This article is about the Telugu author; for the Mesopotamian goddess see Nanaya.

Nannaya Bhattaraka (Telugu: నన్నయ, sometimes spelled Nannayya) (ca. 11th century AD) is the earliest known Telugu author, and the author of the first third of the Andhra Mahabharatamu, a Telugu retelling of the Mahabharata. Nannaya is held in high regard as the person who revived the Telugu language. This work, which is rendered in the Champu style, is so chaste and polished and of such a high literary merit.

The first treatise on Telugu grammar, the "Andhra Shabda Chintamani" was written in Sanskrit by Nannayya, who was considered first poet and translator of Telugu in the 11th century A.D. There was no grammatical work in Telugu prior to Nannayya's "Andhra sabda chintamani". This grammar followed the patterns which existed in grammatical treatises like Aṣṭādhyāyī and Vālmīkivyākaranam but unlike Pāṇini, Nannayya divided his work into five chapters, covering samjnā, sandhi, ajanta, halanta and kriya.^[1]

He is also known as Adi Kavi in recognition of his great literary work. He also holds the titles Shabda Sasanudu and Vaganu Sasanudu (Law giver of the language) after his Telugu grammar work Andhra Shabdha Chintamani.^[2]

The advanced and well-developed language used by Nannaya suggests that Nannaya Mahabharatamu may not be the beginning of Telugu literature. Unfortunately, any Telugu literature prior to Nannaya is not available, except royal grants and decrees, though Telugu or Andhra language started to develop even before the Common Era.

Political Reason[link]

Pulakesin II (609-642) of Chalukya Dynasty, the ruler of Vatapi (Badami of Karnataka) conquered Vengi (Andhra) and sent Kubja Vishnuvardhana, his brother, as viceroy for the Vengi region. Later in 634 AD, Vishnuvardhana declared himself independent and established Eastern Chalukya Dynasty in Andhra Pradesh that lasted for five centuries. Rajaraja Narendra of Eastern Chalukya Dynasty ascended to the throne in 1022 AD. At the time of Rajaraja Narendra, two literary works in Kannada language, viz., Vikramarjuna Vijaya and Gadayudda already popularized the story of Sanskrit Mahabharata in Karnataka. Kannada translations of Mahabharata were available by the Seventh and Eighth centuries. But, Puranaas were not available in Telugu. Brahmins used to recite Puranaas such as Sanskrit Mahabharata in Temples and courts.

Eastern Chalukya Dynasty supported Jainism and Shaivism (Vaishnavism became popular later during the Reddy Dynasties). Rajaraja Narendra was a Shaivite. He respected Brahmins, their Sanskrit language and religion. He learned from the success of Jains and Buddhists that the only way to popularize the new religions and Puranaas was to translate them into Telugu. Even a thousand years before, Buddhism and Jainism became very popular using local languages for their sermons and teachings. So, Rajaraja Narendra requested his teacher, adviser and court poet Nannaya Bhattaraka to translate Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu for his subjects.

Nannaya Bhattaraka took the challenge very seriously. He scrutinized all the Telugu vocabulary that was in usage at that time, introduced Sanskrit vocabulary, and took characteristics of already well developed Kannada literature. Thus he developed a distinct literary style, meter and grammar. Nannaya translated about 142 verses of Aadi, Sabha and Aranya chapters of Sanskrit Mahabharata. But, he didn't stick to the original. He almost created his own version of Andhra Mahabharatamu by modification, addition and deletion, while maintaining the story line. His language was very sanskritized and was pleasurable to the reader.

It took 300 more years and two more writers, Thikkana and Errana, to complete the work started by Nannaya. Nannaya died while working on the 3rd (aranya parvam) and it was rumored subsequently that it is inauspicious (leading to immediate death) to touch on that episode. So Tikkanna who undertook the completion of this great work, started the work from chapter 4. Yerrapragada, later completed the half portion of the 3rd chapter and lived a full life. This period was known as period of translations, because during this period various Sanskrit texts and Puranaas were translated into Telugu by scholars. This resulted in a very long lasting impact of Sanskrit on Telugu language and literature and the beginning of a new era in the history of Telugu literature. Nannaya was the first to translate a Sanskrit text into Telugu language and he rightly holds the titles Aadi Kavi (the First Poet) and Vaaganusaasanudu (the dictator of the language).

