Sri Vyasaraja Theertharu (AD 1447 1539) Arthikalpita kalpoyam prathyarthi gajakesari/ Vyasathirtha Gururbhuyarth asmad Ishtartha siddhaye// Seva by: V.Prabhakar Rao Singapore Dec 2009
Guru Vandanam Pranams to Sri Guru Rayaru,, seeking inspiration to write about Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu. A sloka from Sri Guru Guna Sthavana.
We will see about this great Yathi in three sections Section I Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The Divine Yathi Section II Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The Divine Philosopher and his great service to Madhwa Siddhantha Section III Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu His final days
Section I Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The Divine Yathi
The various names of this Yathisreshtaru The purvashrama name was Yatiraja. The ashrama name was Sri Vyasa Tirtha.. Since he occupied the throne of the famous Vijayanagara empire, for a shortwhile,, he got the name Sri Vyasaraja.. He is also referred to as Chandrikacharya,, as a tribute to the the famous work that he authored viz., Tatparya Chandrika.
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu --- Prahlada Avathara It is said that Sri Vyasaraja is an avathara of Prahlada.. And that his very next avathara was as Sri Raghavendra Guru Rayaru.. Two of the giant torchbearers in Srimad Acharya s lineage
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The birth Born to Sri Ramachar & his dharmapathni in a village called Bannur on the banks of Kaveri river near Mysore. He is said to have been born under the blessings of Sri Brahmanya Tirtha,, with the understanding that the child will be handed over to the Mutt, for seva to Lord Hari.. At the time of birth (April 1447), the child was received on a golden plate sent by the Mutt, without touching the earth. The child, Yatiraja,, grew up in the Abbur Sri Purushothama Tirtha caves.
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu (AD 1447 1539) Bannur, near Mysore city, the birthplace of Sri Vyasarajaru. You can also see Vyasarajapur and Sosale nearby.
Sanyasa Dheeksha At the age of seven the boy was given sanyasa dheeksha,, with the ashrama name of Sri Vyasa Tirtha.. For twelve years Sri Vyasa Tirtha underwent vidhyabyasa under the tutelage of another great Yathi,, Sri Sripadarajaru (. LakshmiNarayana Muneem Vande Vidya Gurunmama Sri Vyasarajaru).
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The young Pontiff After Sri Brahmanya Tirtharu became brindavanavasi,, Sri Vyasa Tirtha took over the reins of the Sri Mutt. And it is said that, as a Pontiff he was shining with a magnetic personality.. with patience like Goddess Earth.. and knowledge like Deva Guru Brihaspathi.. He adorned his ashrama with magnanimity, generosity and with an aura born of intense tapas.
The heritage of Sri Vyasaraja Mutt After Sri Jayatirtharu (well known as Teekacharyaru) the yathi who took charge of the Purvadhi mutt was Sri Vidhyadhi Raja. He gave sanyasa to Sri Rajendra Tirtha. At a time when Sri Rajendra Tirtha was on prachara sanchara, Sri Vidhyadhi Raja had a set back in his physical health. And in order to ensure continuity of nityapuja to Sri Rama in the mutt, he gave sanyasa to another pandit with the ashrama name of Sri Kaveendra Tirtha. Thus the bifurcation of the mutt took place. The mutt under Sri Kaveendra Tirtha got referred as Uttaradhi Mutt. The mutt under Sri Rajendra Tirtha got referred as Dakshinadhi Mutt. Sri Vyasaraja came in this lineage of the Dakshinadhi Mutt. Since his time it became referred to as Sri Vyasaraja Mutt.
The famous Prameya Navaratna Malika/Dipika In his Dharmaprachara sanchara,, he came to the famous town of Kanchi. He had many successful philosophic interactions with many Pandits in Kanchi.. At their request he composed a gem of a sloka which succinctly expresses the entire Madhwa Siddhantha in a nutshell, in just a few lines. This sloka has attained great fame, known as Prameya Navaratna Malika/Dipika :
Procession at Kanchi The Pandits of Kanchi were so full of admiration for the outstanding scholarlship and the divine personality of Sri Vyasa Tirtharu that they took him in a procession, with joyful chantings of Vedha,, to Sri Varadharaja Swamy Temple.
