Biographical Sketches of Dekkan Poets/Appayadikshit
APPAYADIKSHIT
Was a Dravida bramin, and an inhabitant of Adepolam agrahara, which is situated forty miles South East of Kanchi. He was the son of Narain Dekshit, and flourished in the sixteenth century of Salivahana. It was the common opinion of his contemporaries, that he was born from the spirit of Siva, for the learning he exhibited in Divinity and Theology, they thought too surpassing to be alloted to mere humanity. At the age of twelve years, he had perfectly studied the Vedes, and was besides a master of several abstruse Sciences. Appayadikshit was particularly devoted to the worship of Siva, and obtained the name of Siva Bhakta, or disciple of Siva. He married three wives, by whom he had eleven Sons. Before he was stricken in years, he obtained, the favor of Vinkta Pati Royaloo, King of Chandragiri, for he confated all that monarch's pundits, in open court, on topics of religion, and on various points in philosophy, especially in showing the perfect parity between the God Siva and Vishnu. The above said King made him a grant of a tract of land, rent-free, for his own maintenance, and that of his pupils, whom he instructed in philosophy and the sciences. Appayadikshit was the author of the following works, for the use of those who follow the faith of Siva;
1. Siwarchana Chundrika, Moon of the adorable Siva, in thirty Chapters.
2. Siva, Tatwa Viveka, Knowledge of the sect of Siva in twenty Chapters.
3. Siva mani Depika, Splendor of the Sun-gem of Siva.
4. Atmarpan, a work in one hundred stanzas on the Siva faith.
The first three of the works, above mentioned, Appaydekshit wrote after having performed numerous sacrifices. It is said, that just before he composed his last work Atmarpan, he partook inwardly of the seeds of a plant, called Dhattur, which is reported to have the extraordinary quality of clearing the intellect, and fitting the mind for religious contemplation, by the use of this medicine, it is given out, that Appayadekshit became inspired and dictated extemporarily to four amanuenses, the poem in question, which is very much admired throughout the Dekkan and the Southern provinces. Appayadikshit in course of time, visited the kings of Trechinopoli, Tanjore, and Madura, who severally by their presents and favors, gave the poet very great encouragement on account of his talents and virtues, so, that being a strict observer and zealous advocate for all the forms of rituals he performed through the bounty of his patrons, numerous sacrifices on the banks of the Kaveri. Wherever he went, he chaunted forth the praises of Siva, and made proselytes to that faith from the Vishnu religion. Tatachari, who had been vanquished and baffled by Appayadekshit, at the Court of Venkatapati, in a religious dispute, cherished a mortal hatred against his opponent, and was determined to destroy him by any means; to effect this purpose, he engaged a gang of ruffians, to way lay and murder our poet, as he was passing through a forest. The villains set upon Appayadekshit, but just at that moment, it is said, that a valiant hero suddenly appeared, and driving off the assassins, rescued Appayadekshit, from the danger he was in of losing his life, This circumstance having come to the knowledge of the Rajah Venkatapati, he made the poet valuable presents for his steady faith in the God Siva. Appyadekshit at the age of sixty years, was preparing to go to Benares, but when the learned bramins of Chidambaram was apprized of this resolution, they entreated him to come to that place, as according even to his confession, Chidambaram was a more sanctified place than Kasi, and the reservoir of Siva Gunga, more holy than the river Ganges. In conformity to the wishes of these bramins, Appaydekshit was induced to alter his resolution, and he forthwith proceeded to Chidambaram, where he remained engaged in religious exercises for the space of thirty years. At his death, he was in possession of five crystal lingums, two of which he presented to the bramins, and one to his nephew, to be established at Madura, another ha gave to his relations, and the fifth he himself established at Chidambaram, shortly after, which he departed his life. Appayadekshit was the author of eighty-four books, on Theology, Rhetoric and Philosophy, among his works, the "Kuvalayanandam, (the deliglit of the Lotus) and the Prabodhachandrodaya," (Rising Moon of Genius) are very much admired, and continue to be universally read by the learned, but the others are unfortunately lost.