Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c22.s3.22

v2.c22.s3.22

To the celebrated poet Allasāni Peddana, Kṛṣṇa Dēva Rāya gave titles as well as the coveted anklet called kavigaṇḍa-peṇḍāra. This we gather from the pathetic verse of the great poet written on the death of his beloved patron. "Why did he (king Kṛṣṇa) get down from his mad elephant wherever he met me and lift me up to sit by his side? Why did he raise up the palanquin (which carried me), with his own arm, when I was taken round in procession on presenting my poem *Manucharitra*? Why did he put on my leg with his own hand, the anklet *kavigaṇḍa-peṇḍāra* saying 'You alone deserve it'? Why gave villages to me wherever I chose to have them, called me *Andhrakavi-pitāmaha* and Alasāni Peddana 'lord of poets'? Fie upon this living carcase of mine that breathes still without accompanying that great Kṛṣṇarāya to heaven!"¹