Avatarika

Interlude between Radha and Krishna

Mangalacharanam to Rukmini and Satyabhama
Respect for Sanskrit and Telugu scholars
Reasons for a new book
Krishna appears in a dream
Wise men interpret the dream
Praise to the patron king Pratapsimha
Genealogy of Muddupalani
Qualities of Tanjanayaki
Rama Vadhuti, the embodiment of good qualities
Genealogy and qualities of Muddupalani
In praise of Lord Krishna

1. The Lord, glancing lovingly at Radhika, said,

‘O gorgeous one,
Can there be another of comparable beauty?’
‘Tease me not! Have I not idolized you forever?’
Retorted the irate maiden.
And so, to appease the angry Radhika,
Did young Krishna embrace her
And on this Lord God, I do meditate
To fulfil my heart’s desires.

2. She who like a swan glides

With tortoise-like gait,
 Raised full breasts and waist so small,
Like a lioness, her shoulders strong
The enticing threefold lines at her waist
Face aglow, radiant and bright,
Luminous eyes alluring
Sweet lips that beckon
She, who like a parrot speaks,
To this beauteous Rukmini
I pray for prosperity.

3. Like a graceful elephant she sways

Long, black hair coiled like Adi Shesha
Like lofty mountains her breasts rise
With languorous grace her feet move
To that gracious Satyabhama I pray
For eternal protection.

4. I bow to Adi Shesha

On whom rests mighty Srinivasa,
Hail to the able-bodied Garuda
Who is His vahana,
Praise be to Hari’s general Vishwaksena
To all the gods and great scholars
And to the Lord God, refuge of all beings,
I pay obeisance.

5. Muddupalani then evokes the blessings of all the scholars and poets she
admires. These include Sanskrit littérateurs like Valmiki, Vyasa and
Kalidasa, and Telugu poets Nannaya, Tikkana, Nachana Somana,
Srinatha, Bhaskara, Vemulavada and Bheemakavi. She then disavows
those she calls kukavis and critics while explaining the reason for her
writing this kavya.

6. Bad news are critics and kukavis

Whose lives depend on calumny.
Ignore them and pay not heed.
 And should you come to a barb while reading
Use your discrimination.

7. But cynics don’t stop:

‘What use is another kavya
When so much,
Far better, already exists?’
To them, I say:
‘The bee that enjoys the lotus
Delights in the honey of ordinary flowers
With equal relish.’

8. Brown body lustrous

Gossamer pitambar tied at his waist
Pearl nose pin gleaming bright
Kasturi tilakam anointing his forehead
Compassionate eyes reflecting his grace
With peacock feathers and abundant flowers
With the moon and the sun as his ornaments bright
His matchless beauty
Seemed all splendour and grace.
Holding Radhika’s flower in his hand
He appeared, the radiant Krishna,
In my dream.

9. Stunned and stupefied

I was
Prostrating before my Lord
He looked
At me
My Krishna
And spoke
With much love, much compassion.

10. ‘O Muddupalani!
Most sensitive of poets,
 I desire you to write
With great dedication
The tale closest to my heart,
The tale of Radhika Santawanam.’

11. As soon as he uttered these words, the Lord disappeared, leaving me

mesmerized and awestruck. Perturbed, and wondering what this
wonderful dream meant, I sought the help of scholars to interpret it.

12. Then did I remember the man who was steeped in Vedantic tradition,
known for his gravitas and magnanimity, who felled disbelievers and
ignoramuses alike with his depth of knowledge, surrounded by devotees
—he who stood like the moon in a sea of scholars, whose guidance I
sought because of my good fortune. This epitome of good qualities was
my guru and preceptor, Veera Raghava Desika, who followed in the
footsteps of His Holiness, the revered Thirumala Tatacharya.
Propitiating him, as he sat surrounded by scholars and artistes, I
narrated the dream, seeking answers to what it meant. And then in
chorus they declared that I’d been blessed by Krishna’s presence,
because I’d served well the great sire Veera Raghava, who was none
other than the Lord incarnate. Graced as I was by the God’s presence
they showered me with blessings saying that I would be the recipient of
much fame and fortune.

