Vijayanagara Literature: Diverse Literary Works of Vijayanagara Empire

Introduction to Vijayanagara Empire

Vijayanagara was a powerful empire from 1336 to 1646 CE in the South Indian region. It played a crucial role in shaping the culture and the literature of the area. The empire covered modern-day Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms of its time military wise as well literary wise as well. The Vijayanagara Literature is a mix of languages. We get to see literary outputs in Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit and even Tamil. Since the rules of the Vijayanagar empire patronized poets, scholars and artists and were very fond of literature, it was well-flourished in the region. 

Vijayanagara Literature

Vijayanagar Empire witnessed the peak development of literature under the rule of Sri Krishnadevaraya. Majority of Kannada literature focused around Veershaivism and Vaishnavism and a bit of Jainism. There were in total three categories under which the majority of writings were categorized, 6 line poetry called Shatpadi, melodic pieces called Sangatya and 3 line poetry called Tripadi. The early Sangama emperors patronized Sringeri saints. Later on Suluva and Tuluva kings patronized Madhava saints of Udupi. Sangam rulers also patronized Advaita saints of Sringeri order, and one of the epic works of this time was Sayana’s Vedartha Prakash. 

Key points to remember

• Krishnadevaraya – the third monarch of Tuluva dynasty, who ruled Vijayanagar empire from 1509-1529 
• Veershaivism – a sect within the Shaivism fold of Hinduism, their name stands for firm worshippers of Shiva.  
• Vaishnavism – A religious group in Hinduism that involves worshiping Vishnu. 
• Jainism – An Indian religion that revolves around the belief of non-violence, originated 2,500 years ago. 
• Shatpadi – Literally meaning “six lines,” it is a meter in Kannada prosody used in Kannada poetry where second, fourth and fifth lines are equal to each other. 
• Sangatya – A type of composition in Kannada literature, a popular form of verse having four lines where first and third lines are equal and second and fourth lines are equal to each other. 
• Tripadi – It is a form of poetry consisting of three lines.
• Sringeri saints – These were the saints who belonged to Sringeri, a hill town. One of the famous Sringeri saints was Sri Adi Shankaracharya.  
• Madhava saints – Madhava saints were the followers of Madhavacharya. 
• Advaita saints – Saints and philosophers who followed the Advaita philosophy, emphasizing on non-duality of the individual and universal consciousness.
• Sayana – He was a Sanskrit Mimamsa scholar from the Vijayanagar Empire during the 14th century. 
• Vedartha Prakash – Vedarth Prakash is a book written by one of the scholars of the Vijayanagar Empire during the 14th century, Sayana. 

Multilingual Literary Environment

One of the crucial characteristics of Vijayanagara literature is its multilingual nature. Since the empire spanned over such a big area, many languages were accommodated in the section of literature in Vijayanagar. The rulers encouraged generation of literature in all the major languages, like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Sanskrit. Each of these languages had their own themes and topics they covered, mostly religion, epics, philosophy or courtly poetry. 

Key points to remember

• Tamil: A Dravidian language natively spoken by Tamil people of India, one of the oldest languages in the world.
• Telugu: A language spoken in Southeastern India, one of the ancient languages of India. 
• Sanskrit: An ancient language of India belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. 
• Epics: A long poem derived from an ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic figures from history. 
• Courtly poems: Poems written by highly skilled poets employed by the royal courts. 

Kannada Literature

Kannada writing saw a great development in the Vijayanagar literature period. The rulers were also patrons of Kannada literature, especially from the Sangam and Tuluva dynasties. The kings composed works in genres like epic poetry, historical narratives, religious treatises. 

During this time period, Kumar Vyasa, and Chamarasa were the well known poets of Kannada literature. Kumar Vyasa wrote the Mahabharata in Kannada through his work named Kathamanjari. His writings included vivid storytelling and moral-reflections which were loved by the locals who spoke Kannada. Chamarasa, composed Prabhulinga Leele, which was based on the life of saint Allama Prabhu, a patron saint of Lingayat.

