Genuine Vairagya - Detachment

ವೈರಾಗ್ಯ ಸುಳಾದಿ


ವೈರಾಗ್ಯ ಮಾರ್ಗ ಕೇಳು ದಾರಿದ್ರ್ಯ ಮಾಗ ಕೀಳು ಮಾರಮಣನ್ನ ಪಾದ ಆರಾಧಿಸುವುದಕ್ಕೆನಾರಿಯ ಧಾರುಣಿಯ ಧನವ ಬಿಟ್ಟರಾಯಿತೇವೈರಾಗ್ಯವಲ್ಲ ಕಂಡ್ಯ ಧೀರರಿಗೆಶರೀರಕ್ಕಾಪಾದ ಭಸ್ಮ ಧರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡುಚೀರವಸ್ತ್ರವನುಟ್ಟು ತಿರುಗಾಡುತ್ತಿರಲಾಗಆರಾದರು ಅವನ ಅವಧೂತನೆಂತೆಂದುಸಾರಿ ಸಾರಿಗೆ ಇನ್ನು ಕರೆವರಯ್ಯವೈರಾಗ್ಯವೆಂಬುವಂಥ ವಾರುತಿ ಒಂದಲ್ಲದೆನಾರಾಯಣಗೆ ಇದು ಪ್ರಿಯವಲ್ಲ!ಅರಿಯದ ವೈರಾಗ್ಯ ಹರಹಿ ಕೊಂಬುದಕಿಂತಅರಿತು ಮೊರೆ ಹೋಗಿರೋ ಗೋಪಾಲ ವಿಠಲನ್ನ ||


  Sri Gopala Dasaru says: Is it enough if you keep away Women & Landed property and money to worship Sri Hari? This is not real Vairagya, detachment. smearing ashes or any thing on person, wearing a bark garment is not enough to be called Avadhoota. One has to have Vairagya not by mere showing out but in reality through Mind & Intellect. This in no way is dear to Sri Hari. It will be Vairagyafor name sake !

Do not enact Vairagya without realising it. It is better to know & then surrender to Sri Hari, Gopala Vitthala

Sesha Dasaru, Modala Kallu

 Modalukallu Sri Seshadasaru 

ಶ್ರೀ ಶೇಷಪ್ಪನವರು 1810 ರಲ್ಲಿ ಮೆಹಬೂಬ್ ನಗರದ ಬಳಿಯ ದರೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿ, ತಮ್ಮ ತಂದೆಯಂತೆ ಕುಲಕರ್ಣಿ ವೃತ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಂದುವರೆದರು. ಅವರ ವೇಷಭೂಷಣಗಳು ಯಾವ ದೊರೆಗೂ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಸದಾ ಶುಭ್ರಶ್ವೇತವಸ್ತ್ರ, ಮುತ್ತಿನ ಹಾರ, ನಿಲುವಂಗಿ, ಗಿರಕಿ ಚಡಾವು, ಚಿನ್ನದ ತುಲಸೀಮಣಿಯ ಸರ, ಶಾಲು, ತಲೆಗೆ ಸುತ್ತಿದ ಜರಿ ಪೇಟಾ ಅವರ ಅಂದವಾದ ದೇಹಕಾಂತಿಗೆ ಮೆರುಗನ್ನಿತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ,  ಆದರೆ ಅವರ ಸಜ್ಜನಿಕೆಯಿಂದಾಗಿ, ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಮಂದಿ ಬಡ ರೈತರಿಂದ ಕರ ವಸೂಲಿ ಮಾಡಲಾಗದಿದ್ದುದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಗದ್ವಾಲಿನ ಸೋಮಭೂಪಾಲ ಅವರನ್ನು ಕೆಲಸದಿಂದ ವಜಾ ಮಾಡಿದ.

ಒಮ್ಮೆ ದೊರೆ ಇವರು ಇಷ್ಟು ವೈಭವದಿಂದ ವಸ್ತ್ರ ಧರಿಸಿದ್ದನ್ನು ತಾಳದೆ, ಕರವಸೂಲಾತಿಯೂ ಸಕಾಲಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗದ ಕಾರಣ ಕುಲಕರ್ಣಿ ವ್ರುತ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ವಜಾ ಮಾಡಿದ.

