Introduction to Hari Dasa movement and childhood days of Prasanna Venkata Dasaru)
Date : May 2, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe|| || OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA|| SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Background
Sri
Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, Part 1/3. Introduction to Hari Dasa movement
and childhood days of Prasanna Venkata Dasaru is described in
Mantralaya(1088).
Meaning
I'd
like to dedicate three articles to Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, one of
the great Hari Dasaru blessed by Sri Tirulama Srinivasa and Sri
Raghavendra Swamy. This dedication embodies the essence of the Kannada
proverb:
"Devarendare Tirupati Timappa,
Guruvendare Manchale Raghappa."
Before
delving deeply into Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru's life, let's first
explore the significance of Haridasarus and the Bhakti movement they
spearheaded.
Haridasaru refers to saintly devotees within the
Bhakti movement of Hinduism. These saintly devoted individuals are
known for their profound dedication to divine worship and service,
often expressed through devotional singing, hymn composition (kirtans),
and spiritual teachings. What sets Haridasarus apart is their ability
to spontaneously compose songs, gifted by Sri Hari, that encapsulate
the essence of Vedic scriptures, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana,
and Mahabharata in simple Kannada. Additionally, they fearlessly
address societal issues that deviate from dharma (righteousness)
through their songs, serving as direct messengers of spiritual truth
and moral guidance.
The Haridasa Bhakti movement blossomed from
the profound relationship between Sri Hari and the saintly devoted
individuals, exemplified by Hanumantha Devaru’s devotion to Lord Rama,
later reincarnated as Sri Madhvacharayaru in Kaliyuga.
The
"Dwadasha Stotra” composed by Srimad Madhwacharyaru and accompanied by
captivating music, stands as the inaugural Stotra Kavya that stotra in
the form of poem composition. Dwadasha Stotra consists of twelve
chapters, this masterpiece includes the renowned 'Preenayamo Vasudevam'
as its eighth chapter. These compositions are often regarded as the
earliest Sanskrit works meant for singing, serving as a precursor to
Hari Dasa Sahitya, the devotional literature of Karnataka.Dwadasha
Stotra were actually composed in diverse meters, ragas, and talas, to
be sung during the Acharya's visits to different pilgrimage sites.
These chapters feature refrains suitable for group singing, exemplified
by the chorus in the twelfth chapter, comprising only the names of the
Lord, accessible to all.
Madhwacharyaru himself, considered the
Founder of Carnatic music, inspired the very term 'Carnatic music'
through his contributions. Revered as a masterful musician with a
captivating voice, he was affectionately known as 'Gandharva Vidya
Nipuna.' Madhwacharyaru's singing had the power to rejuvenate life, as
demonstrated when he revived a withered plant with his melodious voice.
Madhwacharyaru's influence extends beyond music to Yakshagana, a
traditional dance form, making him a revered figure in both spiritual
and artistic realms.
Sri Naraharitirtharu, a direct disciple of
Sri Madhwacharyaru, further enriched the movement with his stirring
devotional compositions in Kannada during the 13th century. However,
the fervor seemed to wane until the 15th century, when Sri Sripadaraja
reignited the flame of devotion with unparalleled zeal.Through his
prolific compositions, including countless kirtanas and suladis, he
elevated the Bhakti movement to unprecedented heights, marking a golden
era between 1446-1600. Guided by Sri Vyasathirtharu, disciples like Sri
Purandara Dasaru and Kanakadasaru flourished, composing innumerable
keertans that deeply resonated with devotees' hearts.
The
movement surged forward under the stewardship of luminaries like Sri
Vadirajaru, Sri RaghavendraTeertharu, and others, who nurtured its
growth with their divine presence and profound teachings. In the 17th -
18th century, the Haridasa Bhakti movement experienced a magnificent
resurgence, led by luminaries such as Kakhandaki Mahipati Dasaru, Sri
Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, Sri Vijayadasaru, Sri Gopaladasaru, Hellavan
Katte Giriyamma, and Sri Jagannatha Dasaru.
