Indian Antiquary Vol 55

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 90

78
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ April, 1926
As regards the fourth line, Madhura of the Lives of the Poets styles himself “Karnatakalakshana-bhåshå kavirajanaṁ pravilasadvåni-mukhåmbhojanaṁ." Madhura of the inscription describes his poetic ability in the same terms in the fourth line and adds that, as Lakshmi. dhara has become his patron, lre purposely uses the phrase "Lakshmanapâda-sarojanań pravilasaddhatri mukhambhojanam.” It seems therefore fairly certain that Madhura who is
Karnataka-lakshana-bhasha-kaviraja' and the Madhura who calls himself 'NirnitakarnataLakshmanapâda-sarojanam' are one and the same poet. It is obvious that in addition to having been a protégé of Muddadandeshvar, Madhura had become the recipient of the liberal patronage of Lakshmidhara.
Moreover he describes himself as 'Madhura Kavendra Bhunathasthåna-chudámani' (the eminent poet Madhura, ornament of the court of Bhunatha), and in giving details in the inscription of Deva Raya's lineage, he indulges in various eulogies of that ruler. From this fact we may conclude that Madhura was also Deva Raya's poet-laureate.
Madhura's works are not easy to obtain. This inscription is essentially a short poem, and contains all the distinctive features of true poetry. The attractiveness of his style can best be seen in the portion of the inscription devoted to a sketch of Lakshmidhara.
He first tells us that Lakshmidhara was the prime minster of Devaraya. He styles him The true poet Lakshmidhara,' 'The chief of poets, Lakshmana,' etc., in several places. There can, therefore, be no doubt that Lakshmidhara was not only a real friend to learning and an active supporter of learned men, but was also himself an eminent poet. Unfortunately we know none of his writings, though there are grounds for supposing that among his works were the Kļishnalila, Ananda Ramayana, and Nitivakyamrita.
Madhura gives an instance of Lakshmidhara's keenness and efficiency in the administration of public affairs. Certain bad characters once resolved to assassinate Deva Raya, and armed with keen weapons approached the entrance of the royal chamber. Lakshmidhara heard of the plot, and heeding not of the strength of the enemy, with great daring turned the tables on the miscreants and saved his royal master's life.
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and is attributed to the authorship of one Paraattributed to Ramanujacharya, & Brahman of the
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chapters. The book is very valuable to the follisher of that extant work Kautilya's Arthadaltra.
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