Mantralaya-2019
(Sri VadirajaTeertharu’s life story part 2)
Date : Dec 4, 2024
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
Continuation of Sri VadirajaTeertharu’s life story is described in Mantralaya (2019).
Meaning
In
the earlier article on Mantralaya (2018), we delved into the miraculous
birth of Sri Vadirajaru and the spiritual evolution that transformed
him into one of the most revered saints in the Madhva lineage. His life
was a divine tapestry woven with unwavering devotion to Lord Vishnu,
unparalleled intellect, and an unyielding commitment to spreading the
teachings of Tattvavada (Dvaita philosophy).
Now, we continue
exploring the luminous path of his divine journey, one that not only
elevated his own soul but also left an indelible mark on the spiritual
landscape for generations to come.
During his sacred travels,
the venerable Sri Vadirajaru, a beacon of spiritual wisdom and
devotion, chose to observe Chaturmasya in Pune. Chaturmasya, a period
of spiritual retreat and discipline, was an opportunity for him to
delve deeper into scriptural study and meditation on Lord Krishna’s
glory. Pune, a city vibrant with intellectual and devotional pursuits,
became the stage for an extraordinary episode that showcased Sri
Vadirajaru’s unparalleled scholarship and devotion.
During a
prestigious Vidwat Sabha, an esteemed conclave of scholars deliberating
the greatest mahakavya (epic poem) in Sanskrit literature, the
consensus leaned towards Magha’s Sisupala-vadha. Renowned for its
intricate verses and literary brilliance, the work celebrated the
demise of Sisupala at Lord Krishna’s hands. However, when Sri
Vadirajaru learned of their decision, he felt a divine duty to offer a
higher perspective. While acknowledging the literary merit of
Sisupala-vadha, he was concerned that its theme—focusing on
destruction—failed to fully glorify Lord Krishna’s transcendental
greatness. With humility, he informed the Sabha of his own work, a
scripturally aligned composition exalting Krishna’s virtues, and
requested three weeks to retrieve the manuscript. Moved by his
reasoning and devotion, the scholars agreed, eagerly anticipating his
contribution.
Unbeknownst to the Sabha, Sri Vadirajaru had no
such manuscript and instead composed one in just 19 days, trusting in
divine grace. His epic, Rukminisa Vijaya, celebrated Krishna’s rescue
of Rukmini, blending poetic brilliance with deep spiritual insights
rooted in Dvaita philosophy. When he presented it to the Sabha, its
grandeur, scriptural adherence, and artistic excellence astounded the
scholars, who unanimously declared it the greatest mahakavya. The
astonishing speed of its creation only heightened their admiration. To
honor this literary and spiritual triumph, the manuscript was paraded
through the streets of Pune atop a grandly adorned elephant, marking
not only a celebration of Vadirajaru’s genius but also a testament to
his unwavering devotion to Lord Krishna.
Today, Rukminisa Vijaya
remains a shining example of what can be achieved when faith,
intellect, and devotion come together. It is not just an epic but a
testament to the power of unwavering trust in the divine and the
brilliance it can inspire.
From Pune, Sri Vadirajaru resumed his
pilgrimage, his heart ever brimming with devotion, and soon arrived at
the sacred town of Pandharapura, home to the beloved Lord Vittala.
Immersed in worship, he spent weeks in dedicated service, his days
filled with prayer, teaching, and uplifting those who sought his wisdom.
One
day, a distressed farmer approached Sri Vadirajaru with a
peculiar complaint. The man accused Sri Vadirajaru of owning a
white horse that grazed on his crops daily, leaving the fields barren.
The farmer claimed the horse always disappeared near the temple,
leading him to believe it belonged to Sri Vadirajaru’s matha.
Calm and compassionate, Sri Vadirajaru assured the man that no
horse resided in the matha but promised to investigate the matter.
Accompanying
the farmer to his field, they discovered an astonishing sight: golden
ears of corn had sprouted wherever the mysterious horse had
grazed. Sri Vadirajaru, his eyes filled with divine
understanding, gently explained that the "horse" was none other than
Lord Hayagriva, a celestial form of the Lord, blessing the farmer with
abundance. Overwhelmed by this revelation, the farmer, now filled with
gratitude and faith, surrendered his land to the matha, seeing it as a
divine offering to the Lord.
