Who was gautamiputra Satkarni?

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The Puranic lists suggest that Simukha (C. 221-198 B.C) was the first ruler of the
dynasty, although on the basis of numismatic evidence some scholars have argued that he
was preceded by Satavahana (C.236-221 B.C) after whom the dynasty was named.
Simukha is said to have entered into matrimonial alliance with the Pallavas and the
Chutus of Kuntala to consolidate his power. according to Jain traditions, he grew so
wicked towards the end of his rein that he was dethroned and killed. He was succeeded
by his younger brother Kanha or Krishna, after whom Simukha's son Satakarni I (C. 180-
170 B.C) came to the throne. He was one of the successful rulers of the dynasty. He
wrested western Malwa from the Sungas and clashed with the powerful Kalinga ruler
Kharavela. Twice he proclaimed his suzerainty by performing Aswamedhas. Besides
celebrating a Rajasuya. His queen Naganika was a distinguished lady of the Maharathi
family, and her Naneghat inscription describes him as " Lord of Dakshinapatha, wielder
of the unchecked wheel of Sovereignty".

The sixth ruler of the dynasty Satakarni II (C. 152-96 B.C) had a long and eventful rule.
According to the Yuga-Purana he annexed Kalinga after the death of Kharavela. He is
said to have extended the Satavahana power over Madhya Pradesh, drove the intruding
Sakas out of Pataliputra, which he held for ten years. He was succeeded by many rulers
like Lambodara, Apilaka, Meghasvati and Kuntala Satakarni, who is mentioned in
Vatsyayana's Kamasutra. Pulamavi I (C. 30-6 B.C) seems to have overthrown Susarman
and the Kanva dynasty, and annexed Pataliputra. Hala (C. 19-24 A.D) the seventeenth
ruler is famous in literature as the compiler of Saptasati in Prakrit, and as a hero of a later
day Prakrit work; Lilavati which describes his marriage with a Ceylonese Princess.

At this stage, the expansion of the Satavahana power received a setback. The Ksaharatas (
Ksatrapas or Sakas) under Bhumaka and Nahapana occupied Malwa, Gujarat, Kathiawar
and Maharashtra. The Satavahana power seemed to have been practically obliterated in
the Western India. The eclipse of their power was further aided by the weakness of their
rulers.

Gautamiputra Satakarni (C. 78-102 A.D.):

Gautamiputra Satakarni, the twenty-third ruler of this family, is acknowledged as the
greatest of the Satavahana sovereigns. He won great fame as the retriever of the fallen
fortunes of the dynasty. The Nasik inscription describes him as the destroyer of the
Sakas, Yavanas and the Pahlavas. He overthrew Nahapana and restruck a large number of
Ksaharata coins of the Jogalthembi hoard. The Nasik Prasasti describes Gautamiputra as
the ruler of the Aparanta, Anupa, Saurashtra, Kukura, Akara and Avanti, and he must
have wrested them from Nahapana. He also seems to have recovered the territories in
Central Deccan, which had been lost to the Satavahanas during the inept rule of his
predecessors. Under him, the Satavahana arms must have reached as far south as Kanchi.
He is also credited with the conquest of territories in the Kolhapur area in the Southern
Maharashtra, which he seized from the Ananda rulers. Gautamiputra also annexed the
Banavasi area, thus established his sway over portions of Karnataka.

Some Scholars have argued that the last days of Gautamiputra witnessed the proverbial
reversal of fortunes. Dr. D. C. Sircar is of the opinion that he lost most of his dominions
to the Sakas of Ujjain before his death. But this view is not accepted by Dr. M. Rama
Rao. However, it is possible that Gautamiputra died at an early age.

Vetal is the worshipper (or sevak) of Kala Bhairava and is the head of all spirits and
ghouls and vampires and all kinds of pisachas. He has another form which is a more
potent and fiery form, that of Agni Vetal who is the sevak of none other than Kalika.
Lord Agnivetal has flames on his head and controls fire. He is also known as Agya Vetal.
Agnivetal is used by Tantriks to perform evil black magic on people. But it isn't Lord
Agnivetal's fault because the Tantriks misuse the powers given to them on propitiating
Agnivetal(rather his Daityas which are at his feet-they are the ones who accept the blood
sacrifices).