Sri Vadiraja Teertha
Acharya Madhwa established the Dwaita philosophy in 13th Century. He installed Sri Krishna idol at Udupi and established 8 Mutts to worship Lord Krishna. These mutts followed a cyclic system of worshipping and administering the Sri Krishna mutt for every two months as instructed by Madhwacharya
Influenced by Dwaita philosophy, poorvashrama brother of Sri Madhwacharya took sanyasa and became the first pontiff - Sri VishnuTeertharu, of one of the 8 mutts, Kumbhasi Mutt located at Kumbhasi near Udupi. In his lineage, was a pontiff by name Sri Vageesha Teertharu, who was in search of an able deciple who can carry the Dwaita flag and spread it across India.
A poor couple by name Ramacharya and Gowri of Kumbhasi were childless . They met Sri Vageesha teertha. He blessed the couple and asked them to give their first child to the mutt, in case they were blessed with a baby boy. In the year 1480 on a Dwadashi day, Gowri delivered a baby boy in a field outside their house. Sri Vageesha teetharu heard the news and brought the baby to the mutt.
The baby boy had a very illuminating face, full of all the signs that His Guru was looking for. The baby was fed with the milk that was used for abhisheka of the Saligrama,daily. The boy was named as Bhooh Varaha. At a very tender age of 5 years, Bhooh Varaha was an expert in Sanskrit, Vedic knowledge . He was an extraordinary orator and had an unambiguous devotion towards Acharya Madhwa and Sri Hari.
Vageesha Teertharu, attracted by his supernatural skills ordained him into Sanyasa at the age of 7 and named his as SRI VADIRAJA TEERTHA. This was the greatest moment for the Madhwa Philosophy. A star was born, whose fame was about to stay forever
Very soon Vageesha Teertha passed away and the young Swamiji became the head of the mutt. He approached Sri Vyasa Teetha, who was at Vijayanagara[Hampi] to bless him with the divine knowledge of Dwaita. Vadirajaru completed his studies, under the guidance of Sri Vyasa rajaru at Hampi along with many of his contemporaries such as Sri Vijayendra Teertharu of Sri Raghavendra Swamy mutt.
Upon his return, the young swamiji took up the administration of the mutt. He attended his first paryaya and worshipped Lord Krishna.
He travelled across the country, visiting all the holy places. He started his journey from udupi, went to Dwaraka, then towards the North. It is said that He met Sri Vedavyasa and Sri Madhwacharya at Badri and sought their blessings. He then moved towards, east and then to south. In South, at Triupati, when he was about to climb the hill, he saw the entire hill as Saligrama. Hence he decided to climb it through his knees . Such was his devotion to the Lord. He documented his journey as travelogue in Sanskrit, Teertha Prabhanda, which is referred as one of the most authentic historical document that deals with geography of all the places he visited at that time. He explains in detail, the philosophical importance of each of the Kshetra, the rivers
During his travel, he had debates with greatest of scholars of different schools of philosophies such as Advaita, Buddhism, Jainism etc and won all of them. He accepted many disciples, who after their defeat surrendered to the Dwaita Philosophy
Sri Vadiraja Teertha was a great author, an unmatched poet and an expert in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tulu and Konkani languages
He authored many books which are considered as gems in Dwaita philosophy.
1. Yukti Mallika
2. Sarasa Bharati Vilasa
3. Rukmineesha Vijaya are some of his greatest work explaining the tenants of Madhwacharya's teachings
Among them, Rukmineesha Vijaya is an extraordinary Sanskrit work that describes the beauty of Rukmini-The consort of Lord Krishna, Her marriage with Krishna and the slaying of Shishupala
This beautiful work was completed in just 18 days , that too while applying sandal wood paste to his body everyday,at the time of lunch. It was written in Pune. When vadiraja teertha was in Pune, he heard about a book by name Shishupala Vadha, written by Magha Kavi. It was thought to be the most hailed book and was recognized by Peshwa of Pune. Vadiraja Teertha approached Magha Kavi and Peshwa. He said that he did not think that this book was worth of that respect, as the name itself glorifies the villain- Shishupala rather then the Hero-Lord Krishna. Magha Kavi challenged Him to write a book that can exceed his work on the same topic and thus was born Rukmineesha Vijaya. After reading the book Magha Kavi questioned as to how a sanyasi can describe a woman(Rukimini) so beautifully, without ever seeing or touching a woman in life. Sri Vadiraja teertha explains him with an example. Pleased by his explanation and influenced by the work, he admits that Rukmineesha Vijaya is the book that exceeds all other sanskrit work prevailing at that time.
