Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TheertharuTheertharu(AD 1447 (AD 1447 –– 1539)1539)

SevaSeva by:by:V.PrabhakarV.Prabhakar RaoRaoSingapore Dec 2009Singapore Dec 2009Arthikalpita kalpoyam prathyarthi gajakesari/

Vyasathirtha Gururbhuyarth asmad Ishtartha siddhaye//

Guru Guru VandanamVandanam

PranamsPranams to Sri Guru to Sri Guru RayaruRayaru, seeking inspiration to write about Sri , seeking inspiration to write about Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu..A A slokasloka from Sri Guru from Sri Guru GunaGuna SthavanaSthavana ………………. .

We will see about this great We will see about this great YathiYathiin three sectionsin three sections

Section ISri Vyasaraja Tirtharu – The Divine Yathi

Section IISri Vyasaraja Tirtharu – The Divine

Philosopher and his great service to MadhwaSiddhantha

Section IIISri Vyasaraja Tirtharu – His final days

Section ISri Vyasaraja Tirtharu – The Divine Yathi

The various names of this The various names of this YathisreshtaruYathisreshtaru

The The purvashramapurvashrama name was name was YatirajaYatiraja. . The The ashramaashrama name was Sri name was Sri VyasaVyasa

TirthaTirtha. Since he occupied the throne of . Since he occupied the throne of the famous the famous VijayanagaraVijayanagara empire, for a empire, for a

shortwhileshortwhile, he got the name Sri , he got the name Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja. He is also referred to as . He is also referred to as

ChandrikacharyaChandrikacharya, as a tribute to the , as a tribute to the thethefamous work that he authored viz., famous work that he authored viz.,

TatparyaTatparya ChandrikaChandrika..

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu ------ PrahladaPrahlada AvatharaAvathara

It is said that Sri It is said that Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja is an is an avatharaavathara of of PrahladaPrahlada. And that his . And that his very next very next avatharaavathara was as Sri was as Sri RaghavendraRaghavendra Guru Guru RayaruRayaru. Two of the . Two of the

giant torchbearers in giant torchbearers in SrimadSrimad AcharyaAcharya’’ss lineagelineage

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu ––The birthThe birth

Born to Sri Born to Sri RamacharRamachar & his & his dharmapathnidharmapathni in a in a village called village called BannurBannur on the banks of on the banks of KaveriKaveri river river

near Mysore. He is said to have been born under the near Mysore. He is said to have been born under the blessings of Sri blessings of Sri BrahmanyaBrahmanya TirthaTirtha, with the , with the

understanding that the child will be handed over to understanding that the child will be handed over to the Mutt, for the Mutt, for sevaseva to Lord to Lord HariHari. At the time of birth . At the time of birth

(April 1447), the child was received on a golden (April 1447), the child was received on a golden plate sent by the Mutt, without touching the earth. plate sent by the Mutt, without touching the earth.

The child, The child, YatirajaYatiraja, grew up in the , grew up in the AbburAbbur Sri Sri PurushothamaPurushothama TirthaTirtha caves. caves.

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu(AD 1447 (AD 1447 –– 1539)1539)

Bannur, near Mysore city, the birthplace of Sri Vyasarajaru. You

can also see Vyasarajapur and

Sosale nearby.

SanyasaSanyasa DheekshaDheeksha

At the age of seven the boy was given At the age of seven the boy was given sanyasasanyasa dheekshadheeksha, with the , with the ashramaashrama name of name of Sri Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha. For twelve years Sri . For twelve years Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha underwent underwent vidhyabyasavidhyabyasa under under

the tutelage of another great the tutelage of another great YathiYathi, Sri , Sri SripadarajaruSripadarajaru (…. LakshmiNarayanaMuneem Vande Vidya Gurunmama” – Sri Vyasarajaru).

