WHY SCREAM NOW?

 

Of late, there is a growing intolerance among Advaitins against Madhvas, for instigating hatred in the name of Vishnu- Shiva. One can see a video where an Advaita scholar is prompting people to protest against those who sing Haridasa Kritis, which calls Advaitis by names, and Shiva as subordinate or inferior to Vishnu! They have gone to the extent of creating Shiva Sahasranama chanting groups like that of Vishnusahasranama recitation groups. they could do it as well! Nothing stops them..

Even while both are found as form of Mahabharata text, one is not popular among people as the other, there is a commentary of one Shankaracharya on Vishnu Sahasranama published. More than this, total absence of Kannada Kritis to sing set to Music, on lines of Advaita thought, as Bhakti has inferior place than Jnana.

Except few songs in Kannada by Advaita Guru Sachidananda Saraswati of Holenarasipur, none have composed in Kannada on Advaita line of thought. Instead of setting this right, there is no use in shouting against Haridasa Kritis, which link all devatas to Vishnu family. There is no Kriti or literature which equals Haridasa Compositions save those of Sadashiva Brahmendra songs, as he was an Advita pithadhipati, composed in Samskritam.

MADHVA MATHAS

The earliest text on Madhvacharya and his thought, is perhaps Madhva vijaya of Narayana Panditacharya. It is historical and traditional record of Sri Acharya’s lineage of disciples, at least during immediate post-Madhva time. Udupi the original place of Madhvacharya was supposed to have 8 Sanyasins, all of them in their boyhood, except Sri Padmanabha Tirtha, Vishnuti tirtha and later by Narahari Tirtha. Apart from 8 Mathas, we have institutions developed by Padmanabha Tirtha, to propagate Madhva thought. He is followed by Madhava, Akshobhya tirthas from North of Karnataka. They are denoted by their prominent Gurus such as Sripadaraja, Vyasaraja and Vijayindra – Raghavendra Swamins. The direct line of plane land shishyas of Madhva later branched out. In coastal belt, we have Achuyaprajna Matha ( Bhandarakere & Bhimana Katte)

Uttaradi & Raghavendra Mathas have a common root of Sri Jayatirtha lineage. Akshobhya Tirtha has 2 Mathas, one at Balagaru, and Kudli. Kanva Matha is a later development from Shirooru line of Udupi. Thus we have 25 Madhva Mathas, including 2 Gowda Saraswat Mathas of Paragali and Kashi. The simple logic of formation of these 25 Mathas, is just a geographical proximity of Gurus and followers.

Brindavanas of Madhva Yatis

 Many Brindavanas of Madhva Yatis may not be located now. Our Yatis were touring most of the time around their place or other pilgrim centres. Though there is a clear reference to Bhu-Stapana interring under soil in Yatipranava Kalpa/ Sanyasa Paddhati, there are instances of them being flown into running water/sea and rivers. This explains many missing monuments of our Yatis, particularly pre-vadiraja Udupi Swamis and even later also. However, there are 54 Brindavans of Swamis of 8 Mathas behind Krishna Matha, Udupi.

Direct disciples of Madhva at 8 Mathas of Udupi have no monument left in their name anywhere, while that of Padmanabha Tirtha and later exist on the banks of Tungabhadra at Anegondi. Some among them are blessed with Surplus Punya, ( like Rijus ) which they distribute to those who sincerely pray them observing minimum austerity and discipline. Some of them are Brindavanas of Sripadaraja, Vadiraja, Rahuttama, Satyabodha and Sri Raghavendra Tirtha, most popularly called celestial tree- Kalpavruksha and Kamadhenu of our times.

Brindavanas of Aniruddha tirtha, Vijayadhvaja Tirtha, and Vagisha Tirtha, earler than Vadirajaru are found and Nityapuja done thee.

