BHARATESHA VAIBHAVA

ಭರತೇಶವೈಭವ (Bharateshavaibhava)

BaratEshavaiBava

The Glory of King Bharatesha

Ratnakaravarni (ratnAkaravarNi)

16^th 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.

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