Madhwa Vijaya - 6

Sarga 3 Part 2

As he came of age, and keeping in consideration his displays of academic brilliance, Bhattaru decided to conduct his upanayana or thread ceremony.

Checking the alignment of favourable stars and deciding on an auspicious day, Bhattaru performed the ceremony among a congregation of family, well-wishers and eminent scholars.

The various goddesses desirous of giving a performance in the form of veda-mantras, on the stage that was the face of Vaasudeva, rejoiced at the event from the skies, along with their consorts.

Adhering to all rules of the ceremony, the learned Bhattaru performed the auspicious task, lighting the sacred fire and looking at the robust young boy with his head shaven (except for a tuft) as per the custom.

“Perform the tradition of worshipping the fire, be respectful to scholars and elders, and learn the scriptures well”, were the instructions imparted by the father to the father of the three worlds! The Devas who were witnessing this from the heavens, let out a chortle.

Looking at his astute, alert son who seemed to have more knowledge at that tender age than Sanath Kumara himself, the father glowed with happiness.

The sight of Vaasudeva, at times donning only a loin-cloth and walking barefoot like a mendicant, was a sharp contrast to the glorious moola-roopa (of Mukhyapraana), and greatly amused the Devas.

Once an asura, tired of spewing poison wandering in the form of a cobra and scaring people, decided to seek out Vaasudeva and kill him.

When the asura, in the form of a snake, spread his hood and tried to bite the one with a body that could not be hurt, the hunter became the hunted, as Vaasudeva pressed the rose coloured tip of his toe, and the snake writhed in agony.

The asura, trapped under the foot of Bhattaru’s son, as if caught in the vice-like grip of the beak of Garuda, died. The Devas were pleased with this valourous act befitting him, and showered praises on him.

The Devas such as Shiva, Brihaspathi and Indra adorn their heads with the dust of his feet, yet the precocious boy, innocently began to learn lessons from his guru.

The one whose mind is forever absorbed in the supreme being and holds all knowledge and arts as a shining ball in one’s palm, chose to walk among men and undergo regular education.

Whenever he could find time between his lessons, away from the teacher’s gaze, he would play with fellow students who were older and younger than him.

It was no surprise that he was the first in every race, for was he not Pavamaana, the one faster than even thought?

And his competence at long jump was not something new, for did he not leap over the very ocean as Hanumantha, surpassing the capabilities of the likes of Angada?

When his friends who lost to him in swimming races, splashed water on his face, his face speckled with water drops shone through brilliantly.

Defeating his opponents in a wrestling match when they faced him one after the other was nothing great, for he could smilingly and nonchalantly defeat the entire group in one go.

Effortlessly would Vaasudeva hold others in his grip, yet he would smoothly slide from their grip, he could lift any weight with ease. These displays of strength prompted people to declare that, “Verily he is Bheema!”

His teacher Totanthillayaru was displeased with Vaasudeva’s apparent ‘disinterest’ in studies, his inclination toward sport, and his tendency to run home frequently and return at leisure.

When he thought Vaasudeva was not paying attention in class, he rebuked him and called him distracted and lazy.

Vaasudeva replied that he did not like to learn lines and words by rote. The teacher challenged him to recite any passage from lessons not yet taught.

Then Vaasudeva recited with such clear diction that not only his teacher but even the Devas were spell-bound.

In a lonely part of the jungle, Vaasudeva cured his friend’s life- long affliction of headache by blowing air into his ear.

It took him one hearing of the Naarayanopanishat to master it. But this is no miracle if we consider the fact that he could master hymns that he had not even heard.

Vaasudeva under the pretext of learning the Aithreya Upanishad, shed unique light on its explanation, to his guru, thus ensuring that he sowed the seed of Hari-bhakthi, essential for moksha. This was his guru-kaanike, or fee to the guru.

The Devas hailed him saying, “Destroy the wicked. Make clear the attributes of Hari that are now masked and delight his believers!” Vaasudeva sought the permission of the lord to set into motion the next phase of action.

End of Sarga 3