Brindavanas of Aniruddha tirtha, Vijayadhvaja Tirtha, and Vagisha Tirtha, earler than Vadirajaru are found and Nityapuja done thee. Many instances are recorded by beneficiaries of Sevas done at these places. My personal experience of getting some Gurukripa at Sripadaraja, Vadiraja and Raghavendra Brindavan places may humbly be recorded here. Others might have such experiences. Brindavan of Jitamitraru is a tree, since his remains were unable to trace on banks of Krishna-Bhima rivers.

Madhvacharya's younger brother- Sri Vishnutirtha. ( c. 1250)

 Sri Madhvacharya was visible for 79 years to all, and left for Badarikashrama when he was about 79 years of age. He is believed to be in an invisible form at Sri Ananteshvara temple, Udupi and visible in upper himalayas- Badarikashrama. He had a brother, whom he gave sanyasa deeksha, when the latter was struck by ill fate, death of parents as Vishnu Tirtha, head of Sonda Vadiraja Matha later. 

Nothing is known about Sri Vishnutirtha, except his Sanyasa Paddhati now published, earlier copied by one Dasacharya, Udupi, available in print format from 2008. Madhva Vijaya has some elaborate information on his character as a Saint, Tapasvi disciple of SRi Madhva. 

Sri Vishnutirtha was away from Udupi, engaged in meditation and Silence, and came back to Udupi after Madhva left the place on request of his disciple Aniruddha Tirtha.  श्रवणेन अनुवादेन मननेन अव्रुथा करोत् |

कालं वेदान्त शस्त्रस्य वेदान्त गुरुसोदरः |

प्रेमामृत प्रसन्नास्य स्मितन्गपङ्ग पूर्वकं 

श्री विष्णुतीर्थ नमास्मै प्रीति तीर्थः प्रदत्तवान् 

चतुरोसौ प्रवचने मनुसम्सिद्धिमान् मनः 

संख्या मां पूरणी मागान् मध्व दासमिति व्यधात् 

( म. वि. १५, ९८-१०२) 

tena samprartitho yatam Rupyapithamimam punah |

Krutajnam Kripaya sveshu sampraptam menire Prajaah ||

it is very difficult to track the history of Vishnutirtha, once he was back and disappeared from there again to the hills of Kumara Parvata. 

About 10 slokas are available in Madhva Vijaya of Narayana Panditacharya, but nothing personal information is known about him. 

His only available text has practically no information about him , his family lateron, as is the case with any sanyasi from a Matha. 

Sanyasa Paddhati - Sri Vishnutirtharu,

A view of Kumara Parvata, where Sri Vishnutirtharu is believed to be in Tapas. 

 

Image of Laksminarayana worshipped by Sri Vishnutirtharu at Sri Samputa Narasimha Swami Mutt, Subrahmanya.

आनन्दतीर्थं विभुमप्रमेयं विद्यासुपूर्णं परतः परेशं |

नारायणं दैवतवन्द्यपादमनन्तभोगे शयितं नमामि ||

श्यामं नितंबार्पित तन्तुमेखलं विद्यानिधिं ज्ञानमहा गुनाड्यं 

निर्देशित ज्ञान महा सुमार्गं व्यासं मुनीनामहमानतोस्मि ||

( सन्यास पद्धतिः - श्री विष्णु तीर्थाः )

Sanyasa Paddhati is a text written by Sri Vishnutirtha, younger brother of Sri Madhvacharya. He is the first pontiff of Sonda- Subrahmanya Mutts. Sanyasa Paddhati deals with the rituals of recieving Sanyasa Deeksha, qualities of a disciple initiated into the 4th Ashrama.

It is a Manual for Madhva Yatis, brahmacharins, Grihasthas and Viraktas. there are 4 Chapters, 158 topics, running to 113 pages . In this Book, recently published ( 2008) by Sri Tirumala Kulkarni, PPVP. Bengaluru. it is an elaborate text on selection of a disciple by Guru, his qualities, tests to be conducted, preparedness for Sanyasa, Vaishnava Deeksha, Sri Madhva's philosophy neatly summarised,

The routine of new pontiff, Pujas to be conducted, fasting rules, types of food to be consumed, not to be consumed, rules for travel outside a Mutt, up to Brindavan rituals after death , to be observed, conducted by his by disciples.