Sri Vadirajaru also composed many works in praise of Lord such as Dashavtara Stuti - A sanskrit work that describes Lord Sri Hari's all 10 avtaras. It is a poem composed in Ashwa dhati , which when rendered has the notes similar to horse dance. Lord Sri Hari appeared in the form of a white Horse and danced infront of him, whenever this poem was recited by Sri Vadirajaru. It was his daily practice to offer a naivedya made of Horse gram and Jaggery to the Lord, who used to appear as horse,keep his front two legs on the shoulders of Sri Vadirajaru and eat the offering. A small amount was left which used to be Vadiraja Teertha's food.
He composed many devotional songs in Kannada. The most popular was Lakshmi shobhana. This song beautifully depicts Godess Lakshmi's marriage with Narayana. Soon after composing this song, a incident happened. Sri Vadirajaru was invited for a marriage. On the marriage day, the bride died suddenly. Sri Vadirajaru sang this song and requested Lord to bless the bride with life again. Pleased by his devotion, Lord brought back life of the bride. Since then, its a common practice to sing this song in marriage across Karnataka.
Upon his return, the young swamiji took up the administration of the mutt. He attended his first paryaya and worshipped Lord Krishna.
He travelled across the country, visiting all the holy places. He started his journey from udupi, went to Dwaraka, then towards the North. It is said that He met Sri Vedavyasa and Sri Madhwacharya at Badri and sought their blessings. He then moved towards, east and then to south. In South, at Triupati, when he was about to climb the hill, he saw the entire hill as Saligrama. Hence he decided to climb it through his knees . Such was his devotion to the Lord. He documented his journey as travelogue in Sanskrit, Teertha Prabhanda, which is referred as one of the most authentic historical document that deals with geography of all the places he visited at that time. He explains in detail, the philosophical importance of each of the Kshetra, the rivers
During his travel, he had debates with greatest of scholars of different schools of philosophies such as Advaita, Buddhism, Jainism etc and won all of them. He accepted many disciples, who after their defeat surrendered to the Dwaita Philosophy
Sri Vadiraja Teertha was a great author, an unmatched poet and an expert in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tulu and Konkani languages
He authored many books which are considered as gems in Dwaita philosophy.
1. Yukti Mallika
2. Sarasa Bharati Vilasa
3. Rukmineesha Vijaya are some of his greatest work explaining the tenants of Madhwacharya's teachings
Among them, Rukmineesha Vijaya is an extraordinary Sanskrit work that describes the beauty of Rukmini-The consort of Lord Krishna, Her marriage with Krishna and the slaying of Shishupala
This beautiful work was completed in just 18 days , that too while applying sandal wood paste to his body everyday,at the time of lunch. It was written in Pune. When vadiraja teertha was in Pune, he heard about a book by name Shishupala Vadha, written by Magha Kavi. It was thought to be the most hailed book and was recognized by Peshwa of Pune. Vadiraja Teertha approached Magha Kavi and Peshwa. He said that he did not think that this book was worth of that respect, as the name itself glorifies the villain- Shishupala rather then the Hero-Lord Krishna. Magha Kavi challenged Him to write a book that can exceed his work on the same topic and thus was born Rukmineesha Vijaya. After reading the book Magha Kavi questioned as to how a sanyasi can describe a woman(Rukimini) so beautifully, without ever seeing or touching a woman in life. Sri Vadiraja teertha explains him with an example. Pleased by his explanation and influenced by the work, he admits that Rukmineesha Vijaya is the book that exceeds all other sanskrit work prevailing at that time.
