Madhwa Vijaya - 31
Sarga 15 Part 2
When Poornapragnya commanded Trivikrama Pandithaachaarya to write a critique* of his Bramhasutra Bhaashya, which was an honour, Pandithaachaarya in all humility requested thus:
*Tatwapradeepa
“Even if the best of scholars try to gather the pearls of wisdom of this bhaashya, it will not be possible, for such is its depth.
Here onwards, Naarayana Pandithaacharya, through Trivikrama Pandithaachaarya’s words in 15 verses, lists out the various works of Madhwaachaarya, proclaiming the greatness of each. The works mentioned are: Geeta-taatparya, Geeta-bhaashya, Mahaabharatha-taatparya-nirnaya, Bhaagwatha-taatparya-nirnaya, Tantra-saara, Vaada-lakshana, Maana-lakshana, Tatwa-nirnaya, Vaada (Tatwadyotha); concise works* like Bhaashya-sangraha, Yamaka-bhaaratha, subhashithas, songs (dwaadasha stothra) Naarayana Pandithaacharya draws an analogy of little Krishna revealing the entire cosmos in his tiny mouth to the Achaarya’s short works packed with infinite meaning.
Even as the Devas and Indra desired the creation of a new god (Subramanya/ Shanmukha) in order to slay the demon Taaraka, despite their capability to do so themselves, we desire another work from you… we are incapable of grasping the meaning of your brilliant works, hence we request you to compose a new grantha, which is well within the grasp of the likes of us…
*the great scholar refers to himself as dull-witted
Thus, Achaarya Madhwa composed ‘Anuvyaakhyaana’, a commentary on his Bramhasutra Bhaashya, soothing nectar to the devout, terrifying lightning to quell the darkness of Maayavaada. Making up his mind to write this quickly, he dictated the four chapters to four of his disciples at the same time, effortlessly, like Chaturmukha Bramha from his four mouths.
As a further explanation of certain aspects of Anuvyakhyaana, he composed the ‘Nyaaya-vivarana’.
Achaarya’s parents, by virtue of their association with him, attained moksha, leaving behind their younger son. By a twist of fate, the brother lost money, cattle and crops. Becoming detached, he made his way to his enlightened brother.
He pleaded with Madhwa to ordain him a sanyaasi. But he was sent back home, with Poornapragnya stating, “Let the right time come”.
Once home, he did not eat, sleep or smile. He simply awaited the ‘right time’ and his brother’s call, like Bharatha waiting for Raama.
As a season passed*, Poornapragnya took leave of Jayasimha, who was pained at the prospect of being separated from the Aachaarya, and made his way to Paajaka.
*chaaturmaasa
The younger brother of Madhwa of excellent lineage, austere, and scholarly, completed the ceremonies of their parents* as Madhwa met him and accepted him in his (Madhwa’s) monastic order.
*thus free from pitru runa
The Aachaarya, equal to Bramha, imparted the supreme knowledge, Bramhatatwa, shrouded in secrecy, in a secluded place. The brother, now called Vishnu Tirtha lost no time in delving into Vedic studies of a higher order.
The young monk, who was blessed and held in deep affection by Poornapragnya himself*, cannot be described by mere mortals, yet I am overcome by desire to attempt to do so.
*like a kalpavriksha
An expert in pravachanas (discourses) and with immense command over mantras, as he travelled northward towards the mountain by name Harishchandra*, he purified the holy rivers as they purified him when he took a dip in them.
*invisible on the physical plane, the abode of god-realised ascetics.
Having given up food lest it contribute to the anguish* caused by the sense organs, he took a sip of panchagavya**, once in five days, bowing to the pleas of others.
*pain that invariably follows pleasure
**cow’s milk, urine, dung, ghee and curd
He gave that up too, as he performed even deeper penance surviving on a few fallen bilva* leaves and sips of water. With utmost discipline, he made his way to a cold, deep cave, to meditate in solitude.