Surprisingly, there is no shloka dedicated to Sri Krishna at Udupi, but Vedavyasa, Madhva are prayed respectfully. Maybe it was written before Krishna Pratishta, at Udupi.

Trekkers' Delight near Bengaluru

 

 

 

 

SAVANA DURGA

Trekkers’ Delight

Savana Durga is a well-known trekking hill near Bengaluru.  This Asia’s largest mono-lithic rock mountain is located 60 KMs West away from Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. It was for some time,  a second (summer) capital of many local royal chieftains. Rulers of Hoysala, Magadi, Vijayanagar, Mysru wodeyars,  and other dynasties ruled here ever since AD. 1350. The name, Savina Durga’, ‘fortress of death’ seems to be the appropriate name of the hill.  Even today, local elderly people remember the older name as Dabbugundu-  rock to push an enemy, invader or a culprit. 

Lavanis or folk songs of this region refer to many heroic deeds of local pallegars, chieftains, who used the tough and steep rocks for dumping anti-social or criminal war detainees. Even to this day, the two hills- Karigudda (black hill), and Biligudda, white hill, are well known for steep mountaineering adventures. Trekkers quite often visit this place on Holidays and weekends to try their sport. The hill is about 1226 meters above sea level, and a part of Deccan Peninsula. River Arkavathi flows through nearby Thippagondana Halli lake, earlier main water source for the ever-growing city of Bengaluru, until river Kaveri made her way into the IT Town.

History:

Savanna Durga has seen ups and downs in the history of Karnataka. This hill fort was an important part of III Anglo-Mysuru war in 1791, when the fort was captured by Lord Cornwallis. The names that appeared earlier was Savandi, in a Hoysala inscription of 1340 AD. The earliest record of the name of the hill is from 1340 AD by Mummadi Ballala, ( Ballala III ) of Hoysala dynasty, from Madabalu village, where it is called Savandi.  Another view is that the name originated from Samantadurga.

A fort built or developed by one     Samantharaya, a governor under King Ahchutaraya at Magadi, says a local legend,  although there is no inscription confirming this. This was the secondary capital of the Magadi rulers like Veera Kempegowda. From 1638 to 1728, Mysore Wodeyars took over this place and a local leader, a dalavayi  occupied this place with a palace built at   Nelapattna, a town down the hill.  In 1780, lord Cornwallis seized the fort   from solders of Tippu Sultan,  during the III Mysore war.  Later the British Sergeants might have used this as summer resort. Siege of Savandoorg happens to be a very important event in the  history of Karnataka, establishing the supremacy of colonial rulers overpowering the new and weak Mysore Wodeyar dynasty then, just founded by Yaduvarayaru. This fort was later used by others for storing defence armoury, and waging war with the enemies, using the local hilly tribe soldiers. Human habitats are sparingly found in downtown.

Savandi Veerabhadra and Savandi Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temples were built downhill, during this time. It is very curious to know that though Shiva- Vishnu were given equal priority in worship those days, their fierce forms of Veerabhadra and Narasimha are installed in temples of Bengaluru- Tumkur and Kolar Districts of this period. We find Yoga Narasimha at Devarayan durga, in nearby Tumkur district, and several Kala Bhairava or Virbhadra temples in Kolar and other nearby places.  Some people here worship both as house deities. That the hill was a place of residence for tribal people, is evident from the fact that during annual car festival, the members of this community are the first to draw the chariot of Bhagavan Shiva Virbhadra and Narasimha Swamy. A large number of local people gather each year for the annual festivities in Shravana, and Magha ( August & March)   months of the year.

Early humans lived here:

Excavations carried out in  this area have revealed that human beings lived here as early as Megalithic civilization (4500-1000 B.C.)  A large number of urns, small pots found here in caves are known to have used as vessels used in cremation of the dead. A number of caves have been discovered in nearby hill areas. Rivulets and streams dot this area during rainy season. Settlements of early man is also found in Devarayan Durga and Magadi, nearby places. Megalith or large stone and mortar structures are found near this place.

