Madhwa Vijaya - 24

Sarga 12 Part 1

The scholars (like elephants in rut) who stood in opposition to Madhwaachaarya’s philosophy, had to lose their swagger (like elephants cowering when accosted by the lion), when overwhelmed by the roar that resonated from Udupi. Achaarya’s lion-like bearing sent the Maayavaadis scampering like a pack of wolves.

These Maayavaadis joined hands with two monks by name Padmatirtha and Pundareekapuri*, like the hundreds of foolish allies joined forces with the wicked sons of Dhritarashtra.

*These two monks had numerous followers, they were the successors of monks who had held the title “Gnyaani-shresta”

A garrulous ascetic, who equalled Shakuni in his deceitful nature, poisoned the mind of Padmatirtha further, and stoked the flames of derision.

“The stance of our Achaarya (Shankara) is ancient and indisputable. It has been in existence for aeons. Although this world appears to have distinctions and appears real, it is in reality without distinctions and unreal. This argument could not have been sustained without the strong principle propagated by Shankara.

Everything that appears real is only real to the ignorant. When one begins to understand Maayavaada, one understands that the non-reality of the world is like a piece of cloth set afire no longer exists as a cloth but the ashes remain in the shape of the cloth (till it is disturbed). When the understanding is complete, the false beliefs (that the world is real) disappears like water sprinkled on a hot piece of iron.

Eminent scholars like yourself (successors of Gnyaani-shresta), who have experienced the concept of Nirguna Bramhan (formless God, not distinct from jeevas), heed my plea. Rise to the rescue of Maayavaada which is tottering right before our eyes.

We cannot take lightly the flaming tongue of Tattvavaada that has stretched itself out to consume those lost in the woods (Bhatta Mimamsakas), floundering groups of travellers (Mahaayaana Buddhists), where the rays of the sun cannot penetrate and illuminate their paths (Prabhakara Mimamsakas).

Oh how unfortunate are we that the respected Padmatirtha who had taken an oath that he would not allow Poornapragnya to proceed from one place to another, has failed to carry out his oath. How are we to oppose him, when he has irrefutable answers to every question, when he has flawless interpretation of every aspect of philosophy, when he makes the scholars hang their heads in defeat, when he specially targets us (Maayavaadis)?

I was pained to hear the tales of travellers of how Poornapragnya deconstructs our ancient philosophy described in one and a quarter lakh grantha* with merely a single word**. Hence, I have come to you…

*here grantha refers 32 letters, and not books, composed by Shankara. This maybe the exaggeration of a devotee to prove that their guru’s works exceeded the word count of the Mahabhaaratha.

**briefly explained as “maaya” which causes the jeeva to become deluded that the world is real, but if jeeva and brahman are the same entity, does the brahman also suffer from the delusion of maaya/ agnyaana?/ The total number of words in Sarvamoola grantha is 40,000 words.

Those who have seen him are filled with awe. They ask whether he is Vedavyaasa himself? Or if he is the Vedas in a human form! These words cut the roots of Maayavaada like a sharp sword.

‘His bhaashya is lucid and is filled with firm arguments’, these are the words of many of our own people, who are out to sabotage our beliefs.

It is upto you to prevent him from casting a net (a network of followers) in the waters (among common people), to gather sea-shells (the mark of Shankha-Chakra, indicative of the Vaishnava path) and to capture the bounty of the sea (the allegiance of people).

They are flooding the minds of people (like torrential rains filling up lakes) with inferior (gauna) concept of god being a gunavantha (as opposed to nirguna) with their inferior logic (gouna tarka) backed by inferior reasoning (gouna vakya). Oh sanyaasis like us have been rendered inaudible (like the calls of the cranes cannot be heard over the noise of the rain).

When our shaastra is already ebbing, this onslaught is all-engulfing, like the waters of pralaya, inundating the earth... no more description of it!”

Amongst those who heard these criticisms, was one especially evil-minded monk, who playing to the gallery, spoke in a loud voice…

“Shame on the infirm minds of people, which seem to be melting at the mere mention of fire…even butter seems more firm than these minds, for it melts only when in close proximity to fire.

The principles of Shankara, like Shukra-neethi*, have been lauded and can even be said to have put Brihaspathi** to shame. Then why this discomfiture by the opposition of a few people?

*moral code written by Shukrachaarya, celestial preceptor of Asuras and son of Bhrigu

**celestial preceptor of the Devas

If there is no scholar capable of upholding Advaita in the face of ‘gouna’ logic, do we not have people* capable of using the six measures** to make us invincible?

*Padmatirtha who was a devotee of Bhairavi, the embodiment of terrifying power, had mastered the Bhairavi yantra.

**Vaamachaara (left-handed path), is one of the tantric practices, which consist of unusual rituals, use of spells and incantations.

The six measures are: Paalane, Vasheekarana, Sthambana, Vidweshana, Uchchaatana, Maarana (compliance, ensnaring, stupefying, feuding, expulsion, extermination)

Even now, there is scope for redemption. Some of us must visit the places where Madhwa is to visit and cast aspersions about him, and his followers. They must say, “There’s a newbie trying to vilify the shaastra in existence and acceptance for ages”.

The description of the supreme is beyond our comprehension, he says! Oh, we must destroy this person with our Maaya (deceit). If mere words cannot defame him, we must resort to public humiliation and even, stealing and burning his works”.

If not for such malicious talk how or why would they have qualified to be drowned in eternal hell (andhataamas)?

Hatching a plan to overthrow Madhwa, Pundarikapuri filled with hate for Vishnu though in the garb of an ascetic, was chosen to debate against Madhwa in Udupi.

To be continued…