ಶೇಷಪ್ಪನವರು ಇದರಿಂದಾಗಿ ಯಾವ ಚಿಂತೆಯನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡದೆ, ಮನೆಗೂ ವಾಪಸಾಗದೆ, ದರೂರಿನ ಹತ್ತಿರದ ಚಿಂತಲರೇವಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀವ್ಯಾಸತೀರ್ಥರು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ಪ್ರಾಣದೇವರ ಗುಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ನಿಂತರು. ಸ್ವಪ್ನ ಸೂಚನೆಯಂತೆ ಮೊದಲುಕಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ತೆರಳಿ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮಗ್ನರಾದರು. ಕೇವಲ ತುಲಸೀದಳ ಸೇವಿಸಿ, ಉಪವಾಸದಿಂದ ಆ ಮುಖ್ಯಪ್ರಾಣರನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿದರು. ಯಾವ ಐಹಿಕ ಸುಖವನ್ನೂ ಅವರು ಬೇಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ದೆರ್ಘ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದ ಕೃಶರಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅವರ ಮುಖಕಾಂತಿ ಸ್ವರ್ಣಮಯವಾಗಿ ಮಿರುಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಇದು ದೇವರು ತನಗೆ ಕಲಿಸಿದ ಪಾಠವೆಂದೇ ಅವರು ಭಾವಿಸಿ, ಆನಂದಮಗ್ನರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಸ್ವಪ್ನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಲದೈವ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸನ ದರ್ಶನವೂ ಅವರಿಗಾಗಿತ್ತು.

ಆಗ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅಂಕಿತಪ್ರದಾನವಾಗಿ, ‘ಗುರುವಿಜಯವಿಠಲ’ ಎಂಬ ಹರಿದಾಸ ದೀಕ್ಷೆ-ಅಂಕಿತಪ್ರದಾನವೂ ಆಯಿತು. ಅವರ ಮೊದಲ ಕೃತಿ:
ನಂಬಿದೆ ನಿನ್ನ ಪಾದ ಮುಖ್ಯ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾಣ ...

ಡಿಂಭದೊಳಗೆ ಹರಿಯ ಬಿಂಬ ಪೊಳೆಯುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡು..

... ಶ್ರೀ ಗುರು ವಿಜಯ ವಿಟ್ಠಲನ ಪಾದಕೆ

 ಬಾಗಿದ ಭವದೂರ ಜಾಗರ ಮೂರುತಿ ||

( ತೋಡಿ ರಾಗ)

ಸುಳಾದಿ

ಘನದಯಾನಿಧಿಯಾದ ಪವನರಾಯನೆ ನಮೋ ।

ಪುನರಪಿ ನಮೋ ನಿನ ಪಾದ ಸರಸೀರುಹಕೆ

ಮಣಿದು ಬೇಡಿಕೊಂಬೆ ನೀನೇ ಗತಿಯೆಂದು

ನಿನಗಿಂತ ಹಿತರ್ಯಾರೋ ಜೀವನಕೆ ॥

ಸನಕಾದಿವಂದ್ಯನ ಆಜ್ಞೆಯಿಂದಲಿ ಪರ-

ಮಾಣು ಜೀವಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತನಾಗಿ ಬಿಡದೆ

ಅಣುರೂಪದಿಂದ ನಿಂದು ಮಾಡಿದ ಕ್ರಿಯೆ

ಮನಸಿಜ ವೈರಿಯಿಂದ ತಿಳಿಯಲೊಶವೆ ।

ಹೀನ ಮನಸಿನಿಂದ ಬದ್ಧನಾದವ ನಾನು

ಗುಣರೂಪಕ್ರಿಯಗಳ ವಿದಿತ ನೀನು ।

ತನುವಿನೊಳಗೆ ಮೂರು ಕೋಟ್ಯಧಿಕ ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತೆರಡು

ಎನಿಪ ಸಾಸಿರ ರೂಪದಿಂದ  ಸತಿಯ ಸಹಿತ

ತೃಣ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಜೀವಪ್ರಕೃತಿಕಾಲಕರ್ಮ

ಅನುಸಾರವಾಗಿ ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನು ಮಾಡಿ

ಅನಿಮಿತ್ತ ಬಾಂಧವನೆನಿಸಿ ಸಜ್ಜನರಿಗೆ ।

ಜ್ಞಾನಭಕ್ತ್ಯಾದಿಗಳ ನೀನೆಯಿತ್ತು

ಮನದಲ್ಲಿ ಹರಿರೂಪ ಸಂದರುಶನವಿತ್ತು

ಘನೀಭೂತವಾದ ಆನಂದದಿಂದ

ವಿನಯದಿಂದಲಿ ಜೀವರ ಪೊರೆವ ಉಪಕಾರ ।

ವನು ಸ್ಮರಿಸಲಾಪೆನೆ ಎಂದಿಗು ಗುಣನಿಧಿಯೇ

ಇನಕೋಟಿತೇಜ ಗುರು ವಿಜಯವಿಠಲರೇಯ

ಇನಿತು ನಿನ್ನೊಳು ಲೀಲೆ ಮಾಳ್ಪ  ಆವಾಕಾಲ ॥

 ತಮ್ಮ ಬದುಕಿನ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಕಾಲವನ್ನು ಶ್ರೀ ಶೇಷದಾಸರು ದೇವರ ಸೇವೆ, ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬಂದವರಿಗೆ ಅಶನ, ನಾಮ ಸಂಕೀರ್ತನ 

ಶ್ರವಣಾದಿಗಳಿಂದ ಮನದಣಿಸಿದರು. ದಾಸರು ಹಲವಾರು ದೇವರನಾಮ, ಸುಳಾದಿ, ಉಗಾಭೋಗಗಳನ್ನು ರಚಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. 

ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸನ-ಪ್ರಾಣದೇವರ ಕೃಪೆಯಿಂದ ಅವರ ಕೀರ್ತಿ ವ್ಯಾಪಿಸಿ, ಸಜ್ಜನರು ತಂಡೋಪತಂಡವಾಗಿ ಅವರ ಬಳಿಗೆ 

ಧಾವಿಸಿ ಧನ್ಯರಾದರು. ದಾಸರು ಶ್ರೀ ಜಗನ್ನಾಥದಾಸರ ‘ ಹರಿಕಥಾಮೃತಸಾರ’ ದ ಮೇಲೆ ವ್ಯಾಖ್ಯಾನವನ್ನೂ ರಚಿಸಿದರು.


. ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬಂದವರಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸನ ದರ್ಶನ, ದಾಸರ ಅನುಗ್ರಹವಾಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.

ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಬಡಜನರಿಗಾಗಿ ಗಂಗೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸಿ, ಗಂಗಾಜನಕ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸನ ಅಂಗುಷ್ಟದಿಂದ ಗಂಗೆ ಹರಿದು, ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿಸಿ, ಅವರನ್ನು ಅನುಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು.

ಶ್ರೀ ಶೇಷದಾಸರು ಭವತ್ಕೃಪೆಯಿಂದ ಅನೇಕ ಪವಾಡಸದೃಶ ಘಟನೆಗಳನ್ನು ತೋರಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅನೇಕ ಭಕ್ತರ ಉನ್ಮಾದ ರೋಗ, ಭೂತಬಾಧೆ, ಸಂತಾನಹೀನತೆಗಳನ್ನು ವಾಯುದೇವರ ಅನುಗ್ರಹದಿಂದ ಕಳೆದು ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಜನರು ಮೊದಲುಕಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಅನುಗ್ರಹ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಶ್ರೀ ಗುರುವಿಜಯವಿಠಲರು ವೈಶಾಖ ಶುದ್ಧ ಅಷ್ಟಮೀ (1869) ದೇಹತ್ಯಾಗ ಮಾಡಿದರು.

ಪ್ರತಿ ವರ್ಷ ವೈಶಾಖ ಶುದ್ಧ ಅಷ್ಟಮೀ ಅವರ ಆರಾಧನೆಯನ್ನು ಭಕ್ತರು ಸ್ವಯಂಪ್ರೇರಿತರಾಗಿ ಆಚರಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅವರನ್ನು ಸ್ತುತಿಸುವ ಕೃತಿಯೊಂದು ಹೀಗಿದೆ:

ದಾಸರಾಯ ಪೋಷಿನೆನ್ನನ್ನು । ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುವೆ ।
ಶೇಷದಾಸವರ್ಯ ಪೋಷಿಸೆನ್ನನು ।। ಪ ।।

ಪೋಷಿಸೆನ್ನ ಮನದಿ ಬಹ ।
ದೋಷಗಳನು ತರಿದು । ಇಂದಿ ।
ರೇಶನಂಘ್ರಿ ಧ್ಯಾನವ ಪ್ರತಿ ।
ವಾಸರದಲಿ ಒದಗುವಂತೆ ।। ಅ. ಪ ।।

ದೇಶ ದೇಶಗಳಲಿ ಭಜಿಪ ।
ದಾಸ ಜನರ ಮನದ । ಅಭಿ ।
ಲಾಷೆಗಳನು ಸಲಿಸುತಲಿ । ಸು ।
ರೇಶನಂತೆ ಮೆರೆದ ಶೇಷ ।। 1 ।।

ಮಂದನಾದರೂ ನಿಮ್ಮಯ ಪದ ।
ದ್ವಂದ್ವ ಭಜಿಸೆ ಜಗದಿ । ಪ್ರಾಜ್ಞ ।
ನೆಂದು ಕರೆಸುವೆನು ಯೆನುತ ನಾ ।
ವಂದಿಸುವೆ ಸುಜ್ಞಾನವಿತ್ತು ।। 2 ।।

ಕರುಣ ಶರಧೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ನಾನು ।
ಸ್ಮರಣೆ ಮಾತ್ರದಿ ಭೂತ ಪ್ರೇತ। ಗ ।
ಳಿರದೆ ಪೋಪವು ಶರಣು ಜನರ ।
ದುರಿತ ಘನಕೆ ಮರುತರೆನಿಪ ।। 3 ।।

ಈ ಮಹಿಯೊಳಗಾದಿ ಶಿಲೆಯ ।
ಸ್ವಾಮಿಯ ಪದದಿನೆ ತ್ರಿಪಥ ।
ಗಾಮಿನಿಯಳ ತೋರಿ ಸ್ವಜನ ।
ಕಾಮಿತವ ಪೂರೈಸಿದಂತೆ ।। 4 ।।

