LIFE OF SRI MADHWACHARYA

LIFE OF SRI MADHWACHARYA

Sri Purnaprajna is the Mount-Everest of wisdom that the world has seen. Anandateertha, Madhva, Dashapramati, Purnabodha, Sarvajna etc., are his various other names. He is a great personality who, by his matchless wisdom, brought unprecedented spiritual revolution in the world of philosophy. His unparalleled greatness is that he, the glorious one of marvelous personality, opened the vistas of the scriptural world by contributing incomparable works to mankind.

GREATNESS OF THE SPIRITUAL LORE
Knowledge is always the chief means to excellence. Philosophy is the basis and chief purpose of all knowledge. Philosophical investigation leads to the knowledge of the Creator of the world. The aim of spirituality is to realize the Supreme Begin. The scriptures are of various kinds like the Veda-s, the Vedanga-s, Itihasa-s, Purana-s and Smrti-s. the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharvana Veda are the Veda-s and Mantra, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanissad-s are its subdivision. Siksa, Vyakarna, Nirukta, Chandas, Jyotisa and Kalpa are the six types of Vedanga-s. Mahabharata, Ramayana and Pancaratra are the three Itihasa-s. The Purana-s are of two types namely Mahapurana-s and Upapurana-s. Bhagavata, Varaha, Vamana, Visnu etc., are the Mahapurana-s. Mahavaraha, Narasimha, Mahakurma etc., are the Upapurana-s. They are differentiated as Sattvika, Rajasa and Tamasa. Vyasa Smrti, Manu Smrti are the Smrti-s. Kruta Yuga was the time of ascendance for philosophy, the end of Dvapara Yuga saw its down fall. Coupled with the power of Time, the curse of Sage Gautama cast darkness on the world of philosophy. Then, most part of the Vedas had gone into oblivion. The remainder of the Vedas were spoiled by wrong readings. The Mahabharata and others were not yet composed. The saints and sages of the world who knew the import of the Vedas were deprived of their knowledge by the curse of Gautama. Then Bhagavan incarnated as Vedavyasa and shed light on the world of knowledge. The study of the Vedas became easy by their redemption and subdivision. Through Mahabharata and other works of Sri Vedavayasa, the import of the Vedas became easy to grasp. His Brahmasutra-s became the hand-book of all scriptures. Spiritual knowledge comparable to that which existed in Kruta Yuga fully flourished.

TRUTH PERPLEXED
As time passed, due to the influence of Kali, once again mankind started to drift away from philosophy. Attracted by the pleasure of the material world, mankind forgot Paramatma and along with it abandoned reflection on the self. Exploiting the ignorance of such, several philosophies started to crop up. Earlier the curse of Gautama eclipsed the Vedas, whereas now the power of misinterpretations of scriptures started the teaching of Vedavyasa. On the one side there were people who did not accept the scriptures, whereas on the other side were others who propagated their own imaginary views in the guise of scriptural teachings. Genuine seekers were gripped by perplexity. Among these philosophies some did not accept the Vedas and some others though they accepted the Vedas they could not grasp and convey their true doctrine. Thus the world of philosophy became the blinds market. Several philosophies misled men into the wrong path instead of guiding them for a praiseworthy life. Profiting from the diversity in these philosophies the wicked once started to accomplish their selfish once.

BACKGROUND TO THE INCARNATION OF SRI MADHVA
Under these circumstances the genuine seekers were anxiously anticipating the light of knowledge. The world was eagerly awaiting an able preceptor who could avoid the contradictions and incompatibilities of the aforesaid religions, encompass the import of the Vedas and all other scriptures, propound the Supreme Reality and give safe guidance for its populance. Acarya Sri Madhava, a flame of light, was the ray of hope for the world then. He is the Purnapramati, the one of complete wisdom, who did fully enlighten the populace on all matters ranging from the material world to Jagannatha, the Lord of the Universe. As in his personality, there is completeness in his works too.

THE PARENTS OF THE PRECEPTOR OF THE WORLD
Therein was the home of an excellent brahmana belonging to the scion of Madhyageha. His family is ‘Nadillya’ (nadu= middle, il= house, aya= head.perhaps this family traditionally lived in the middle house in a row of houses).