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The Haridasa Under the advice and instruction of Sripadarajaru, Sri Vyasa Tirtha moved to Chandragiri to be the Raja Guru of Vijayanagara King Chaluva Narasimha. There, Sri Vyasa Tirtha commenced the daily routine of devapuja and followed the convention of Sri Padarajaru of singing devarunamas as part of the evening puja. Many of these Devarunamas were composed by Sri Vyasa Tirtha himself. Krishna Nee Begane Baaro is probably the most well known of the krithis composed by Sri Vyasa Tirtha.. and most commonly mistaken to be Sri Purandara Dasa s composition.
Sri Vyasaraja Theertharu at Tirupathi Since the traditional archaka families at Tirupati had been nullified in the midst of some unfortunate actions of the previous kingly dynasty, at the request of the King Chaluva Narasimha,, Sri Vyasa Tirtha performed the nitya puja of Lord Sri Venkatramana at Tirupati for 12 years. Once a young kid was born in the Archaka family and the boy reached the age of 12, Sri Vyasa Tirtha handed over the duty to that boy, after establishing the puja paddhathi and the puja tradition.
Sri Vyasaraja Theertharu A great Anjaneya Devotee After King Chaluva Narasimha s time, Sri Vyasa Tirtha moved to Hampi.. It looks like by that time Hampi became the capital of Vijayanagara Empire. He had a divine experience with Sri Anjaneya which led to the establishment of Yanthrodharaka Hanuman Temple. That was not all. Sri Vyasa Tirtha got 732 Hanuman temples established all over South India. It is said that he accomplished it within one year (A.D.1500).
Tribute from Sultan. The Sultan of Bijapur Adilshah sent a tribute to Sri Vyasa Tirtha on a camel, along with the well known symbol of respect viz., the green umbrella.
Sri Gopala Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama Sri Brahmanya Tirtharu once took SriPadarajaru and Sri Vyasa Tirtha to Pandaripura and on the banks of Bimarathi river, dug up as pre-ordained and discovered two samputas.. He gave them to Sripadaraja. Sripadaraja opened one of them, named the vigraha as Sri Ranga Vittala and started worshipping it regularly. This is the origin of the ankitha Ranga Vittala in Sripadarajaru s compositions. The other one which had defied being opened, was opened easily by Sri Vyasa Tirtha.. It contained Sri Gopala Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabama.. On seeing it, both Sri Vyasa Tirtha and Sripadarajaru went into a state of bliss. This vigraha was given to Sri Vyasa Tirtha by Sripadarajaru,, and is the deity of puja in Sri Vyasaraja Mutt.
Sri Vijayendra Tirtha an outstanding disciple Sri Vyasa Tirtha had an outstanding disciple by name Vishnu Tirtha.. He was well versed in all the 64 arts, a phenominal student of siddhantha and also full of Guru Bhakthi.. At the request of Sri Surendhra Tirtha of Sri Vibhudendra Mutt, Sri Vyasa Tirtharu handed over Vishnu Tirtha to him for his succession at his Mutt. Thus Vishnu Tirtha came down to Kumbakonam/Thanjavur with his new Guru Sri Surendra Tirtha,, got anointed as Sri Vijayendra Tirtha and was pivotal in upholding Srimad Acharya s siddhantha in the Southern India.. His successor was Sri Sudheendra Tirtha and his successor was none other than the famous Sri Raghavendra Guru Rayaru!! Sri Raghavendra Tirtharu is said to be Sri Vyasa Rajaru s next avathara.. See how divine schemes play out!
Saving King Krishna Devaraya from Kuhu Yoga It is said that Sri Vyasa Tirtha saved Sri Krishna Deva Raya from the calamitous impact of Kuhu Yoga. The solution was for the King to lose the kingdom. He voluntarily handed over the kingdom to Sri Vyasa Tirtha and seated him on the throne. Thus Sri Vyasa Tirtha became Sri Vyasaraja.. At the critical moment of impact of Kuhu Yoga (the evening of Jan 8 th 1521) Sri Vyasa Rajaru sat on the throne, controlled the effect of Kuhu Yoga by throwing his kavi vasthra at it and thus saved Sri Krishna Deva Raya. Then Sri Vyasarajaru gave the kingdom back to Krishna Deva Raya, even though he requested him to continue ruling the kingdom.
