Saturday, 24 February 2024

SANSKRIT IN THE VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE - Part II


          The reign of Krishnadeva Raya not only marked the climax in the territorial expansion of the Vijanagar Empire, but was also remarkable for the encouragement and development of art and letters.  He wrote his magnum opus AmuktaMalyada, in Telugu JambhavatiParinayam and other four works in Sanskrit.  In his court flourished the “Ashta-Dig-gajas”, or the eight elephants (famous poets) who supported the world of Telugu literature. 

Works on music, dancing, drama, grammar, logic, philosophy etc., received encouragement from the emperor and his ministers.  He was the embodiment of catholicity because he was the only king who allowed such freedom that every man may come and go and live according to his own creed without suffering any annoyance, and without enquiry, whether he may be a Vaishnavite, Saivite, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Jew or Moor.

Ramadeva Raya, son-in-law of Krishnadeva Raya who has written unknown treatise on music and the poet Lakshminarayana wrote Sangita-suryodayam under the auspices of Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1530 A.D.)

After the poet Rajanatha II who had the title Dindima-Kavi-Sarvabhauma under the Vijayanagar kings, celebrated, about 1430 A.D., wrote Saluvabhyudayam in 13 cantos, the achievements of Saluva Narasimha who enthroned as the Emperor of Vijayanagar, his grandson Rajanatha III described about 1540 A.D., the exploits of King Acyuta Raya, brother of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar (1530-1544 A.D.), who became a king of Vijayanagar after the death of Krishnadeva Raya, in the Acyutarayabhyudayam containing 20 cantos

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A SHORT TREATISE ON SANSKRIT PROSODY - Part I

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