His two sons had died while they were young. A daughter alone survived. The couple were anxiously the birth of a son who would redeem the family. Himself being a scholar in the Vedas and related scriptures, Madhyageha had high level knowledge of the philosophies. But the lack of agreement in them struck a blow to his line of thought. Without knowing a solution for this, his mind thought how good it would be if a son who is an embodiment of full wisdom capable of dispelling his doubt in philosophy be born to him.

SPECIAL WORSHIP IN UDUPI
Considering such thought as one prompted by God, Nadillaya, along with his wife, repaired to Udupi Sivalli was his native village. For some reason he went the Pajaka-kshetra and stayed there. There couple began severe penance of propitiation of Anantasana that might be considered as an impossible one in the Kali age. They started to observe devotedly hard vows like Payovrata, Visnupanchaka, Bhismapanchaka and the like. Ekadasi, Krishnashtami, Chaturmasya and the like were their life-long vows. After completing the worship of twelve continous years without hindrance their mind became tranquil. The twelve-years worship became the cause for the manifestation of Madhva. Then they returned to Pajaka-ksetra and continued their spiritual pursuits.

MUKHYAPRANA DESCENDS TO THE EARTH
As an indication of the blessing of Bhagavan, Nine months were completed to vedavati and the date of delivery was approaching. Even so Nadillaya used to go to Udupi daily and gave discourse on the Purana-s. That was the Abhijit muhurta of an auspicious Vijaya Dasami day. Vedavati had a safe delivery abd a son with all suspicious characteristics was born. The brilliance of the child was beyond imagination. The child was shining like Bhima born of Kunti. It is natural for children of cry soon after they were born. But this child was joyful, his face filled with a gentle smile. It indicated that the child is would be Anandatirtha.

Nadillaya came across several good omens on his way home. The gods welcomed the sacred incarnation of Madhava with auspicious musical instruments. Enroute people informed Nadillaya the news of the birth of a son.

THE CEREMONY OF NAMING MUKHYAPRANA
The next festive occasion was that of naming ceremony. The name vasudeva occurred at once to Nadillaya. The purpose of his born was asu(prana) deva(the god of life-breath). The purpose of his incarnation was to impart true knowledge to the world. (va means `to go’, `to know’, “asu” means (spiritual) life and devah is god). (va+asu+devah= Vasudevah). So, that name is meaningful. Further he was an incomparable devotee of Vasudeva(Lord Krishna). Is not Vasudeva the dorm that bestows liberation? This Vasudeva is the Asudeva who had come to impart knowledge that causes liberation. So he is Vasudeva.

REAL KNOWLEDGE THROUGH DONATION OF A COW
Whatever be, Nadillaya led a poverty stricken life. He did not have the resources to arrange for milk for the baby. A rich brahmana called Mudillaya (Cittadibilu ballala), well versed in the Vedas, attracted by the characteristics of the child, he had the mind to donate a cow that would help nourishing the baby, and he donated the cow to Nadillaya. A virtuous person like Nadillaya and a worthy cause like feeding Vasudeva with milk. Donation of a best thing like a cow. Fortunate indeed were the riches of Mudillaya. The donation so made by him became undiminished. He was born as his own grandson. Had the good fortune of listening to the sacred lore through Sri Madhva born in Parasurama-kshetra. Also had the good fortune of worshipping the Sri Lakshminarayana idol seated in a lotus.

LIVE BY OFFERING TO HARI
Vasudeva entered the third month. Niskramana ceremony had to be done. That is the special rite of taking the child out of the home for the first time. The child was taken out of the home for the first time, to Udupi. This was the gem who was the preceptor of the world showering gems of prameya-s on the seekers and above all it was Mukhyaprana, the gem of a son of Bhagavan.

DEBT-DISCHARGE WITH TAMARIND SEEDS
On the other day Vasudeva had just returned to home after finishing play. On the word of his mother he went to call his father for lunch. His father whispered: “Child! The rich man who had sold me an ox is sitting in dharna. I have not yet cleared the balance of the debt. He is not prepared to leave without getting it paid. But I have no money to pay him. So I will not come. You finish the lunch.” Madhyageha was poor but was not lacking in good conduct. Though he had no money to repay, his good conduct did not agree to finish lunch leaving behind his creditor. So he said such words.