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The guiding light of both Vyasakuta & Dasakuta The central figure of the Haridasa Kuta was the great Vyasatirtha himself who combined in his person the leadership of both the Vyasakuta and the Dasakuta. - Dr.B.N.K.Sharma History of the DS of V and its L L
The Guru of Dasakuta It was Sri Vyasarajaru who guided the famous Haridasa Purandara to spread Haribhakthi and Dharma in simple kannada and in a musical form, thus starting the Dasa Parampara. In a short time, Sri Kanaka Dasa also came under the wings of Sri Vyasarajaru.. The three of them used to experience many divine moments together, singing in praise of Lord Hari. Thousands and thousands are the devarunamas which have flown from the Guru and the two Dasarus.. This can certainly be considered as the Golden Period of Hari Dasa Tradition.
The Guru of Vyasakuta It was not only the Golden Period of Haridasa Tradition but also the Golden Period of Madhwa Siddhantha Learning and Teaching. This Golden Period of Madhwa Siddantha saw Sri Vadhiraja Tirtharu joining as a student of Sri Vyasaraja,, with Sri Vishnu Tirtha (later to become Sri Vijayendra Tirtha) ) already being there as a long time sishya. Thus both Dasa Kuta and Vyasa Kuta prospered gloriously under Sri Vyasarajaru s guidance and stewardship.
Section II Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The Divine Philosopher and his great service to Madhwa Siddhantha
He was considered one of the Munitraya.. The famous Munitraya of Dvaita Philosophy Sri Madhwacharya, Sri Jayatirtha & Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu The Profound Philosophical Thinker In the Preface to the fourth volume of his (Dasgupta)History of Indian Philosophy, he (Dasgupta) says again in my opinion, Jayatirtha and Vyasatirtha present the highest dialectical skill in Indian thought. The logical skill and depth of acute dialectic thinking shown by Vyasatirtha stands almost unrivalled in the whole range of Indian thought - Dr.B.N.K.Sharma History of the DS of V and its L Dialectics: A method of argument or exposition that systematically weighs contradictory facts or ideas with a view to the resolution of their real or apparent contradictions.
Dr.BNK s praise of Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu. era of Neo-dialecticism in Dvaita Vedanta inaugurated by Visnudasacharya of Vadaratnavali fame. Its zenith was reached under Vyasatirtha, whose works constitute the last word on Dvaita metaphysics and its interpretation of the Sutras - Dr.B.N.K.Sharma History of the DS of V and its L
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu His Works According to Dr.B.N.K.Sharma,, Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu has nine works to his credit, even though the general belief is that he wrote eight. Dr.Sharma refers to Sattarkavilasa as the ninth work. His major and most important works are the famous three: Nyayamrta, Tarkatandava and Tatparya Chandrika
Nyayamrta Nyayamrta is his magnum opus. In this he has undertaken a complete vindication of the philosophical power and prestige of the realistic metaphysics of Srimad Acharya. In this work he cites a great number of authors/works from other schools of philosophy, which shows the innate grasp he had of the various systems of Indian philosophy.
Tatparya Chandrika The Tatparya Chandrika is a commentary on Sri Jayatirtha s Tatva Prakashika (which is a tika on Srimad Acharya s Brahma Sutra Bhashyam). The total granthas in this work is 3450. According to Dr.Sharma,, this is the earliest commentary on Tatva Prakashika that has come down to us and that it still remains the most authoritative, critical and constructive exposition of Tatva Prakashika. Sri Raghavendra Guru Rayaru has written a shining commentary on this great work. It is called Prakasha.
Tatparya Chandrika his Tatparyachandrika happens to be the only work in sanskrit philosophical literature which gives us a critical and comparative estimate of the Brahma Sutra interpretations of the major schools of Vedanta - Dr.B.N.K.Sharma History of the DS of V and its L L
Tarka Tandava The Tarka Tandava is the third of his major works. Here he has undetaken an up-to to-date examination of the key points of Dvaita School and the Nyaya Vaiseshika school of philosophies. Sri Raghavendra Guru Rayaru has written an illuminating commentary on this work. It is called Nyayadiipa
The nine works of Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu Nyâyâmrta Tâtparya Chandrika (Commentary on Sri Jayatîrtha's Tatvaprakâshika) Tarka Tândava Mâyâvâda Khandana Mandaramanjari Upâdhi Khandana Mandaramanjari Prapancha Mithyâtvânumana Khandana Mandâramanjarî Tattvaviveka Mandâramanjarî Bhedojjivana Sattarkavilâsa
Section III Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu His final days
Ratnabisheka by King Krishna Deva Raya King Sri Krishnadevaraya performed Ratnabhishekha to Sri Vyasarajaru, in honour of his successful rebuttal of Pandit Sri Vidyadhara of Kalinga Desam (Orissa).
