The Ashtadiggajas [8 Pointed Elephants]: Renowned Scholars of Krishna Deva Raya’s Court

Allasani Peddana

Introduction: Allasani Peddana, known as the Andhra Kavita Pitamaha (Grandfather of Telugu Poetry), was a prominent Telugu poet from the 15th and 16th centuries CE. He was the most respected among the Ashtadiggajas, the group of eight poets in Emperor Krishnadevaraya’s court.

Birthplace:

• There are different beliefs about his birthplace:
  • Some say he was from Pedda Dornala in the present-day Prakasam district near Srisailam.
  • Others believe he was a native of Somandepalli near Anantapur.

Literary Contributions:

• His most famous work is Swaarochisha Manu Sambhavam (also called Manu Charitramu), which tells the story of Svarochisha Manu, one of the fourteen Manus, from the Markandeya Purana.
  • Summary of “Manu Charitra – Swarochish Manu Sambhavam”: “Manu Charitra,” also known as “Swarochisha Manu Sambhavam,” is an epic poem that centres on the life of Swarochisha Manu, one of the Manus in Hindu mythology. Born to King Priyavrata and the celestial nymph Varuthini, Swarochisha Manu’s story is one of wisdom, justice, and duty. The poem details his ascent to the throne, his challenges as a ruler, and his adherence to dharma (righteousness). Through his narrative, Peddana explores a king’s moral obligations.
• Lost Works: Some of Peddana’s other works, like Harikathaasaaramu, have been lost over time.
• He used a mix of Telugu and Sanskrit in his writings.

Folk Tales and Legends:

• Many stories emphasize Peddana’s close relationship with Emperor Krishnadevaraya. It is said the emperor himself once lifted Peddana’s palanquin, showing great respect for the poet.
• Peddana was also honoured with Kanakabhishekam, a royal shower of gold, and was the only poet allowed to ride the royal elephants.
• When Krishnadevaraya passed away, Peddana was deeply sorrowful, expressing that he felt like a “living dead” without the king by his side.

Honours and Titles:

• Krishnadevaraya honoured him with the title Andhra Kavita Pitamaha for his immense contribution to Telugu literature.
• His style of poetry was described as ‘Allasani Vari Allika Jigi Bigi’ by Tenali Ramakrishna.

Legacy:

• Allasani Peddana’s works continue to inspire poets and scholars, and his status as one of the greatest Telugu poets is undisputed.

Nandi Thimmana

Nandi Thimmana, also known as Mukku Thimmana (meaning “Thimmana of the nose”), was a celebrated Telugu poet from the 15th and 16th centuries CE.

• Birthplace and Background:
  • Thimmana is believed to have been born in Anantapur.
  • He was associated with the Vijayanagara sub-kingdom ruled by Tirumala Devi, Krishnadevaraya’s senior wife, and it is believed he was brought to the court as a gift from her family.
• Religious Beliefs:
  • He was a Shaiva (devotee of Lord Shiva) and a disciple of Guru Aghora Siva. However, some of his works reflect Vaishnavism.
• Famous Works:
  • His most renowned work is Parijatapaharanamu. It tells the story of a love quarrel between Krishna and his consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama.
  • He also completed a Kannada version of the Mahabharata, called Karnataka Krishnadevaraya Bharatha Kathamanjari.
• Honours and Titles: His poetic skill in the description of beauty, particularly in his famous poem on a woman’s nose, earned him the name Mukku Thimmana.
• Style and Innovation:
  • Unlike his contemporaries who used complex language, Thimmana’s poetry is known for its simple and soft Telugu.
  • Thimmana was also known for his poetic experiments:
    • Chitra Kavita (Magical Poems): Some of his poems could be read in reverse, with the lines forming palindromes.
    • He composed a unique poem using only the letters “na” and “ma.”
    • Garbha Kavita (Hidden Poems): Thimmana’s poems often contained dual meanings.

Madayyagari Mallana

Mallana was one of the members of Ashtadiggajas.

Birthplace and Background:

• In his works, Mallana mentioned that his birthplace was in the Rayalaseema (southern districts of Andhra Pradesh) region and the land was ruled by the Rayas (Vijayanagara kings).
• He accompanied Krishnadevaraya on military expeditions and dedicated his work to Nadendla Appana, the governor of Kondavidu and nephew of Saluava Timmana, a minister in the Vijayanagara Empire.

Famous Works:

• Mallana’s most famous work is Rajasekara Charitram, which narrates the military and romantic conquests of Rajasekara, a king of Avanti.

Dhurjati

Introduction: Mahakavi Dhurjati was a celebrated Telugu poet from the 15th and 16th centuries CE. He was one of the eight great poets, known as the Ashtadiggajas.

• Birthplace: Dhurjati was born in Srikalahasti (a town in modern-day Tirupati district).
• Devotion: He was a devout worshiper of Lord Shiva, specifically in the form of Kalahasteeshwara, the deity of Srikalahasti.

Literary Contributions:

• Dhurjati’s works mainly praise Lord Shiva, showing his deep devotion.
• His famous works include:
  • Sri Kalahasteeshwara Mahatyam (The Glory of the Lord of Srikalahasti)
  • Sri Kalahasteeshwara Satakam (A collection of over 100 poems dedicated to the Lord of Srikalahasti).
• He is also known for composing many chatuvus (extempore poems).

