Sri Sripada Krishna Murthy Sastry

Maha Mahopadyaya, Kala Prapurna, Kavi Raju, Kavi Sarvabhouma, Kavi Brahma, Andhra Vyasa, Abhinava Srinatha, Veda Vidya Visarada, Prasanna Valmiki, Viswa Kavi Sri Sripada Krishna Murthy Sastry (1866-1960) is a famous poet in Andhra Pradesh, and is the first Asthana Kavi of Andhra. He is the first person who translated all the three main scriptures (Ramayana, Mahabharat, and Bhagavatham) into telugu, and he wrote more than 100 books.

Sri Sripada Krishna Murthy Sastry was born in Rajamahendravaram (Rajahmundry) on Aswiyuja Bahula Shashti in 1866 to Sri Venkata Somayaji, and Srimathi Venkata Subba Somi Devamma. He is the guru of Chellapilla Venkata Sastry, who is one of the duo Tirupathi Venkata Kavulu. Chellapalli Venkata Sastry is the guru of Viswanatha Satyanarayana, and Veturi Sundararama Murthy.

The main reason for Sri Krishna Murthy to translate was to offer verbatim translation of the scriptures. All previous poets including Nannaya, Tikkana, Errapragada, Molla, Bhaskara, Pothana etc. have changed the original scriptures for several reasons. Sri Krishna Murthy is the first person to offer verbatim translation of the scriptures Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatham in Telugu.

Bhagavatham is the topmost scripture, and is the final essence of all the scriptures. Veda Vyasa was not satisfied even after writing all other scriptures. After writing Bhagavatham, he was completely satisfied, and it was his last scripture. Following the foot-steps of Veda Vyasa, Sri Krishna Murthy Sastry also wrote Bhagavatham at the end at the age of 85, and he finished that just in 4 months.

Sri Sripada Krishna Murthy Sastry's grand son's grand daughter Sripada Soudamini was my classmate, and colleague. I never knew that I have such a small degree of separation with such a great person.