The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara, Vol. I v1.c9.112

v1.c9.112

Rama Raya at this time handed over to his brothers all the government affairs and devoted himself to music and literature. "Seated within this Palace (Ratna Kuta)" says Ramamatya, "he spent his time in the midst of scholars versed in literature, music and other arts" ⁴. Accordingly, a grant of Venkata II, 1589, informs us that Rama Raya took great pleasure in music on the vina and in singing ⁵. With these years is probably associated the trip of Rama Raya with his Guru Tatacharya, the son of Srinivasa, to the fortress of Chandragiri, to spend some days in that sacred retirement dedicated to the study of the Sastras ⁶. These last years of Rama Raya spent in leisure, are also mentioned in the *Memoirs* of Manucci, one century later. "After this division", says he, "he led a happy life, without attending to government or taking any notice of what went on" ⁷.