UDUPI SRI KRISHNA

 

Sri Krishna statue at Udupi was conscrated by Acharya Madhva, after establishing a firm foundation for his Dvaita Philosophy, travelling across Bharat twice. His clarity of thought about the Supreme Brahman as Vishnu, His supremacy over other dinities was an epoch making appraoach in 13th century. 

The Salirama shila idol of Balakrishna, was dicovered by Madhva near sea shore, Malpe, Udupi. He personally brought this wonderful image of Krishna, which was earlier at Rukmini's personal garden, Dwaraka. It was lying in the sea for a long time, which only Madhva could visualise. This image is a bit unusual form of Krishna, as an 6 year old boy, standing with a  Curning rod, walking straight from his mother Yashoda, along with a rope tied to him to avoid mistake of stealing Butter and Milk to feed monkeys and animals. 

The Dhyansloka says: Bhyshmmi- Madhva kararchitam- Bhagavan Krishna worshipped eralier by Rukmini, and now by Madhva at Udupi . The image is worn out due to years of salt contact in sea, hence not clear. Moreover, due to Abhisheka each day with Milk, Honey and curds have made it corroded, otherwise it is a beautiful image of a boy smiling. 

There were earlier rumours about the identity of image as Skanda, Devi and so on, which is utter lie and fantacy. It is Dandadhari Krishna, in his childhood. He has marks of Upavita, crown of a prince, and ear rings. 

SRI VENUGOPALA KRISHNA, MULABAGILU.

Sri Vyasatirtharu was a student of Sri Lakshminarayana Yogi ( Sripadarajaru) at Mulabagilu, before he moved to Kanchipuram. There are at least 3 monuments related to Vyasarajaru at Mulabagilu. He has consecrated Sanjiva Rayaru at Sripadaraja Matha, and one at Narasimha tirtha also, There's a cave in Narasimha tirtha vicinity next to Narasimha srine, where he did daily ahnika and manana. He had a Mutt at the town where he appointed one Sri Prajna tirtha to manage a Gurukulam for students, being one among 9 he started. A beautiful statue of Venugopala is inside the Matha in the town.

ನಮ್ಮೂರು ಮುಳಬಾಗಿಲಿನ ಒಳಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಹೊರವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಲವಾರು ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಗಳಿವೆ; ಕೆಲವಕ್ಕೆ ನಿತ್ಯ ಪೂಜೆಯಿಲ್ಲದೆ ವಾರ ಪೂಜೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಪ್ರತಿ ಭಾನುವಾರ ಗುಡಿ ಸುತ್ತುವುದು ನಾವು ಕೆಲವರ ಕೆಲಸ. ನಮ್ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಸ್ಟರಿ ಓದುವುದು, ಬಿಎ ಮಾಡುವುದು ತೀರ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತರ ಸೋಮಾರಿಗಳ ರೀತಿ; ಸೈನ್ಸು ಓದುವರು ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತರು, ಬಹುಶಃ ಈಗಲು ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಇದೆ. ಇಂಜಿನೀಯರಿಂಗ್ ಓದಿದವರು ಪರಮ ಬುದ್ಧಿವಂತರು! ಮ್ಯಾಥ್ಸ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿಯೋರೇ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಹಾಗೆ!

ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ, ದೇವಾಲಯ ಸುತ್ತುವವರಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಎಂಜಿಕೆ ( ಅವರಿಲ್ಲ), ಕುರುಡುಮಲೆಯ ನರಸಿಂಹನ್ ( ಕಾಲೇಜು ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಉಪನಿರ್ದೇಷಕರಾಗಿ ಈಗ ನಿವೃತ್ತ, ಆದರೆ ಕಾರ್ಯ ನಿರತ) , ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ ರಾವ್, ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವರು ಇರುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ನಾವು ಪರಮ ಕುತೂಹಲಿಗಳಾಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋದಾಗ, ಬಾಗಿಲು ಮುಚ್ಚಿಯೋ, ಯಾರೋ ಒಬ್ಬ ವೃದ್ಧ ಬೀಡಿ ಸೇದುತ್ತಾ, ತೆಲುಗುನಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಕಥೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದ. ಶಾಸನಗಳು ಒಗೆಯುವ ಕಲ್ಲುಗಳಾಗಿ ಅದರ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಟ್ಟೆ ತೊಳೆಯುವ ಸಾಧನಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದವು. ಅಕ್ಷರ ತಿಳಿಯುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಾಸರಾಜ ಮಠವಿತ್ತು, ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಅತಿ ಸುಂದರ ವಿಗ್ರಹವಾಗಿ ಪೂಜೆಗೊಳ್ಲುತ್ತಿದ್ದ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ತುಳಸೀ ಕಟ್ತೆಯೋ ವ್ರುಂದಾವನವೋ ಇದ್ದು, ಅದರ ಮುಂದೆ ಕರವ ಮುಗಿದ ಮುಖ್ಯಪ್ರಾಣ ವಿಗ್ರಹ ಮುದ್ದಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಶ್ರೀ ವ್ಯಾಸತೀರ್ಥರು ಮುಳಬಾಗಿಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದರಾಜರ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಿರಬಹುದು. ಈಗ ಕಟ್ತಡ ಹಳೆಯದಾಗಿದ್ದರೂ, ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದುರಸ್ತಿಯಾಗಿ ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲನ ಸ್ಥಳ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಬದಲಾವಣೆಯಾಗಿದೆ; ಮುಂಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಪೀಠದ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಪ್ರಾಣನಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಸುಮಾರು 1550-80 ರ ಅವಧಿಯ ಈ ಸುಂದರ ವಿಗ್ರಹ ಸುಮಾರು ಜನರ ಕಣ್ನಿಗೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿಲ್ಲ. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಇದು ಮಠದ ಒಳಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ.