ಶೇರಿದ ಪರಿವಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಸುರ ।
ಭೂರುಹವೆಂದೆನಿಸುವಂಥಾ ।
ಪಾರ ಮಹಿಮ ಕಾರ್ಪರ ಸಿರಿ ।
ನರಸಿಂಹನ ನೊಲಿಸಿದಂಥಾ ।। 5।।

 *******************

  Dasaru of Modalakallu

Sri Sesha Dasaru was born in Darooru in Gadwal province, now Mehaboob Nagar in about 1800.He served as Kulakarni Seshappa like his father. The Province was ruled by Soma Bhoopala of Gadwal.  Seshappa Kulkarni used to collect Taxes and honestly deliver it to the ruler. He was always well dressed with black hair till his old age. He had Peta on his head, with necklace made of Pearls & Gold, Tulasimani and white spotless Dhoti & a Shawl. 
One day,  he was insulted by the ruler as had worn costly dress in front of him, and was unncessarily angry with him. He was very cruel to his officials. He dismised Seshappa on the spot for this  silly reason.THis was first lesson God taught him on the nature of Seva to ruthless Rulers. He thought I should not continue this Dog's Life, Sevaa Shvruttiraakyaata tasmaat taam Parivarjaye- Sevitude is Dog's Life, one should leave it as early as possible, said Manusmriti. 

Seshappa did not return to his village & spent some time in Chintala Revu. He was instructed by Sri Prana Deva  of Chintarevula Temple,  installed by Vyasarajaru to undertake penance at Modalkal. Abiding by the instructions received by him,  now Sri Sesha Dasaru - performed rigorous penance at this place. At the end of a long and ardous penance, Lord Venkateswara blessed the devotee with 'Aparokshanubhuti'.

L

Sri Srinivasa Temple, Modalu kallu, Mehboob Nagar, A. P. 

ಮೊದಲುಕಲ್ಲಿನಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸನ ಸನ್ನಿಧಿ.

Later his Ankita was Guru Vijayavitthala. His first Kriti was on Prana devaru : 
ನಂಬಿದೆ ನಿನ್ನ ಪಾದ ಮುಖ್ಯ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾಣ ...

 ಡಿಂಭದೊಳಗೆ ಹರಿಯ ಬಿಂಬ ಪೊಳ್ಯುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡು...

.. ಶ್ರೀ ಗುರು ವಿಜಯ ವಿಟ್ಠಲನ ಪಾದಕೆ 

ಬಾಗಿದ ಭವದೂರ ಜಾಗರ ಮೂರುತಿ ||

 in Todi Raga. 

 Sri Sesha Dasaru spent the remaining years of his life here, serving the Lord and h is devotees.  Sri Sesha Dasaru composed a number of Keerthanas and Suladis. He also wrote a commentary on 'Sri Harikathamritasara' of Sri Jagannatha Dasaru. His life at this place was completely dedicated to the service of the Lord, coupled with service to the devotees of the Lord. As Sri Sesha Dasaru's fame spread though the entire region, large number of devotees thronged to this place to have the 'Darshan' of the Lord Venkateswara and his pious devotee Sri Sesha Dasaru.

Sri Sesha Dasaru was the chosen instrument of the Lord to manifest his incomparable powers at this place. Many a miracle were witnessed by the devotees during Sri Sesha Dasaru's life time. The Divine River 'Ganga' gushed out from Pada Angustha of the Lord at the request of Sri Seshadasa for one full day and left a trace which never dries up. His presence through a Monument, continues   to bless his devotees even today, though he discarded his mortal body, 120 years ago.

Devotees of this village have given up visiting Tirumala as Lord Sreenivasa himself has come to their own place. As stated in 'Tantra Sara Sangraha', 'Pratimayam Tu Sannidhyam Archakasya Tapobalat'. The spiritual power of this place manifested itself in all its strength and glory as Sri Sesha Dasa and his pious grandson Vijaya Dasa' served the deity with fervent and sincere devotion. He declared himself as Arjunamsha., in his Kriti. 

Bahishkara by Uttaradi Mutt 

Sri Satyakama Tirtharu of Gadwal was told by som Mathadhikari as Seshappa Kulkarni has become a big man & people have forgotten Matha Maryada & are offering itto him. Swamiji was angry and declared Bahishkara on him. Seshappa accepeted it with grace. Later one genlteman Bellampuri Hanumanta Rao, learnt this and arranged a meeting of Swamiji and Sesha Dasaru, in Hyderabad.  Satyakama Tirtharu knew the truth & felt sorry on Bahishkara. Sesha Dasaru had saved Hanumanta Rao's wife from mental disorders by the grace of Prana devaru, he believed. 

Sri Seha Dasaru passed away on Vaishakha Shuddha Ashtamee 1889. 

