2
(3) Mathula Suthodvaham, a love poem.
(4) Prabodha, a satire on superstition and the conflict between superstition
and true knowledge.
This Telugu Encyclopaedia is remarkable for five qualities:-
(1) As already mentioned, it is far more the work of a single author than a
compilation of articles by a number of authors. It has thus the unity
and charm of personality.
(2)
Secondly, the wide range of subjects covered. It is astonishing how one
man, even a capacious genius like Sri Balasaryaprasada Rao Bahadur
with his enormous library, could have mastered so many topics
(3) Thirdly, the handling of ancient themes according to modern methods
of historical and higher criticism, of which in illustration I will just refer
to the article on Angiras. Our Vedic and Puranic legends and all
Shastras and theories are treated scientifically and critically. And as
one would expect from the satirist of superstition, he will not allow his
reverence for religion and for the past, which he possesses in ample
abundance, to cloud his judgment as historiar and philosopher. A devo-
ted worshipper of Siva, he is no less devoted a worshipper of historical
and scientific Truth - a fearless thinker and bold rationalist.
(4) Another element of superb excellence is the direct touch with which
ancient Hindu historical geography is described. By way of sample, the
article on Anga Desa may be studied. The author has visited the place,
studied the topography comparing it with the accounts in our books, and
with the legitimate exercise of imagination, not wild but trained, has
reconstructed the picture of the region immortalised as the scene of
Karna's endowed kingship.
(5) Fifthly, the remarkable beauty and power of the author's Prose. This
Encyclopaedia is literature. And it will live, if for nothing else, for the
imperishable beauty of its Prose.
The first Encyclopaedia attempted in Telugu is the one organised by the
late Mr. Komarrazu Venkata Lakshmana Rao and his associates, amongst whom
I too figured in a humble advisory capacity, and entitled The Andhra Vijnana
Sarvasvamu. This great enterprise received the patrnonage, at my request, of the
Maharajah of Mysore, whose Government sanctioned a payment of Rs. 300 for
each volume published. But unfortunately only three volumes had been compiled
and published when poor Mr. Lakshmana Rao passed away from us to the incal-
culable loss of Telugu History and Telugu Literature. After a lapse of many
years, the illustrious philanthropist and patron of letters, Mr. Kasinadhuni
Nageswara Rao, took up the broken task, but before he was able to achieve.
anything distinctive, he too breathed his last; and it is not known what the future
of the Andhra Vijnana Sarvasvamu is going to be or whether it will have a future.
