Madhurāvijayam of Gaṅgādevī /23

4
 
MADHURAVIJAYA M
 
These names are representative of Samskrit literature

at its highest level and Gangā Dēvi plays, very

remarkably, the critic of these most reputed luminaries.

In a single verse devoted to each she brings out the

special merit of the poet. Kālidāsa, according to her,

must prove a model for all writers of good poetry.
[^6]
Bhaṭṭa Bāna's facility of expression and eloquence
appealed to her very much.
appealed to her very much.[^7] The depth of meaning in

the writings of Bhāravi and the literary flourishes of

Ācārya Dandin captivated our poet greatly.[^8] Ac-

cording to her, Bhavabūti,[^9] the immortal author of
Uttararāmaçaritam produced in the ears of the learned
a pleasure akin to the tasting of amrita.[^10]
 
In addition to these " the immortal author of
Uttaramighty minds of old" many
contemporary poets have come in for notice in the
Madhurāmaçaritam produced in the ears of the learned
a pleasure avijayam.[^10] It is not unlikin to the tasting of amrita.10
 
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ely that some of them
influenced her and inspired her greatly. Of these Kriyā-
ṣakti Pandita gets the pride of place in the poem.[^11]
In addition to these "mighty minds of old" many
contemporary poets have come in for notice in the
Madhurāvijayam.¹0 It is not unlimmediately after the invocation to god she makely that some of them
influenced her and inspired her greatly. Of these Kriya-
şakti Pandita gets the pride of place in the poem.¹¹
Immediately after the invocation to god she makes her
s her
obeisance to Guru Kriyāṣakti. This is significant. Ac-

cording to Sri Gopinatha Rao, the early kings of Vijaya-

nagara were all Saivas of the Saivagama sect and not
āgama sect and not
of the Vedanta sect. ¹[^12] The tradition of the foundation

of Vijayanagara by Maādhava Vidyāraṇya cannot be

given much credence though Vidyāraṇya did influence

the thought of the age as a great savant. His part at

the time of the inauguration of the kingdom could not
 

 
[^6.] Ibid., canto 1 sloka 7.
 

 
[^7.] Ibid., canto 1 sloka 8.
 

 
[^8.] Ibid., canto 1 sloka 9.
 

 
[^9.] Ibid., canto 1 sloka 11.
 

 
[^10.] Ibid., canto 1 slokas 13 to 16.
 
11.
 
[^11] Ibid., canto 1 sloka 4.
 

 
[^12.] T. A. Gopinatha Rao in his introduction to the Trivandrum
 

edition of the Madhuravijayam.