(r. 600–630) During
the Pallava dynasty, when southern India was a bastion of Tamil culture, he was
the ruler.
Mahendravarman was born a Jain, but under the influence of
the poet-saint Appar, he became a devotee (bhakta) of the deity Shiva.
Mahendravarman was a learned man who supported the arts and
was the creator of the famous drama Mattvavilasa ("Sport of
Drunkards") in southern India.
During his reign, the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram were
constructed.
He clashed with the neighboring monarchs, particularly the
Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, and was killed in a fight with Pulakeshin's army.
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