Mantralaya-2018

(Sri VadirajaTeertharu’s life story part 1)

Date : Nov 27, 2024


Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||


Background

Sri VadirajaTeertharu’s life story part 1 is described in Mantralaya (2018).

Meaning


In the previous article on Mantralaya, we explored the profound devotion and contributions of Sri Vadirajaru. In this episode, let us delve deeper into his extraordinary life story filled with unwavering faith, divine grace, and monumental achievements that continue to inspire devotees across generations.

In the sacred village of Huvvinakere, nestled 25 miles north of Udupi, there lived a pious couple, Ramabhatta and Gowri. Their lives were simple and rooted in devotion, yet they carried a profound yearning in their hearts—a child to bless their home and complete their family. In the year Sharvari (1480 AD), their prayers brought a divine visitor, Sri VagishaTeertharu, the revered pontiff of Sode Matha.

When Ramabhatta and Gowri humbly expressed their desire for a child, Sri VagishaTeertharu blessed them with a vision of hope but also a divine decree. "You shall be blessed with a son," Sri VagishaTeertharu declared, "but this child will belong to the Math, destined for a higher purpose." The couple was taken aback, their joy mingled with apprehension. Seeing their hesitation, the saint offered them solace with a condition. "If the child is born inside your home, he shall stay with you. If born outside, he belongs to the Matha." Relieved by what seemed a manageable condition, the couple agreed with faith in the saint's words.

Gowri soon conceived, and the couple's joy knew no bounds. With unwavering determination, they took meticulous care to ensure that she never stepped out of the house as her pregnancy advanced. Their modest home, surrounded by lush fields of paddy, became a sanctuary of prayers and vigilance. However, the ways of the divine often surpass human understanding.

On the sacred day of Sadhana Dvadashi, Ramabhatta was peacefully partaking in his meal while Gowri was engrossed in performing Tulasi Pooja in the backyard, her heart brimming with devotion. Suddenly, her serene ritual was interrupted as she noticed cows straying into their paddy field, their only source of livelihood, and destroying the crops. Alarmed and distressed, she quickly grabbed a stick and rushed out to chase the cows away, her concern for their survival momentarily overshadowing the promise made to Sri VagishaTeertharu.In her haste, Gowri wandered far from the house, unknowingly moving closer to destiny’s call. Overcome by exhaustion, she suddenly felt labor pains and realized she could not return home. Right there, under the open sky, surrounded by the fertile fields, Gowri gave birth to a divine child. Despite their meticulous precautions, the divine will had triumphed, affirming the prophecy that this extraordinary child was destined for a life of unparalleled spiritual greatness. The paddy field where Gowri gave birth to Sri VAdirAja is called as “Gowri Gadde”. Now there is a small temple in that spot.

The couple was awestruck, their joy tempered by the realization that their son was born outside their home, as foretold by Sri VagishaTeertharu. The divine will had prevailed despite their efforts.

When the news of the child’s birth reached Sri VagishaTeertharu, he sent for the boy, asking the parents to bring him to the Matha. The infant was placed on a golden plate, as was the custom for one destined for divine service, and carried reverently to the saint. VagishaTeertharu, gazing at the newborn, declared him to be no ordinary child. He observed the auspicious marks on the baby’s body, signs that foretold a glorious future filled with spiritual greatness. He named the child Bhuvaraha, symbolizing strength, divinity, and connection to the earth.Despite the saint's blessings, Ramabhatta and Gowri were heartbroken at the thought of parting with their son. Sensing their anguish, Sri VagishaTeertharu assured them, "Bhuvaraha will stay with you until you are blessed with another child. Only then will he return to the Matha to fulfill his divine destiny."

As foretold, Gowri and Ramabhatta were soon blessed with another son, filling their home with joy and solace. By this time, Bhuvaraha had grown into a bright and virtuous boy of eight, embodying wisdom and humility far beyond his years. When the time came, the parents, though heavy-hearted, fulfilled their promise. Bhuvaraha was brought to the Math, where Sri VagishaTeertharu lovingly initiated him into Sanyasa, the life of renunciation, bestowing upon him the name VadirajaTeertharu.Sanyasa is a Sanskrit term derived from two words: "Sam" (completely) and "Nyasa" (renunciation). It signifies a state of complete renunciation of worldly attachments, desires, and material possessions, undertaken as a spiritual path to attain liberation (moksha).

Thus began the spiritual journey of a boy born under divine circumstances, destined to illuminate the world with his wisdom, devotion, and service. Under the guidance of his guru, VadirajaTeertharu delved deep into the sacred scriptures, preparing to fulfill the extraordinary destiny written in the stars at his birth.

VadirajaTeertharu's brilliance and devotion shone even as a young student under Sri VagishaTeertharu. During a test by his guru, where silken clothes and delicious dishes were offered for the taking, while others eagerly chose their desires, Vadiraja stood silently, seeking none of it. When asked what he wished for, VagishaTeertharu recited a heartfelt verse, expressing his longing for devotion to his guru, blessings of elders, constant worship of Lord Vishnu, dispassion, control over senses, and the grace of Lord Hayagriva. Deeply moved by his wisdom and poetic eloquence, Sri VagishaTeertharu recognized Vadirajaru's extraordinary spiritual depth.

VadirajaTeertharu immersed himself in rigorous study and spiritual practice under the revered Sri VagishaTeertharu until his guru's demise.