13. ‘He, most able of administrators,

He, who chased away darkness from earth
Earning the country’s praise.
He, who with his might and valour, contained the enemy’s armies.
He, whom Aryavrata considers an embodiment of knowledge,
Is such a man a mere king?
Loving son and compassionate ruler,
Known as the Moon of the Bhosale kingdom
Is the great Pratapsimha.

14. ‘He whose magnanimity

Put Lord Indra to shame
 Whose deep devotion to Lord Rama
Caused Narada to pale in comparison
Whose genius and knowledge
Made Adi Shesha bow in humility
Whose pervasive fame
Rendered the Sea God shamefaced
He whose eminence and reputation
Spread through God’s kingdom,
The Himalayas and the entire world
Is the great Pratapsimha.’

15. They said:

‘You who have received such a king’s affections,
Should you be surprised by such unusual happenings?
Elaborate on your life for all to know,’
They encouraged with kindness.

16. Thus persuaded, Muddupalani outlines her genealogy. Tanjanayaki, a

renowned court dancer and courtesan, befriends a man called Ayyavaya,
who is a great philanthropist although from a lower caste. Considering
him a brother, she adopts his son and names him Muthyalu, raising him
as her own. When Muthyalu comes of age, she gets him married to
another talented and beautiful courtesan much like herself called Rama
Vadhuti, who is also addressed here as Potiboti.

17. What is it that turns red on touch?

The tips of his lady’s breasts.
What sparkles like precious stones
On the crowns of Manmatha, Brahma and others?
What blossoms like lotus fields
In the hearts of devout sages?
Who spreads the glory of the Vedas?
The sacred Ganges rising from Shiva’s head
Flows through the three worlds,
To the auspicious feet of Shri Vishnu.
18. From His holy feet was born
Into the Sudra caste,
A man called Ayyavaya,
Renowned as Karna,
The magnanimous philanthropist.

19. He and his wife Chengathi

Begot a son Muthyalu, whom
The dancer Tanjanayaki loved so true
That she took him for her own.

20. Impossible to assess was

Tanjanayaki’s wealth and intelligence,
Shrewd, skilled, sensuous was she
Winning over one and all.

21. Could she play the veena?

Oh! Even statues would start nodding their heads.
Could she dance?
Oh! Even Rambha would hang her head in shame.
Could she sing?
Oh! Even the hardest rock would melt in minutes.
Could she converse?
Like a sprinkle of cool water, drenching one in happiness.

22. Epithets such as these adorned her

Unequalled and beyond compare
Embodiment of virtue and great beauty
Kamadeva’s own creation, was Tanjanayaki.

23. And like siblings true

Did Tanjanayaki and Muthyalu’s father live
Caring and coexisting
Like Kunti and Vasudeva.

24. Then one day did Muddu Tanjanayaki

Come across another
 Best amongst women,
An epitome of virtues,
A beauteous ganika called Rama Vadhuti.

25. An agraharam
Ramambakhya Puram,
A great temple to Shiva
Playgrounds and verdant gardens
Fragrant flowers full in bloom
Great ponds and lakes with lotus buds
All these and more had the great lady built
Giving joy to one and all.

26. On seeing her alluring face

Stood Muthyalu transfixed.
A king did he become, approaching this beauty
Conquering her love, a chakravarti or emperor,
And touching her breasts
Turned him into a Durgadhipati, King of Forts.

27. Devoted like Narada

Compassionate like Rama
Pleasant like the very moon, was he
Rivalling Duryodhana and Bhima in valour.
Like Raja Bhoj was he in the arts
Well versed in Bharata Shastras like Krishna
This disciple of the great Tatacharya
Benefactor of all those in need
Giving freely to all
Was this great man Muthyalu
Who chose Rama Vadhuti for his wife.

