Question

Which member of the astadiggajas wrote ‘Pandurangamahatyam’?
A) Tenali Ramakrishna
B) Nandi Thimmana
C) Madayyagari
D) Dhurjati

Answer 1

Hint: Under the patronage of the king ‘Krishnadevraya’, who reigned from 1509-1529, a group of 8 poets were specifically referred to by the term Astadiggajas. They signified the eight pillars of the king’s literary assembly. ‘Panduranga Mahatyam' is one of the Pancha Maha Kavyas of Telugu literature.

Complete answer:
The poets of the South Indian “Vijayanagara Kingdom” were referred to as Astadiggajas. Under the patronage of the king ‘Krishnadevraya’, who reigned from 1509-1529, a group of 8 poets were specifically referred to by this term. They signified the eight pillars of the king’s literary assembly. This symbolism was obtained from the religious belief that “the whole world was sustained by eight elephants on their backs”.

In fact, Astadiggajas literally means “elephants in eight directions”. The eight Astadiggajas were Allasani Peddana, Dhurjati, Nandi Thimmana, Madayyagiri Mallana, Ayyalaraju Ramabhadrudu, Tenali Ramakrishna and Ramarajabhushanudu.

‘Panduranga Mahatyam' is one of the Pancha Maha Kavyas of Telugu literature. The book contains a legendary account of a shrine of Vishnu as Panduranga, at Pandharpur instituted by the ministry of Saint Pandaria.

Now let us look into the given options:
Option A) Tenali Ramakrishna: Tenali Ramakrishna was an Indian poet, scholar, thinker and a special advisor in the king Krishnadevraya's court. He was a Telugu poet and the one who wrote the book ‘Panduranga Mahatyam’, whose theme he took from the ‘Skanda Purana' and enhanced it with many stories about the devotees of Panduranga. Thus, it is the correct option.

Option B) Nandi Thimmana: He was a Telugu poet and one of the famous poets in the court of the king Krishnadevraya. His works were easily understood even by non-educated people as he used only simple Telugu words in his works. ‘Parijatapaharanam’ is a famous poem composed of him and is still very popular among the Telugu scholars. Thus, it is an incorrect option.

Option C) Madayyagari: Madayyagari Mallana was also a Telugu poet and is known for his work ‘Rajasekhara Charitramu'. Thus, it is an incorrect option.

Option D) Dhurjati: He was a Telugu poet and got recognition for his book ‘Kalahasti Mahatyam’ from the king Krishnadevraya. This book is about the temple town, its legends and myths and about the deity of Lord Shiva. Thus, it is an incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (A) Tenali Ramakrishna.

Note: The foremost Ashtadiggaja of them all was Allasani Peddana. He is referred to as the ‘Grandfather of Telugu Poetry’ and was the only poet in the court who had the privilege to mount the royal elephants. It is also believed that he was also a minister in the king's court and hence was called Peddana Amatya, meaning Peddana the minister.