Madhwa Vijaya - 8
Sarga 4 Part 2
“I have read the scriptures and I may give you permission to become a sanyaasi. But your mother cannot live without you,” said Bhattaru, to which Vaasudeva prostrated to him and said, “Atleast you give me permission.”
Not able to refute this, Bhattaru said, “I will have no objection if your mother gives you permission”. And he related the entire incident to his wife upon coming home.
In due course of time, a boy was born to Bhattaru and his wife. This baby was as dear a brother to Vaasudeva as Lakshmana was to Raama and as Arjuna was to Bheema.
Vaasudeva who possessed knowledge that was indestructible even during the cosmic deluge, pointed to the child and sought permission, but his mother as decided earlier by her husband and her, refused to grant it.
“Mother, if you wish to see me again in this lifetime, grant me permission to become a sanyaasi. Otherwise I will leave this place forever and will never ever appear in front of you…” said Vaasudeva.
Interpreting his words to mean that Vaasudeva was thinking of ending his life, the mother granted him permission against her will.
With this, Vaasudeva, himself the guru of the three worlds, went in search of a guru. The one who the Devas vie to please, now strove to please his guru. He who was not bound by the four ashramas, made a display of formally entering sanyaasaashrama.
He went through all the prescribed procedures to becoming a sanyaasi, seeking to further please Hari who was forever pleased with him.
This monk who would be Bramha in the next cycle of creation, thus meditated on the all-powerful syllables, a – u – ma, the Pranava mantra.
Known as Dashapramathi*, his preceptor gave him the name “Poornapragnya” as a tribute to his knowledge and proficiency.
*Dasha=complete, pramathi = knowledge, Dashapramathi = Poornapragnya=Poornabodha
His body was unperfumed, his lips were uncoloured, he was unadorned by ornaments, yet as he stood with his staff blazing with spiritual brilliance, people were awe-struck by his beauty.
To the one whom Shesha-Rudra-Garuda too had to wait for their turn to pay obeisance, now paid obeisance to the worldly guru. Such was the show put up by the celestials.
Achyuthapreksha began to teach his disciple the special procedures of the aashrama, but soon realised that the student was in no need of teaching and he was the one in need of learning from this student.
When Poornapragnya prostrated in front of the idol of Hari in Udupi, God choosing a medium, lifted up the prostrate monk firmly, lovingly by his shoulders.
Then the medium addressed Achyuthapragnya and said, “You have served me long and well. The fruit of which will help you in seeking the truth, I entrust Poornapragnya to you”.
Achyuthapreksha accepting this with grace, was filled with gratitude. Though he was a sanyaasi, and had renounced all personal relations, he now sought the company of Poornapragnya. The company of righteous people is the only ornament that suits a recluse.
When Poornapragnya requested him again and again for permission to travel to take a dip in the holy Ganga, Achyuthapreksha was troubled by the thought of being separated from Poornapragnya and prayed to God for help.
The ever-compassionate lord, spoke through a medium, “In three days’ time, Ganga herself will come to you. You need not go anywhere.”
As predicted, the waters of Ganga sprung forth in the pond, where Poornapragnya along with others reverentially took a holy dip. As a tribute, Ganga springs forth once every twelve years in the Madhwa Sarovara.
A mere forty days into ascetism, Poornapragnya defeated the decorated scholar and debater, Vaasudeva Panditha and had a written note proclaiming his victory.
In a bid to ‘educate’ Poornapragnya further, Achyuthapreksha embarked on commentaries on works like Ishtasiddhi, which were full of shallow views and fallacious arguments, which Poornapragnya had to listen to, much against his wishes.
Even as the first para was read, Poornapragnya pointed out 32 flaws in it. When the teacher tried to justify by saying explanations were to be found later, Poornapragnya requested them to be revealed right away.
Achyuthapragnya was upset and thundered, “I do not have the capability to teach you!” This declaration sowed seeds of doubt regarding the principles of advaitha, since, a great scholar had expressed his ineptitude, albeit in anger.
The people who had gathered there declared that those seeking salvation should be schooled by learned scholars and knowledgeable monks. Bowing to their wishes, Poornapragnya began to speak about Maayavaada.
People who had heard the scriptures multiple times, yet vied to learn from Poornapragnya’s flawless flow of thought presented in perfect, precise discourse.
When a few disciples were confused by the variations in the text of the Bhagwatha, Poornapragnya authoritatively spoke of the one authentic version.
Achyuthapragnya challenged Poornapragnya by saying each of the other versions also made sense, and asked him how he claimed that only one was authentic. Poornapragnya answered quietly, “This is the one composed by Vyaasa”. Achyuthapragnya flung a googly at Poornapragnya, saying, “If you are so conversant with the version of Vyaasa, recite the verses from the fifth chapter”. Poornapragnya began reciting as if he were Vyaasa himself!
Upon the teacher’s command, the students began to compare the recitation with the matter in their books. It matched perfectly only one of the books which was the authentic version.
Achyuthapragnya asked his enigmatic pupil, “O victorious one. How are you aware of matters that you have not laid eyes upon in this life?” Poornapragnya answered, “I have gained knowledge in my previous births.”
Thus the novel exploits of Poornapragnya baffled people, even as his fame spread far and wide, like the sun dispelling heavy darkness and bringing joy to the noble ones and causing them to bloom.
End of Sarga 4