Inspired by this miraculous event,
Sri Vadirajaru composed the Dasavatara Stuti, a hymn extolling the ten
incarnations of the Lord. The verses were set to a unique rhythm known
as asvadhati, mirroring the majestic gait of a horse. Through this
melody, Sri Vadirajaru sought to capture the grace and divine
presence of Lord Hayagriva, evoking the miracle for generations to come.
Sri
Vadirajaru’s devotion to Lord Hayagriva extended beyond hymns to a
unique form of naivedya (offering). With meticulous care and
love, Sri Vadirajaru prepared a sweet dish made of jaggery,
almonds, ghee, and bengal gram. This dish, later known as Hayagriva
Maddi, became his sacred offering. After prayer, Sri Vadirajaru
would hold the dish above his head in deep meditation. Miraculously,
Lord Hayagriva, appearing as a radiant white horse, would descend, rest
His forelegs on Vadirajaru’s shoulders, and consume the offering,
leaving a small portion as prasada for his devotee.
On one
fateful occasion, envious individuals sought to discredit Sri
Vadirajaru’s devotion. They maliciously added poison to the naivedya,
intending to expose him as insincere. Unmoved by their schemes,
Sri Vadirajaru offered the dish with unwavering faith. To everyone’s
astonishment, Lord Hayagriva consumed the entire dish, leaving nothing
behind. The Lord then revealed the presence of poison, a bluish-green
hue appearing on His divine icon as evidence. This act of protection
silenced the doubters and reaffirmed the Lord’s unshakable bond with
His devotee.To atone for the attempt to harm the Lord, Sri
Vadirajaru began offering the Sri Vadirajaru Gulla, a unique variety of
eggplant. This continued until the discoloration on the icon faded,
leaving only a subtle green streak on the neck—a timeless reminder of
the Lord’s compassion and protection.
Today Vadiraja Gulla, also
known as Mattu Gulla, is available in the Udupi area. This unique
variety of brinjal (eggplant) is primarily cultivated in and around the
village of Mattu, located approximately 10 kilometers from Udupi. The
cultivation of Mattu Gulla is a tradition that dates back over 400
years, with its origins linked to the above incident. In Udupi cuisine,
Mattu Gulla holds a special place and is widely used in dishes such as
sambar, curries, and fritters. Its significance is further highlighted
during the biennial Paryaya festival at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple,
where dishes prepared from this brinjal variety are traditionally
served.
At Udupi, Sri Vadirajaru’s vision extended to
administrative reforms in Udupi. The original system allotted two-month
periods for each of the eight mathas to manage the Krishna temple.
While functional, it presented challenges like festival inequities and
administrative inefficiencies.In 1532, Sri Vadirajaru restructured the
system, granting each matha a two-year tenure. This allowed for
equitable festival participation, efficient governance, and sufficient
time for pilgrimage and outreach. The reforms revitalized the temple
administration and continue to govern Udupi’s spiritual legacy.
Sri
Vadirajru, a towering figure in the Madhva tradition, is celebrated for
his unparalleled devotion, scholarship, and miraculous deeds that left
an indelible mark on spiritual and cultural history. His life was a
confluence of divine grace, compassion, and transformative acts. Here
is a beautifully detailed account of some of his extraordinary
contributions.
The Divine Rescuer - Sri Vadirajru once saved the
life of a bridegroom by invoking the grace of the Lord through his
poetic brilliance. He composed the Lakshmi Shobhane, a masterpiece in
Kannada that glorified the divine wedding of Goddess Lakshmi. The
composition not only brought divine blessings but also established
itself as a treasured piece of devotional literature.
Miracles
at Belur - In Belur, Sri Vadirajru performed a remarkable act when the
chariot of Lord Chennakeshava, which had been immovable, was
miraculously made to move with ease through his prayers and blessings.
His divine intervention reaffirmed his spiritual stature and the Lord's
grace.
Blessings to Vaikuntadasa - While staying in Belur, Sri
Vadirajru bestowed a divine vision upon the devotee Vaikuntadasa. He
revealed Lord Krishna in his infant form, joyfully playing nearby,
leaving Vaikuntadasa overwhelmed with bliss and devotion.
Transforming
Dharmasthala - At Dharmasthala, Sri Vadirajru installed a Shivalinga
and consecrated it with a sacred Narasimha Saligrama. This act
harmonized the worship of both Shaivites and Vaishnavites, transforming
Dharmasthala into a revered center of devotion and unity.
Resolving
Brahminical Discord - Sri Vadirajru played a pivotal role in resolving
conflicts among the Brahmins of Kota and Koteshwara. He granted
Vaishnava initiation (Vaishnavadiksha) to the Koteshwara Brahmins,
accepting them as his disciples and fostering unity. Similarly, he
restored the dignity of the excommunicated Brahmins of Mattu village,
bringing them back into the spiritual fold.
