Krishna I was followed sometime between AD 772 and AD 775 by Govinda II, the eldest son of the former. Even as a Yuvaraja this prince had shown evidence of military ability but as a ruler he was a failure. He lived a life of ease and pleasure neglecting the government of the land.
In the course of such an easy going life Govinda helped Nandivarman Pallavamalla in assisting the Ganga prince Sivamara II to gain his throne as against his own brother Ereyappa.
The very nature of Govinda invited his energetic younger brother to rise against him and this he did successfully in spite of a combination of the Pallava, the Ganga, the eastern Chalukya and the Malava rulers actively assisting Govinda II.