28. Fêted and feasted

Generous to a fault
Radiant like Lakshmi and Indrani
Devotee of Lord Shiva and his consort
 No words are enough to praise
The wondrous Rama Vadhuti.

29. Only the one who can gaze at her beautiful face
Can be called the King of Kings.
Only the one who sees her narrow waist
Can be called the Lord of the Earth.
Only the one who strokes her proud breasts
Can be called the Owner of Forts.
Only the one who touches her stomach folds
Can call himself Supreme King.

30. Possessing wealth, friendship, intelligence

Beauty, loveliness, style and allure
Her comeliness surpassing all others
The epitome of good qualities,
Shone Rama Vadhuti, resplendent.

31. Such a person did Muthyalu marry

A woman who suited him true,
Giving his heart happily
To the virtuous Rama Vadhuti.

32. Muthyalu was the disciple of the great preceptor Thirumala Tatacharya,
whose scholarship and character was equal to the gods, including Indra,
Rama, Krishna, Bhoja and Narada. And I, Muddupalani, born to
Muthyalu and Rama Vadhuti, also became his disciple.

33. Shining bright like the moon amidst stars

A rarity among poets
Most experienced in the arts.
Fish-like eyes desired even by Manmatha,
She mocks even the lotus flower
Padmavathi’s face,
Is equalled only by Muddupalani’s.
34. Which other woman of my kind
Has written the Ramakoti?
To which other woman of my kind
Have epics been dedicated?
Which other woman of my kind
Has been felicitated by scholars with valuable gifts?

35. Which other woman of my kind

Has been honoured by kings and lords?
Which other woman of my kind
Has won such acclaim in all the arts?
Blessed by the redoubtable Tatacharya,
This is the daughter of Muthyalu
Incomparable, is Muddupalani.

36. Praised by kings stands she

Of radiant countenance round like the full moon
Sparkling conversation matching her face
Compassionate eyes matching her gentle speech
Generosity of spirit matching her luminous eyes
Ornaments true of Muddupalani.

37. The one who resides on Garudachala

And dwells in the hearts of gopis
The one who killed the demon Sambara
To him, I pay obeisance.

38. The one on whose broad chest rests

The shimmering kaustubha.
The Lord who protects his devotees true,
Lord of the Vedas,
Greatest amongst scholars,
To him I pay my respects.

39. To Souri who fulfils all desires,

To the true friend of the Pandavas
 Lifting Govardhanagiri
Eliminating the evil Kalinga
He who destroys the arrogance of rakshasas
To that God Hari I pray.

40. Charioteer and devoted friend

Who destroys the pride and ego
Dwelling deep in Arjuna’s heart.
His countenance and hands aglow
Mischievous smile, sparkling eyes
Before the enchanting Dwarkadheesh
I do bow.

41. To the compassionate Lord

Who dwells in the hearts of great sages
The one who won over the Kauravas
Unequalled in all virtues
At his lotus feet,
I do meditate.
Muddupalani's Story: A Simple Summary

Muddupalani, a talented poet, wrote a love story about Radha and Krishna
called Radhika Santawanam. She starts her book by asking for blessings and showing
respect to important figures and earlier writers. She explains that, just like a bee
enjoys all kinds of flowers, there's always room for new stories, even if many already
exist.

Muddupalani says she was inspired by a dream where Krishna himself asked her to
write this story. She describes Krishna beautifully in her dream, adorned with jewels
and peacock feathers. Wise scholars confirmed that her dream was a blessing from
Krishna because of her devotion.

Muddupalani also praises King Pratapsimha, comparing his good qualities to gods like
Indra and Rama. Finally, she tells us about her talented family: her grandmother
Tanjanayaki (a dancer), her adopted grandfather Ayyavaya, her parents Muthyalu
and Rama Vadhuti, all of whom were skilled and generous. She ends by praising
Krishna, recognizing his many forms and powers.

