आमुक्तमाल्यदा (विजयनगर सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय - गोदा देवी आण्डाल भक्ति एवं साम्राज्य-नीति)
आमुक्तमाल्यदा (विजयनगर सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय - गोदा देवी आण्डाल भक्ति एवं साम्राज्य-नीति)
Amuktamalyada of Sri Krishnadevaraya
by सम्राट् श्रीकृष्णदेवराय (अनुवाद: प्रेमा नन्दकुमार)
DevanagariHindipublished73 pages
Page 17 of 73
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- VISHNUCHITTA
In the 8th century A.D., Villipputtur had reached the apex of its
glory. The temple of Vatapatrasāyi, built by the chieftain Villi,
was the centre of the town’s prosperity. But it was not material
prosperity that made the city famous. The residents knew how to
cultivate sreyas as well, and the very air vibrated with devotion to
Narayana. Women going about their daily tasks (as when carrying
water pots on their hips) walked reciting musically the hymns of
the Alwars (divya prabandha yugaasayal dravidaanganam).
Though the author has to follow epic conventions when des-
cribing the prosperity and people of the land which includes the
courtesans, he walks warily and avoids overt descriptions, for in a
story of Goda Devi these things have no place. Instead, there is
plenty of nature description. This is verily the kingdom of Sakham-
bari: jack fruit ripening at the foot of the tree, bunches of plantains
heady-scented champaks · a variety of trees like arecanut and mango
makes the place a paradise for spiritual aspirants. The drums of
the temple, the scent of the sacred basil, the bells atop the Dhwajas-
thamba: verily these are of the kingdom of God! Everything speaks
of the sweetness of human nature. For instance, women who guard
paddy set out to dry are so gentle that they use lotus garlands to
drive away the deer that come to eat the corn.
The Villipputtur citizenry are fine hosts. They serve the Lord’s
devotees with rice, dal, ghee, vegetables, milk and curd, for such
is the Vaishnavite way of life. The Tiruppāvai speaks highly of
community worship, community singing and community feasting
(koodi irundhu kulirndhu). Vishnuchitta belonged to such a family.
Having imbibed the teaching of Vaishnavism, he led a regulated
outer life which moved in rhythm with his inner life of divine con-
sciousness. He prepared flower garlands for the presiding deity of
Villipputtur, and found great joy in this humble task.
Krishnadeva Raya takes a special pleasure in detailing the
variety of dishes that Vishnuchitta offered to his guests. The diffe-
rent seasons brought out appropriate preparations to suit the
human body. During rainy days there was an abundance of fried