the construction of the Brihadeeswarar Temple was an act of immense merit, and tradition holds that Raja Raja Chola is revered as a partial incarnation of Shiva's devotee. The *Mahabharata* (Vana Parva) is often cited in temple rituals to emphasize the king's role as a protector of dharma, though the epic itself predates him. Iconographically, he is depicted as a regal figure wearing a crown and holding a sword, often with the Brihadeeswarar temple in the background, symbolizing his dual role as a warrior and a devotee.

The Chola emblem, the tiger, is also associated with him. His reign is celebrated in Tamil literature, such as the *Kalingattuparani* and *Periya Puranam*, which extol his virtues. Regional worship is concentrated in Tamil Nadu, especially at Thanjavur, where his birthday is observed as Raja Raja Chola Day. In Hindu cosmology, he represents the ideal of a dharmic king who uses his power to uphold religious institutions and cultural heritage.

His deification underscores the belief that great rulers who serve the gods and the people can attain divine status, a concept supported by the *Bhagavata Purana* (10.74) which describes the reverence due to righteous kings. The *Raja Raja Chola Stotram*, a hymn composed in his honor, is recited in some temples, invoking his blessings for prosperity and protection.

Depicted as a royal figure with crown and sword. Often shown with the Brihadeeswarar temple. Regal, pious expression.