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||