ದಾಸರಾಯ ಪೋಷಿನೆನ್ನನ್ನು । ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥಿಸುವೆ ।
ಶೇಷದಾಸವರ್ಯ ಪೋಷಿಸೆನ್ನನು ।। ಪ ।।

ಪೋಷಿಸೆನ್ನ ಮನದಿ ಬಹ ।
ದೋಷಗಳನು ತರಿದು । ಇಂದಿ ।
ರೇಶನಂಘ್ರಿ ಧ್ಯಾನವ ಪ್ರತಿ ।
ವಾಸರದಲಿ ಒದಗುವಂತೆ ।। ಅ. ಪ ।।

ದೇಶ ದೇಶಗಳಲಿ ಭಜಿಪ ।
ದಾಸ ಜನರ ಮನದ । ಅಭಿ ।
ಲಾಷೆಗಳನು ಸಲಿಸುತಲಿ । ಸು ।
ರೇಶನಂತೆ ಮೆರೆದ ಶೇಷ ।। 1 ।।

ಮಂದನಾದರೂ ನಿಮ್ಮಯ ಪದ ।
ದ್ವಂದ್ವ ಭಜಿಸೆ ಜಗದಿ । ಪ್ರಾಜ್ಞ ।
ನೆಂದು ಕರೆಸುವೆನು ಯೆನುತ ನಾ ।
ವಂದಿಸುವೆ ಸುಜ್ಞಾನವಿತ್ತು ।। 2 ।।

ಕರುಣ ಶರಧೆ ನಿಮ್ಮ ನಾನು ।
ಸ್ಮರಣೆ ಮಾತ್ರದಿ ಭೂತ ಪ್ರೇತ। ಗ ।
ಳಿರದೆ ಪೋಪವು ಶರಣು ಜನರ ।
ದುರಿತ ಘನಕೆ ಮರುತರೆನಿಪ ।। 3 ।।

ಈ ಮಹಿಯೊಳಗಾದಿ ಶಿಲೆಯ ।
ಸ್ವಾಮಿಯ ಪದದಿನೆ ತ್ರಿಪಥ ।
ಗಾಮಿನಿಯಳ ತೋರಿ ಸ್ವಜನ ।
ಕಾಮಿತವ ಪೂರೈಸಿದಂತೆ ।। 4 ।।

ಶೇರಿದ ಪರಿವಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಸುರ ।
ಭೂರುಹವೆಂದೆನಿಸುವಂಥಾ ।
ಪಾರ ಮಹಿಮ ಕಾರ್ಪರ ಸಿರಿ ।
ನರಸಿಂಹನ ನೊಲಿಸಿದಂಥಾ ।। 5।।

Each year his Aradhana is celebrated by Haridasas & Palimaru Mutt has a Gurukulam in Modala Kallu.  Sri Sesha Dasa, has enhanced the spiritual power of this place. 'Modalkal' is surrounded by a number of other holy places associated with great devotees, all within a radius of 50 km. 'Manvi' is the place associated with Sri Jagannatha Dasaru. 'Uttanur' blessede with spiritual presence of Sri Gopal Dasaru. 'Venu Soma Pura' is sanctified by its association with deity Shodasubahu Narasimha Deva and Saint Vyasa Tatvajna Teertha the great devotee of the Lord Vishnu,  Prana Devaru installed by Sri Vyasa Raja, enhances the glory of the region at Beechpalli and Chintarevula. Thus, 'Modalakal' became a nodal centre of immense sanctity for the devotees of Lord Venkateswara, blessed with the spiritual presence of his devotees. Sri Sesha Dasa, Sri Jagannatha Dasa, Sri Gopala Dasa, Sri Vyasa Tatvajna and Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the great saint of Mantralaya, directed one of his devotees to compose an 'Astaka' of Sri Sesha Dasa (mantralaya is at a distance of 43 km from Modalkal).

*************************

Sri Mahipati Rayaru

( 1611- 1681)

Aradhanaa:    Margasira Amavasya

Sri Mahipathi Dasa was the son of Sri Koneri Rao, an orthodox and ardent devotee of Sri Hari. When Koneri Rao wanted to perform the Upanayana of his son, the astrologer who saw his horoscope predicted that Mahipathi would lead a royal life and become a sacred yogi.Mahipathi continued his early education with his father and became a popular scholar like him. He became very fluent in Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, Urdu and Persian. His philosophical discourses were very popular and attended by thousands.

One day, Khawas Khan,  a minister in Adil Shah's court was passing by the Narasimha Temple in the town,  where Mahipathi Rao was conducting a discourse on Purana, and saw thousands of people listening to his  discourse. Khan listened  to his talk for some time and liked what he heard. He wanted a discourse to be conducted in his house too. Mahipathi immediately agreed to do so, as the Sultans were known for their brutality & also generosity, if they are happy. 

The next day, Mahipathi conducted a discourse in Khan's house. He explained incidents from Bhagawatha, Ramayana etc in urdu and parsi, languages which the people in the ministe's house  understood. His discourse was so well liked that it became a practice and later on,  discourses were conducted both in Khan's house and the temple. Many muslims, including mullas, attended his discourse and appreciated his knowledge and scholarship in Puranas & Scripture.