Transforming Idols -
In Mudabidare, Sri Vadirajru used his mystic powers to transform a
Buddha idol into a form of Lord Vitthala. He worshipped this icon
daily, infusing the region with Krishna Bhakti and redefining the
spiritual landscape.
Elevating Bhutaraja - Sri Vadirajru
resolved the effects of a curse that afflicted Sri Bhutaraja, blessing
him with immense occult powers. Since then, Bhutaraja became the
saint’s devoted attendant (Mukhyakinkara), serving him with unwavering
loyalty.
Treasures of Tretayuga - During a financial crisis
faced by Vijayanagara rulers Krishnadevaraya and Achyutadevaraya, Sri
Vadirajru blessed them with a treasure from the Tretayuga, resolving
their struggles. He also cured Achyutadevaraya of a severe illness,
demonstrating his compassion and miraculous powers.
Rebuilding
Udupi’s Heritage - Sri Vadiraja renovated the temples of Ananteshwara,
Chandramouleshwara, and Sri Krishna in Udupi. He also established eight
mutts (Ashta Mathas) around the car street, creating a lasting
spiritual legacy for the region.
Recognition of Disciples - Sri
Vadirajru initiated a celibate disciple into the monastic order, naming
him Sri Vedavedyatirtha, thus ensuring the continuation of the Dvaita
tradition.
Divine Interventions - Sri Vadirajru’s compassion
extended even to Akbar, the Mughal prince, whom he saved from untimely
death. He also recognized Kanakadasa’s pure devotion to Krishna and
blessed him with divine grace.
Offerings to Lord Venkateshwara -
Sri Vadiraja offered a garland of Saligramas to Lord Venkateshwara at
Tirumala. In return, he received a divine icon of the Lord with Sri and
Bhu devis, symbolizing the Lord’s blessings and favor.
The Icon
of Trivikrama - Sri Vadirajru installed the Trivikrama idol in a temple
he built in Sonda near Sirsi. The idol, blessed by Lord Vedavyasa and
Sri Madhvacharya, was carried to Sonda by Bhutaraja. The worship of
Trivikrama, particularly prescribed for Ruju souls in shastra,
underscored Vadirajru’s elevated spiritual status as a Ruju.
Royal
Honors - Sri Vadirajru was honored with the title Prasangabharanatirtha
by King Veeravenkatapatiraya of the Vijayanagara dynasty in Penugonda
in 1585 CE. He was also bestowed with the titles Sarvajnakalpam (akin
to omniscience), Shattarkashanmukha (master of sixfold logic), and
Jagadekamallavadi (unique among scholars).
In the picturesque
landscapes of Dakshina Kannada, where the rivers Netravati and
Kumaradhara converge, lies a place of divine wonder called
Kati-Shivalaya. This sacred site is renowned for its natural rock
formations, hundreds of which resemble Shiva lingas. Surrounded by lush
greenery and serene vistas, the place has been a magnet for pilgrims
drawn to its spiritual charm.
When Sri Vadirajaru visited
Kati-Shivalaya with his retinue, his arrival drew throngs of people
from nearby villages. The assembled devotees, eager to honor the
naturally occurring lingas, yearned to perform abhisheka (ritual
bathing). However, the rivers were nearly dry, and the lack of water
made such a large-scale offering impossible.When this dilemma reached
Sri Vadirajaru, his compassionate heart moved swiftly to address the
issue. Taking his danda (staff), Sri Vadirajaru drew a line in the
sandy terrain and prayed fervently to the Lord. In an awe-inspiring
miracle, water began to spring forth from the very line he had drawn,
forming a large, flowing stream.The gathered devotees were overwhelmed
with joy and reverence. With newfound abundance, they performed
abhisheka to their hearts' content, offering their gratitude to both
Lord Shiva and Sri Vadirajaru for this divine blessing. The miracle of
the water stream, flowing to this day, immortalized the event in local
lore. The stream came to be known as Danda Teertha, a sacred site that
continues to draw pilgrims who marvel at its divine origin and serene
beauty.
Sri Vadirajru life exemplifies a harmonious blend of
scholarship, devotion, and divine grace. His legacy remains an eternal
source of inspiration for devotees, scholars, and seekers on the path
of Dharma.
In next series we will continue about Sri VadirajaTeertharu.
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||