Vijaya Daasa Part 1

The Rishi who kicked Vishnu

Bhrigu Rishi is one of the Sapta Rishis. Sapta Rishis are a group of seven sages, who are Bramha’s “maanasa putras” (sons born of the mind). There’s a popular story that Bhrigu wanted to test the divine trinity, Bramha, Vishnu and Shiva. Unhappy with Bramha’s reception towards him, he cursed Bramha that he would not be worshipped on Earth. Disgusted by Shiva’s preoccupation with Parvathi, he cursed Shiva that he would be worshipped only as the Linga (the phallic symbol). The last stop at Vaikunta was no better. Infuriated at Vishnu’s state of rest on Adishesha, he went up to him and kicked him on the chest.

Bhrigu is said to have had an eye under the sole of his foot. Vishnu, seemingly in a display of concern, asked Bhrigu whether his foot hurt (due to the kicking) and caressed the foot while removing the eye and crushing it. This third eye under the foot was representative of Bhrigu’s ego and ignorance. Once it was destroyed, Bhrigu realised what he had done and begged for Vishnu’s forgiveness which was immediately granted.

But this offence of Bhrigu did not go well with Mahalakshmi. Upset with both the one who kicked and the one who readily forgave, she is said to have left Vaikunta. Lakshmi had two reasons to be hurt. First, her husband was humiliated, second, Vishnu’s chest is the dwelling place of Lakshmi, which meant she was also kicked in the process.

Koosi maga daasa

Like Raghavendra Tirtha before him, Vijaya Daasa (1682-1755) was poverty personified in his poorvashrama. That, Vijaya Daasa was an amsha of Bhrigu Rishi makes it clear as to why fortune did not favour him.

Dasappa was born in Cheekalaparvi, in the district of Raichur in Karnataka. Not able to afford a proper meal, education was out of the question. Confusing poverty with incapability, people of the village disparagingly referred to him as “Koosi maga daasa” (Koosi’s son daasa, his mother’s name being Koosamma).

Pangs of hunger directed Dasappa to a wedding lunch being hosted by the Tahlsidaar of Adoni. As he sat among the rows of people, he was singled out to grind sandal paste for all the invitees. The Tahlsidaar asked him who he was. When he replied, “Dasappa”, he was met with the humiliating refrain, “Oh, Koosi maga daasa”? The day passed, he was forgotten; and at nightfall, he left the place, disillusioned and hungry. He walked with no purpose and his steps led him to a place called Chchaagi.

At daybreak, a desolate Dasappa met Keshavaraaya who was on the lookout for a person to feed, in order to complete his worship. Chancing upon Dasappa, he happily fed him a hot, sumptuous meal of “huggi” (rice and green gram dal). Dasappa wolfed down the meal. Armed with food in his stomach and a generous “dakshine” (money given to guests at meals) of a rupee, he wandered away from home, without informing anybody. He spent his time travelling to well- known holy places in the North of India. Four years later, he returned to his parents. He was around twenty years of age at that time. His parents got him married to one Aralamma. Years passed and Dasappa’s parents passed away. He undertook a journey to Gaya and Kashi, yet again, this time to perform the rites of his deceased parents. He continued to stay in Kashi seeking holy company and contemplating on God.

“Vijaya”

One night, as Dasappa slept, he had a divine dream. Naarayana, in the guise of Purandara Daasa, awakened him and proclaimed that he was henceforth a Hari Daasa! And wrote the word “Vijaya” on his tongue. Dasappa awoke as Vijaya Daasa. From that moment, his every word was music, his every sentence reflected profound philosophy! And even as he sat silently meditating upon the banks of Ganga, people thronged him and showered him with gifts.

Koosi maga Daasa had metamorphosed into Vijaya Daasaru!