Madhwa Vijaya - 13

Sarga 6 Part 3

The place, situated at the head of Bharatha-varsha like its crown, is the abode of the Parama-purusha Naarayana*. Poornapragnya fell at his feet and presented his commentary on the Geetha as an offering (kaanike).

*idol

When Poornapragnya, away from others, read out the commentary for the lord alone, he concluded by saying, “This commentary is what I am capable of!”*

*yatha-shakthi

The pleased Naarayana, suggested one modification… to replace “shakthi”* with “leshathaha”**, for the subtlest of subtle meanings of the Geetha were known to Vayu devaru, but he had chosen to reveal only what could be understood by mortals.

*capacity

**a part/chosen to reveal

When the Achaarya recited the commentary, the disciples who were asleep were awakened by appreciative thumping of the ground and the exclamation, “Let the recitation go on!”

Understanding the sentiment expressed by Naarayana himself, Madhwaachaarya began his recitation once more for the fully awakened disciples, now sitting up.

The freezing waters of the Ganga, which people hesitated to even touch, could not affect Pavamaana, who at the break of dawn, unmindful of the cold, took a dip in, every day.

Wishing to further please the ever-pleased Hari, the pure-hearted Achaarya stayed at ‘Anantha-mata’, observing complete silence and absolute fasting, fixed his contemplation on Naarayana.

As Madhwa completed 48 days* of intense penance, Vedavyaasa appeared before him and inspired him to visit Uttara-Badri. The appearance of Vedavyaasa was witnessed by Madhwa’s disciples as a blinding, brilliant light.

*48 days = 1 Mandala, a period specified in ancient Indian philosophy for an effort to bear fruit

Vedavyaasa returned to his hermitage that very evening, while Madhwa readied to leave the next morning. As he was still observing silence, he wrote out a note for his disciples to quell their anxiety at his disappearance.

“There is no place equal to this (Badri) to wash away one’s sins, there are no waters holier than this (Ganga), there are no words more soothing than these, there is no God greater than Vishnu.”

“This person (Achaarya) is immediately setting out to see the lord in the form of Vyaasa, he does not know whether or not he will return, wishing you well!” Having written this note, Madhwa left for Uttara-Badri.

“Master, master, O venerable teacher, please do not forsake us!” were the thoughts in each disciple’s mind, unspoken, for they feared that voicing their appeal might be construed as a hindrance to Madhwa’s wishes and his quest.

One among the disciples, Satyatirtha who had had the fortune of listening thrice to the exquisite exposition of Rig-Veda by the Achaarya, was unable to bear the separation from his master.

He hurried to join Madhwa, following him on the arduous route, exerting himself. As the setting sun turned red, Satyatirtha was exhausted, but Madhwa was treading effortlessly on the path paved with gaping boulders.

When the Achaarya glanced back, he saw a distraught Satyatirtha struggling to follow him. With a mere wave of his hand, signalling Satyatirtha to return to Badri, the Achaarya miraculously enabled his disciple to be back amongst the other disciples in the blink of an eye.

The disciples gathered around Satyatirtha and heard the account of Achaarya’s superhuman steps across the boulders, and they were lost in a reverie.

The Achaarya, whose very name was enough to burn one’s sins, strode across the snow-clad peaks, reminded one of the speed of Anjaneya and the valour of Bheemasena.

Marching forward like an untamed bull, with large eyes that had never known fear, he came across the snow covered lands, home to various species of insects, birds and reptiles.

With lakes of lotuses in full bloom (the Himalayas), clasped by the lotus-hands of the smiling Ramaa (Naarayana)*, with carpets of flowers spread like a soft mattress for the enjoyment of celestial beings like the Gandharvas, providing comfort to the devout while lying on the soft mattress of Shesha’s coils, with trees bearing flowers that gladdened, being present in the gladdened hearts of celestials, towering range, lofty being, with rocks shining like a blue-jewel, with a blue- body, the colour of sapphire, the destination of ascetics aiming for spiritual heights, the one who raises the devout who seek refuge at his feet, with golden peaks that light up the sky at dawn/dusk, the one draped in resplendent yellow silken garment, land that gleams like pearls, a form adorned with glittering jewels and beads, glistening like gold, resplendent with golden ornaments, with rows and rows of trees in the forested landscape, strings of ever-fresh flowers and leaves as garlands, These were the attributes of the Himalayas, soaking in which, the joyful Ananda Tirtha focussed on the beautiful form of Mukunda.

*In each line, the first sentence describes the Himalayas, as seen by Madhwaachaarya, and the second sentence describes the attributes of Naarayana.

End of Sarga 6