Kansvaho

Author(s): Rama Paniwada, A N Upadhye
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 17

xvi
KAŃSAVAHO
to his teacher at whose auspicious hands were laid the very foundations of his profound erudition and wide knowledge. From the way in which Nārāyaṇa Bhattatiri is mentioned in different works it appears that the statement saā gurūnar catane samallio (i. 2) and the concluding salutation sirigurupāānam namo at the close of the fourth canto have in view this Nārāyana Bhattapāda. It appears from Pānivāda's tributes that Nārāyana Bhatta was a great scholar and an eminent teacher. Unfortunately none of his works has come down to us. His place Thrikktārimom Illam was situated only at a distance of seven miles from the birth-place of Rāma Pāņivāda. Nārāyana's family was one of hereditary Tântrins in the famous Saiva temple at Killikuriśi Mangalam, and Rāma Pânivāda tells us in his Syikfşnaviläsam how his Guru performed the Pratişthā ceremony at the time of the renovation of chat temple. This Nārāyaṇa Bhatta Pada should be distinguished from another Närāyana Bhatta (A. D. 1560-1646), the author of Nārāyaṇīya, Prakriya-sarvasvam, Mānameyodaya and other works. Some scholars have confused these two authors on account of the similarity of names."
Rāma Panivāda had the necessary education and training; but in order to continue a literary career he needed the patronage of some munificent king or nobleman. He left home and first approached Kolatiri Raja of North Malabar. Kolatiri, being engaged in a war against his neighbour, could not offer a cordial welcome and patronage at his court to our author who consequently recorded his sad experiences in the following well-known verse :
कोलभूपस्य नगरे वासरा हरिवासराः । मषकैर्मत्कुणैश्वापि रात्रयः शिवरात्रयः॥
5 For instance, K. Sāmbasiva Sastri in his Preface to Vyttavārtikam Trivandrum Sanskrit Series No. cxxxi.