CONTENTS :
- * A Human Document
* The Basic Material
* A Biographical Sketch
* Light from the Labyrinth of Legends
* More Authentic Information
* The Date of Veerabrahmam
* Were Vemana&Brahmam Contemporaries ?
* The Crisis
* The Political Crisis
* The Social Crisis
* A Religious Rebel and A Social Reformer
* The Dogma
* Precept and Practice
* The caste system & privilege of Learning
* The Reform of Dharma Peetham
* Religious Tolerance
* Ahead of Times
* Veerabrahmam and Vemana
* The Kalajnanam (Kalagnanam)
* The Musings of Mahayoga
* The Message
* Bibliography
Sri Madvirat Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy Biography
SWAMI SRI VEERABRAHMENDRA
A Monograph on Pothuluru Veerabrahmendra Swamy
The Political Crisis
Now let us trace back the political background which prompted Veerabrahmam to describe the historical events in his Kalajnanam at length.
It is true that Rsyalaseema greatly suffered after the battle of Rakshasi-Tangadi. The endless differen¬ces among the Vijayanagar princes added to the difficulties of the people. Tirumala, the brother of Allyaramaraya was trying to reestablish the kingdom from Penugonda as a regent of Sadaaiva. Tirumala was opposed by Peda Tirumala, son of Allyaramaraya. Meanwhile, the short - lived unity among the Deccan Sultans disappeared with their decisive victory near Rakshashi-Tangsdi. But still, the Vijayanagar princes seemed to have learnt no lesson from the ‘.battle, in their struggle for power they sought the help of Deccan Sultans. They even lost the fort of Adoni (Kurnool District) to the Sultan of Bijapur, in one of the encounters.
The Aravidu dynasty of the Vijaynagar empire was ushered in, by the coronation of Tirumala at Penugondsu The Kingdom was divided among his sons, Sriranga, Rama and Venketa who survived. The uncertain fate of Sadasiva led him to die in obscurity while Tirumala seemed to have retired after a short rule.
In 1572 Sriranga I, succeeded his father Tirumala. The two Muslim neighbours, All Adil Shah and Ibrahim Qutub Shah invaded the region of Sriranga I. His territory was plundered by them upto Ahobilam of Kurnool District. Ibrahim Qutub Shah exploited the situation and annexed a large tract of Vijanagar empire. There were always struggles around the forts of Vinukonda, Kondaveedu and Udeyagiri. In 1585 A.D. Sriranga died. He had no children and consequently his younger brother Venkata II came to power in 1586 A.D. He had the support of all the classes which proved a great force on his side. Therefore, he made ail attempts to recover the territory lost to the Sultan of Goiconda. These attempts involved Venkata II in another war with Qutub Shahis. Venkata II was effectively retaliated by Md. Quli Qutub Shah, as the result of which parts of Anantapur and Cuddapah Districts and the whole of Kurnool District ware lost to him, Penugonda itself being laid seized to.