Palkuriki Somanatha

Palkuriki Somanatha Biography

Palkuriki Somanatha was a Telugu Shaiva poet of ancient times who is believed to have lived during 12th or 13th century. He also wrote Kannada and Sanskrit language classics. Basava Purana is his celebrated work, the autobiography work based on the life and teachings of the religious leader cum poet Basava. Basava Purana is the holy book of south Indian Hindu Lingayat community. Palkuriki was a follower of Basava and a Shaiva devotee (worshipper of Siva). The period between Nannaya and Tikkana is termed as the age of Shaiva Poets, and Palkuriki Somanatha is the foremost among them.

There are no accurate records of his place of birth. Palkuriki is his birth place and such a place is there both in Telangana and Karnataka. So it’s believed that he was born in Telangana or Karnataka during 12th or 13th century. It’s also believed that he was not a Shaiva by birth. He mentions about his parents in his first book, Basava Purana, which is quite contradictory to the belief of Shaivas who regard themselves as the child of Lord Siva and Parvathy. Still now, there is no clear conclusion if he lived during the period of Kakatiya king Prataparudra I or II. Arguments are still going on.

Apart from Basava Purana written in Telugu language, other works belonging to this language are Basavaragada, Vrishadhipa Shataka, Cheturvedasara, Basavodharana, Panditaradhya charitra, Malamadevipuranamu and Somanatha Stava. Some of his works are written as rhymed couplets. asavaragada, Basavadhyaragada, Sadgururagada, Silasampadane, Sahasragananama and Pancharantna are his impressive works in Kannada language. He has also contributed a few Sanskrit works - Somanathabhashya, Rudrabhashya, Vrishabhastaka, Basavodharana, Basavashtaka, Basava panchaka, Ashtottara satanama gadya, Panchaprakara gadya and Asharanka gadya. He spent his whole life and works for the propagation of Shaiva religion.

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Updated: November 11, 2015