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SHRI SAI LEELA – APRIL 1986Brahmans of the family of Maharshi Bhrugu played a leading role inAnnam from the 2nd century onwards. Names of ancient sites in Vietnam(Annam) like Pandu-ranga, Amaravati, Champa etc., and thenames of rulers, Bhadra-varman, Rudravarman, Sambhuvarmanindicate Indian associations. Though Buddhism was prevalent in thisarea Hinduism held the dominant position till well after the thirteenthcentury. Buddhist images found in Champa show unmistakableinfluence of the Amaravati school. Possibly the Buddhist creedreceived a set-back as recorded in the Chinese chronicles which saythat at the beginning of the seventh century the Chinese led a militaryexpedition to the kingdom of Champa when they carried away about1400 Buddhist texts.The oldest Sanskrit inscription in South-east Asia was found at Vo-Cahn in Champa; it is not later than the 3rd century. Sanskrit was theprincipaj language of the inscriptions of the early rulers of Champaand, as in Cambodia, Hindu texts provided the authority in religiousand social matters On paleographica! grounds these inscriptionsshow Gujarat and Malwa influences thus supporting the Bhrigulegend of the foundations of Hindu rule in Champa, the BhargaveBrahmans tracing their origin to Brigukachcha or modern Broach inCujarat, a prosperous and busy post with far flung connections andtrace contacts in ancient times.In Vietnam today Buddhism is the state religion, but the majority ofthe Chams are Hindu. Sociologically very interesting is the fact thatthe Muslim Chams in addition to Islamic ritual also worship theBrahman goddess Po Ino Nagar (Mother of the Land UmaBhagawati) and her husband Po Yang Amo (The Lord God, Father of23WWW.SAILEELAS.ORG