Key points to remember

• Sangam Dynasty: The founding dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, established in the early 14th century by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I.
• Tuluva Dynasty:  The third ruling dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire, known for its most famous king, Krishnadevaraya.
• Kumar Vyasa: A 15th-century Kannada poet best known for his epic poem “Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari,” a retelling of the Mahabharata.
• Chamarasa: A 15th-century Kannada poet and saint, renowned for his work “Prabhulinga Leele,” which narrates the life of Allama Prabhu.
• Kathamanjari: A famous work by Kumar Vyasa that narrates the Mahabharata in Kannada, also known as “Karnata Bharata Kathamanjari.”
• Prabhulinga Leele: A 15th-century Kannada epic by Chamarasa that recounts the spiritual journey of Allama Prabhu.
• Allama Prabhu: A 12th-century Lingayat saint-poet and philosopher, venerated for his vachanas (poetic expressions) that form part of Lingayat literature.
• Lingayat: A religious sect in South India founded by Basava, advocating devotion to Lord Shiva and rejecting traditional caste systems and rituals.

Telugu Literature

Among other languages, Telugu also saw its flourish during the reign of Vijayanagara Empire, especially under the rule of Krishnadevaraya. His reign also marked a golden era for Telugu literature. Among other Telugu poets and writers, King Krishnadevaraya was himself a celebrated poet.  His contributions to the Vijayanagara literature are still respected. 

Among other works for Krishnadevaraya, Amuktamalyada is considered the most important contribution to the Telugu literature of Vijayanagara. It’s a poem which revolves around the story of Andal, a Tamil Vaishnav saint. It focuses on the themes of love, devotion and philosophy. Another poet, Allasani Peddana, one of the eight esteemed poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya, also contributed heavily to the VIjayanagara literature in Telugu language. His is also regarded as, Andhra Kavita Pitamaha i.e. Grandfather of Telugu poetry. His epic poem, Manucharitramu, tells a story on the creation of man. This work revolved around the theme of mythology and philosophy of human life. And how can we forget, Tenali Ramakrishna? Remembered for his wit and humor, he was also a celebrated poet and scholar of Vijayanagara literature. His works mostly included courtly humor, satire or wisdom. 

Key points to remember

• Krishnadevaraya: A prominent 16th-century king of the Vijayanagara Empire, known for his military successes and patronage of arts and literature.
• Amuktamalyada: A Telugu poetic work by Krishnadevaraya, describing the story of the Vaishnava saint Andal and her devotion to Lord Ranganatha.
• Andal: A 9th-century Tamil poet-saint and one of the 12 Alvars, known for her devotion to Lord Vishnu and her compositions in praise of him.
• Allasani Peddana: A prominent Telugu poet in Krishnadevaraya’s court, honored with the title “Andhra Kavita Pitamaha” (Father of Telugu Poetry).
• Andhra Kavita Pitamaha: A title given to Allasani Peddana, acknowledging him as the father of Telugu poetry for his literary contributions.
• Manucharitramu: A Telugu poetic work by Allasani Peddana, considered one of the greatest works of classical Telugu literature.
• Tenali Ramakrishna: A 16th-century Telugu poet and jester in Krishnadevaraya’s court, known for his wit, humor, and cleverness.

Sanskrit Literature

Another which was heavily patronized under Vijayanagara literature was Sanskrit. Many significant works were produced in this language during this period. The themes usually revolved around religious philosophy, epics and commentaries on ancient texts. And additionally, the empire was also a major center for the studies of Vedant, mimamsa and many other branches of Hindu philosophy. Among the key Sanskrit scholars was Vyasatirtha, a prominent Dvaita philosopher. He was a crucial figure in the Madhav School of Vedant. His prominent works were Nyayamrita and Tatparya Chandrika. Sayana, another Sanskrit scholar, was known for his commentaries on Vedas. He was also a minister in the court of Vijayanagara. His works are considered crucial for Vedic studies, providing detailed explanation of ancient Vedic hymns and rituals. 