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu ––The young PontiffThe young Pontiff

After Sri After Sri BrahmanyaBrahmanya TirtharuTirtharu became became brindavanavasibrindavanavasi, Sri , Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha took over took over the reins of the Sri Mutt. And it is said that, the reins of the Sri Mutt. And it is said that, as a Pontiff he was shining with a magnetic as a Pontiff he was shining with a magnetic personality personality …….. with patience like Goddess .. with patience like Goddess Earth Earth ……. and knowledge like . and knowledge like DevaDeva Guru Guru BrihaspathiBrihaspathi. He adorned his . He adorned his ashramaashrama with with magnanimity, generosity and with an aura magnanimity, generosity and with an aura

born of intense tapas.born of intense tapas.

The heritage of Sri The heritage of Sri VyasarajaVyasarajaMuttMutt

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 Tirthawas 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 The famous ““PrameyaPrameya NavaratnaNavaratnaMalika/DipikaMalika/Dipika””

In his In his DharmapracharaDharmaprachara sancharasanchara, he came to the famous town of , he came to the famous town of KanchiKanchi. . He had many successful philosophic interactions with many He had many successful philosophic interactions with many PanditsPandits in in

KanchiKanchi. At their request he composed a gem of a . At their request he composed a gem of a slokasloka which succinctly which succinctly expresses the entire expresses the entire MadhwaMadhwa SiddhanthaSiddhantha in a nutshell, in just a few lines. in a nutshell, in just a few lines.

This This slokasloka has attained great fame, known as has attained great fame, known as ““PrameyaPrameya NavaratnaNavaratnaMalika/DipikaMalika/Dipika””::

Procession at Procession at KanchiKanchi

The The PanditsPandits of of KanchiKanchi were so full of admiration for the outstanding were so full of admiration for the outstanding scholarlshipscholarlship and the divine personality of Sri and the divine personality of Sri VyasaVyasa TirtharuTirtharu that that

they took him in a procession, with joyful they took him in a procession, with joyful chantingschantings of of VedhaVedha, to Sri , to Sri VaradharajaVaradharaja SwamySwamy Temple.Temple.

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu –– The The HaridasaHaridasa

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 Krishna Nee BeganeBegane BaaroBaaro”” is probably the most well known of the is probably the most well known of the krithiskrithiscomposed by Sri composed by Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha …….. and most commonly mistaken to be Sri .. and most commonly mistaken to be Sri PurandaraPurandara

DasaDasa’’ss composition.composition.

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TheertharuTheertharu at at TirupathiTirupathi

Since the traditional Since the traditional archakaarchaka families at families at TirupatiTirupati had been nullified in the midst of some had been nullified in the midst of some unfortunate actions of the previous kingly dynasty, at the requeunfortunate actions of the previous kingly dynasty, at the request of the King st of the King ChaluvaChaluva

NarasimhaNarasimha, Sri , Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha performed the performed the nityanitya pujapuja of Lord Sri of Lord Sri VenkatramanaVenkatramana at at TirupatiTirupatifor 12 years. Once a young kid was born in the for 12 years. Once a young kid was born in the ArchakaArchaka family and the boy reached the age family and the boy reached the age

of 12, Sri of 12, Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha handed over the duty to that boy, after establishing the handed over the duty to that boy, after establishing the pujapujapaddhathipaddhathi and the and the pujapuja tradition.tradition.

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TheertharuTheertharu –– A great A great AnjaneyaAnjaneya DevoteeDevotee

After King After King ChaluvaChaluva NarasimhaNarasimha’’ss time, Sri time, Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha moved to moved to HampiHampi. It looks like by that . It looks like by that time time HampiHampi became the capital of became the capital of VijayanagaraVijayanagara Empire. He had a divine experience with Sri Empire. He had a divine experience with Sri

AnjaneyaAnjaneya which led to the establishment of which led to the establishment of ““YanthrodharakaYanthrodharaka Hanuman TempleHanuman Temple””..That was not all. Sri That was not all. Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha got 732 Hanuman temples established all over South India. got 732 Hanuman temples established all over South India.

It is said that he accomplished it within one year (A.D.1500).It is said that he accomplished it within one year (A.D.1500).