Once, the Nawab's Lekhadars, Accountants  were in trouble,  as they could not rectify a mistake in their accounts. Some one in the Palace  suggested that Mahipathi Rao,  should be consulted as he was good at accounts. When Mahipathi verified the accounts , he immediately identified the error. 

The Nawab was very happy and appointed Mahipathi as his courtier, as also a Manager of Accounts. Eventually, Mahipathi's sincerity and hard-work made him the Diwan of the Province.

Mahipathi married a girl called Tirumala, and led a very simple and austere life, even though he could afford luxuries and comforts. Still he continued eating Jola Bhakri & Akki Nucchu as earlier. He was not elated by the new post or power. 

Turning towards the inner Self

In Bijapur, there lived a brother and sister called Shahanunga and Shahanungi. They belonged to the Soophi sect and were very popular as they could predict the future,  show their Mystic Powers. However, their existence and character seemed  a mystery. No one in Bijapur, knew where they lived, what they ate, or wore.  Most of the time they appeared nude & wore rags. They were very pious and respected by both Hindus and Muslims.

One day, Mahipathi was inspecting some construction work on the banks of  Begum Talab, a water tank. Shahanunga appeared from some where,   and was curious to know what Mahipathi had in his hand. Mahipathi  Raya told him that it was the Nawab' s Signatory Ringring (raja mudra) given to him as he was Diwan of the Province

Shahanunga  stretched his hand asking Mahipathi to give  him the ring and upon receiving it, threw it into the the tank. Mahipathi was scared as the ring was a symbol of the Nawab's position and power, and could not be trifled with.  

He pleaded with Shahanunga to retrieve the ring. Shahnunga asked his sister to get the ring. She immediately  plunged into the tank and retrieved hundreds of identical rings from the water.

The baffled Mahipathi could not identify the Nawab's ring and requested Shahanunga to help him, whereupon Shahanunga retrieved his  original ring and uttering the words 'mouth kaa ghan, (smell of stinking dead body)   with this' and  he disappeared.

Mahipathi could not understand Shahnunga's utterance [mouth ka ghan  means smell of dead body] or its significance. After pondering about this for a while,  he gave up and decided to approach Shahnunga himself for an explanation. This was not easy as Shahnunga's whereabouts were difficult to predict. Finally, after great effort, Mahipathi finally met Shahnunga and prostrated before him, asking him to explain the significance  of his words and accept him (Mahipathi) as a disciple.

Shahnunga told him, I am not a Brahmana, like you,  to go to Bhaskar Swamy who was in Saravada and accept  him as your Guru. 

Renouncing Diwangiri 

After this Mahipathi Rao  decided  to give up his position and go to Bhaskar Swamy.The  Nawab was initially reluctant to let him go,  but as his Junior wife wanted her brother to have a seat of Power in Palace, agrred to relieve him after gifting wth Gold & wealth to Mahipati Rao. Even Tirumala was happy with Mahipathi's decision and decided to accompany him to Sarawada.

Bhaskar Swamy was very famous in Karanataka and Maharashtra. Even though Sarawada was a small village, his presence attracted a number of devotees, turning Sarawada into a piligrimage centre.Mahipathi and his wife went to Bhaskar Swamy for obtaining sacred and philosophical knowledge. Bhaskar Swamy accepted Mahipathi as his disciple and gave him Upadesha. He also blessed the couple to have illustrious children. Mahipathi and his wife stayed with Bhaskar Swamy for some time before going to their native place in Bijapur.

Later, Mahipathi went to Shapura village in Gulbarga district, where he selected the Sri Hanuman Temple on the banks of the Mandakini river for his Spiritual  activites. From then on, he became known as Mahipathi Dasa and composed many songs with the ankitha 'Mahipathi'. He spent the rest of his life conducting philosophical discourses, bhajans and other devotional activites.

kOlu kOlennakOle kOlu kOlennakOle
sadvastuvina balagoMbekOle


kOlunikkuta banni bAlErellaru kUDi
myAlye maMdirada hAdEli kOle
myAlye maMdiradoLu bAlamukuMdatAnu
lOlyADuta oLagiddAne kOle


AdigiMtalyade hAdi anAdiyu
sAdhisa banni odaginnu kOle
sAdhisi baralikke sAdhyavAgutalyAde
bhEdisi nODi manadali kOle


kaNNinoLihya bOMbekANabaruttade
jANyEru nIvu tiLakoLLikOle
jANyEru nIvu kANade hOgabyADi
jANrisuthAne sadguru kOle


sadgurupAdake sadbhAvaviTTu nEvu
sadbhOdha kEli sAdhisi kOle
sAdhisi kELi nIvu budhajanaroDagUDi
caduratanadali ati byAge kOle


arahuveMda sIreyanuTTU kuravheMba kuppasali
iruvaMti puShTali muDidinnu kOle
muDidu baralu pUrNa oDigUDi barutAne
baDAvanA dAri balagoMbe kOle


balagoMbe sAdhanavu nelegODu mADabEku
valavhAMga tAne SrIhari kOle
SrIhari muMde nIvu sOhya tiLidubanni
sAhyamADuva ihaparake kOle


ihaparake dAta mahipatiswAmi
sahakAranobba SrIpatikOle
SrIpatistuti kODaDalikke pUrNa
bhukti muktiya nEDu tAne kOle|| 

Sri Mahipathi Dasa had two sons - Devaraya and Krishnaraya. Devaraya chose the career of a warrior and became the leader of some small army. Krishnaraya followed in his father's footsteps and became a haridasa,  Guru Mahipati Dasa and composed many songs. 

