BHARATESHA VAIBHAVA
- ಭರತೇಶವೈಭವ
(Bharateshavaibhava)
- BaratEshavaiBava
- The Glory of King Bharatesha
- Ratnakaravarni
(ratnAkaravarNi)
- 16th Century
- Mudabidri, South Canara district, Costal Karnataka
- Jaina (Conversion to Veerashaivism and a consequent return)
- Immadi Bhairarasa Odeya
- Ratnakara Siddha
- Poetry
- Sangatya (Amshagana Chandassu, Melodious)
- Palmleaf
- 1922
- Ugrana Mangesha Rao
- Jaina Yuvaka Sangha, Putturu
- 1. Bharatesha Vaibhava Ed. by Brahmappa G., C.R.Kamalamma and
Hampana, 1967, Attimabbe Prakashana, Bangalore 2.Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha by T.S.Shama Rao
- ‘Bharatesha Vaibhava’ is one of the most important literary works
in medival Kannada literature. It has not received proper critical
attention over a period of time. This work is an integral part of the
continum that delas with the life of Vrushbhanatha and his illustrious
children Bharatha and Bahubali. Ratnakaravarni is indebted to ‘Purva
Purana’ and ‘Adipurana’ for the story. However he has introduced major
changes in the story as well as the narrative modes. Bharatesha the eldest
son of Vrushbhanatha is the main character in this work as suggested by
the title. The story of Adinatha is the prelude to the later exploits of
Bharatesha both of the materialistic variety (Bhoga Digvijaya) and the
spiritual kind. (Yoga Digvijaya) The confrontation between Bhartaha and
Bahubali is avoided in order to protect the king from the indignity of
defeat. Actully it is Bharatha who exhibits a lot of equanimity and
Bahubali emerges as a brash and impulsive young man. Many incidents are
either added or expanded to highlight the noble qualities of Bharatha.
There is an obvious attempt to create parallels between Bharata and Krishna. The quotidian details about the life of the
hero are expained with a loving care and they render Bharata very human.
Descriptions of nature and human relations are etched with a deep
knowledge of human life. An overt attention given to the erotic and
artistic imensions of life are unique.Bharatesha Vaibhava’ is a mammoth
epic running to approximately ten thousand poems which are divided in to
eighty chapters.(Sandhi) The language is almost modern and has shed the
weight of old Kannada entirely. Ratnakaravarni is definitely the most
powerful exponent of the Sangatya meter in Kannada. Sangatya is
essentially a Dravidian meter lending itself admirably to musical
enunciation. The poet succeeds in breaking the monotony of the meter by
his thematic variey and an authentic portrayal of details. The popularity
of the work is evident because it is translated in to Hindi, Marathi,
Gujarathi and English. (Please read
the note on Ratnakaravarni)
- References and Criticism: 1. Ratnakaravarni, Ed. V.Seetharamaiah
Kannada Kavi Kavya Parampare, 1984, I.B.H.Prakashana, Bangalore 2. Ratnakara Mahakavi, G.Brahmappa, Prasaranga,
Mysore University, Mysore 3. Vishvakavi Ratnakarana Kavikavya Vimarshe by
G.Brahmappa, C.R.kamalamma and Hampanaa.
- Links and Translations
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