Tribute from Sultan Tribute from Sultan …………..

The Sultan of The Sultan of BijapurBijapur AdilshahAdilshah sent a tribute to Sri sent a tribute to Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha on a on a camel, along with the well known symbol of respect camel, along with the well known symbol of respect viz.,viz.,““thethe green green

umbrellaumbrella””..

Sri Sri GopalaGopala Krishna with Krishna with RukminiRukmini and and SatyabhamaSatyabhama

Sri Sri BrahmanyaBrahmanya TirtharuTirtharu once took once took SriPadarajaruSriPadarajaru and Sri and Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha to to PandaripuraPandaripura and and on the banks of on the banks of BimarathiBimarathi river, dug up as preriver, dug up as pre--ordained and discovered two ordained and discovered two samputassamputas. He . He

gave them to gave them to SripadarajaSripadaraja. . SripadarajaSripadaraja opened one of them, named the opened one of them, named the vigrahavigraha as Sri as Sri RangaRangaVittalaVittala and started worshipping it regularly. This is the origin of theand started worshipping it regularly. This is the origin of the ankithaankitha ““RangaRanga VittalaVittala””

in in SripadarajaruSripadarajaru’’ss compositions.compositions.The other one which had defied being opened, was opened easily bThe other one which had defied being opened, was opened easily by Sri y Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha. It . It

contained Sri contained Sri GopalaGopala Krishna with Krishna with RukminiRukmini and and SatyabamaSatyabama. On seeing it, both Sri . On seeing it, both Sri VyasaVyasaTirthaTirtha and and SripadarajaruSripadarajaru went into a state of bliss. This went into a state of bliss. This vigrahavigraha was given to Sri was given to Sri VyasaVyasa

TirthaTirtha by by SripadarajaruSripadarajaru, and is the deity of , and is the deity of pujapuja in Sri in Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja Mutt.Mutt.

Sri Sri VijayendraVijayendra TirthaTirtha –– an outstanding disciplean outstanding disciple

Sri Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha had an outstanding disciple by name Vishnu had an outstanding disciple by name Vishnu TirthaTirtha. He was well versed in . He was well versed in all the 64 arts, a all the 64 arts, a phenominalphenominal student of student of siddhanthasiddhantha and also full of Guru and also full of Guru BhakthiBhakthi. At the . At the

request of Sri request of Sri SurendhraSurendhra TirthaTirtha of Sri of Sri VibhudendraVibhudendra Mutt, Sri Mutt, Sri VyasaVyasa TirtharuTirtharu handed over handed over Vishnu Vishnu TirthaTirtha to him for his succession at his Mutt. Thus Vishnu to him for his succession at his Mutt. Thus Vishnu TirthaTirtha came down to came down to Kumbakonam/ThanjavurKumbakonam/Thanjavur with his new Guru Sri with his new Guru Sri SurendraSurendra TirthaTirtha, got anointed as Sri , got anointed as Sri VijayendraVijayendra TirthaTirtha and was pivotal in upholding and was pivotal in upholding SrimadSrimad AcharyaAcharya’’ss siddhanthasiddhantha in the in the

Southern India.. His successor was Sri Southern India.. His successor was Sri SudheendraSudheendra TirthaTirtha and his successor was none other and his successor was none other than the famous Sri than the famous Sri RaghavendraRaghavendra Guru Guru RayaruRayaru! Sri ! Sri RaghavendraRaghavendra TirtharuTirtharu is said to be Sri is said to be Sri

VyasaVyasa RajaruRajaru’’ss next next avatharaavathara. See how divine schemes play out!. See how divine schemes play out!

