Madhwa Vijaya - 26

Sarga 13 Part 1

Once the Chaturmaasa was over, Poornapragnya returned to Kasargod where he was greeted by the ruler Jayasimha, who was apologetic for the unsavoury episode of the theft of his books. Poornapragnya accepted his apology but wanted the ones who were involved in the act to repent too. Then he left for the ranges of Sahyadri.

Jayasimha chastised the heads of the village who had become Padmatirtha’s partners in crime. Penitent, they agreed to beg for the Achaarya’s forgiveness. Jayasimha, then sent an emissary to bring back Poornapragnya to Kasargod.

Poornapragnya retraced his steps, purifying the ground as he walked on it.

Ananda Tirtha was unstoppabale, like the vigorous river that washes away measly boulders (trifling Maayavaadis) and breaks unbending trees (obstinate opponents) and at the same time nurturing some trees (the devout) and making them flower and fruit abundantly (rewarding them with knowledge and devotion).

As his fame spread far and wide, people thronged to catch a glimpse of the Achaarya as he travelled, to hear him speak, to fall at his feet and seek his blessings. Unseen by mortal eyes, mukta-jeevas, Devas, Gandharvas and numerous celestials also gathered to see him.

Finally, the Achaarya reached the temple of Madaneshwara. Spending the night at the temple, he carried out his ablutions and other tasks, at the break of dawn, signalling to his disciples that he was on the move, again.

Gathering the saffron cloth they had hung as curtains to shield them from distractions as they meditated, they quickly got ready with the Achaarya’s staff and other accessories.

An astute disciple noticing that the sacred marks (urdhva-pundra-shanka-chakra) had dried, placed a garland of tulasi (which was discarded after worship-nirmaalya) around the Achaarya’s neck.

Another disciple, cleansing his hands and reining in breath and speech, carried the box containing the saaligraamas, which was bound by cloth and string.

Blessed were the young disciples who effortlessly carried the numerous vessels and the heavy bundles of books! Amused were the disciples when a newbie was desperately searching for a length of rope!

Thus, the disciples stood in complete readiness as the Achaarya commenced his journey, when the ring of the temple bell signalled the blessings of the lord.

The white umbrella held by a disciple, over the golden-hued Madhwamuni seemed like the glorious (but impossible) sight of a full moon above a rising sun.

The robust Achaarya who held the bearer of the three worlds* in his heart was held up by a disciple. This is no surprising feat, for is it not Mukhyapraana who is holding him** up too?

*Hari

**the disciple/ all jeevas

When monks, householders and celibates, immersed in the Vedas and indifferent to pleasures, walked along with him, they appeared like the embodiment of Vedas and its various streams.

The mere sight of this jewel among men was enough to erase all misery of travel, but this was not unexpected as it is well-known that the mere remembrance of him is enough to liberate a person from the burden of samsaara.

As the Achaarya travelled from the temple of Madaneshwara in Madavooru, Jayasimha the ruler of Kabenaadu, came up to him.

Having alighted from his carriage and having his soldiers disperse, he approached the revered Achaarya with a couple of learned brahmins and fell at his feet.

Jayasimha, accompanied the Achaarya in all humility till they came up to the temple of Vishnumangala. The people from the nearby villages who had gathered to meet their ruler witnessed the approach of the majestic Poornapragnya.

Poornapragnya, wearing a garland and bearing the marks(mudre) of shanka and chakra, ever engrossed in devotion to the supreme lord, was followed by his bright disciples who were singing melodious songs in praise of Mukunda, composed by the Achaarya, and were dancing to the songs.

Along with the common people, bearing their jostling, was the ruler walking along with folded hands, desirous of earning the Achaarya’s favour.

At each glance, the people realised that it was beyond the capacity of mere mortals to describe the lustre of Madhwa, who seemed to be like the sun descended to earth to further beautify it.

The Achaarya was walking briskly but at the same time his stride seemed languid like a young lion’s. With crimson soles he consecrated the land he trod on.

Rubies paled in comparison to the toe-nails of the Achaarya, his feet the shape of the tortoise, well-formed ankles, his knees shone by the touch of celestial hands seeking his blessings, his thighs like the elephant’s trunk, strong and supple.

An immaculate unstitched cloth tied around his waist, above which were three horizontal lines on his slender waist, his throat and forehead, glowing.

A soft red cloth upper-cloth that looked like the red sky of dawn reflected on golden mountains.

Broad chest, prominent shoulders and long arms with auspicious markings on them, his palms were crimson in colour. At first glance, he appears like the shining-moon but a proper look reveals that he is much more beautiful than that, blemishless and beaming.

Endearing smile that revealed rows of teeth like jasmine buds, framed by perfectly shaped lips, eyes like lotuses that cast benign glances.

Fresh tulasi leaves tucked into the ears, glowing cheeks, arched eyebrows whose slightest movement is responsible for the functioning/ destruction of the universe, winsome head…

This perfectly-proportioned body with 32 auspicious markings was considered as the model for sculpting idols, so it would be redundant to describe him as ‘one with an attractive figure’.

To be continued…