Pothana (1450–1510) was an Indian Telugu poet best known for his translation of the Bhagavata Purana from Sanskrit to Telugu. He was a Telugu and Sanskrit Scholar. His work, Andhra Maha Bhagavatamu, is popularly called as Pothana Bhagavatam in Telugu. (Wiki)
Potharaju is Pothana, the great author of the Telugu Bhagavatam. From the moment he started composing the Bhagavatham, Pothana recognised that it was entirely the work of Sri Rama and should be dedicated to Him as a pious offering. He regarded Rama as the inspirer, the writer and enjoyer of the poem. Because Pothana chose to dedicate his work to the Lord, his Bhagavatham has earned undying fame. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 94-96)
God should be worshipped as the embodiment of Truth. This is the primary duty of every Bharatiya. Srinatha was a great scholar and writer who was the Court poet of the Andhra ruler, Singabhupala. (SSS Vol.23), 29-4-1990. Seeing the extreme poverty of Pothana, his brother-in-law, Srinatha, appealed to him to dedicate his Bhagavatham to some ruler who will reward him with material riches. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 94-96)
He entreated his brother-in-law, Pothana, to dedicate his Bhagavatam to Singabhupala. "If you dedicate your Bhagavatam to that ruler, he will reward you with all kinds of riches," said Srinatha. (SSS Vol.23)
Srinatha said that by dedicating his work to Sri Rama, Pothana was getting no visible benefit and was steeped in poverty. Pothana felt that rather than seek material rewards from petty earthly rulers, it was far better to dedicate his work to God even if it meant living a life of penury. He declared that he would not choose to live on the largesse of proud and unrighteous rulers. He preferred to lead a godly life as a farmer living on the fruits of his toil. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 94-96)
Pothana told Srinatha that God was the Lord of everything in creation – the creator, the protector and destroyer. “Instead of offering the work to the Supreme Lord, it is not fitting to dedicate it to worldly men clothed in pomp and pride,” he said. (SSS Vol.22, pp. 94-96) "Sri Ramachandra is Lord above all kings. When I have Sri Ramachandra, the King of Kings, what need is there for me to submit to earthly rulers? It is God who offers spiritual benefits, earthly benefits and other benefits to everyone. Cannot the protector of so many countless beings, take care of me?" Pothana firmly held to this belief.
Provoked by Pothana s stubborn attitude and attributing it to Pothana s conceit, Srinatha conveyed his feelings to Singabhupala. The ruler became furious. He sent his soldiers to wrest the Bhagavatam from Pothana. Pothana was prepared even to give up his life, but would not surrender the Bhagavatam. On the orders of the ruler, his men set fire to Pothana s house. Pothana prayed: "Oh Sri Ramachandra! Will you not protect at least your own life-story, apart from protecting your devotees?" Appealing to Sri Rama to protect the Bhagavatham, Pothana closed his eyes in meditation. Except the Bhagavatam, everything else was consumed by the flames. (SSS Vol.23)
Singabhupala heard about this remarkable phenomenon. From that moment he became a devotee of Rama. It is only when one s devotion is firm, pure and unwavering that the Lord is ready to extend every kind of protection. (SSS Vol.23)
The life of Pothana, the immortal author of the Telugu Bhagavatam, shows the difference between the God-oriented poet and a poet who seeks the favours of rulers and wealthy patrons.
Once, Pothana’s brother-in-law, the poet Srinatha, told Pothana that if, instead of relying on Shri Rama, he dedicated his Bhagavatam to a local chieftain, the latter would offer him gifts of land and properties which would relieve his poverty. Pothana declared: ‘Brother-in-law! You are making a serious mistake. Our real protector is Rama and not any Raja (ruler). How many have been helped by these rulers and for how long?
I revere my mother Earth. My life will be redeemed by my trust in mother Earth and by my faith in Shri Rama.’ (Bhagavan recited a poem of Pothana in which the poet firmly declared that he would prefer to live on what he got from the soil rather than offer his sacred work to unrighteous rulers for the sake of a mess of pottage). Pothana told Srinatha, ‘My poem is the very embodiment of the Goddess of Wisdom, Saraswati. Such a work should be offered to Brahma and none else. How can I offer such a sacred work to wicked rulers?’ Men are engaged in the pursuit of wealth and position, but not in the quest of the Divine. They forget that lasting happiness and peace cannot be got by wealth, scholarship or position. Only good qualities can confer happiness because a good man finds a place in the Lord’s heart. (SSS Vol.29, pp. 163-164)
Pothana a great poet and devotee of Rama. He was one with pure heart. He was the one who composed the Bhagavatam in Telugu. He firmly believed that it was Lord Rama Himself who wrote the Bhagavatam through him. His name Pothana has a profound inner meaning. ‘Po’ means ‘to drive out’ and ‘Thana’ means the feeling of ‘his’. So, he had driven away the feeling of ‘mine’ and thus became a great devotee.
Srinatha, the famous poet from royal court had given his daughter to Pothana’s son. Pothana’s family used to eke out their livelihood though farming. Once Srinatha came to see them in palanquin. On the way, he found Pothana’s son involved in ploughing the field. In a sarcastic tone, he asked him, ‘O farmer, how are you?’ Pothana’s son was not upset by this sarcastic remark. In fact he gave a fitting reply in the most loving manner thus; ‘Sir, it is better to take refuge in Bhumata (mother Earth) and Gomata (mother cow) and lead a dignified life than seek the refuge of a king, and be subservient to him.’
Those who repose their faith in Bhumata and Gomata will never lack anything in life. Since times of yore, Bharatiyas considered Bhumata and Gomata as the very basis of life. But today we find many people are giving up agriculture and migrating to towns in search of money. They watch Television day in and day out and aspire for luxurious life. As more and more people are giving up agriculture and deserting villages, scarcity for food has arisen. Having given up farming, how can you expect the Mother Earth to feed you? Villages are the very life breath of Indian culture. Even today, Indian culture is sustained only in villages, not in towns. Only people of villages are aware of the greatness of Indian culture. As people have lost respect and reverence for mother Earth, we are experiencing earthquakes and such natural calamities causing destruction. (SSS Vol.34 pp.52-53)