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Hakka and Bukka were brothers as well as warriors. The brothers wanted to build their own kingdom where people could live without fear. They collected a band of young men and trained them in warfare. They lived in a forest hideout on the banks of the river Tungabhadra in South India.

One day, the brothers were out on a hunt with ferocious dogs accompanying them. They crossed the river and rode on. A couple of frightened rabbits ran out of the bushes. The dogs gave them chase with the two brothers following closely behind on their horses.

It was a long chase. The rabbits kept on running for their lives and the dogs were catching up. Suddenly, in a swift move, the rabbits turned and faced the dogs head on. Taken aback by the show of defiance, the barking dogs stepped back. Hakka called back the dogs. As the dogs turned back, the rabbits walked away calmly. Hakka looked around. They were on the other side of the Tungabhadra. It was a rocky land. The sun was blazing in the sky.

“Strange! I’ve never seen rabbits challenging dogs before!” said Bukka. “That’s the quality of this land,” said a quiet voice. “Even rabbits face their fears and fight.”

Startled to hear a stranger speak, the two brothers turned. They saw a holy man walking towards them. He was a picture of peace and tranquillity. At the same time, his eyes were blazing bright. The brothers fell at his feet.

“You must be Vidyaranya, the famous sage of Sringeri,” said Hakka. “And you are the brothers struggling to build a kingdom–Hakka and Bukka,” said the saint with a smile.

The brothers had heard that Vidyaranya was doing penance on the banks of the Tungabhadra. Nobody knew of his exact whereabouts. And here he was, giving them his blessings!

“There are hundreds of kingdoms. Tell me, in what way will your kingdom be different?” asked Vidyaranya.

“Our kingdom will have a strong foundation,” said Hakka, speaking slowly, weighing every word. “The foundation of Dharma–truth and justice.”

Vidyaranya smiled, “I’m satisfied with your response. Truth and justice. Peace and prosperity. You will build an empire that will stand for the victory of truth and justice. Its name shall be Vijayanagara. Build your capital at the very place that knows no fear, where even rabbits become courageous!”

The brothers bowed. Soon Vijayanagara emerged as a powerful empire on the banks of the Tungabhadra, with Hampi as its capital.