240. Vir Vaishnavism

There is evidence of Vir Vaisnavism in medieval Andhra, though for a short period. Many historians refuse to consider it as a sect and attribute it to the ideology of an individual, Brahmanaydu, which was later transformed into Hero worship.  Srinadha, a 15th century poets work, Palanati Vircharitra, refers to this in detail. Brahmanydu was the minister of Haihaya ruler Nalgamaraju, son of Anuguraju.  He was ruling the entire Palnad area comprising of parts of modern Guntur and Prakasam District.  Brahmanaydu attempted to bring about radical socio-religious reforms.  He married women from all the four castes and adopted Kannamadasa, a person  of mala caste an untouchable,  as his son.  Brahmanaydu was a devotee of Macherla Chenna kesav Swamy . He  made  the temple at Macherla the center of his activity and threw open the gates of the temple to panchama castes.  He initiated people into Vaisnava fold calling them , “Dasa”. He encouraged interdinning and intercaste marriages.  He seems to have been influenced by the Vaishnava Acharya, Ramanuja and other Vir Saivite practices, pleading for a casteless society.