It is a threat if one touches it! It can be disastrous if one takes it home! This sword that dates back to the Vijayanagar Empire, surrounded by such strange, uncharacteristic tales and is infamous, has been lying under a tree for the past four centuries.
This sword that has been found at Haikal, which is 20 km from Chitradurga, is 128 cm long and recounts the history of Vijayanagar Empire.
At the Talikota battle in 1565, that was waged between the Vijayanagar Empire and Adil Shah, Vijayanagar king suffered defeat. Dalapati Bachchappa Nayak, who was in the Vijayanagar kingdom in search of a safe haven, moved along with his family to Vadelunagar near Haikal. At this juncture, Bachchappa Nayak and his family encountered many problems. Suspecting the sword to be responsible for all their troubles, Bachchappa Nayak abandoned the sword under a tree in a vacant site and proceeded in a different direction. This is the story behind the sword that is now found in Haikal, informed historian Dr Thippeswamy.
Two persons, going by the names Badde Palaiah and Padda Palaiah, had been claiming to be inheritors of the sword. According to their claims, one of them secured the sword and the other got the shield. However, now both these families are not to be traced. But the shield can be found even to this day at Mudanna Thammannanavar's house at Dasaramuthenahalli, Nayakanahatti in Chitradurga.
Though special poojas are performed to the sword during festivals, it is left without any protection from the rain and the sun. Moreover, due to the anthill that has grown around the sword, the Archeological Department has not shown any interest in the restoration of the sword. Alongwith Vishnu's nama on the handle of the sword, there are many signs on the shield that indicate that it was used in the battlefield.
There’s an interesting story as to how the sword remains safe, even when left unguarded. According to the story, people who stole the sword in an effort to make money out of it encountered severe problems and returned it to its original place. Moreover, those who threw the sword into a well to get rid of their troubles suffered additional problems. Also, children and women who came in contact with the sword seemed to have incurred problems. Thus, only historians can unravel the mystery behind the sword.
Translated by R S Ranjeetha Urs