Though Madhyageha could not repay the debt, he was aware of the concept that one should not eat without clearing debt. Vasudeva appreciated his dedication. He came near the tamarind tree of the house. He collected a handful of the tamarind seeds, by scattering the foot of the tree and gave it to that rich man. Wonder! They appeared as money for rich man. He took them happily and went home. Madhyageha was astonished by the sport of his son. The problem of that day was solved. ( In Pajaka-kshetra, on the north-west corner of the Vasudeva-tirtha there is a tamarind tree. Tradition holds that this episode took place under this tree.)

Madhyageha decided to repay the debt as early as possible. When he mobilized the resources with great difficult and went to the rich man surprise awaited him. ”Revered sir, your son did clear your debt on that day itself.“ Bhat was struck with great wonder. As he himself had seen only tamarind seed were given by him and not money. How it turned into money for him? This became an unsolved puzzle for him. The debt of Bhat was cleared. For the rich man the cobdage in samsara itself had been broken.

THE DEFEAT OF SIVABHATTA
Neyampalli was the home of another relative of Bhat. There was a special festival. For that mother Vedavati went with child Vasudeva. There was an occasion of a lecture. For that she proceeded to hear the lecture. Even at that time Vasudeva was seated on her lap.

Sivabhatta was a poplar exponent of the Puran-s in those days. He belonged to the family of Madinaya. Around him was a large gathering of audience. True to his name he was rendering an episode so as to show the superiority of Siva. Vasudeva could not control. He thundered form where he was seated. “O! Pauranika! Your interpretation is not acceptable to Vyasa, Shuka and other wise men.” The shout was like the roar of lion. All the audience turned towards the direction the voice came from. For them the voice of Sivabhatta was like the howling of a fox. Sivabhatta became helpless. He struggled to respond. People understood that: “He does not know the correct meaning. Then all of them requested Vasudeva himself. “O! Child! You yourself tell its correct meaning.” Vasudeva had incarnated only for that. He narrated the correct import of the episode that did not dislodge the supremacy of Vishnu. Sivabhatta was vanquished.

THE WORD ‘LIKUCHA’ ANNOTATED
Once father Madhyageha was lecturing on a Purana. It was the occasion of giving the meaning of Puranic verses describing various plants. Vasudeva was in the audience. Father explained the names of hundreds of plants for the wonderment of the audience. When they were wondering at the scholarship of Bhat, Vasudeva said:” Please facour us by repeating those verses and their meaning.” Father did so. Vasudeva said: “O! Father! This time too you did not tell the meaning of the word likucha alone in that original verse.” It was a wonder for the people as well as for father. But then even Bhat did not tell its meaning. He did not know the meaning of word Likucha. His greatness was that though he could not explain it correctly, he did not commit an offence to the text by giving a wrong meaning. But for omniscient Vasudeva even skipping the meaning was not acceptable.

Whenever at last Bhat did not answer, the people asked Vasudeva himself. “O! Child! You yourself tell its meaning.” Vasudeva replied at once. “Its meaning is hebbalasu (Jacktree)". Along with Bhat people also wondered.

Trivikrma Pandita was hounded as the foremost among his disciples. He composed Vayustuti. His son Narayana Pandita is the author of Sumadhva Vijaya. The lineage of that father and son was likucha. That was why Vasudeva had a special liking for the word likucha.

STONE SLABS LAID ON MILK AND CURD
On one occasion, Vedavati had to go somewhere, due to some reason. She had kept vessels full of milk and curd. Cats and rats should not spoil them before she returned. So,She told Vasudeva, who was playing nearby, to take care of vessels of milk and curd till her return. She returned shortly. There the vessels of milk and curd were not seen but two big stone slabs were seen. She asked in astonishment: “O! Vasudeva! What is this, such large stones? Where are the vessels of milk and cured?” Vasudeva who had just left for play shouted: “O! Mother! I have placed the stone slabs on the vessels of milk and curd lest they be spoiled.” (The big stone slabs that are said to have been placed on the vessels of milk and curd by Sri Vasudeva could be seen even now in the house in Pajakaksetra where he incarnated.) Mother was amazed that 4 years old child can place such huge stone slabs on milk and curd vessels.

There was no end for such juvenile sports of Vasudeva. Each one of his deeds was full of novelty. Even in his common activities and ply there was a distinct elegance.

