- Literature of the Vijayanagara Empire
- Literature written by Emperor Krishnadevaraya
- The Ashtadiggajas of Vijayanagara Empire and the contributions of Allasani Peddana
- Contributions of Pingali Suranna
- Contributions of Ramarajabhushanudu
- Contributions of Dhurjati
This series is about the Ashtadiggajas of the Vijayanagara Empire and in this article we would talk about the illustrious Allasani Peddana and his contributions to the Telugu Literature.
Krishnadevaraya and the Telugu Literature
Krishnadevaraya’s reign was a glorious era especially for the Telugu literature. Till 1500, Telugu literature mainly consisted of the translations; Telugu authors borrowed theme, substance and details from the Sanskrit literature and translated it.
Under Krishnadevaraya’s guidance and patronage the practice of translating old Sanskrit literature was given-up and writing in Prabandha style and narrating Puranic and other independent stories came in vogue. This period is also known as Prabandh period or the romantic phase of the Telugu poetry.
What is unique in Telugu literature of Krishnadevaraya’s time
The compositions of this period usually have musical flow and rhythm. The plot was generally woven around obscure Puranic episodes and the chief interests of the author lied in presenting passing moods, and the passions of main characters. This marked the beginning of new era of freedom, creativity, and self-expression. This impetus to the Telugu Language, given by Krishnadevaraya, went far beyond his time.
The Ashtadiggajas of Vijayanagara Empire
Krishnadevaray’s court was adorned by Ashtadiggajas, the eight distinguished scholars of the time, similar to the nine gems of Vikramaditya’s court and the Navratnas of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
The Ashtadiggagaja (Ashta + dik + gaja) as per Hindu mythology are the eight elephants that hold the earth in eight directions. Similarly, these scholars were believed to conquer world in eight directions with their creativity, poetry, knowledge of language and scriptures. Let us talk about these Ashtadiggajas of his court one-by-one.
Allasani Peddana – the most illustrious Ashtadiggaja of Vijayanagara Empire
Allasani Peddana – Krishnadevaraya adorned him with the title of “the Grandfather of the Telugu Poetry” – Andhra-Kavitha-Pitamah. He towers over all other Ashtadiggajas, and is considered the most illustrious.
His learning in Sanskrit and Telugu was prodigious and his choice of words in weaving and narrating stories were extraordinary. He transformed kavya into a medium of grace, precision and exquisite lyricism.
His descriptive passages are strikingly realistic and the poet had complete control and command over his compositions, with every syllable in proper place and almost irreplaceable.
He was the son of Chokkanamatya and his literary training happened under Sathakopayati – a Vaishnav patriarch of the time. He also played an active role in state of affairs including collection of taxes and participated in military service too.
Books written by Allasani Peddana
Peddana’s main work is Manucarita or Svarocisha Sambhava. It is believed that the motivation to write this epic story came from Maharaja Krishnadevaraya when he praised Allasani Peddana as below in the court. It led him think of writing something that is really praise-worthy.
You’re my friend, a master of crafted speech.
(from the book: Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology, translated, edited, with an introduction by Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman)
Your memory holds the meaning
of incomparable texts—
puranas, agamas, itihasas,
all rich in story.
You are the creator of Telugu poetry.
No one can equal you.
What is special about Allasani Peddana’s Story of Manucarita
The story narrated in Manucarita is taken from Markandaya Purana relating to the birth of fourteenth Manu – Svarocisha Manu – a mythological figure seen as one of the several progenitors of the human race.
The original story has around hundred and fifty poems and Allasani Peddana extended this work into six chapters with six hundred poems by adding fictional-episodes and detailed descriptions.
Peddana was able to do justice to his writings as he was well-learned in ancient texts and could give meanings to them in an innovative manner with his creative understanding that enhanced the meaning and added depth. In-fact Peddana made kavya as archetypal mode for centuries to come.
The story of Pravara in Manucarita by Allasani Peddana
The story of this book starts with the description of a learned Brahmin Paravarakhya living in a town, Arunaspadam, on the banks of River Varuna.
The brahmin followed rituals religiously and welcomed learned sages. Once, a ‘Siddha’ with great knowledge of Mantras and Tantras and an expert of medicinal herbs and plants arrived at his place.
Pravara pleased the sage with his aadar-satkaar and shared with him his longing wish to travel to places far and wide. The Siddha gifted him a magical herbal ointment to apply on his legs which can take him to whatever place he wanted to go in no time.
The Siddha told him that if he desired to visit Himalayas he could close his eyes and straight away he would be there!
“in an instant, the pious one reached and caught sight of heavenly water gates birthing whorls and eddies, unending echo abounding a beautiful sky, footfalls of lumbering elephants shaking the trees deceived peafowls, unfurling a riot of feathery hues, a snowy peak’s divine beauty no longer mysterious”
(from: http://limerickgiri.blogspot.com/2017/08/gem-from-allasani-peddanas-manucharitra.html )
The meeting of Pravara with Varudhini in Manucarita by Allasani Peddana
However, as the young man explored the place to his heart’s desire, and wished to return back, he realized that the magical ointment was washed away in the snow.
The story then moves to the narration of the Manu’s grand-mother, Varudhini, daughter of the celestial apsara Menaka, who met this pious brahmin while he lost his way and asked for directions from her.
One part musk enhanced by two parts camphor:
densely packed betel
sent its fragrance,
masking all others, to announce
the presence of a woman.He followed the fragrance
carried by the breeze, wave after wave,
thinking, “There are people here.”