Key points to remember

• Commentaries: Explanatory writings on ancient religious texts, offering insights and explanations to make the original texts understandable to the mass. 
• Vedanta: A school of Hindu philosophy based on the teachings of the Upanishads, emphasizing the concepts of Brahman and Atman.
• Mimamsa: An ancient Hindu philosophical system that focuses on the interpretation of the Vedas, particularly the rituals and the nature of dharma.
• Vyasatirtha: A 16th-century Dvaita Vedanta philosopher and scholar, known for his extensive commentaries on Vedantic texts and his defense of dualism.
• Nyayamrita: A famous philosophical work by Vyasatirtha, written as a critique of Advaita Vedanta, defending the Dvaita school of thought.
• Tatparya Chandrika: A commentary by Vyasatirtha that clarifies and interprets the teachings of Madhvacharya, the founder of Dvaita Vedanta.
• Sayana: A 14th-century scholar and commentator best known for his comprehensive commentaries on the Vedas, particularly the Rigveda.

Tamil Literature

Tamil literature generally revolved around Bhakti and devotion . Though it was not as widely patronized as Telugu and Kannada it still contributed a lot to the Vijayanagara literature. The Bhakti movement, which had its origin in Tamil Nadu had a great impact on Tamil literature. The Bhakti movement continued to inspire the poets where they kept composing poems to devote and praise the gods such as, Vishnu, Murugan and Shiva. This poetry period, focused on the themes of complete surrender, spiritual union and divine love with the deity. 

Key points to remember

• Bhakti movement: A medieval devotional movement in India that emphasized personal devotion to a deity over rituals and caste distinctions.
• Vishnu: A principal Hindu deity, regarded as the preserver and protector of the universe, often worshiped in his incarnations like Rama and Krishna.
• Shiva: A major Hindu god, known as the destroyer and transformer, representing both creation and destruction in the cosmic cycle.
• Murugan: A Hindu deity worshiped primarily in South India, considered the god of war and the son of Shiva and Parvati.
• Complete Surrender: The act of fully submitting oneself to the will of a deity, often seen as the highest form of devotion in certain spiritual traditions.
• Spiritual Union: The merging of an individual soul with the divine, often regarded as the ultimate goal in many religious and mystical traditions.
• Divine Love: A form of pure, unconditional love directed toward God or a higher spiritual power, central to devotional practices like Bhakti.

Religious Literature

Religion played a crucial role in the contribution to Vijayanagar literature. Along with the influence of Bhakti movement, much of the literary output revolved around Hinduism and its various deities. Even the empire’s rules were devout Hindu and many poets also composed their works surrounding and praising the gods like Parvati, Shiva and Vishnu. Religious works like Amuktmalyada, Prabhulinga Leele reflected great devotion and religiosity. Another movement, known as Haridas movement, a part of Bhakti tradition gave birth to composers like Purandaradasa and Kanakdasa, who wrote devotional songs i.e. keerthanas in Kannada. These works promoted virtues of simple and pious life while also expressing their devotion to Vishnu. 

Key points to remember

• Hinduism: The oldest major world religion, characterized by a variety of beliefs, practices, and rituals, centered on concepts like dharma, karma, and devotion to various deities.
• Parvati: A Hindu goddess, wife of Shiva, and mother of Ganesha and Kartikeya, representing fertility, love, and devotion.
• Shiva: A principal Hindu deity, known as the destroyer and transformer, part of the holy trinity (Trimurti) along with Brahma and Vishnu.
• Vishnu: A major Hindu god, known as the preserver of the universe, often depicted in his avatars like Rama and Krishna.
• Purandaradasa: A 16th-century saint-composer and one of the founders of Carnatic music, known for his devotional songs .
• Kanakadasa: A 16th-century poet, philosopher, and saint, also a key figure in the Bhakti movement, known for his devotional songs in Kannada.
• Keerthanas: Devotional compositions, usually in praise of a deity, sung during worship, especially in the Carnatic music tradition.

