Madhwa Vijaya - 10
Sarga 5 Part 2
Once when Madhyageha Bhattaru came to see the Achaarya, he was spell bound by the magnificence of his son, and soaked in his wonderful form with his eyes and drank the nectar of sweet words with his ears.
The Jagadguru (Poornabodha) often indulged in play fighting with his guru, like a tigress plays with her cubs. During one such squabble, the guru told Poornapragnya, rather sternly, “If you know the Sutras (Bramhasutras) so well, compose a commentary (bhaashya) on it.”
Achaarya Madhwa, accepted the guru’s command without taking notice of his tone of voice, just as a swan separates milk from water.
One person belonging to the Pejathayya clan, well versed in scriptures, confident, detached and eloquent, had a question for Poornapragnya.
“How does it matter if the Bhaashyas in existence are inaccurate and false? Let them be. Please teach us the true meaning of the Sutras, which we will be too happy to learn.”
These sincere words cast their warm light in all directions, like a beautiful full moon in autumn, just as the auspicious speech of Madhwaacharya reflected like glowing moonlight.
When Poornapragnya set out southward with Achyuthapragnya, on a quest to challenge and defeat scholars, en route he prostrated to Cheluva Naarayana at Vishnumangala.
When they partook lunch, the host, placed heaps of bananas in front of Madhwaacharya. Perceiving the intention of the host, Acharya Madhwa consumed the innumerable bananas with ease and showed no sign of discomfort. The wonder-struck Achyuthapragnya, asked him surreptitiously…
“How is it that even after consuming more than 200 bananas, your slim waist looks no different? Please tell me the truth…”
The Achaarya, whose heart was forever filled with devotion, said, “There is a divine fire within my body, about the size of one’s thumb, which digests everything I eat. This fire is powerful enough to consume the whole world, yet it is soothing for me.”
The clear headed Achaarya walked ahead, (literally and figuratively) on his just, chosen path, crossing rivers (of opposing philosophies), traversing various territories (of counter logic, erroneous premises).
When the Achaarya came across the river Payaswini, the jewel of Kerala; the river which was capable of felling full grown trees when in spate, washing away the mire of the mind, accepting the worship of the devout; Achaarya paid obeisance to Payaswini while thinking of the tempest to come.
He proceeded to Tiruvananthapuram where he beheld the lord supine on the serpent (Anantha) with a lotus emerging from his navel (Padma-naabha).
He gave discourses to his students emphasising the greatness and supremacy of the Para-bramha, whom he called Achyutha.
A detractor from Kudupusthooru, Sankara reincarnated, rose from among the gathering and declared that it was highly improper that one who had not written a commentary was explaining the Sutras.
Achaarya Madhwa, the guru of the three worlds, laughingly said, “Counter my point if you can, the commentary can be written any time. And once it is commenced no force can stall it!”
When the people gathered marvelled at the auspicious* physique of the Achaarya, the detractor’s underlings in pettiness, praised the generous waistline of their leader.
*with the prescribed 32 features/lakshana
Poornapragnya, based on Saamudrika Shaastra*, pointed out the pernicious effect of portliness, the infuriated detractor, despite possessing no power to do so, swore to break the staff** of Madhwaachaarya, for it is the nature of the impotent to make extraordinary claims.
*A branch of knowledge dealing with physical and aural features danda
Ananda Tirtha continued on his journey, bathing in holy rivers along the way, and the ocean at Kanyakumari, prostrating to the lord in the form of Raama, after a dip at Dhanushkoti.
At Dhanushkoti, he came across the man who had sworn to break his staff. Laughingly, the Achaarya waved his staff at him and said, “O hasty and impudent one, you have not been able to break this staff, but surely you have broken your oath!”
Shame-facedly, the rebuked man in the garb of an ascetic, beseeched people around to lend him support, but they admonished him saying, “Who can bear malice and tarnish this eminent scholar with a countenance that sets aglow the entire world?”
At various gatherings, the Achaarya continued to win every argument irrespective of the field of knowledge or the level of expertise of the opponents.
He stayed put at Raameshwaram, along with his preceptor, for the Chaaturmasya* period; impervious to the distasteful activities of the losers, like the lion in his den remains heedless of the barking of strays.
*Sanyaasis, owing to their attribute of non-possession, are expected to be constantly on-the-go and not settle comfortably in one place. However, during four months of every year from Aashada to Karthika, they remain in one place.
Then Poornapragnya reached Srirangam, and prayed to the Hari sleeping on a serpent, enjoying the cool breeze of Cauvery, doling boons to the devout.
Travelling northward, he continued his journey dotted with stops at various temples dedicated to Naarayana in different forms, displaying flashes of his super-human brilliance along the way.
Wonder-struck people watched this physical and intellectual powerhouse stride forward till he finally reached the temple on the banks of the river Payaswini.
Many renowned scholars and those well-versed in the Vedas assembled there, eager to learn and gain knowledge from the one who was beyond compare and was famed in the three worlds.
People hurried to feast their eyes on the smiling moon-faced, lotus-eyed, golden hued, unadorned yet a shining jewel, articulate Achaarya.
And Ananda Tirtha did not disappoint them… with his knowledge like the blaze of the sun dispelling twinkling stars of inconsequential learnings, his concise points shredding his opponents’ improperly based audacious arguments, like the lion tearing apart the maddened elephant, his beautiful form gladdening the thirsty eyes of people, like the sun who makes the lotuses bloom.
End of Sarga 5