*Aegle marmelos or wood apple
The brother of Vayu-devaru incarnate, ‘conquered breath’ through the process of inhalation- holding breath exhalation and drew back the horses (sense organs), with his mind a firm charioteer. He attained the state of samaadhi*, the exclusive privilege of yogis.
*an intense state of stillness/withdrawal from the world, while being filled with bliss
In this state he rejoiced at the sight of Hari, impervious to everything else. He had overcome desire in every form and had become filled with awareness, and thus became eligible to be granted the prized moksha.
What followed next, the grace of Naarayana on Vishnu Tirtha, is both beyond the scope of my limited capacity and is not something to be revealed openly.
The celestials were full of praise for Vishnu Tirtha who had been granted the grand opportunity to serve Poornapragnya in Kali Yuga.
Aniruddha Tirtha, an extremely austere and accomplished disciple of Vishnu Tirtha approached him in the Harishchandra mountain, and implored him to return with him to Udupi. When Vishnu Tirtha came to Udupi, the people thought that Ananda Tirtha, having taken pity on them, had returned to Udupi.
Baadraayana Tirtha, a prince among poets, the crown of scholars, the pet pupil of Aacharya Madhwa, was a distinguished disciple of Vishnu Tirtha whom Vishnu Tirtha launched to such great spiritual heights that it left onlookers speechless…
And Vishnu Tirtha himself scaled heights beyond the reach of ordinary men, both spiritually and physically (Kumara parvatha*).
*near Kukke Subramanya, the highest peak of Pushpagiri of the Western Ghats
Ananda Tirtha’s fame that had spread far and wide attracted a disciple, who came to be called Padmanaabha Tirtha*. Excelling at serving the guru, learning, devotion, and being dispassionate, he very quickly gained the favour of Aacharya Madhwa who revealed to him the paratattva (supreme truth).
*who went on to become the second in line after Madhwaachaarya
Despite venturing into bays and straits (paths of opposing ideologies) to swallow small fish (to defeat such scholars) he never forsook the ocean (the abode of true knowledge- Tattvavaada), which was the true home of the whale (Padmanaabha Tirtha).
The roar of this lion (Padmanaabha Tirtha’s powerful discourses) was enough to shoo away the pack of dogs (Maayavaadis) which considered themselves invincible. He went on to compose ‘Sannyaayaratnavalli’, a commentary on Aachaarya’s Anuvyakhyaana.
In addition to these two star disciples (Vishnu Tirtha and Padmanaabha Tirtha), Madhwaachaarya’s cohort of disciples came from far and wide. Hrishikesha Tirtha, Janardhana Tirtha, Narahari Tirtha, Upendra Tirtha, Vaamana Tirtha, Raama Tirtha, Adhokshaja Tirtha*… each one of them was a repository of devotion and detachment.
*who would go on to be the first pontiff of each of the ashta mathas, the eighth one being Vishnu Tirtha
The primary disciples in turn had their own groups of disciples, all of whom were well accomplished, some better at learning, some with deeper devotion, some with greater awareness…
Many householders, too, joined the band of Aachaarya’s followers. Most prominent among them were the three from the Likucha Vamsha*. These eminent scholars disseminated Madhwa siddhaantha like a farmer sowing seeds.
*Trivikrama Pandithaachaarya, and the two Shankara Pandithas of their family
People of different varnaas,* chiefs of villages, and even their ruler Jayasimha, were ardent followers of the Aachaarya. Many of them were recipients of the Aachaarya’s grace and knowledge, not easy to gain by even learned scholars.
*ancient classification which is today incorrectly called caste
The much adored Aachaarya, to the delight of his followers, chose to stay at Taantya matha, rendered holy and pleasant by the cool breeze of Kanwa tirtha*, for chaaturmaasa.
*close to Udupi
What can be said of the greatness of Ananda Tirtha, when mere service to those who beheld him was enough to grant moksha and to release one from the shackles of this samsaara?
End of Sarga 15