Sarangadhara

Sarangadhara is an epic story during the reign of Rajaraja Narendra. Gurajada Apparao wrote the story in long poetic form in English and published in "Indian Leisure Hour" in 1883. It is a popular Telugu drama and made into South Indian films. The story Rajaraja Narendra was ruling the Vengi country with capital of Rajamahendri. He had a son by name Sarangadhara with Queen Ratnangi. The king had a second wife Chitrangi towards whom he was very affectionate. He had a bitter enemy, his step-brother, Vijayaditya. One day Chitrangi invited her step son Sarangadhara for feast. As Sarangadhara was leaving for a hunt, he ignored the invitation. His step mother was very upset with him and it was brought to the notice of Vijayaditya by his sources. Vijayaditya made a propaganda of an affair between Sarangadhara and his step mother with the sinister motive of creating conflict in the house of Rajaraja Narendra. Without proper inquiry, Rajaraja Narendra ordered the chopping off the limbs of the innocent Sarangadhara. The king's orders had to be obeyed and so the punishment was meted out to the prince in the mountain forest. Sarangadhara was lying in a pool of blood screaming in agony, drawing the attention of Meghanadha a devotee of Siva, who immediately rushed to Sarangadhara and did what ever he could to alleviate the pain and advised Sarangadhara to pray to Lord Shiva and get his blessings. Lord Siva, moved by Sarangadhara's prayer, returned his lost limbs and him a handsome person.