Saving King Krishna Saving King Krishna DevarayaDevaraya from from KuhuKuhu YogaYoga

It is said that Sri It is said that Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha saved Sri Krishna saved Sri Krishna DevaDeva Raya from the calamitous impact of Raya from the calamitous impact of KuhuKuhu Yoga. The solution was for the King to lose the kingdom. He volYoga. The solution was for the King to lose the kingdom. He voluntarily handed over untarily handed over

the kingdom to Sri the kingdom to Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirtha and seated him on the throne. Thus Sri and seated him on the throne. Thus Sri VyasaVyasa TirthaTirthabecame Sri became Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja. At the critical moment of impact of . At the critical moment of impact of KuhuKuhu Yoga (the evening of Jan Yoga (the evening of Jan

88thth 1521) Sri 1521) Sri VyasaVyasa RajaruRajaru sat on the throne, controlled the effect of sat on the throne, controlled the effect of KuhuKuhu Yoga by Yoga by throwing his throwing his kavikavi vasthravasthra at it and thus saved Sri Krishna at it and thus saved Sri Krishna DevaDeva Raya. Then Sri Raya. Then Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru

gave the kingdom back to Krishna gave the kingdom back to Krishna DevaDeva Raya, even though he requested him to continue Raya, even though he requested him to continue ruling the kingdom. ruling the kingdom.

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu –– The guiding The guiding light of both light of both VyasakutaVyasakuta & & DasakutaDasakuta

““The central figure of the The central figure of the HaridasaHaridasa KutaKuta was the was the great great VyasatirthaVyasatirtha himself who combined in his himself who combined in his person the leadership of both the person the leadership of both the ““VyasakutaVyasakuta””

and the and the ““DasakutaDasakuta””..””

-- Dr.B.N.K.SharmaDr.B.N.K.Sharma ““History of the DS of V and History of the DS of V and its Lits L””

The Guru of The Guru of DasakutaDasakuta

It was Sri It was Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru who guided the famous who guided the famous HaridasaHaridasa PurandaraPurandara to spread to spread HaribhakthiHaribhakthiand Dharma in simple and Dharma in simple kannadakannada and in a musical form, thus starting the and in a musical form, thus starting the DasaDasa ParamparaParampara. . In a short time, Sri Kanaka In a short time, Sri Kanaka DasaDasa also came under the wings of Sri also came under the wings of Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru. The three . The three of them used to experience many divine moments together, singingof them used to experience many divine moments together, singing in praise of Lord in praise of Lord HariHari. . Thousands and thousands are the Thousands and thousands are the devarunamasdevarunamas which have flown from the Guru and the which have flown from the Guru and the

two two DasarusDasarus. This can certainly be considered as the Golden Period of . This can certainly be considered as the Golden Period of HariHari DasaDasa Tradition.Tradition.

The Guru of The Guru of VyasakutaVyasakuta

It was not only the Golden Period of It was not only the Golden Period of HaridasaHaridasa Tradition but also the Golden Period of Tradition but also the Golden Period of MadhwaMadhwa SiddhanthaSiddhantha Learning and Teaching. This Golden Period of Learning and Teaching. This Golden Period of MadhwaMadhwa SiddanthaSiddanthasaw Sri saw Sri VadhirajaVadhiraja TirtharuTirtharu joining as a student of Sri joining as a student of Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja, with Sri Vishnu , with Sri Vishnu TirthaTirtha

(later to become Sri (later to become Sri VijayendraVijayendra TirthaTirtha) already being there as a long time ) already being there as a long time sishyasishya. .

Thus both Thus both DasaDasa KutaKuta and and VyasaVyasa KutaKuta prospered gloriously under Sri prospered gloriously under Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru’’ssguidance and stewardship. guidance and stewardship.

Section IISri Vyasaraja Tirtharu – The Divine

Philosopher and his great service to MadhwaSiddhantha

He was considered one of He was considered one of the the ““MunitrayaMunitraya”” ……....

