A history of Telugu literature; - Cristo Raul

POPULAR LITERATURE 99
or two satakas associated with their names. Sataka literature
had its beginning in the twelfth century, its zenith in the
seventeenth, its widest range in the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries. The earliest sataka we have is Vrishadipa
Sataka, by Palakuriki Somanatha, in 1180. Of
almost the same status is Sumati Sataka, whose authorship
is not certain, though it is generally attributed to Peddana.
Vemana is the prince of sataka writers. Vemana was an
Advaitic mystic, a sannydst who has renounced the world.
His birthplace is uncertain, though claims have been made
for Kondavidu, in the Ceded Districts, and Katuru, a village
where his tomb exists nor can ; we fix his date, even
approximately. Various suggestions have been made, but
none on convincing grounds. It is probable that he lived in
the beginning of the fifteenth century. He is the greatest
moral teacher of the Andhras. For well-nigh five centuries
his Sataka has been the text-book of morals for Telugu
boys, and a better book cannot be asked for. The Vemana
Sataka is of a very high literary order. Each stanza is a
casket containing a simple moral truth. The idea is never
carried beyond a single stanza. The first two lines contain
the picture, the next two state the moral. The order is
sometimes reversed. Every truth is incarnated in a suitable
figure, so apt and just that the mind finds it difficult to
separate them. The verses are easily memorized and the
rhythm lingers in the memory without effort. The Sataka
embodies much practical wisdom, shrewd judgment, and
kindly advice. It is interesting to note that one verse
is a fairly literal translation of Matt. 5 : 43-44 1 and Luke
6 : 33-35, and a third one embodies the Pauline injunction in
Rom. 12 : 20, '
If thine enemy hungers, feed him.'
Of devotional satakas, Sarvesvara Sataka, by Yadha
Vakkula Annayya; Kalahastetvara Sataka, by Dhurjati
; Dasarathi Sataka, by Kancherla Gopanna, the
celebrated Rama Bhakta of Bhadrachellam and a disciple
1
Matt. 5 : 43-44, ' Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour, and hate thy enemy. But I say unto you, Love
your enemies ; bless them that curse you ; do good to them that hate
you.'