Kanaka Daasa Part 1

Thimmappa

Kanaka Daasaru (1509-1606), was an amsha of Yama Dharmaraaya. He was born in Shiggaon in the Haveri district of Karnataka. His boyhood name was Thimmappa. He was born into the community of sheep herders called “kuruba” but his occupation, like his father, was that of a tax collector to the Vijayanagara emperor; a chieftain and the emperor’s vassal. Well trained in arms, blessed with physical strength, Thimappa fought off small rebellions on behalf of the emperor.

Having stumbled upon a hidden treasure of gold (kanaka) coins, he came to be called “Kanaka”. With his new found wealth, Kanaka built a temple of Adi Keshava at his birthplace and also at Kaaginele. These two temples are said to have matched the Tirumala temple of Venkateshwara with Kanaka personally responsible for their pomp and popularity. He began composing poetry in praise of Keshava, but he was just as, if not more, interested in ruling, waging wars and hunting in the wild.

Many a time, God appeared in his dreams and asked him to become his daasa, but Kanaka refused each time. He did not see much point in giving up his current way of life.

Why did the Supreme Lord have to repeatedly request someone to become his daasa? Perhaps to provide us all a peek into interesting facets of the relationship between the Divine and the Devotee!

Battle weary Kanaka’s bargain

Kanaka, was still young, when he lost his wife. He gave up hunting for pleasure soon after. When his parents too passed away, he was deeply saddened but refused to become a daasa when the Lord appeared again with the request. He told the Lord that, to rule was his calling, not to live a life accepting alms. If he could no longer rule, he would rather herd sheep than live a life of subservience.

All alone in the world, when Kanaka was lying weary and wounded on the battlefield in one of the battles he fought on behalf of Krishnadevaraaya, Keshava appeared before him yet again and asked him whether he would consider becoming a daasa at least then. Kanaka bargained with the Lord and said if his wounds were healed magically and his pain went away, he might consider!

The Lord blessed him and miraculously, he became free from both the pain and the wounds.

Then Kanaka bargained further and asked the Lord if he would appear before him whenever he wished, if he became a daasa? When the Lord said ‘Yes’, Kanaka requested him to reveal his true form. The glorious sight of a resplendent God with four arms with shankha, chakra, gadaa, padma transformed Kanaka. In that instant, he truly became a Haridaasa. He informed his subjects that he was no longer in charge of their affairs and set off in search of a guru.

Kuruba gets a mantra

Kanaka sought out Vyaasa Tirtha for “deekshe” or initiation into disciplehood. Vyaasa Tirtha was at that time in the middle of getting a canal constructed for irrigation in Madanapalli. The presence of large boulders was posing an obstacle to the construction work. Precisely, when Vyaasa Tirtha was pondering about the method of removal of the boulders, Kanaka presented himself. When he told Vyaasa Tirtha that he was Kanaka, a kuruba, and he wanted “mantra deekshe” Vyaasarayaru, smilingly said, “kurubanige yenu mantra? Kona mantra!” (the mantra of “kona” (large buffalo/ Yama’s vehicle) is apt for a kuruba).

Kanaka took this literally and began to meditate on the mantra with great concentration. Within no time, a gigantic buffalo stood in front of them. Vyaasa Tirtha directed Kanaka to request the buffalo to smash the boulders, and thus the construction of the canal resumed.

Impressed with Kanaka, Vyaasa Tirtha whole heartedly accepted him as his disciple and initiated him.

Kanaka came to be known as Kanaka Daasa.