Āma

Āma
Ruler of Kanauj
Reign	8th-9th century CE
Predecessor	Yashovarman
Successor	Dunduka
Issue	Dunduka
Father	Yashovarman
Mother	Suyasha (also called Yashodevi)
Religion	Jainism

Āma was an Indian king who ruled Kannauj and surrounding areas during the 8th and the 9th centuries. According to the Jain chronicles, he was the son and successor of Yashovarman.

The Jain chronicle Bappabhatti-Suri-Charita states Yashovarman's chief queen Suyasha gave birth to Āma during her exile at Ramasainya. Also called Yashodevi, the queen was exiled because of a conspiracy by another queen.

Āma was brought up by the Jain monk Siddhasena at Modherakapura, but he and his mother were later restored to their royal positions. As a prince, Āma was a spendthrift, so Yashovarman asked him to be frugal. This annoyed Āma, who returned to Modherakapura. According to the Prabandha Kosha, when Yashovarman fell ill towards the end of his life, he recalled Āma to Kannauj and appointed him as the new king. The Prabhavaka Charita and Prabandha Kosha suggest that Āma ascended the throne during 749-753 CE (807-811 VS).

According to Prabhavaka-Charita, Āma once caught a cobra (naga) with a radiant jewel on its head. Because of this, the Jain monk Bappabhatti gave him the title "Nagavaloka".

Āma subdued the kings Samudrasena of Rajagriha (Magadha) and Dharma of Gauda. According to Prabandha Kosha, the poet Vakpati composed Madra-Mahi-Vijaya ("the conquest of Madra") during his reign; Prabhavaka Charita calls the text Madhu-Matha-Vijaya instead.

Āma lost control of Kannauj, and moved to Gopagiri (modern Gwalior). He was inclined towards Jainism. The Prabandha Kosha states that he built a shrine of Mahavira in Gopagiri (modern Gwalior). Under Jain influence, he abdicated the throne in favour of his son Dunduka. He retired to Magadha-tirtha, where he died in 832-833 CE (890 VS).

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