MADHVA SECTS - SHASTIKAS

 Madhvas in Karnataka are mainly comprised of Deshastha and Aruvattokkalu sects. While some Deshasthas spoke Marathi in those areas, others spoke onlly Kannada. Shasthtikas are 60 families of various Gotras migrated to Karnataka from Ahichatrapura, Punjab, during Pre-Vijayanagar period.

ಷಾಷ್ಟಿಕ ವಂಶ ಪ್ರದೀಪ ( Aruvattu Okkalu) of Dr Ranya Raja rao, published in 1981 says Madhva Gurus like Sri Akshobhya tirtha, Jayatirtha, Sripadaraja, Vyasaraja, Vijayindra, Vibudhendra- Raghavendra Tirtha  (Bigamudre - of keeping keys ) were  born in the celebrated families of Ministers of Jamakhandi Province, ruled by various rulers. 

The ancestors of Yatis, belonging to 27 Gotras were highly intelligent, wise, some warriors, finance advisors, Commandants of the Empire. Sri Akshobhya was paternal uncle of  Jayatirtha, Rajendra Tirtha,  Sripadaraja, Brahmanya Tirtha, Vyasatirtha were born in matrilineal line of the family. The 227 Page book is now relegated to the background.

Sri Jayatirtharu ( 1365- 1388)

 

Sri Sri Jayatirtharu represents  second generation of madhva successors. Anyone desirous of keeping thoughts of Madhvacharya intact, will have to be highly grateful to his second generation successor Sri Jayatirtha. He is the Master Commentator on 18 works of Acharya Madhva which are the only source now to us to understand clearly  the cryptic style of Madhvacharya, unlike other Acharyas. He is rightly honoured as Tikacharya, master commentator to Madhva's works ( Sarvamula) 

We have only some stories about the great Saint’s life. Though we have 3 biographies- Vijaya Granthas, two by Vyasatirtha, his disciple and another by Chalari Sankarshan Acharya have more fiction than facts. Even his place of birth is not properly recorded, Mangalvedhe, near Pandharpur or  as Vrishtiketha instead of Manyakheta! He is believed as son of a local ruler, and himself a horse rider. He is said to have got married at about 17 to two girls from a  rich familiy. We have to believe it as a story and move on! 

We might be wrong in identifying his mother tongue as Marati, as the area where he was born and taught had Kannada as native language since Marathi is of later origin to prevail upon as a spoken, administrative language there. 

Sri Jayatirtha is the celebrated author of 22 books, out of which 18 are available  commentaries on Madhva texts. Nyayasudha,  Vadavali and Padyamala are his independent works. He is a master logician, grammarian and presenter of Madhva thought of all times, honoured rightly as Teekacharya. He is remembered with utmost respect by Sri Vyasaraja as:

चित्रैः पदैस्च गंभीरैः वाक्यैः मानामखन्दितैः  

 गुरु भावं व्यञ्जयन्ती भाति श्री जयतीर्थवाक् |

( Nyayamritam)

श्रीमध्वः कल्पवृक्षस्तु जयार्याः कामधेनवः 

चिन्तामणिस्तु व्यासार्यः मुनित्रयमुदाहृतम्  

( श्रीमुष्ण माहात्म्यम्) 

Sri Jayatirtha is one among 3 stalwarts of Madhva school, as is said along with Sri Madhvacharya and Sri Vyasatirtha as Munitraya. in fact, he is the common Acharya Yati for most of Madhva Mathas as exist now. His Sriman Nyayasudha is a master manual of Madhva philosophy which stands unique even today as an inspiration to all seekers who look to understand Acharya Madhva. 

His Aradhana is observed in all Madhva centers on Ashadha Panchami, each year with fervour and reverence. Sri Jayatirtha's Brindavan is at Malakheda along with his Guru Sri Akshobhya Tirtharu. 

