Literature

ಭೂಮಿಕೆ

One end of Udayana’s story takes place in Kauśāmbi, and the other, in Ujjayinī. Furthermore, many of the sub-stories take place in and around Ujjayinī. One wonders as to how many people like Kāṇabhūti and Vararuci, Guṇāḍhya heard these stories from, roaming the regions of the Vindhyās, Ujjayinī and Kauśāmbi, and in which all languages, in order to compile them! It is no surprise if people talk about Guṇāḍhya in the same breath as Vyāsa and Vālmīki, venerating him as the great poet who composed this stupendous work.

“ರೂಪಕ-ಪ್ರತಿಮೆ ಭಾಷಾಪ್ರಯೋಗ” ಇತ್ಯಾದಿ

An Examination of the Story^[1] of Guṇāḍhya

Now let us take a look at why and how might have Vararuci, Kāṇabhūti, and Śātavāhana appeared in the context of the publication of the Bṛhat-kathā.

Sātavāhana