Mahipathi Daasa Part 1
The hidden gem
“Jagadgurum kripasindhum sharaanagatha vatsalam bhakthamaanasa sanchaaram Mahipathim Gurum Bhaje” is a prayer to Mahipathi Daasaru (like Poojyaaya Raghavendraya… is to Raayaru).
Mahipathi Daasa (1611-1681) is one of the lesser known Hari Daasas but that in no way takes away the eminence of the person. Bannanje Govindacharya has accorded Mahipathi Daasa’s compositions the same status as Purandara Daasa’s, with regard to their (the Daasas’) direct perception of God (Bhagawat Saakshatkaara).
Mahipathi Rayaru (Rao) was the younger son of Koneri Rayaru. He lived in the Sultanate of Bijapur in the 17th century which was then under the rule of Mohammed Adil Shah. This period was also known for the presence of Sufi saints, Sufi poets/scholars, and Sufi warriors in Bijapur.
When a young Mahipathi’s horoscope was given to Prahlada Krishnacharya, the family priest, for setting a date for his thread ceremony, the priest was amazed at what the future held in store for the boy. The horoscope indicated contradicting fortunes, one predicting a high official position with accompanying name and fame, and another predicting attainment of lofty spirituality.
Please listen to Mahipathi Daasaru’s cheerful composition in Karnataka folk style: Dashaavatara kolu kollanna kole (0.00 to 09.42)
Pravachana in the Sultan’s Durbar
Mahipathi Rayaru, a learned young man with a sonorous voice, attracted very large crowds with his discourses at a Narasimha temple. When a nobleman, Khwaaja Khan, saw this sight as he was passing by, he was intrigued. He asked Mahipathi Rayaru if he would explain the puranas to him as well. Mahipathi Rayaru readily agreed. All arrangements for worship according to Hindu tradition were made in the Sultan’s durbar and Mahipathi Rayaru was accorded utmost respect. Being a polyglot*, he began the discourse in Farsi, to the delight of the Muslim audience. What began as a mere curiosity soon became a matter of deep interest and the extended pravachanas covered Bhagawatha, Ramayana and Mahabharatha.
*Mahipathi Rayaru knew Marathi, Telugu, Urdu and Farsi (Persian), in addition to Kannada and Sanskrit.
The Royal Treasurer
So attached did the Sultan become to Mahipathi Rayaru that he appointed him the royal treasurer. Eventually he became the Diwan. With it came great responsibility and greater respect. The increase in income and stature did not affect Mahipathi Rayaru’s lifestyle. He, along with his wife Tirumalakka, continued to lead a spartan life and gave away whatever was excess. The Sultan had initiated the construction of a reservoir (Begum Taalab) to provide drinking water to his subjects. When Mahipathi Rayaru was on the way to oversee the Begum Taalab project, he had his first encounter with Shah Nanga and Shah Nangi, the unclothed brother sister Sufi duo.
Diwan to Daasa
The siblings were revered but also feared, for people believed that whatever they uttered came true. Though they were sometimes seen by people, their whereabouts were otherwise unknown. When Shah Nanga said to Mahipathi Rayaru, “Beta idhar aao” (Child, come here), he had no choice but to obey. Eyeing the royal signet ring in the Diwan’s hand, Shah Nanga asked for it. As soon as Mahipathi Rayaru handed over the ring, he flung it into Begum Talaab. Mahipathi Rayaru was aghast. Not only was the signet ring a symbol of identity that enabled him to carry out official duties but it was also a symbol of respect towards the Sultan.
He stood there wondering if he could ask someone to dive into the water to retrieve the ring. Helpless, he requested Shah Nanga himself, for the ring. Upon his sign, Shah Nangi dove into the water and emerged with fistful of identical signet rings. Mahipathi Rayaru was unable to identify his ring. Shah Nanga plucked out one ring from the lot and handed it over to the Diwan but not before exclaiming aloud, “Maut ka Ghaan(sic)”*.
*stench of death
Mahipathi Rayaru could not stop brooding over the ominous remark. He finally sought out Shah Nanga and asked him for the meaning of his exclamation. Shah Nanga said, “You are destined for great spiritual saadhana. Give up your professional commitments and seek a guru befitting your brahminical status. Seek the guidance of Bhaskaraswamy.” Bhaskaraswamy was an expert in Chakra meditation and Yoga. He lived a few miles away from the city of Bijapur.
When he requested the Sultan to relieve him of his administrative duties in order to pursue spiritual knowledge, the Sultan refused to do so and told Mahipathi Rayaru that he could pursue both simultaneously. Mahipathi Rayaru was in a dilemma. Unexpectedly, one of the Sultan’s wives wanted the position for her brother and Mahipathi Rayaru was thus freed from the Sultan’s pressure.
He gave away all his wealth and along with his wife, went to Bhaskaraswamy who blessed the couple with two sons and bestowed all that was to learn from him to Mahipathi Rayaru. Mahipathi Rayaru, it is said, mastered in eleven months what took others twelve years to learn. It was during this period that Mahipathi Rayaru came to be known as Mahipathi Daasaru.