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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.
Bhaṭṭa Bāna's facility of expression and eloquence
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. Ac-
cording to her, Bhavabūti," the immortal author of
Uttararāmaçaritam produced in the ears of the learned
a pleasure akin to the tasting of amrita.10
 
2
 
In addition to these "mighty minds of old" many
contemporary poets have come in for notice in the
Madhurāvijayam.¹0 It is not unlikely 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
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
of the Vedanta sect. ¹2 The tradition of the foundation
of Vijayanagara by Madhava 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. Ibid., canto 1 sloka 4.
 
12. T. A. Gopinatha Rao in his introduction to the Trivandrum
 
edition of the Madhuravijayam.