Esu munigalu Iddu Yenu madidaru/ Vyasamuni Madhwa matavanu Uddharisida/ - Sri Purandara Dasaru It is said that Sri Vyasarajaru was very fond of Sri Purandara Dasa.. He even composed a krithi Dasarendhere Purandara Dasarayya as a tribute to Sri Purandara Dasa.. In his old age, he asked Dasaru to be near him constantly. Above is a picture of Dasaru helping Sri Vyasarajaru to read the Granthas,, by holding his eyelids up.
The tearful end of a saga. Sri Vyasarajaru knew that his physical presence on earth was about to reach its conclusion. He already identified the space near n the brindavana of Sri Padmanabha Tirtharu,, at Ane Gundi (current Nava Brindavana), for his brindavana.. In these last few days the King Achyutha Raya and Sri Purandara Dasa were with him, attending to his needs. The sacred appointed day came.
The tearful end of a saga. After the puja,, Sri Vyasarajaru,, sitting in padmasana,, meditated on his composition puttadhanthe maadu srushteesa Sri Krishna Pattabhi Ramane Parama purushotthamane gettiyaagi ninna padhagala nambidhe and was chanting Narayana, Narayana.... All the people were watching him in wonder and with sadness. It is said that tears were flowing down the cheeks of Sri Purandara Dasa.. Sri Dasaru describes this divine moment in his devarunana, Sri Vyasa Rajaru sat on a chariot bedecked with rare gems and was being taken to the Satyaloka to Vaikunta to the Sabha of Lord Sri Krishna. Devas shower flower petals on him. Deva Sthrees welcome him with aarathi. Yakshas and Gandharvas welcome him with their music. Hari Dasas give him an auspicious welcome with folded hands. Thus the messengers of Lord Hari Narayana brought him back to Vaikunta,, on the completion of his sadhana on the earth. It is a touching scene. A great Mahan, having fulfilled the objective of his birth, is leaving his devotees and going back to His Lord. The pathos of the scene and the tears from the eyes of Dasaru, find me struggling with my emotions even as I am writing these few lines.
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu Ever at the service of Srimad Acharya Sri Vadhiraja Tirtharu in his Tirtha prabhandham says: Rajadhanee jayathisa gajagavhara sanjitha Yathra bhanthi gajaa mamaa dhvaraddhantha dharaneedhara (Let the kingdom at Anegondi succeed. There shine the eight elephants which are wearing the earth called Madhva Siddhantha)
Sri Vyasaraja Tirtharu - Brindavana "Arthikalpitha kalpoyam Prathyarthigajakesari Vyasatritha gururbhuyath asmad ishtartha siddhaye" (Fort those who come to him as supplicants, he is the Kalpakavriksha granting all desires; For his dialectical opponents he is like the lion who destroys elephants. May the great teacher, Vyasa Tirtha, be our guide and protector, to grant all our desires)
Acknowledgements History of the Dvaita School of Vedanta and Literature by Dr.B.N.K.Sharma www.dvaita.org Sri Haridasa Vijaya original in Kannada by Sri Belur Kesava Dasar and compiled in Tamil by Smt.Padma Srinivasan My sincere thanks to Sri Vaidya Srinivasachar of Hyderabad, who readily provided me with his vivid and colorful drawings along with his kind permission for using them in my write-up. I have used nine of them in this presentation. They stand out by their sheer vivid details and rich colours. You will find these pictures and many more on Sri Vyasarajaru in Sri Srinivasachar s book, SREE VYASARAJA KATHA CHANDRIKA, which I believe is published by the world forum of Vyasaraja Devotees, America. Various other websites
Dharma brings happiness Sri Krishnarpanamasthu