Honoring his mentor with a grand Aradhane, he then embarked on a transformative journey to Hampi, accompanied by his retinue, to study under the illustrious Sri VyasaTeertharu.Sri Vyasa Teertharu, known for his profound scholarship and devotion to Lord Vishnu, served as a guiding light for Sri Vadirajaru.

Hampi, during VyasaTeertharu’s time, was not only a seat of political power under the Vijayanagara Empire but also a hub of spiritual and intellectual activity. This setting brought together several luminaries, including Vyasa Teertharu, Vadirajaru, Purandara Dasaru, Kanaka Dasaru, and Vishnu Teertharu (later Vijayendra Teertharu). The environment of collaboration and intellectual exchange further refined Vadirajaru's understanding and articulation of Madhva’s teachings.This period was transformational for Vadirajaru, as he immersed himself in the study of Dvaita Vedanta, Vedic scriptures, and philosophy under the meticulous guidance of his illustrious guru.

King Krishnadevaraya, captivated by Vadiraja’s radiant intellect, eloquence, and spiritual depth, bestowed upon him the title Prasangabharana Tirtha (Jewel of a Speaker).

After years of profound learning and exchanges in Hampi, Vadirajaru returned to Udupi, where his legacy would soon flourish. As a symbol of their enduring bond, as a testament to their deep spiritual connection, Sri Vyasa Teertharu gifted Vadirajaru the sacred Vyasa Mushti—a symbol of divine power and knowledge. This relic, originally gifted to Vyasa Teertharu during a pilgrimage to Udupi, was passed on to Vadirajaru as a mark of trust and recognition of his spiritual caliber. The Vyasa Mushti also symbolized the continuity of the Dvaita lineage and the shared responsibility of upholding and spreading its philosophy.

In the coastal regions of Karnataka, thousands of goldsmiths toiled with skill and devotion but struggled under the burden of social exclusion and lack of religious acceptance. Their yearning for dignity and inclusion found an extraordinary resolution through divine intervention and the grace of Shri VadirajaTeertharu.

One day, a goldsmith melted an alloy of five sacred metals to craft an idol of Lord Ganapati. However, when the mould was opened, to his amazement, it revealed a radiant icon of Lord Hayagriva, with a horse’s head and four arms. The idol, glowing red-hot with an otherworldly brilliance, baffled the craftsman. Unable to understand its significance, he decided to melt it down and reuse the metal the following day.

That night, divine will revealed itself. The goldsmith dreamt of being instructed to present the icon to Shri VadirajaTeertharu. Simultaneously, Vadirajaru had a vision foretelling the arrival of a unique Hayagriva icon, his beloved Ishta Devata. Overwhelmed with joy and reverence, Vadirajaru eagerly awaited this divine gift.

The next morning, a delegation of goldsmiths approached Sri Vadirajaru and humbly offered the Hayagriva icon, narrating the miraculous events surrounding its creation. They also expressed their anguish over being social outcasts. Moved by their plight, Vadiraja resolved to uplift the community and integrate them into the spiritual fold.

On an auspicious occasion, Vadirajaru conferred Chakrankana (the sacred marking of the conch and discus) upon the goldsmiths, formally bringing them into the fold of Bhagavata Dharma (Dvaita philosophy). From that day, they were recognized as Daivajna Brahmins, earning respect and acceptance in society. They regarded Sri Vadirajaru as their spiritual guide, and Sode Matha became their center of devotion.

Vadirajaru’s compassion extended further, as he also admitted the Koteshwara Brahmins into the Dvaita fold, restoring their dignity and societal standing. Through these acts of inclusivity and reform, Shri Vadirajau exemplified the transformative power of divine grace and spiritual leadership.

After successfully completing his first Paryaya, Shri VadirajaTeertharu embarked on an extensive pilgrimage across the country, immersing himself in the spiritual essence of India's sacred sites. His journey gave birth to the extraordinary travelogue, Teertha Prabandha, a work unmatched in its depth and authenticity. This masterpiece meticulously documents the pilgrimage centers and the Moola Brindavanas of Madhva saints, highlighting their spiritual significance, unique deities, and associated legends.

At each major site, Shri Vadiraja organized Vidwat Sabhas—conferences of eminent scholars—engaging in profound religious debates and discussions. Through his unparalleled intellect and unwavering devotion, he established the supremacy of Tattvavada (Dvaita philosophy), leaving an indelible mark on the spiritual and intellectual landscape. Teertha Prabandha stands as a timeless testimony to his journey, blending poetic brilliance with philosophical clarity, and continues to guide and inspire devotees and scholars alike.

TeerthaPrabandha stands as an unparalleled source of truth, meticulously documenting the precise locations of sacred temples and the Moola Brindavanas of Madhva saints. Sri Vadiraja Teertharu, with divine foresight, composed this monumental work in anticipation of a future when false claims and confusion might arise regarding these holy sites of temples and Moola Brindavanas. In such times, Teertha Prabandha serves as an authoritative guide, ensuring that the sanctity and authenticity of these locations remain preserved. With its detailed descriptions and precision, this masterpiece continues to be the definitive reference for devotees and scholars seeking clarity and truth about the sacred geography of the Madhva tradition.

In the next article, we will delve deeper into the remarkable accomplishments of Sri Vadiraja Teertharu.

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||