Avatarika Analysis: Muddupalani's Prologue

This section delves into Muddupalani's Avatarika, exploring her interlude between
Radha and Krishna, her respects, reasons for writing, dream, and praise.

Mangalacharanam and Respect

• The piece begins with a Mangalacharanam, an invocation of blessings.

• Respect is paid to Rukmini and Satyabhama.

• Recognition is given to Sanskrit and Telugu scholars.

Reasons for a New Book

• Muddupalani addresses critics questioning the need for another kavya (literary
work) when so much already exists.
 • She uses the metaphor of a bee enjoying both lotuses and ordinary flowers to
justify her work, suggesting that new perspectives and creations can always
bring value, even if many works already exist.

• The bee is used as a metaphor for the literary consumer (the reader), while
the flowers are used as a metaphor for literature.

Krishna's Dream

• Krishna appears in Muddupalani's dream, described with a radiant appearance,

including a lustrous brown body, gossamer pitambar, pearl nose pin, kasturi
tilakam, peacock feathers, and ornaments of the moon and sun.

• In the dream, Krishna asks Muddupalani to write the tale of Radhika

Santawanam with great dedication, stating it is a tale closest to his heart.

Interpretation of the Dream

• Muddupalani seeks the help of scholars, including her guru Veera Raghava
Desika, to interpret the dream.

• The scholars declare that Muddupalani has been blessed by Krishna due to her
service to Veera Raghava, who they consider an incarnation of the Lord.

Praise to King Pratapsimha

• King Pratapsimha is praised as an able administrator, compassionate ruler, and

an embodiment of knowledge.

• His magnanimity is said to surpass Indra, his devotion

to Rama outshines Narada, and his genius exceeds Adi Shesha.

Genealogy of Muddupalani

This section outlines Muddupalani's lineage and the qualities of her ancestors.

Tanjanayaki

• Tanjanayaki was a renowned court dancer and courtesan.

• She befriended Ayyavaya, a philanthropist from a lower caste, and adopted his
son Muthyalu.
 • Tanjanayaki's wealth, intelligence, and skills were unmatched.

Rama Vadhuti

• Rama Vadhuti, also known as Potiboti, was a talented and beautiful courtesan
who married Muthyalu.

• She was known for her virtues, beauty, and generosity.

Family Summary

Person Description

Tanjanayaki Renowned court dancer and courtesan, adoptive mother of Muthyalu.

Ayyavaya Philanthropist from a lower caste, biological father of Muthyalu.

Son of Ayyavaya, adopted by Tanjanayaki, married to Rama Vadhuti, disciple of

Muthyalu Thirumala Tatacharya, father of Muddupalani.

Rama
Vadhuti Talented courtesan, wife of Muthyalu, mother of Muddupalani.

Author of the kavya, daughter of Muthyalu and Rama Vadhuti, disciple of

Muddupalani Thirumala Tatacharya.

✨ Qualities and Virtues

• Tanjanayaki's qualities:

• Wealth and intelligence were impossible to assess.

• Shrewd, skilled, and sensuous.

• Won over one and all.

• Rama Vadhuti's qualities:

• Devoted like Narada.

 • Compassionate like Rama.

• Pleasant like the moon.

• Radiant like Lakshmi and Indrani.

• Devotee of Lord Shiva and his consort.

• Muthyalu's qualities:

• Rivalling Duryodhana and Bhima in valour.

• Like Raja Bhoj in the arts.

• Well versed in Bharata Shastras like Krishna.

• Benefactor of all those in need.

• Muddupalani's qualities:

• Shining bright like the moon amidst stars.

• Most experienced in the arts.

• Compassionate eyes matching her gentle speech.

• Generosity of spirit matching her luminous eyes.

In Praise of Lord Krishna

• Muddupalani pays obeisance to Lord Krishna, acknowledging his various forms

and roles.

• She recognizes him as the one who resides on Garudachala, dwells in the
hearts of gopis, and killed the demon Sambara.

• She also praises him as the protector of devotees, the Lord of the Vedas, and
the destroyer of evil.