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Andhra Vishnu, better known as Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnu statue, was set up in Andhra in a pre-existing older temple. The previous deistic form worshiped in the temple is unknown.
The deity of the temple is known asAndhra Maha VishnuorSrikakulandhra Maha Vishnu. The main sanctum of the temple survived at least since the time of theSatavahana emperors. The deity for whom the Satavahanas built the temple is unknown.[1] The temple was also repaired and worshipped restored by the Rajas ofChallapalli after a period of decline due to Muslim raids.[2]
This temple has many attractions and historical links. As many as 32 inscriptions, including those issued byKrishnadevaraya, appear on the walls of the temple.[3] The presiding deity has some striking peculiarities. The deity holds a sankha in right hand and a chakra in left hand as against usual practice of vice versa.[citation needed]The inscriptions on Avatars were added after 1010 reconstruction. The oldest version had no reference to any other forms. Likewise, Krishna does not find place in dasavatara (the ten incarnations of Vishnu) here. The list includes, Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parasurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha and Kalki. The present temple is said to be existing from 1010 A.D., and was reconstructed twice before now.
InAndhra Kaumudi, a Telugu grammar book it was mentioned that he was son of Suchandra. It seems Āndhra Viṣhṇu having built an immense wall, connectingSri Sailam,Bheemeswaram, andKaleshwaram, with the Mahendra hills, formed in it three gates, in which the three eyedIshwara, bearing the trident in his hand and attended by a host of divine gods resided in the form of three lingams. Āndhra Viṣhṇu assisted by divine gods having fought with the great giant Nishambhu for thirteen yugas killed him in battle and took up his residence with the sages on the banks of the riverGodavari, since which time, the Andhra country has been named Trilingam.[4]
Andhra Nayaka Satakam was written byKasula Purushottama Kavi, a poet who enjoyed the patronage of the Zamindar ofChallapalli inDiviseema region ofAndhra Pradesh.[5] After hearing this satakam and being moved by it, the Srikakulandhra Maha Vishnu Temple was also repaired and worshipped restored by the Zamindars ofChallapalli.[2]
This satakam is notable because of thevyāja ninda andvyāja stuti employed to denounce Andhra Viṣhṇu and put him down for his various qualities and actions while actually praising him indirectly.
Once theVijayanagara emperorKrishnadevaraya was travelling viaVijayawada during hisKalinga campaign. He had conqueredVijayawada,Kondapalli fort and the surrounding areas. He learned of the holy temple of Andhra Viṣhṇu and visited Srikakulam village for a few days. He performed theEkadasiVratam during that time. It is here that Andhra Viṣhṇu appeared to the emperor in an early morning dream.[6]
Krishnadevaraya said
Observing the fast of the Vishnu's Day, in the fourth and last watch of that God's night, Andhra Vishnu came to me in my dream. His body was a radiant black, blacker than the rain cloud. His eyes wise and sparkling, put the lotus to shame. He was clothed in the best golden silk, finer still than the down on his eagle's wings. The red sunrise is pale compared to ruby on his chest.[7]
Andhra Viṣhṇu told him to compose the story of his wedding withAndal atSrirangam. He also ordered the emperor to tell the story in the Telugu language. The emperor obliged, composingAmuktamalyada, which is one of the most famous poetic works inTelugu literature.[8] From 14th poem of this work we can see that the Lord Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu refers himself as King of Telugus (Telugu Vallabhunḍa).
తెలుఁగ దేల నన్న దేశంబు దెలుఁగేను
తెలుఁగు వల్లభుండఁ దెలుఁ గొకండ
యెల్ల నృపులగొలువ నెరుఁగ వే బాసాడి
దేశభాషలందుఁ తెలుఁగు లెస్స— శ్రీ ఆంధ్ర విష్ణు
telugadElayanna, dESambu telugEnu
telugu vallaBhunDa telugokanDa
yella nRpulu golva nerugavE bAsADi
dESa BhAShalandu telugu lessa— Śrī Āndhra Viṣhṇu's reason on why Āmuktamālyada should be written in telugu by Sri Krishnadevaraya
The nation that knows Telugu will have clarity. Vallaba (Chief herdsman, lord) is Telugu and Telugu will be a protection. A language used in courts of all kings. In the languages of the all nations Telugu is used in abundance and is excellent.[9]
WithinAmuktamalyada itself it was mentioned that on aHarivasara, Sri Krishnadevaraya had the Darsan of Andhra Viṣhṇu.Harivasara is the time between the last fourmuhurtas of Ekadasi and the first four muhurtas of Dwadasi, i.e., 6 hours and 24 minutes. This incident of visiting the temple must be betweenAhobilam Śaasanam (dated December 1515) andSimhāchalam Śaasanam (dated 30 March 1515)[10]
In 1962, theTelugu movie namedSrikakula Andhra Maha Vishnu Katha was made based on the story of this legendary king, directed by A. K. Sekhar, castingN. T. Rama Rao,Jamuna,S. V. Ranga Rao,M. Balaiah,Relangi, Girija, L. Vijaya Lakshmi,Chaya Devi,Mudigonda Linga Murthy. Producer was D. Lakshminarayana Chowdary and music was given byPendyala Nageswara Rao.
Srinivas, Sistla., (Tr.) Sri Krishna Deva Raya's Amuktamalyada, Visakhapatnam, 2010.