Sri Vadirajaru also composed many works in praise of Lord such as Dashavtara Stuti - A sanskrit work that describes Lord Sri Hari's all 10 avtaras. It is a poem composed in Ashwa dhati , which when rendered has the notes similar to horse dance. Lord Sri Hari appeared in the form of a white Horse and danced infront of him, whenever this poem was recited by Sri Vadirajaru. It was his daily practice to offer a naivedya made of Horse gram and Jaggery to the Lord, who used to appear as horse,keep his front two legs on the shoulders of Sri Vadirajaru and eat the offering. A small amount was left which used to be Vadiraja Teertha's food.
He composed many devotional songs in Kannada. The most popular was Lakshmi shobhana. This song beautifully depicts Godess Lakshmi's marriage with Narayana. Soon after composing this song, a incident happened. Sri Vadirajaru was invited for a marriage. On the marriage day, the bride died suddenly. Sri Vadirajaru sang this song and requested Lord to bless the bride with life again. Pleased by his devotion, Lord brought back life of the bride. Since then, its a common practice to sing this song in marriage across Karnataka.
Through his songs in Kannada, Tulu and Konkani, he helped common people of all castes to understand Acharya Madhwa's teachings and bring them closer to God
As an able Administrator
Sri Vadiraja Teertha was not just a sanyasi but also an able administrator who contributed a lot for the Sri Krishna mutt at Udupi.
The Vijayanagara emperors made Ratnabhisheka to Vadirajaru. He used all the amount donated by emperors for the welfare of temple. He installed an idol of Madhwacharya at Madhwa's birth place Pajaka.
He also installed Lord Hanuman in Udupi.It is believed that he constructed a temple tower in memory of great Haridasa Sri Kanakadasaru which is known as Kanaka Gopura today
He was so courageous that he changed the paryaya of 8 mutts from 2 months to 2 years, which is followed even today
He reinstalled Lord Shiva at Kuduma village according to Vedic rituals and named it as Dharmasthala, which is the most popular pilgrim center in Karnataka today
As a social reformer
There were a group of brahmins who were goldsmiths by profession. They were not treated on par with other Brahmins. Once a goldsmith from this community was making an idol of Ganesha. However it used to take the shape of Lord Hayagriva everyday. One day this gold smith visited Sri Vadiraja'mutt and told him about this incident. Sri Vadirajaru accepted this idol and granted the whole goldsmith community the Vaishnava deeksha. Today this community is the largest follower of Vadiraj mutt
Apart from this, he gave vaishnava deeksha to many downtrodden people and helped them to lead a respectful life
Last years
After the collapse of Vijayanagara empire, he helped one Arsappa nayak of Sonda to regain his territory. The king requested swamiji to build a mutt in Sonda forever. He accepted and with help of the king, built Rama Trivikrama temple
He gave away the sixth Paryaya in favour of the junior pontiff of the mutt and returned to Sonda. He installed lord Shiva at Sonda resembling Chandramoulishvara at Udupi, built Dhavalaganga like Madhwa Sarvora and installed lord krishna and Hanuman. In short
Sonda became a replica of Udupi
He ordered his deciples to build a Brundavana for himself. After leading a meaningful life of 120 years (1480-1600)Sri Vadirajaru entered the brundavana alive and is till today blessing everybody
From a peethadipathi to a an excellent orator to an humble devotee to an extraordinary scholar to a social reformer....He touched all walks of life.There are no words that can ever describe Sri Vadiraja Teertha.
Do visit sonda and seek his blessings
Sri Krishnarpanamastu
Very well written!
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DeleteNice description of the life of Shri Vaadhirajaru...Harey Srinuvaasa...
ReplyDeleteNice information. I would also like to know the text / verse where it is mentioned that Sri Vadirajaru is the Bhavi Sameera? Is it mentioned by Sri Vadirajaru himself or any of his disciples in their works? More curious to know where exactly "Bhavi Sameera" title emerges from? Thanks in anticipation.
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