Poetic Style and Themes:

• Dhurjati’s poetry, like many poets of the Prabandha period, drew from the Puranas.
• Unlike other Ashtadiggaja poets, such as Peddana and Mallana, who focused on monarchs and royal themes, Dhurjati centred his poetry on faith and devotion, particularly his love for Lord Shiva.

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu

Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, also known as Pillala Ramabhadrudu, was one among the Astadiggajas.

• Birthplace and Background:
  • His birthplace is considered to be Cuddapah in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
  • He was patronized by Krishnadevaraya but later moved to the court of Gobburi Narasaraya, the nephew of Aliya Rama Raya.
• Literary Works:
  • His most famous work is Ramabhyudayamu, which he dedicated to Narasaraya.
  • He also translated one of Krishnadevaraya’s works into Telugu at the emperor’s request, a text called Sakala Katha Sara Sangraham.

Pingali Surana

Pingali Surana was one of the Ashtadiggajas in the court of Krishnadevaraya.

Early Life:

• Birthplace: His exact birthplace is uncertain, but he lived in Kanala village near Nandyala (in present-day Nandyal District). There is a samadhi (tomb) in Kanala where his Jayanthi is celebrated by the potter community.
• Patronage: He dedicated his works to Nandyala Krishna Raju, a ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire.

Literary Works:

• Suranna’s major works include:
  • Garuda Puranam (dedicated to his father)
  • Prabhavati Pradyumnamu
  • Raghava Pandaveeyam [it is notable for its dvayarthi (double meaning)]
  • Kalapurnodayamu

Ramarajabhushanudu

One of the Ashtadiggajas, poets in the court of Rama Raya, son-in-law of Krishnadevaraya.

• Real Name: Bhattu Murthi
• Title: He earned the title Ramarajabhushanudu because he was considered the “jewel” (Bhushanam) of the royal court of Rama Raya.
• Birthplace: According to archaeological records (Sasanas), he was from Kasanuru village in Kadapa district (present-day Andhra Pradesh).
• Musician: He was also a skilled musician and played the Veena.

• Works: His notable works include:
  • Kavyalankarasangrahamu
  • Vasucaritramu (dedicated to Tirumala Deva Raya)
  • Harischandra Nalopakhyanamu (dedicated to Orugnati Narasaraya)
  • Narasabhupaleeyamu
• Vasucharitramu is particularly famous for its use of Slesha (double meaning).

• Double Meaning Poetry: Like Pingali Surana, Ramarajabhushanudu excelled in Dvayarthi (double entendre) poetry, with works such as Harischandra Nalopakhyanamu, which cleverly tells the stories of the kings Harischandra and Nala using poems with double meanings.

• Awards and Titles: He was considered the gem of Rama Raya’s court, and this is why he is famously known as Rama-raja-bhushana.

Tenali Ramakrishna

Tenali Ramakrishna, also known as Tenali Rama or Tenali Ramalinga, was a celebrated poet, scholar, and thinker of Telugu literature. He is widely remembered for his wit and humour, which made him a popular figure in Indian folklore. He was among the Ashtadiggajas in the royal court of King Krishnadevaraya.

• Early Life:
  • He was born on 22 September 1480,  in a village called Tenali in the modern-day Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
  • He lost his father (Garlapati Rama) at a young age. His mother, Lakshmamma, took him to Vijayanagara in hopes of providing him with better opportunities.

• Literary Works:
  • He became renowned for his wit (ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humour) and was appointed as one of the Ashtadiggajas in Krishnadevaraya’s court.
  • His most notable work is the Panduranga Mahatmyam, a poetic narrative about the temple of Lord Vishnu in Pandharpur. This composition is considered one of the Pancha Maha Kavyas (Five Great Kavyas) of Telugu literature.
  • He wrote Udbhataradhya Charitamu, which tells the story of the Shaivite teacher Udbhata and the holiness of Varanasi.

• Religious Views: Tenali Ramakrishna was a devout Shaivite and expressed his religious devotion through his literary works.

• Legacy:
  • Tenali Ramakrishna passed away on 5 August 1528.
  • His tales of cleverness and humour have been passed down through generations, making him a folk hero in Indian storytelling.

Read more: Vijayanagara Empire

The Prabandha Age (1540 CE to 1600 CE)

• The era of the Ashtadiggajas is known as the Prabandha Age, a time when Telugu literature thrived.
• Unlike earlier poets like Tikkana and Potana, who adhered strictly to their Sanskrit sources, the Ashtadiggajas innovated within the prabandha style by incorporating fiction and modifying original narratives.
• Srinatha (1355-1441AD) was a 15th-century Telugu poet who popularised the Prabandha style of composition.
• This period saw the creation of prabandhas in three types:
  1. Prakhyatam (famous stories),
  2. Utpadyam (purely fictional stories), and
  3. Misramam (mixed stories).
• Notably, dual-meaning works such as “Raghavapandaveeyam” and “Harischandranalopakhyanamu” emerged, showcasing the intellectual prowess of these poets.

Ashtadiggajas UPSC PSC MCQs

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