VASUDEVATIRTHA FORMED
It was one of the daily rites of Vasudeva to bathe in the four tirtha-s, Parasuteertha, Dhanusteertha, Banateertha and Gadateertha. Rain, shine, cold, wind none could hinder his routine. But her son taking daily bath in distant teerthas became a source of anxiety for the mother. She used to say: “O! Vasudeva! Do not go daily alone such a long distance for bathing.” One day, by seeing mother's anxiety and worry, Vasudeva scratched the ground on the north-west corner of the house with his playing stick. Even as they were beholding, the ground broke. Pure water started to spring up. And at last there sprang up a teertha indeed. That is Vasudevateertha. ( Even now we can see Vasudevatirtha in Pajaka kshetra. Vasudeva said: “O! Mother! Hereafter my bathing would be in this teertha. Do not worry.” Mother was happy as never before. She had another worry as well. “I have obstructed the teerthasnana of son of matchless power. She even expressed her sorrow to her son. Understanding the pure mind of his mother, Vasudeva said: “O! Mother! Do not worry. The presence of those four teertha-s is this teertha. Those who bathe in it will earn the merit of bathing in those four teertha-s.” The words of Vasudeva brought joy to his mother as well as all people.

BRAHMOPADESA FOR THE BHAVI BRAHMA

The upanayanam rite has to be completed for young Vasudeva. It is the most important rite to be performed by a father to his son. After the performance of the rite of upanayanam one is called a dvija or twice-born. Gayatri who bestows wisdom is more important than the mother who gives birth. The instruction of Gayatri mantra bestows eligibility in total measure for the study of all the Vedas.
Vedabhimani gods themselves were anxiously awaiting the performance of upanayanam for Vasudeva. All of them were eager to abide in his speech. Their anxiousness was to achieve thereby special accomplishments.

An auspicious time was chosen. Member of the family and relative gathered. Scholars of the Vedas and Vedanta were invited. The parents accomplished their object by performing the upanayanam strictly according to the rules.

The important rituals that follow are the performance of sandhyavandanam thrice a day, chanting the Gayatri mantra thousand times in each sandhya, agnikaryam. These are the prime duties. As such the way in which Vasudeva was doing them was so complete that even experts could imbibe.

Name of Grantha
Geetaprasthana Granthas
01 Shri Geetabhashya
02 Shri Geeta Tatparyanirnaya
Sutraprasthana Granthas
03 Shri Brahmasutrabhashya
04 Shri Brahmasutranuvyakhyana
05 Shri Brahmasutranubhasya
06 Shri Brahmasutranuvyakhyanyayavivarana
Upanishatprasthana Granthas
07 Aitareyopanishatbhaashya
08 Chaandogyopanishatbhashya
09 Bruhadaaranyakopanishatbhaashya
10 Ishavaasyopanishatbhaashya
11 Talavakaropanishatbhaashya
12 Shatprashnopanishatbhaashya
13 Kathakopanishatbhaashya
14 Atharvanopanishatbhaashya
15 Maandookopanishatbhaashya
16 Taittiriyopanishatbhaashya
Shrutiprasthaana Grantha
17 Rugbaashya
Itihasaprasthaana Granthas
18 Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya
19 Yamakabharata
Puranaprasthana Grantha
20 Bhagavata Tatparya Nirnaya
Prakarana Granthagalu
21 Tattva Sankhyana
22 Tattva Viveka
23 Tattvodyota
24 Vishnutattvavinirnaya
25 Pramana Lakshana
26 Katha Lakshana
27 Upadhi Lakshana
28 Mayavada Khandana
29 Prapanchamithyatvanumanakhandana
30 Karmanirnaya
Achara Granthas
31 Tantrasarasangraha
32 Sadachara Smruti
33 Jayantinirnaya
34 Krishnamrutha Maharnava
35 Pranava Kalpa
Stotra Kruthigalu
36 Nakha Stuthi
37 Dwadasha Stotra
38 Kanduka Stuthi


Sl.No.
Name
Math
Asthamatha's for performing Shri Krishna Pooje
01 Shri Hrushikeshateertharu Palimaru Matha
02 Shri Narasimhateertharu Admaru Matha
03 Shri Janardhanateertharu Krishnapura Matha
04 Shri Upendrateertharu Puttige Matha
05 Shri Vamanateertharu Shirooru Matha
06 Shri Vishnuteertharu Sode Matha
07 Shri Ramateertharu Kaniyooru Matha
08 Shri Adhokshajateertharu Pejavara Matha

Ghattada Melina Matha
09 Shri Padmanabhateertharu
10 Shri Narahariteertharu
11 Shri Madhavateertharu
12 Shri Akshobhyateertharu