हिन्दी भाषांतर:
श्री महीपति दास  कर्नाटक की हरिदास परंपरा  मे एक अनोखा संत दार्शनिका और योगी थे| उन्होने अपनी कृतितों मे विष्णुभक्ति की प्रचार कराते हुए योगा साधना और प्राचीन योग रीति से बहुत परचित थे| वह दूसरे हरिदास जैसा सिर्फ ज्नान, भक्ति और वैराग्य की अनुभवी थे| वे  अपनी कृतियों मे उर्दू,  फारसी और संस्कृत भाषा की प्रयोगा भी की थी| 
श्री महीपति राया एक सुल्तान के सचिव होते हुये भी अपनी कृतियों मे लौकिक जीवन की अशाश्वत स्व्स्भाव, अनिश्चितता और मोह मे कभी नही पड़े| 
उनकी योगा गुरु एक महान वैराग्यशील साधु थे| उसकी नामा भास्कर योगी था| यद्यपि वैष्णव संप्रदाय की अनुवर्ती थे, परंतु योगमार्ग के द्वारा भागवत साक्षात्कारा की प्रवृत्ति इसकी क्रियों मे हम देखते हैं| कर्नाटक राज्य का अनुशाना जब आदिलशाह करता था, ताबा श्री महीपति जी उसकी अमात्य और मार्गदर्शका थे| एका दीना इस अधिकारा की लालच छोड़ कर हरिदास बन गए| उन्के पुत्र कृष्णराय भी एका महान साधका बन कर हरिदास बन गए| ऐसे पिता-पुत्र की हरिदास बनाने की उदाहरण श्री पुरंदर दासजी की जीवन मे भी हमे दिखाता है| महीपति दासजी की दोनों पुत्र-  देवराया और कृष्णराय भी  कर्नाटक हरिदासा परंपरा को अपनी योगदान दिये है| अभी श्री दासजी जी आराधना उनकी समाधिस्थाना काखण्डकी मे मनाए जाएगी| 

Sri Vyasarajaru

Sri Vyasaraja Swamy  has a distinct  place amongst Madhwa saints. He was a child prodigy who learnt under great Guru Sri Sripadarajaru at Mulbagal, and  for some time at Kaanchipuram.He was adopted by Sri Brahmanya Tirtha as a child. Born as Yatiraja to Ramacharya couple at Bannur, Sosale,  in April 1447 near Mysore, he  widely travelled across nook and corner of India.

The task before Vyas raja was extremely challenging. More scholarly Advaitins were taking cudgels on him. Each one of them was a stalwart. On the other hand,  he had Logicians from Bengal like Pakshadhara Mishra, widely known in scholarly circle of those days. They had shut the mouth of Advaitins and  Visisht advaitins in their strong,  subtle fallacious arguments. Some strong scholar like Vyasa Tirtha was needed for those days to silence them ! it was not an easy task ahead ! They had all studied Nyaya Shastra & had already discovered a new style of argument called Navya nyaya from Navadweep. None in India dared to tackle them.

Sri Vyasarjara Guhe- a place where he used to revise  what his guru, Sriapdarajaru taught him.

They landed in Mulbagal to argue with Sripadarajauthe great Guru wanted to show how his young Shishya could easily do this task. He commended Sri Vyasa muni to do this job, which he did it gracefully. Pakshadhara's wings  were cut by him effectively. He surrendered his Jayapatram & returned home.

Social services rendered by him were not less, any way. He constructed (Bettakere)  Vyasa samudram lake, which helped many farmers. He built many Agraharams for the needy scholars. He honoured Kanaka Dasaru and took him to Haridasa  fold.

He  was the Raja Guru of  Krishnadevaraya, from whom he was honored profusely. When Salva Narasimha II had massacred the erring Archaks of Tirumala, he worshipped  Srinivasa there for 12 years and returned the Pooja authority to the members of the family of Priests, who had survived the King's rage. If he had continued Pooja,no one could have objected to him. But as Yati would behave, he handed over the Temple to a surviving Brahmachari, returned back to Karnataka. His Mutt is called Vidya Simhasana as many scholars like Jagannatha Tirtharu of Bhashya Deepika fame, Seshachandrikacharya ( Raghunatha Tirtha)  & Kambaloo  Ramachandra tirtharu succeeded him.