Trekking place:

Earlier, there were no steps to reach the hill top and it was covered by bamboos and other trees forming a barricade. Later rulers made a crude approach road to reach the top of hills. There are stories in local folklore about using large sized Chameleons to lift heavy material top from foothills.

Professional Trekkers identify trekking routes from simple to hard ways. There is about 750 to 900 ft of technical climb, to South of the monolith by routes- Moon light (Beladingalu), Kothi Dina (Simple monkey day), Deepavali (trade route).  Each route is followed by a distinct group of Trekkers. Easiest among this is named Cloud Nine’. The entire trekking journey can be completed by half a day or so depending on time of the year and other factors.  Every trekker will carry sufficient water and something to munch, as they are not available here. Skandagiri, Bidadibetta, Nandi hills, Bannerughatta  are places for trekking. Trekking camps are held regularly to educate, promote and encourage this adventure sport. the time This place welcomes tourist most months of the year except rainy days of August, when the road and hill is very slippery. Public transport is available from Bengaluru though sparingly.

Parking for vehicles is available near the temple premises. Nearby places of tourist interest are Magadi town, about 18 Kms from here,  with several temples, Thippagondanahalli reservoir, also called Chamaraja sagar, located at the meeting place of two rivers- Arkavati and Kumudvati, which supply water to parts of West Bengaluru, and also a major source of drinking water.

Savana Durga is about 90 Kms from Bengaluru International Airport, 66 Kms from KSRTC Bus Station and KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station. November to June is best time of the year to visit this place.

 

 

Kigga

 Once we reach Sringeri, abode of Goddess of learning Sharda, and Adi Shankara, great spiritual master of our country, the place is bound to enchant us with serenity, greenery, scenic beauty, natural water falls and the like. The intriguing word ‘entrusted to Kigga ‘  means a narrow cliff in native Kannada, located in Chikkamagalur ( earlier Kadur) District.  

This place is connected to sage Rishyashringa, (son of Vibhandaka), who had never seen a woman in his life till he was invited by King Dasharatha, Sri Rama’s father,  to bring rains to the parched Ayodhya, during his rule. Arduous task of bringing this strange lad was entrusted to divine damsels- Apsaras. The story concludes with the king giving his daughter ( foster) Shanta, in marriage to Rishyashringa. Later the sage is believed to have observed Tapas at this cliff-Kigga, hence the name Rishya Shringeshvara to Lord Shiva, who blessed him.

This hamlet is on the outskirts of Sringeri 4.5 Kms away perching on an elevated land with a Jain basadi looking structure of  Malahanikarshvara ( remover of sins)  Lord Shiva, in an unusual shape of Shiva Linga emerging out of a bearded Rishi, and later added by his consort Parvati. The solitary shrine of Shiva has about 30 steps to climb on the left of Sringeri- Sirimane natural waterfalls. It can be reached by autorikshas with not so bargainable rate.

The temple is open up to 12 noon and pujas are performed by a resident archak on request. It is a country-tiled stone structure, with a central hall, pillars and sanctum sanctorum of Shiva. Shrine of Parvati is a later addition with nava grahas and roughly structured image of Ganesha ( drawn by mystic saint of Sringeri Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Swamiji, a mystic with a turmeric root, now sculpted) and Kshetrapala Virabhadra shrines. Generally, local villagers regularly visit this place, often dotted by tourists.

A little further, we find Sirimane natural water falls, maintained by the Department of Forests. Usually, only youngsters visit this falls to play in water and have a natural shower, after getting down nearly 800 steps, of course, guarded by strong metal grills on either side. We can have a beautiful view of malanadu, with blue sky on top and cloud covered greenery on either side. It is a great fun and pleasure to bathe in cool, refreshing  natural waters from atop the hills of Tunga belt. A nominal entry fee of Rs. 50/ is to be paid, and children are not allowed to visit this place for safety. A great place to visit, when you are near Sringeri Sharada temple.