Narahari Tirtha

The forerunner

Narahari Tirtha (1243-1333) was third in line after Madhwaachaarya after Padmanaabha Tirtha and Sripaadarajaru and Narahari Tirtharu are considered as the forerunners of the Hari Daasa movement. Although Narahari Tirtha is given this exalted position, only two of his songs are in public domain*. These songs composed in the thirteenth century, in the course of oral repetition and extrapolations, reflect the Kannada of the sixteenth century.

*Enthu marulaade, naa nenthu marulaade Hariye idu sariye

Narahari Tirtha used the pen name Raghukulatilaka (Raghupathi), in addition to an ankitha, Narahari.

The sage who became king

There are two versions about the early life of Naraharitirtha. His poorvashrama name was Swami Shastri (some say Shyama Shastri). One version states that he was born in present day Karnataka and travelled to Orissa later in life.

The Late Beluru Keshavadas in his book, Sri Karnataka Bhakta Vijaya, states that Swami Shastri was born in Kalinga, in 1243, was well versed in scriptures, statesmanship and swordsmanship, and was employed in the offices of Gajapathi, the king of Kalinga, in the thirteenth century. That he was a minister is supported by inscriptions found in the temples at Kurmam and Simhachalam, where he installed Narasimha and Praana Devaru idols, respectively. Present day Orissa.

When Madhwaachaarya on one of his sojourns to Badri, passed through Kalinga, Swami Shastri met him. The philosophy of Madhwa was novel to him. He engaged in a prolonged debate with Madhwaachaarya only to become his disciple at the end. And when the learned Swami Shastri accepted Madhwaachaarya as his guru and embraced Tattvavaada, the king followed suit. The new disciple Naraharitirtha wanted to accompany Madhwaachaarya on his onward journey but the Acharya asked him to stay put.

The king of Kalinga passed away when his wife was yet to give birth. This led to a fierce staking of claim to the throne by other members of the royal family. As was a common custom, the royal elephant with a garland in its trunk was entrusted the task of choosing the next king. The elephant ignored the royals and garlanded Naraharitirtha from among the spectators.

Thus, he assumed the throne and ruled as a regent till the prince came of age. During his reign he worked actively to spread Tattvavaada among the people of Orissa and Andhra.

As Madhwaacharya had expressed a desire to worship the idols of Moola Sita and Moola Raama, which were in the treasury of the Kalinga kingdom, Naraharitirtha asked for the idols when the queen and prince wanted to gift him something to show their gratitude.

Narahari Tirtha upon coming to Udupi in 1317 handed over the idols to Madhwaachaarya. Madhwaachaarya worshipped the idols for 80 days* and then handed over the idols and the reins of the matha to Padmanaabha Tirtha and set out to Badri once again. Padmanaabha Tirtha eventually handed over the reins to Narahari Tirtha.

*Till Madhwaachaarya’s disappearance day

Today, Narahari Tirtha’s brindavana stands alone in Chakratirtha, which is considered the holiest place of Hampi, in Karnataka.