Maisor Prachya Koshagarastha Likhit Sanskrit Granth Suchi

Author(s): M S Basavalingayya, T T Srinivasgopalachar
Publisher: Oriental Library

Page 12

Since the Mādhavācārvasūri referred to by Kesavaswāmin (1300 A.D.) in his Nānārthārņava-sanksepa is identical with Venkatamādhava, the latter must have lived earlier than the 13th century A.D. Pandit K. Sāmbasiva Sastri, in his introduction to the Rk Samhitā,assigns Venkatamādhara to the 12th century, relying on a tradition that Venkatamādhava was one of the disciples of the great Rāmānujācārya. This tradition is opposed to facts. Venkatamādhara, in his commentary on the Rg-reda prays to God Vināyaka in the following verse:
श्रीवेङ्कटार्यतनयो ब्याचिकीर्षति माधनः । ऋक्संहितामस्य देवः प्रसीदतु विनायकः ॥
The disciples of Ramānuja are not generally known to invoke. in their works, the favour of God Vināyaka. Nor is Visvaksena, who is often invoked by Sri Vaisnavas, anywhere known by the name of Vināyaka.
Although it is not possible at present to determine the exact date of Venkatamādhava, this much is clear, that he Lelongs to a period far removed from Sāyana.
Sāma Samhitā.-This Samhitā is divided into two parts-Gäna and Arcika. Gana or chant is again divisible into two, namely, Vedasāma and Uha. The chanting of Rks in the Pūrvarcika is known as Vedasāma and is also termed Geyagāna and Veyagāna. The chanting of Rks in the Uttarārcika is known as Uhagana. The second part-Arcika--is divisible into four parts, Pūrvārcika, Uttarărcika, and their supplements. The Pūrvārcika is known as Chanda Arcika and Yonyārcika. Māhānāmni, otherwise known as Sakvari, and Aranyakārcikas have been regarded as the supplements of the Pūrvārcika. Some do not regard these two as Parisistas, but treat them as two separate parts of Arcika itself with their own Gānas, namely, Uhyagāna and Rahasyagāna, though Uhyagāna and Stobia come under Parisistas according to the above four-fold division.
Trivandrum Sanskrit Series, No. VIII, Ķk Samhita, Introduction, p. 5.