Western Ganga literature (Kannada:ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಗಂಗ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) refers to a body of writings created during the rule of theWestern Ganga Dynasty, a dynasty that ruled the region historically known asGangavadi (modern SouthernKarnataka, India) between the 4th and 11th centuries. The period of their rule was an important time in the history ofSouth Indian literature in general andKannada literature in particular, though many of the writings are deemed extinct. Some of the most famous poets ofKannada language graced the courts of the Ganga kings. Court poets and royalty created eminent works in Kannada language andSanskrit language that spanned such literary forms as prose, poetry, Hindu epics,JainTirthankaras (saints) andelephant management.[citation needed]
| Kannada poets and writers in Western Ganga Kingdom (350–1000 CE) | |
| Durvinita | 529-579 |
| Chavundaraya | 978 |
| Gunavarma I | 900 |
| Ranna | 973 |
| Nagavarma I | 990 |
| Gunanandi | 9th century |
| Shivamara II | 800 |
The prose piece ofChavundaraya, who was a famous Ganga minister and army commander, known asChavundaraya Purana (orTrishashtilakshana mahapurana) written in 978 CE, is an early existing work in the genre in Kannada and is a summary of the Sanskrit writings,Adipurana andUttarapurana, written by Jinasena and Gunabhadra during the rule of RashtrakutaAmoghavarsha I.[1][2][3] The prose, composed in lucid Kannada, was meant mainly for the common man and avoided any reference to complicated elements of Jain doctrines and philosophy. In his writing, the influences of his predecessorAdikavi Pampa and contemporary Ranna are seen. The work narrates the legends of twenty-four JainTirthankaras, twelveChakravarti's, nineBalabhadra's, nineNarayana's and ninePratinarayana's – narrations on 63 Jain proponents in all.[4][5]
This writing states that along with the Tirthankaras, their mothers were also worshipped, particularly by women. The worship of Vaishravana, the keeper of celestial treasure was for acquiring moral and religious merit (punya), the worship ofDharnendra was for acquiring sons and of Shridevi for warding off influences of evil deities (vairi devategal).[6] The author eulogises his preceptor Ajitasena Munindra thus :"He removes the stain ofkarma and awakens the spirit of those close to him (aptavarga), he astonishes rival disputants and secures the goddess of liberation (mokshalakshmi) to those desiring it. O Bhavya, worship the lotus feet of Ajitasena Munindra with a pure mind".[7]
The earliest known Kannada writer from this dynasty is KingDurvinita of the 6th century.Kavirajamarga of 850 CE, refers to him as an early writer in Kannada prose.[8][9] It is claimed that the name Durvinita is found only in Kavirajamarga and Western Ganga inscriptions prior to the Magadi inscription of 966. This according to historians is proof enough that the Durvinita mentioned in Kavirajamarga is the Western Ganga king.[10]
Gunavarma I, the Kannada epic writer authoredShudraka andHarivamsha (also known asNeminatha Purana), the earliest knownpurana in Kannada,[11] around 900 CE. His works are considered extinct but are found referenced in later years. He is known to have been patronised by King Ereganga Neetimarga II in late 9th century - early 10th century. In his writingShudraka, the author has favourably compared his patron to King Shudraka of ancient times.[1][12] The great Kannada poetRanna (who was also a soldier by training),[13] who along withSri Ponna andAdikavi Pampa are considered the "three gems of Kannada literature"[14] was patronised by Chavundaraya, the Ganga minister in his early literary days. Ranna's classicParashurama charite which is considered extinct may have been a eulogy of his patron who held such titles asSamara Parashurama. Ranna later went on to become the poet laureate of Western Chalukya KingsTailapa II andSatyashraya.[2][14]
Nagavarma I, a Brahmin scholar who came fromVengi in modern Andhra Pradesh (late 10th century) was also patronised by Chavundaraya. He wroteChandombudhi (ocean of prosody) addressed to his wife. This is considered the earliest available Kannada writing in prosody.[1][4] His other existing writing,Karnataka Kadambari written in sweet and flowingchampu style (a composition written in a mixed prose-verse style) has found popularity with critics and is based on an earlier romance in Sanskrit by poet Bana.[1][4][15]Gajashtaka (a hundred verses) a work on elephant management, known to have been written by KingShivamara II around 800 CE, is now consideredextinct.[3][16] Other writers from the close of the 10th century whose names are known are Manasiga and Chandrabhatta.[17]
This was the age of classicalSanskrit literature. From the earliest times, Western Ganga kings showed a strong inclination towards the fine arts. King Madhava II (brother of King Vishnugopa) wrote a treatiseDattaka Sutravritti on an earlier work on erotics by a writer called Dattaka. To King Durvinita is ascribed the Sanskrit version ofVaddakatha, a commentary onPāṇini's grammar calledSabdavathara and a commentary on the 15th chapter of a Sanskrit work calledKiratarjunneya by poet Bharavi (who was in King Durvinita's court).[18] KingSripurusha wrote a treatise on elephants calledGajashastra and King Shivamara II is known to have writtenGajamata Kalpana.[18]
Hemasena, also known as Vidya Dhananjaya authoredRaghavapandaviya, a narration of the stories ofRama and thePandavas simultaneously through puns.[19] His pupil Vadeebhasimha wrote in proseGayachintamani andKshatrachudamini based on poet BanasKadambari[16] and minister Chavundaraya wroteCharitarasara.[2]
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