The famous “Munitraya” of Dvaita Philosophy Sri Madhwacharya, Sri Jayatirtha & Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu –– The Profound The Profound Philosophical ThinkerPhilosophical 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.BNKDr.BNK’’ss praise of Sri praise of Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu

“…. 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 Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu ––His WorksHis Works

According to According to Dr.B.N.K.SharmaDr.B.N.K.Sharma, Sri , Sri VyasarajaVyasarajaTirtharuTirtharu has nine works to his credit, even though has nine works to his credit, even though

the general belief is that he wrote eight. the general belief is that he wrote eight. Dr.SharmaDr.Sharma refers to refers to ““SattarkavilasaSattarkavilasa”” as the ninth as the ninth work. His major and most important works are the work. His major and most important works are the

famous three: famous three: NyayamrtaNyayamrta, , TarkatandavaTarkatandava and and TatparyaTatparya ChandrikaChandrika

““NyayamrtaNyayamrta””

NyayamrtaNyayamrta is his magnum opus. In this he has undertaken is his magnum opus. In this he has undertaken a complete vindication of the philosophical power and a complete vindication of the philosophical power and

prestige of the realistic metaphysics of prestige of the realistic metaphysics of SrimadSrimad AcharyaAcharya. . In this work he cites a great number of authors/works In this work he cites a great number of authors/works

from other schools of philosophy, which shows the innate from other schools of philosophy, which shows the innate grasp he had of the various systems of Indian philosophy.grasp he had of the various systems of Indian philosophy.

““TatparyaTatparya ChandrikaChandrika””

The The TatparyaTatparya ChandrikaChandrika is a commentary on Sri is a commentary on Sri JayatirthaJayatirtha’’ss TatvaTatvaPrakashikaPrakashika (which is a (which is a tikatika on on SrimadSrimad AcharyaAcharya’’ss Brahma Sutra Brahma Sutra

BhashyamBhashyam). The total ). The total granthasgranthas in this work is 3450. According to in this work is 3450. According to Dr.SharmaDr.Sharma, this is the earliest commentary on , this is the earliest commentary on TatvaTatva PrakashikaPrakashika

that has come down to us and that it still remains the most that has come down to us and that it still remains the most authoritative, critical and constructive exposition of authoritative, critical and constructive exposition of TatvaTatva

PrakashikaPrakashika..

Sri Sri RaghavendraRaghavendra Guru Guru RayaruRayaru has written a shining commentary has written a shining commentary on this great work. It is called on this great work. It is called ““PrakashaPrakasha””..

“…“… his his TatparyachandrikaTatparyachandrika happens to be the only work happens to be the only work in in sanskritsanskrit philosophical literature which gives us a philosophical literature which gives us a

critical and comparative estimate of the Brahma Sutra critical and comparative estimate of the Brahma Sutra interpretations of the major schools of Vedanta interpretations of the major schools of Vedanta ………… ””

-- Dr.B.N.K.SharmaDr.B.N.K.Sharma ““History of the DS of V and its LHistory of the DS of V and its L””

““TatparyaTatparya ChandrikaChandrika””

““TarkaTarka TandavaTandava””

The The TarkaTarka TandavaTandava is the third of his major works. Here is the third of his major works. Here he has he has undetakenundetaken an upan up--toto--date examination of the key date examination of the key

points of points of DvaitaDvaita School and the School and the NyayaNyaya VaiseshikaVaiseshika school school of philosophies.of philosophies.

Sri Sri RaghavendraRaghavendra Guru Guru RayaruRayaru has written an illuminating has written an illuminating commentary on this work. It is called commentary on this work. It is called ““NyayadiipaNyayadiipa””

The nine works of Sri VyasarajaTirtharu

NyâyâmrtaNyâyâmrtaTâtparyaTâtparya ChandrikaChandrika (Commentary on Sri (Commentary on Sri JayatJayatîîrtha'srtha's

TatvaprakâshikaTatvaprakâshika) ) TarkaTarka TândavaTândava

MâyâvâdaMâyâvâda KhandanaKhandana MandaramanjariMandaramanjariUpâdhiUpâdhi KhandanaKhandana MandaramanjariMandaramanjari

PrapanchaPrapancha MithyâtvânumanaMithyâtvânumana KhandanaKhandana MandâramanjarMandâramanjarîîTattvavivekaTattvaviveka MandâramanjarMandâramanjarîî

