Sanskrut Ke Do Aetihasik Champu

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, focusing on the two historical Champu works discussed:

The article, "Two Historical Champu Works in Sanskrit" by Dr. Baldev Upadhyay, emphasizes the importance of including these two significant Champu Kavya (a literary genre that blends prose and poetry) in the canon of historical Sanskrit literature. Both works are by authors from South India, with the first written by a woman of royal status and the second by a scholar who was close to the central figure of his narrative.

1. Varadambika Parinaya Champu

• Author: Tirumalamba, the wife of King Achyutaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Her royal status is evident from the description of herself as "the devoted confidante and sole reliance of the sovereign king Achyutaraya, who is proficient in various arts and sciences."
• Literary Prowess: Tirumalamba is praised for her exceptional poetic talent, capable of grasping new poetry, dramas, and Puranas after hearing them just once. She also mentions her practice of making donations to Brahmins during sacrifices and receiving blessings for prosperity.
• Historical Context: The reign of Achyutaraya (1529-1542 CE) followed that of the renowned patron of poets, Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1530 CE). Achyutaraya is generally considered a ruler of ordinary caliber, a fact subtly supported by the Champu, as it remains silent about any of his valorous deeds.
• Content and Style: This Champu is written in a mixed prose and poetry style, presented as a single, engaging narrative rather than being divided into chapters. It begins with a brief account of the Chandravamsha (Lunar Dynasty) and then focuses on King Viranarasimha, Achyutaraya's father, who established his dominion by conquering South India. The birth of Achyutaraya is attributed to the grace of Lord Narayana and his mother, Ombamba. The Champu then extensively narrates the marriage of King Achyutaraya to a beautiful princess named Varadambika, whom he encountered in the temple of Katyayani Devi. The author skillfully elaborates on this relatively minor event with her remarkable talent. The work beautifully portrays the heroic sentiment (in the description of Viranarasimha) and the erotic sentiment. The descriptions of seasons are also described as miraculous.
• Literary Significance: Tirumalamba's Champu holds significant literary importance. It predominantly features prose over poetry. The abundance of compound words (samasa-bhuyastva), considered vital for prose by literary scholars, is fully present. The author demonstrates extraordinary skill in description. The detailed and ornate depiction of Achyutaraya's physical beauty, from his various limbs, is likely unparalleled in the writings of any female poet. Long compound words, elaborate word arrangements, and the conception of new meanings contribute to the Champu's significance. The beauty of the prose can only be appreciated by studying the work, and the brilliance of the poetic ornaments can be inferred from the given excerpts.
• Notable Examples: The article provides two examples of verses. The first compares a queen bathing in a pond to lightning flashing within a cloud. The second is a complex simile comparing a king's prosperity to the tide of the milky ocean, a new and flawless saying by a good poet, and the intellect of a Yogi, all leading to the birth of a blessed son. Another striking example is the description of sunset, where the sky is likened to a box of precious blue sapphire filled with saffron, with the sun as its ruby lid. The young moon, in its playfulness, has removed the lid, causing the saffron-like evening twilight to scatter all around. This metaphor for twilight is considered beautiful and novel.

2. Anandaranga Vijaya Champu

• Author: Srinivasa Kavi, who composed this Champu in honor of his patron, Anandaranga Pillai.
• Historical Significance: This Champu is considered highly important from a historical perspective. Anandaranga Pillai (1709-1761 CE) was a prominent diplomat and merchant in the 18th century, serving as the chief Indian agent for Joseph François Dupleix, the French Governor of Pondicherry. He played a crucial role in consolidating and expanding French influence. Pillai was also a patron of literature and compiled a diary in Tamil, which was later published in twelve volumes by the Madras government. This diary details daily events, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the social, economic, and political conditions of that era. Srinivasa Kavi's work is a beautiful narrative of Pillai's life. At the end of the book, the poet offers praise to his father, Gangadhara, in a verse.
• Content and Structure: The "Anandaranga Vijaya Champu" is divided into eight sections (stanzas). It was composed in the year 4854 of the Kali Yuga, which corresponds to 1752 CE. The work, which describes the peak period of the protagonist's life, was written nine years before his death. The initial stanzas meticulously describe Anandaranga's birth, youth, and marriage. The sixth and seventh stanzas provide a detailed account of the Carnatic wars in South India during the 18th century and Anandaranga's significant contributions to them. This section unveils many new historical facts not found in conventional historical accounts, making the Champu extremely important for understanding the historical context of the conflicts between the British and the French during that period.
• Style and Language: The author has judiciously employed prose and poetry for historical narration. There is no excessive use of long compound words, nor are there obscure words used through techniques like shlesha (pun). The poet demonstrates mastery over the language, and the style is graceful. New subjects are incorporated in an engaging manner.
• Notable Examples: The article highlights the description of Anandaranga's grand palace in Pondicherry, which featured a large clock on top. The verse describing this novel feature for the era is quoted. The French ruler is referred to as "Hunaraja," a term that began to be used for foreign traders of different faiths during this period. Venkatadhvari also used this term for the English in his "Vishvagunadarsha Champu." A timely simile in the description of autumn compares the clear sky to the great mind of the ruler of Sri Ranga, the flourishing crops to his wealth, the swans to the people dependent on him who rejoiced, and the flock of peacocks to the defeated enemies of an apostate.
• War Description and Historical Insights: The description of battles is energetic and incorporates new factual information. A scene from the battle of the Nizam's son is described, where scavenging hunters (Chandalas) collected valuable ornaments abandoned by warriors desperate to save their lives, while the Huns (English) looted bags of jewels. The Champu also sheds light on the etymology of the Tamil name for Madras, "Chennai Pattinam" or "Chennai Puri." It reveals that near the Madras fort was a temple of Chennakesava, and the city was named "Chennakesavapuram" after him, which was later shortened to "Chennapattinam." This is mentioned twice in the Champu.

Conclusion:

Both the "Varadambika Parinaya Champu" and the "Anandaranga Vijaya Champu" are presented as works of significant historical and literary merit, offering valuable insights into the past through their narrative styles and detailed accounts.