He is a noted Haridasa of pen name Sri Krishna, bestowed on him by his Guru Sri Sripadarajaru.In fact, he was praised by his own Guru in one of his kritis.  

ಏಸು ಮುನಿಗಳಿದ್ದರೇನು? ವ್ಯಾಸಮುನಿ ಇರಲಾಗಿ- Esu munigaliddodenu, Vysa muni iralaagi. A Certificate from a great Guru to a great Shishya. 
Sri Vyasa Tirtha sings in praise of his Vidyaguru Sripadarajaru- " Vaadigajamastakaankusha Vibudhajanageya Medineesuravandya Sripadaraya". His Suladis and Ugabhogas are deep in philosophy of Madhva thought. He composed Songs in praise of Acharya Madhva, Jayatirtha and Sripadaraya ( Lakshminarayana Yogi) 

One of the most popular  Devaranama in Yaman Kalyani, ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ ನೀ ಬೇಗನೆ ಬಾರೋ . is confused to be written by him.. Researchers say that it was written neither by him or his dear disciple Purandara Dasaru! with that of Purandara Dasaru. He installed as many as 700 Hanuman statues from Hampi to Tirumala. THe first was at Chakra Tirtha on the banks of Tungabhadra, second at Mulabagilu near Sri NarasimhaSwamy. All the statues have a Bell tagged to Hanuman's tail. That is the style  of Sri Vyasarajaru. 

We can see a small cave where he did his svadhyaya, revision of what Sripadarajaru  taught him daily, in Narasimha Tirtha. (Once I tried to sit for meditation & got fever for 2 days, without my father's permission, as we were daily visitors there before Archaks arrived!!My father had done Nirmalya seva many times, whatever Dakshina he got from devotees for Arati, he promptly gave it to Archakas as he did not need money!)

I can write more about Vyasarajaru. But I am afraid of his radiance still existing in Mulbagal. Well, I should  mention his Vyasatraya, Tarka Tandava, Nyayamritam & Tatparya Chandrika, ( Incomplete, later completed by Sri Raghunatha  Tirtha of his lineage), and Bhedojeevanam is another work on Madhva thought

Sri Sri Vyasatirtharu  entered Brindavanam in March 1539. Purandara Dasaru described his last moments in a Kriti. His Brindavanam lies in Navabrindavanam, with Sri Padmanabha Tirtharu, Srinivasa Tirtha, Rama Tirtha  and  others. It  is one of the most well carved structure among 9 Brindavans there, unfortunately vandalized by antisocial elements, later restructured as earlier. 

Srimad Bhagavatam - I

Earlier we had discussed on the importance of Bhagavatam. Pareekshit was the grand son of Panadavas. He was born to Uttara, wife of Abhimanyu. When AShvathama decided to kill the entire Pandava Clan, Bhagavan Krishna comes to save the unborn child in Uttara's womb from his Brahmaastram. Hence his another name, Devaraata, God saved Kid. We also know by now that he was cursed by Shrungi, son of Shameeka. His death is known to him. He wanted to go on fast till death ( Prayopavesha). The Rishis & people of his kingdom were worried as he ruled as a benevolent king for 36years, avoiding the Evil, Kali to enter his Province. 

Pareekshit was waiting on the banks of Ganga, when Shukacharya, son of Bhagavan Vedavyasa arrived unexpected, to bless him. God sends saints to help his devotees when they need Support & enlightenment. Shukamini was blessed by his father. He had learnt Bhagavatam from its Composer himself.
When all the Puranas 17 in number & Mahabharatam seem to lack some thing very useful for seekers in Spiritual path,  in Kaliyuga, Vyasadeva on the behest of Rishis, taught Bhagavata to his son Shuka, an avatarof Bhagavan Shiva,  a Parama Vaishnava, an ardent devotee of Sri Hari, who preached the greatness of Ramanama. 

Srimad Bhagavatam in its present form has 12 Books called Skandhas, 18,000 Shlokas & about 343 Chapters. 
It has been widely interpreted by scholars of all the three faiths. Chitsukhaacharyaa of Shankara tradition, Veera Raghavacharya from Vishistadvaita, & several from Dvaita School of Madhvacharya. Among them Vijayadhwajweeya or Padaratnaavalee is very ancient & popular. THe Author Shri Vijayadhwaja Tirtha was from Pejawar Mutt, Udupi, whose Brindavan is near the Arabian sea at Kanva Tirtha. 

Pareekshit welcomed Shuka Muni, who came there as God sent, greeted him and asked him some very pertinent questions of a seeker. He asked him, ' What should   a person do at the time of Death? What are the most important things to be heard and followed? 

A very simple looking, yet meaningful Question indeed. The answer to this Query is Bhagavatam ...... 

निगमकल्पतरो: गलितं फलं 

शुकमुखादमृतद्रव संयुतम्।  

पिबत भागवतं रसमालयं  

मुहुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुका: ॥ 

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