Let's delve into the life story of our revered figure, Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru.
Sri
Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, born in 1680 in Bagalkot, Karnataka, grew up
in a devout Brahmin family steeped in Vedic traditions. His childhood,
spent near the banks of the Ghataprabha River, was filled with the
echoes of sacred chants and rituals. Originally from Kakhandaki
village, his family migrated to Bagalkot due to Mughal invasions in the
17th century.
In Bagalkot, a hub of Dvaita philosophy and Vedic
learning, Venkanna's father, Sri Narasappayya, continued his scholarly
pursuits while instilling a deep reverence for Lord Venkateshwara in
his family. Narasappayya, along with his eldest son Raghavendra,
immersed themselves in the study of Sanskrit and Vedanta, contributing
to the rich tapestry of Vedic knowledge in their community. The family
continued to uphold their traditions and spiritual practices, finding
strength in their unwavering devotion to Sri Hari.
Narasappayya
and Laxmibai were blessed with a newborn son, Venkanna. Venkanna’s
birth stirred a blend of joy and apprehension in the aging couple.
While they rejoiced in the arrival of their youngest child, they
couldn't shake off their concerns about whether they would witness
Venkanna blossom into a scholar like their eldest son, Raghavendra.
Despite these worries, their steadfast devotion to Lord Sri
Venkateshwara provided them with a comforting assurance that every
twist of fate was a divine gift to be embraced with gratitude.
Laxmibai,
in particular, instilled in Venkanna a profound belief in the
protective embrace of Lord Venkateshwara, portraying him as the
ultimate caretaker who guides and nurtures all beings. She emphasized
that nothing occurs without the divine will of the Lord, teaching
Venkanna to surrender wholeheartedly to Sri Hari's divine plan. Their
home echoed with the melodious strains of devotional kirtanas sung by
Laxmibai during their daily prayers, with Venkanna by her side, soaking
in the spiritual essence of the hymns.
Venkanna's upbringing was
imbued with the teachings of intense bhakti, with his mother recounting
the stories of devout devotees like Bhakta Prahlada and Dhruva,
illustrating the power of unwavering devotion. She also imparted the
significance of compassion and service, teaching Venkanna that caring
for their cows was akin to serving the divine, earning blessings in
return.Together, mother and son tended to their cows by the riverside,
forming a sacred bond amidst the serene surroundings. Under the canopy
of a towering banyan tree, Venkanna would meditate and pray, his heart
filled with devotion for Lord Venkateshwara.Despite his tender age of
eight, Venkanna underwent the Upanayanam ceremony, marking the
commencement of his Vedic education at the gurukula. Narasappayya,
recognizing their advancing age and declining health, initiated
Venkanna into the sacred Gayatri Mantra, preparing him for the path of
knowledge and wisdom.
The family was struck by tragedy as
Laxmibai's health took a sudden turn for the worse, indicating that her
time on earth was drawing to a close. With a mother's intuition, she
gently guided Venkanna, preparing him for her imminent departure. She
planted in him the unwavering conviction that Lord Venkateshwara would
always watch over and guide him. After Laxmibai's departure,
Narasappayya father of Venkanna was overwhelmed with sorrow, and before
long, he too joined his beloved wife in the afterlife.
Though
the pain of losing both parents so early in life was immense, Venkanna
discovered a profound comfort in the lessons they imparted and the
faith they instilled in Lord Venkateshwara . Their enduring legacy of
love and strength became beacons illuminating his path forward,
offering him courage and direction through life's trials and triumphs.
In
the next episode, Part 2 of Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, we will
explore Venkanna's journey further and discover what blessings Sri
Venkateshwara and Sri Raghavendra Swamy have in store for him. The devotion towards
Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple
and effective way to reach Sri Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE
GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be
disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||