Then he saw her,
a body gleaming like lightning,
eyes unfolding like a flower,
long hair black as bees,
a face lit up with beauty,
proudly curved breasts,
a deep navel—
a woman, but from another world.She was sitting on a raised platform
(from the book: Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology, translated, edited, with an introduction by Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman)
at the foot of a young mango tree
in the courtyard of her house, which was built
of precious gems.
And, as a cool wind blew against her face,
the red skirt inside the white half-sari
that veiled her thighs
turned the gleaming moonstone beneath her
red, and the gourds of the vina
rubbed against her firm breasts
as her delicate fingers seemed to caress
sweet music from the strings,
and she was languid with longing,
her eyes half-closed as if,
flowing with the song, she was slowly
making love with expert skill,
beyond herself with pleasure,
while the bracelets on her hands
chimed the rhythm of the song
and there was joy, brilliant joy,
as she played on.
She was smitten by his handsome appearance.
Due to his great detachment,
His bodily charms and beauty
appear like the aroma of sampenga flowers
For black-bee like lustful women.
Below excerpt defines Varudhini’s feeling when she glanced at the handsome pious brahmin
First there was doubt,
(from the book: Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology, translated, edited, with an introduction by Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman)
a certain hesitation,
then a widening joy
as desires raced within her:
her mind was crying “Yes!”
her eyelids blinking,
for she was close to him now
and nearly paralyzed,
as her eyes, wide as the open lotus,
enfolded him in burning moonbeams.
She stared at him.
Like tiny bursts of smoke
that proved she was burning
with love,
the hairs on her body
stood on end.
Musk trickled in thin lines of sweat
from her forehead to her cheeks,
as if the God of Desire were marking a limit
for her still-widening eyes,
lest they shake off their lids entirely
and take over
her face.
Fluttering glances healed
her inability to blink,
and for the first time
she was sweating;
even her surpassing understanding
was healed by the new
confusion of desire.
Like the beetle that, from concentrating
on the bee,
becomes
a bee,
by taking in that human being
she achieved humanity
with her own body
Rejection of Varudhini’s proposal by Pravara – Manucarita by Allasani Peddana
The love-lorn damsel proposes him, but the pious brahmin rejects her advances telling her that he is a married Brahmin youth with a vow to follow ekpatnivrat and the only thing in his mind is the way to return back. He then prays to the Agnideva, who appears and takes him back to his native town.
Your offer is very enticing,
but I have to go home. To my village. Now.
Consider I have come.
What counts is your affection.
I have rituals to perform.
I have to go. Fast.
Forgive me, please.
There must be some way
I can reach my home. You have
the power. You’re a woman of the gods.
There is nothing you cannot do.
You’re like my mother.
Bring me to my people.Young woman, how can you say that
(from the book: Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology, translated, edited, with an introduction by Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman)
to me, a Brahmin committed
to the rites day after day? This love
is not proper. Don’t you know that?
I haven’t fed the fires, or the gods, or the Brahmins.
It’s long past supper time.
My mother and father are very old; they must be waiting
for me, no doubt uneasy, and faint with hunger.
As for me, I am responsible
for all the sacred fires: if I don’t reach home
today, young woman,
all my world will be ravaged.
Birth of Manu in Manucarita by Allasani Peddana
Another gandharva, Kali, who was earlier rejected by Varudhini, noticed the incident. He took the form of Pravara, and weds Varudhini. The story then talks about the birth of Manu’s father Swarochi with radiant features matching those of Pravara as his mother thought only about him during her pregnancy.
The mother trains the young lad as a Brahmin with disciplined following of dharmas. The book then talks about Swarochi’s meeting with Manu’s Mother Manorama and finally the birth of Manu.
What makes Manucarita by Allasani Peddana special
The story in this book is slight, but the beauty of the book lies in detailed and vivid description of the Himalayas and precision in the description of the characters. It throbs with worldliness in its vivacious mix of prose, poetry and also an unabashed sensuality.
“Women, willingly acceding to their lovers’ wish, made love to them on top, like a man; sweat pouring from their exhausted bodies melted the colors that were painted on them and settled as beads on their skin, and as the moonlight was reflected off these drops they took on the white beauty of dried, cracked sandal paste.”
From Translations of Velcheru Narayana Rao and David Shulman
The Recognition and appreciation of Allasani Peddana by Krishnadevaraya
Peddana dedicated his book to Krishnadevaraya; the monarch was so impressed by this powerful literary work that as mark of his appreciation of the book he once become a flag bearer of the Peddana’s palanquin.
Peddana was the only poet among all the ashtadiggajas who were given the privilege of mounting the royal elephants.
Not only this, once when Peddana won a poetry competition, as an appreciation of the learned Brahmin, Krishnadevaraya himself tied Hero’s anklet on the Poet’s left foot. This anklet bore the images of all his rival poets, so anyone wearing it would appear like putting his leg over their heads.
However, in his old age Peddana broke down and become poor, bemoaning at his desolation and at the loss of his friend and patron, he lamented for Krishnadevaraya in following verses
When he would see me on the street,
He would halt his elephant,
And help me with his own hand.
For the mere asking, he gave me villages,
Like Kokata in any region.
On the day, I dedicated my “Story of Manu” to him,
He himself carried the palanquin where I was seated.
He told me I alone was worthy to wear the anklet,
of a triumphant poet,
and it was he who tied it on my foot.
He called me the doyen of the Telugu poetry,
Allasani Peddana, the king of poets.
Now Krishnadevaraya has died,
And I could not go with him to heaven,
I stay on,
Like the living dead.
taken from the book “A poem at the right moment”
Peddana also wrote another book HarikathaSarmu – but this book is untraceable now.
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