Mallikaarjuna Panditaradhyudu

Mallikaarjuna Panditaradhyudu (1120-1180) was born into an Araadhya Brahmin family and lived in ‘Drakshaaraamamu City’ in the district of Godaavari. His teacher was Kotipalli Araadhyadeva. He was the most powerful among the Shaivite Brahmins and was famous for his supernatural powers. He defeated Buddhists in the court of King Velanati Choda of Chandavoalu kingdom and established Shaivism.

"Shivakavi Yuagamu" is an era of Brahmin Shaivite poets in the history of Telugu literature. This is considered to be the time between Nannaya and Tikkana (12th century AD). Famous poets of this era are Nannechodudu, Mallikarjuna Panditaradhryudu, and Palkuriki Somanadhudu. These three poets are known as Shivakavi Trayamu (trinity of Shaivite poets) and belonged to Kalamukha Shaivitesect. Veerashaivites believe that Panditaaradhyudu is the incarnation of ‘Pramadha’ and as powerful as Lord Shiva.

He is also one of the three Shaivite priests known as 'Punditatrayamu’ or "the trinity of Pundits," who devoted their life to the spread of the religion of Shiva, ‘the Shaivism,’ in Andhra Nation. The remaining two Pundits are Sripati Punditudu and Manchena Punditudu. Mallikaarjuna proved that the Supreme Lord Shiva was the ultimate God and was superior to any other God. He condemned and prevailed over all halfhearted Shaivites. He successfully Brahminized the Shaivism and established Araadhya Shaivism, which is followed by Araadhya Brahmins.

He was a Pundit in Andhra, Kannada and Sanskrit languages. He composed Shiva Tatvasaaramu, Lingodbhavagadyamu, Rudramahima, Gunasahasramaala, Amareswaraashthakamu, Parvatavarnanamu, etc., in Telugu, and Basavageetamu, Prabhulingastotramulu in Kannada. Shivatatvasaaramu is a composition containing 489 verses with ‘Kanda’ meter. This is the primary book and standard for Veera Shaivites. In this poetry he addresses Lord Shiva as Shiva, Ajaa, Rudraa, Maheshaa etc. Mallikarjuna describes in detail the process of ‘Shivadeeksha’ and ‘Paashupatashaiva’ principles. In this work he condemns the "Advaita" religion, philosophy and "the Maaya argument" of Advaita religion. "Sirigiri Nundeda Shivasharanu" in Kannada language is the last work of Mallikarjuna Panditaradhyudu...