Madhwa Vijaya - 33

Sarga 16 Part 2

Another bodybuilder by name Moodembaadi, stronger than Kodinjaadi, under instructions to silence the voice of Madhwa as he was delivering his discourse, resorted to Kodinjaadi’s technique of crushing Madhwa’s neck.

Sweating profusely, he used all his might, but the Achaarya’s voice was clearer and louder than before. He too failed to lift Madhwa’s finger off the ground. These incidents were a source of ceaseless wonder to the people who had witnessed them.

Having failed to defeat Madhwa spiritually, many such physical attempts were carried out to cut him down to size. They failed to pluck a single hair from his shika (tuft) or wipe the smile off his face. Finally they exclaimed, “He must be Bheemasena himself!”

Madhwaachaarya’s interactions with people who opposed him, followed him, and were indifferent to him, have been likened to the interaction between the lion and packs of dogs, the ocean and rivulets, the sun and fireflies, respectively.

When Poornapragnya came to the Paaranthi temple* which was in ruins, in merely half a day he had the temple restored to its erstwhile glory by the ruler and the chieftains of the place.

*near present day Uppinaangadi

The Aachaarya fondly recollected his previous avataara as Bheemasena, when he along with his brothers had installed an idol of pancha-rupi Muraari (Krishna), and had worshipped it with their beloved Droupadi.

Proceeding to Idetudhe where the lakes had run dry due to lack of rain, he summoned clouds and rain and had the lakes filled with water and the minds of people filled with wonder.

The chieftain of that place, influenced by evil-minded people, came to attack the Aachaarya, but enraptured by his brilliance, fell at his feet in surrender.

When Poornapragnya reached Kokkada which housed the temple of Dhanwantri, he composed the ‘Shrikrishna-amrithamahaarnava’ for the benefit of a disciple, belonging to the family, Idepaadittaaya.

The Aachaarya, upon arriving at Ujire, where dwelt many vain scholars, asked in mischief, “Where are the frogs that live in the well?”

The vain scholars hatched a plan and found a complicated passage (regarding conducting yagnas) which they assumed would not be too familiar for an ascetic and demanded its explanation.

Without batting an eyelid, Madhwa began to eloquently explain the passage and also recited the ‘Naaraashamsi’* mantras along with Kunthapa suktha**, (both related to yagna) and then quoted the text that was originally recited by Chaturmukha on the sixth day of a yagna.

*A particular style of brief descriptions called gaathas, this was in ‘’praise of men’ recited during particular types of yagnas

**from the Atharva Veda

The scholars, spitefully declared that the explanation was incorrect but took to their heels when they were asked to give the so-called correct explanation.

Rebuffed again, when they weakly approached with another challenge (related to Aithareya Brahmana Khanda*), the Aachaarya’s responses were documented in the form of a grantha**.

*collection of hymns from the Rig Veda

**Karmanirnaya also known as Khandarthanirnaya

These attacks on the Aachaarya were like wolves howling at the sight of the full moon. Neither the Aachaarya nor the moon are affected by such goings-on.

The compassionate Aachaarya would increase the limited offerings of people of modest means, four-fold, in order to make it sufficient to feed everyone. In contrast, when a person who was well-off brought offerings enough to feed 30 people, he would consume them all!

These super-human feats performed by Madhwaachaarya are not at all astonishing, and they have been sung not only by his disciples but by Gandharvas and Devas as well. When the Gandharvas sang melodiously, with perfect pitch and tune, the Devas were overcome by devotion.

They descended to the earth, with the Gandharvas and rishis in tow, to behold Poornapragnya, who was seated among his disciples describing the nuances of the Aithareya Upanishad. Those who were in the heavens bowed their heads to the Aachaarya on the earth.

They watched their lotus-eyed, moon-faced guru with a full-bodied voice and auspicious body, with his heart and mind ever immersed in Hari; to their hearts’ content and worshipped him with hymns.

“You who dispelled the darkness of misinterpretation of the Vedas, who showed the greatness of Mukunda to the world, who conquered the three worlds, please have pity on us and protect us!

Oh lord of the praana, who elevates those who seek your protection, dear to Raamachandra, we bow to you as Hanumantha. Oh lord, dear to Krishna, the unequalled Bheema, we bow to you. We bow to you, the one who has shown us the true path of awareness, oh Madhwamuni, may you be victorious!”

Even as these words were said, the heavens showered fragrant flowers on Madhwaachaarya, and he was garlanded by heavenly tulasi! End of Sarga 16 End of Madhwa Vijaya