Court poetry and Epic Narratives

Vijayanagar Empire and its court, was heavily influenced by literary creativity and activity. Since the rulers were also fond of such outputs poets were encouraged to produce more and more of such works. The poets often compose grand epic poems and court poetries celebrating the prestige of the kingdom and its rulers. The works sometimes revolved around Mahabharat and Ramayan but also had local politics and history in it. Poets like Nandi Timmana, and Bhattu Murti wrote works where they praised and honoured their empire’s kings and even extolled justice and the moral duty, i.e. virtues of dharma. 

Key points to remember

• Epic poems: Long narrative poems that describe heroic deeds and events of historical or mythological significance.
• Court Poetry: Poetry composed and performed in royal courts, often reflecting the culture, values, and politics of the time.
• Mahabharat: An ancient Indian epic that narrates the story of the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and Pandava princes.
• Ramayan: An ancient Indian epic detailing the life and adventures of Prince Ram, his wife Sita, and his loyal companion Hanuman.
• Nandi Timmana: A 15th-century Telugu poet known for his contributions to court poetry and his works in the Vijayanagara Empire.
• Bhattu Murti: A 16th-century Kannada poet and scholar known for his literary works and contributions to Kannada literature and court poetry.
• Dharma: A key concept in Hinduism and other Indian religions referring to the moral order, duty, and righteousness that individuals must follow in their lives.

Conclusion

The Vijayanagara literature became one of the greatest contributions to ancient literature. With its diversity in language and encouragement by the rulers of Vijayanagara, it gave birth to many great poets and their works. The works produced during this period later influenced a lot of poets and writers in Kannada, Telugu and other South Indian languages. And many works of this period are still celebrated and revered as one of the classics of the literary section. 

It has helped in preserving the rich culture and religious heritage of the region. This literary epitome also helped in shaping regional identities and preserving spiritual and philosophical beliefs in Hinduism. And still continues to inspire the poets, scholars and even readers. 

FAQs on Vijayanagara Literature

1.  What  was the literature of the Vijayanagara Empire?

It refers to the literature produced in the Vijayanagar Empire during the golden age of         literature; the works were written in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Sanskrit.

2. What is the literature under Krishnadevaraya?

Krishnadevaraya’s famous composition is Amuktamalyada, an epic revolving around            Andal, a Vaishnav saint. His other works include Madalssa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya,      Jambavati Kalyana and Rajasmanjari, all in Sanskrit.

3. Who wrote Dharmanatha Purana?

Madhura, a court poet of King Harihara II and the King Deva Raya I wrote the                    Dharmanatha Purana.

4. What are the three books of Krishnadevaraya?

Krishnadevaraya wrote Jambavati Kalyana, Madalasa Charitam and Rasamajari.

5. Which languages flourished in Vijayanagar literature?

Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrti were the four languages which flourished during          this time period.

Few Lines on Vijayanagara Literature

1. Vijayanagar Kings heavily patronized the work of literature which led to the golden time period of literature in South India.
2. Almost all the kings were poets, among whom Krishnadevaraya’s Amuktamalyada is the most famous work of any of the kings of Vijayanagar.
3. Vijayanagar literature consists of literary outputs in four languages, Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit and Tamil. 
4. The works were divided into 3 categories, Shatpadi, Sangatya and Tripadi.
5. Bhakti movement had its roots in Tamil nadu hence, many of the literary works have the influence of religion in them. 
6. Tenali Ramakrishanan, popularly known as Tenalirama was one of the eight revered poets in the court of Krishnadevaraya, his works revolved around satire, wit, wisdom and court humor. 
7. Vijayanagar was also a center for the study of various Hindu branches, hence, many sanskrit literature contributed to the study of Vedas.