See also[link]

• Telugu Literature
• Kavitrayam
• Adikavi Nannaya University

References[link]

1) History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh, P. R. Rao
2) Andhrula Saanghika Charitra, Pratapareddy Suravaram
3) Andhra Vagmaya Charitramu, Dr. Venkatavadhani Divakarla
4) Andhra Pradesh Darshini, Parts 1 and 2, Chief Editor Y. V. Krishnarao

Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda
Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda incarnation of the Dattatreya.
Devanagari	ಗಣಪತಿ ಸಚ್ಚಿದಾನಂದ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ OR सच्चिदानंद
Mantra	Sri Guru Datta Jai Guru Datta!!

Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (Kannada: ಗಣಪತಿ ಸಚ್ಚಿದಾನಂದ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ) is the head of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore. Sri Swamiji was born at Mekedatu in Karnataka, southern India on May 26, 1942. His devotees believe he was born "fully realised in command of the eight Mahasiddhis", and is considered a Guru in the Dattatreya Avadhoota lineage.^[1][2] He is revered by some as a "spiritual master" and believed as 'Dattatreya Avatara' by his devotees, who claim he has the devotion of "millions" of devotees around the world. Sri Swamiji claims he honours all religions and teaches that it's possible to reach God by many paths. "It is of primary importance to attune with God through prayer, worship and the chanting of God's holy names". "Then God Himself will give you good guidance" says Sri Swamiji.^[3]

Spiritual mission[link]

Sri Swamiji claims he does not discriminate between caste, creed, sect, or religion. His methods to realise the ultimate truth include nama sankeertana,^[4] nama japa and other rituals.

Sri Swamiji has pioneered the reinvention and popularization of "Raagaragini Vidya", an ancient musical tradition that is claimed to augment spiritual Sadhana and cure ailments.^[5] Sri Swamiji conducts tours of the world to spread spirituality and holds concerts claimed to provide healing benefits.^[6][7] He has installed Datta temples in India, the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.^[8]

Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji is believed by some to be an Avatar of Adiguru Dattatreya. Sri Swamiji's devotees worship Lord Dattatreya with 'Anaghasthami Vratham'.

Bhajans and Healing Music[link]

Sri Swamiji has composed and rendered over 7000 Bhajans^[9] on various deities in Kannada, Telugu, Sanskrit, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and English. He combines his music therapy^[10] with ayurveda, psychology, gem therapy and astrology. These Bhajans are very popular among Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji's devotees. Well known musicologist & former Head of Music department, Bangalore University, Dr.Padma Murthy has researched and confirmed that Vekatamakhin Venkatamakhin is a predecessor of Swamiji.

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swmaiji says that in this Kaliyuga, only through Bhajans can one invoke God as ordinary people do not have the ability, patience and skill to perform religious austerities.

Sri Swamiji's messages is believed by some to have "captivated the elite and the masses alike" with their import .^[11] Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji delivers his spiritual message using short stories from the Puranas and is said to be a Sadguru.

[edit] Social projects^[12]

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji has opened an old age home in Hyderabad with the project title named 'Ammavodi'.^[13][14]

Sri Swamiji also opened an organization called I-S.E.R.V.E (The Institute of Scientific Research on Vedas) with headquarters in Hyderabad. The project's mission is to decipher the scientific content in ancient vedas.

Ashrama has constructed 8 temples (so far) in the Dalit communities of Mysore & Hunsur town. On 10 June 2009, Ashrama hosted a conference for the Dalits in Ashrama. Datta Peetham offered financial support to 125 Dalit children for their schooling and College.

Vishwam Museum and Bonsai Garden[link]

Recent additions to the Ashram include the "Vishwam" Museum and the Bonsai Garden.^[15] The museum hosts articles that Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji received as gifts on tours to different countries. It includes articles such as a ship carved in jade from China, a Dasavatharam bowl from the US, a mercury Ganapathy and more. The Bonsai Garden is a collection of bonsai trees in a serene park-like atmosphere. Visitors are encouraged to appreciate the trees and enjoy nature in this garden. This is claimed to be the largest Bonsai tree garden in India. Ashrama recently hosted the International Bonsai convention.

References[link]

External links[link]

• http://www.dattapeetham.com

Media links[link]

• Audio- and video-downloads of Sri Swamiji
• [www.dycusa.org]
• DattaPeetham, Videos on Youtube of Sri Swamiji and His activities
• Hanuman108, "Srimad Bhagavatam discourse by Sri Swamiji", video on Youtube, April 17, 2008