Mayurasharma founded Kadamba dynasty in 345 C.E. He (345 - 365 C.E.) was a native of Talagunda region who took this name in order to indicate that he changed from Brahmin to a Kshatriya. He was well versed in Vedangas and Vedas. Talagunda pillar inscription provides details about the life of Mayurasharma. According to an account Mayurasharma was born to the sister of a Jain Tirthankara under a Kadamba tree.

The Talagunda inscription of 450 is considered the most reliable source of information as far as the family of Mayurasharma and the origin of the kingdom is concerned. The inscription gives a realistic account of the Kadamba line of kings. According to it, Mayurasharma was a Vaidika Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda. He was the son of Bandhushena who was the grandson of his guru Veerasharma and a student at the Agrahara in Talagunda. It also confirms that the family is named for the Kadamba tree that grew near the family home. It is also claimed that they were a Kanarese Dravidian family that was inducted into the Brahmanic fold.

Mayurasharma went to Kanchi the capital of the Pallavas to pursue his Vedic studies. He was accompanied by his guru and grandfather Veerasharma. There he was humiliated by a Pallava guard which angered Mayurasharma. He gave up his Brahmanic studies and took to the sword to avenge his insult.

The rise of Mayurasharma against the Pallava hold over the Talagunda region was a successful rebellion of Brahmins against the domination of the Kshatriya power. This gave rise to the first Kingdom native to present day Karnataka. Mayurasharma succeeded in establishing himself in the forests of Shriparvata by defeating the guards of the Pallavas and subduing the Banas of Kolar. The Pallavas recognised him as a sovereign in the regions from the Amara Ocean to Malaprabha River.

Mayurasharma defeated the Traikutas, Abhiras, Sendrakas, Pallavas, Pariyathrakas, Shakasthana, the Maukharis and Punnatas in other battles. Mayurasharma performed many horse sacrifices and granted 144 villages to Brahmins of Talagunda. Mayurasharma invited many learned Vaidika Brahmins from Ahichchathra in northern India. His son Kangavarma succeeded him in 365 C.E.