BhedojjivanaBhedojjivanaSattarkavilâsaSattarkavilâsa

Section IIISri Vyasaraja Tirtharu – His final days

RatnabishekaRatnabisheka by King Krishna by King Krishna DevaDeva RayaRaya

King Sri Krishnadevaraya performed Ratnabhishekha to Sri Vyasarajaru, in honourof 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 It is said that Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru was very fond of Sri was very fond of Sri PurandaraPurandara DasaDasa. He even composed a . He even composed a krithikrithi ““DasarendhereDasarendhere PurandaraPurandara DasarayyaDasarayya”” as a tribute to Sri as a tribute to Sri PurandaraPurandara DasaDasa. In his . In his

old age, he asked old age, he asked DasaruDasaru to be near him constantly. Above is a picture of to be near him constantly. Above is a picture of DasaruDasaru helping helping Sri Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru to read the to read the GranthasGranthas, by holding his eyelids up., by holding his eyelids up.

The tearful end of a saga ……….

Sri Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru knew that his physical presence on earth was knew that his physical presence on earth was about to reach its conclusion. He already identified the space nabout to reach its conclusion. He already identified the space near ear

the the brindavanabrindavana of Sri of Sri PadmanabhaPadmanabha TirtharuTirtharu, at , at AneAne GundiGundi (current (current Nava Nava BrindavanaBrindavana), for his ), for his brindavanabrindavana. In these last few days the . In these last few days the

King King AchyuthaAchyutha Raya and Sri Raya and Sri PurandaraPurandara DasaDasa were with him, were with him, attending to his needs. The sacred appointed day came.attending to his needs. The sacred appointed day came.

The tearful end of a saga ……….

After the After the pujapuja, Sri , Sri VyasarajaruVyasarajaru, sitting in , sitting in padmasanapadmasana, meditated on his , meditated on his composition composition ““puttadhantheputtadhanthe maadumaadu srushteesasrushteesa Sri Krishna Sri Krishna PattabhiPattabhi RamaneRamaneParamaParama purushotthamanepurushotthamane gettiyaagigettiyaagi ninnaninna padhagalapadhagala nambidhenambidhe”” and was and was chanting chanting ““NarayanaNarayana, , NarayanaNarayana ……....””. All the people were watching him in . All the people were watching him in wonder and with sadness. It is said that tears were flowing downwonder and with sadness. It is said that tears were flowing down the cheeks of the cheeks of Sri Sri PurandaraPurandara DasaDasa. Sri . Sri DasaruDasaru describes this divine moment in his describes this divine moment in his devarunanadevarunana, , ““Sri Sri VyasaVyasa RajaruRajaru sat on a chariot bedecked with rare gems and sat on a chariot bedecked with rare gems and was being taken to the was being taken to the SatyalokaSatyaloka to to VaikuntaVaikunta to the to the SabhaSabha of Lord Sri Krishna. of Lord Sri Krishna. DevasDevas shower flower petals on him. shower flower petals on him. DevaDeva SthreesSthrees welcome him with welcome him with aarathiaarathi. . YakshasYakshas and and GandharvasGandharvas welcome him with their music. welcome him with their music. HariHari DasasDasas give him give him an auspicious welcome with folded hands. Thus the messengers of an auspicious welcome with folded hands. Thus the messengers of Lord Lord HariHariNarayanaNarayana brought him back to brought him back to VaikuntaVaikunta, on the completion of his , on the completion of his sadhanasadhana on on the earth.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 Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu –– Ever at the service of Ever at the service of SrimadSrimadAcharyaAcharya

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)

"Arthikalpitha kalpoyam PrathyarthigajakesariVyasatritha 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)

Sri Sri VyasarajaVyasaraja TirtharuTirtharu -- BrindavanaBrindavana

• “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’sbook, SREE VYASARAJA KATHA CHANDRIKA, which I believe is published by the world forum of Vyasaraja Devotees, America.• Various other websites

Acknowledgements

Dharma brings happiness

Sri Krishnarpanamasthu