In the history of Telugu literature, old and medieval, we find several great poets who have enriched the language with their works. But there are only a few poets who are remembered by a grateful public even to-day. Among them, Bammera Potana is perhaps the most outstanding poet. Bammera is his surname and this is the village in which he was born. Though some scholars may not agree, it may be said that this village is located near Warangal in Telengana (Hyderabad area). Warangal is also known as Orugallu in Telugu and Ekasilanagara in Sanskrit.Bammera Potana is said to have flourished in the 15th century A.D. We do not know much about the details of his life; but several interesting stories dealing with his life and work are current in the Telugu country.
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However, the following details can be given with an amount of certainty.Potana was not rich. He led a humble and pious life. His parents were Kesana and Lakkamamba. It is said he lived on agriculture, rejecting the riches offered by the kings. As a result, Potana had to face the wrath of a king by name Sarvajna Singabhupala. The King wanted Potana to dedicate his Bhagavata to him; but Potana refused to do so and he dedicated the work to his favourite God, Sri Rama.
This clearly brings out the great quality in him. Even though he was poor, he never cared for the riches or the patronage of the kings.It is also unfortunate that we do not know much about his educational attainments. He has called himself ‘ Sahaja Pandita’ which means ‘one who has self-acquired scholarship’. In the colophon, it is mentioned as follows:sahaja panditya potanamatya pranitambaina.From this, it is evident that he did not study under any great scholar of the day. He might have acquired scholarship by self study.
Whatever the truth might be, it can be said that Potana was a great scholar well-versed in both Sanskrit and Telugu. He had such a mastery over the Telugu language that he used several expressions with consummate skill.Potana is said to have written the following works in Telugu. Virabhadra- vijayamu. Narayana- satakamu. Bhogini- dandakamu. MahabhagavatamuOf the above, Bhagavatam is definitely the most celebrated work.Virabhadra- vijayam is a poem of four cantos containing 1046 verses and prose passages.
This deals with the well-known story of Dakshayajna. It is believed that this poem must have been composed by the poet in his teenage.
Still it does not lack vigour, or poetic beauty.Potana is famous for his sweet and melodious poetry. Though he has used a considerable number of Sanskrit compounds, they are at once sweet and pleasing to the ear. His style, though at some places appears to be flamboyant, arrests the attention of the reader. He is quite popular with the pandit and peasant as well. This is evident from the fact that even the unlettered recite some of the stanzas from his works. Potana is a people’s poet.Among all the works of Potana, his Mahabhagavatam deserves special mention.
It is due to this immortal work, that he is remembered with great respect even to-day. It is interesting to note that several later poets had paid their profound respects to Potana. It is also worthy to note that only in Telugu country Mahabhagavatam is read with interest and reverence. Even in Telugu, Mahabhagavatam would not have attracted the reader had it been written by some one other than Potana. This is enough to prove that Potana was a great poet. Besides, he was a true devotee of Rama. His sincere devotion to God, his sweet poetry and above all his pious, humble and independent life are also responsible for the popularity of the Mahabhagavatam.