 

 

 

 

 

Unidentified Madhva Brindavans

 

There are 25 Madhva mathas, with the present head as 34 or 35th in line of succession. Madhvas have a tradition of daily Puja, Naivedyam and Aradhanas, to their Samsthana Pratimas and also  earlier Gurus who have entered Brindavanas.  In case of vrundavanas in field, temples, river banks, which are occassionally under water, it is difficult to maintain daily rituals.

Famous Brindavanas like those of Sri Sripadaraja,  Vadiraja, Sri Raghavendra, Sri Satyabodha, Sri Raghuttama, and 9 Brindavanas at Anegundi  attract devotees round the year, 

Brindavanas of famous saints like Vidyadhisha Tirtharu, and many Udupi pontiffs ach ( direct disciples of Sri Madhva)  are not available now.  There are at least 50-60 unidentified such monuments, earlier possibly pujas done by local teacher/ archak, scholars or retired person of our community. with changed circumstances, youngsters have shifted to cities, and Puja stopped, or once a week. 

Only respective Mathas have a list of Gurus, and are supposed to take care of them. Government will not fund such things, Particularly in TN, AP, TS, Karnataka villages, we cannot expect any support. Each place needs at least 20000/ month to manage such monuments. It is up to Mathas to take up such projects so that tradition is not ignored.

Sri Svaapna Vrindavanakhyanam

लक्ष्मीकान्तं भूवराहं भजेऽहं बादरायणम्

वादिराज ह्रुदंभोज मन्दिरं वाजिकन्धरम् ||

Sri Svaapna Vrindavanakhyanam, is a highly spiritual effective Paarayana Text, an esoteric work on Sri Sri Vadiraja Swamiji and his immediate Mahimas, revealed in a Dream-experience, in 22 chapters composed by himself, after his disappearance from public view to a mooka brahmana, later brought to light by Sri Vedavedya tirtha, a later pontiff of Sode Vadiraja Matha, Udupi-Sode. This edition is published by Sri Vadiraja Matha, during Paryaya of Sri Vishvottama Tirtharu, in 1997. The Book serves as Parayana Book for daily chanting by ardent devotees of Sri Vadiraja Gurusarvabhoumaru.

The contents of this book are astonishing to a new reader as it is a highly mystic & confidential information on future occurrences in Madhva Matha circles, like Srinivasacharya, Mudgala Narasimhacharya as ardent devotees of Sri Vadirajaru born again as Sri Satyadharma Tirtharu and Srinivasacharya as Jagannatha Dasaru. . All the chapters are a good reading for a believer and others too with the help of another trusted devotee of Vadirajaru. Logic never works in such esoteric texts.

Manimanjari - Not derogatory

 

वन्दे गोविन्दमानन्द ज्ञान देहं पतिं श्रियः |

श्रीमदानन्द तीर्थार्य वल्लभं परमक्षरं ||

MANI MANJARI of Narayana Panditacharya, is a Primer for Madhva students, giving a brief history of Dvaita School of thought, evolving from Bhagavata Vaishnava faith. The poem in 8 chapters with about 450 shlokas, gives a summary of concept of Creation of Universe, basic Tatvas, Prakriti, and nature of Jivas. It continues to narrate stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata leading to Bhagavata tradition with sages- Sanaka and others asV early Gurus, flowing down to teachers of Kaliyuga, Prajna Tirtha and disciples of Hamsa form of Vishnu. They are pious, meditating on banks of Ganga, later to Yamuna and Prayag, being troubled by followers of Advaita teachers in all inhuman ways, leading for them to hide out for spiritual practice. They were in fear of Advaita group, who invariably attack them, even killing a few among them, they moved to South, waiting for a crusader to be born as Madhva.

Before Madhva’s manifestation, the evils of followers of Shankara are narrated, as a passing reference. This is not an abusive text as believed by some. Some details of birth of Shankara at Kaladi find a place here only as per Shankara Vijayam of Anandagiri, and not Panditacharya’s creation.

The text in general is a beautiful example of a Primer in Madhva learning and Sanskrit language, giving Noun, Verbs and usage of this language to learn to understand Shastras. early Gurus, flowing down to teachers of Kaliyuga, Prajna Tirtha and disciples of Hamsa form of Vishnu. They are pious, meditating on banks of Ganga, later to Yamuna and Prayag, being troubled by followers of Advaita teachers in all inhuman ways, leading for them to hide out for spiritual practice. They were in fear of Advaita group, who invariably attack them, even killing a few among them, they moved to South, waiting for a crusader to be born as Madhva.

Before Madhva’s manifestation, the evils of followers of Shankara are narrated, as a passing reference. This is not an abusive text as believed by some. Some details of birth of Shankara at Kaladi find a place here only as per Shankara Vijayam of Anandagiri, and not Panditacharya’s creation.

The text in general is a beautiful example of a Primer in Madhva learning and Sanskrit language, giving Noun, Verbs and usage of this language to learn to understand Shastras.