Introduction (1): Date and life Vadiraja

Madhva, the historical reviver and propagator of the Dvaita system of Vedanta, flourished during 13 th century A.D.1 He vindicated the Dvaita system on firm grounds and also wrote authentic works in its defence. He erected a temple in Udupi and installed a Saligrama statue of Lord Krsna. worshipped Lord Krsna for many years. Madhva Then he ordained eight celibate monks and entrusted to them the worship of Lord Krsna and also the propagation of his system. He made them incharge of separate mutts. Among the heads of these mutts, Visnutirtha, who was a direct disciple and brother of Madhva in his Purvasrama, was foremost. 2 His greatness is being described in the Sumadhvavijaya at length." It is known that then a mutt was named after him. In that hierarchy started by Visnutirtha, there had been great personalities and the nineteenth was Vagisatirtha. He was a great scholar, saint and devotee. He lived in Kumbhasi, 18 miles away from Udupi observing the austerities and also teaching the noted works of the Dvaita system. It is this. Vagisatirtha, with whose blessing, Vadiraja was born and then being ordained by him, graced the pontificial seat of the mutt initiated by Visnutirtha. DATE Vadiraja, a mystic, a profound scholar, a well-known

1 debator and a gifted poet, was born in 1480 A.D. He lived for 120 years. He entered the Vindavana at Sonda, near Sirsi in the present Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka, in 3 1600 A.D. The Carama sloka ³ and also some inscriptions belonging to years 1582 and 15934 prove that he was born in 1480 A.D. and disappeared in 1600 A.D. As it is, there is no difference of opinion so far as the date of Vadiraja is concerned. The Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita states that his date of birth was the 5 12 th day of Magha Sukla of Sarvari Samvat. LIFE It To know the life history of Vadiraja, fortunately we have authentic and authoritative works such as Vrttaratnasamgraha (Vrittaratna-samgraha), Vadirajaguruvaracaritamrta (Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita), Vadirajagunaratnamala (Vadiraja-gunaratnamala). The Vrittaratna-samgraha was written by Raghunathacarya, a disciple of Vadiraja. It is not merely a historical work, but is also a good piece of poetry. appears that the author might have had passed away early, i.e., when Vadiraja was still alive and hence he does not narrate the latter part of Vadiraja's life. The Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita has been written by Ramacandracarya, a disciple of Vedanidhitirtha, a pontiff second from Vadiraja. It deals with almost all the incidents of Vadiraja's life. It runs into nine chapters. The eighth one is devoted for the discussion connected with the Rjutva of Vadiraja. The authenticity of 2

this work is unquestionable since it has been written just after the demise of Vadiraja and also as per the instructions of Vedanidhitirtha. 6 There is every possibility to state that, the author, at his early age of life, must have had () seen Vadiraja. The Vadiraja-gunaratnamala has been written by Vasudevacarya Nippani during the latter part of the 19 th century, It closely follows the Vrittaratna-samgraha and Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita and also narrates some other incidents following the conventional information of tradition and also then available Puranic evidences. Apart from these three major works, we do get a good number of stotras and songs of Haridasas, that glorify the C greatness of Vadiraja, his mystic life, achievements and adventures. Vadiraja was born of humble parents, Gouri and Ramacarya, in Huvinakere near Kumbhasi in Taulava region i.e. the modern Dakshina Kannada District. He is stated to have been a Tulu Brahmin by birth. His father, Ramacarya, was a follower of Sama Veda. Vadiraja was born by the grace of Vagisatirtha, the 19 th in the succession from Visnutirtha. 7. His birth name was spelled as Varaha as he was graced with the blessings of Lord Varaha (favourite and presiding deity given by Madhva to his 3

4 brother Visnutirtha). Varaha's Upanayanam was celebrated at the age of five, and he was ordained the Samnyasasrama at the age of eight. He studied primary works under Vidyanidhi (a senior disciple of Vagisatirtha) and after his demise, Vadiraja continued his studies under his Guru Vagisatirtha. When Vadiraja completed the core of Sastric study, he 3 made up his mind to go on a sacred tour to propagate the Dvaita fu Siddhanta, to have the holy bath in sacred rivers, to have the Darsana of the Lord in all places and also to bless the qualified devotees. It was also a tour to gain wide experience. He travelled the entire country twice and as a result he composed a unique work in Sanskrt viz., Tirthaprabandha that f gives an account of the various Hindu temples and places. I Vadiraja introduced some changes in Paryaya system of Lord Krsna's worship in Udupi. Before Vadiraja, the duration of Paryaya, as introduced by Madhva, was of 2 months each. It was Vadiraja, who, taking into account the convenience of other monks, changed it into that of 2 years. He made arrangements for the construction of individual mutts for all the eight. He also chalked out the programme of worship, which is even now followed and can be witnessed by one and all, 8

> 1 When Vijayanagar emperor Krsnadevaraya was facing financial crisis, he made an appeal to Vadiraja. Vadiraja blessed him with abundant wealth, found in the ancient cave of Vall and Sugriva. Then Krsnadevaraya honoured Vadiraja with a crown, an umbrella, a jewelled throne and the like. Thereafter, both Krsnadevaraya and Acyutaraya gifted generously to Vadiraja who rebuilt the Krsna temple at Udupi on an extended plan. It was in 1532-33 A.D. The inscription describing this event is seen even now in the Krsna temple at Udupi, 9 5 CA In 1585 A.D. Venkatapatidevaraya graced the royal throne of Vijayanagara empire. After the completion of Paryaya in 1580-81, Vadiraja, on his eastern tour, came to the capital of Vijayanagara, then at Penagundi. The king wanted to celebrate the victory and hence he invited all his subordinate kings, scholars, poets, artists and others. In the assembly hall, Vadiraja was requested to grace the Chief seat and to preside over the function. There, he was supposed to face the attacks from different scholars in different fields. Vadiraja, though alone, succeeded in tackling the arguments and faced them easily, politely and successfully. The asembly, realising the extra-ordinary calibre and wide and deep scholarship of Vadiraja in all arts and lores, honoured him with the title`Prasangabharanatirtha. 10

++ 6 Vadiraja once came to Pune and he heard that scholars, in assembly, had decided to honour the Maghakavya viz., Sisupalavadha, as the best among all, since that was enriched with poetic excellences in all respects. Then Vadiraja sent a word informing that he too had a best Kavya and he would submit the same for consideration within 20 days. Thereafter, Vadiraja composed a Mahakavya by name Rukminisavijaya within 20 days and sent it to the assembly. The scholars were very much pleased with its unique poetic excellences in composition, in narration, in description, in imagination, in poetic beauties and the like. All of them recommended for honouring it as the best among all such compositions. 11 } Vadiraja came to Prayaga (Allahabad) and lived there for some days. One day Lord Vedavyasa in the guise of a sage coming from Badirikasrama, met Vadiraja, who welcomed him with great reverance. Vedavyasa reminded Vadiraja that Vadiraja's mother had, before his birth, promised Laksalankara to God if she would give birth to a worthy son. He also reminded Vadiraja's promise to fulfil that vow. Actually it was not possible for every one or even for the wealthiest to offer one lakh golden ornaments. So Vedavyasa asked Vadiraja to write a gloss-like commentary on one-lakh difficult words of the Mahabharata and to offer it at the feet of God, so that, that would easily fulfil the promise of }

his mother. He also invited Vadiraja to Badarikasrama and then disappeared. Vadiraja went to Badarikasrama, saw there Vedavyasa, Madhva and other sages. He received the message of Vedavyasa and Madhva and then wrote Laksalankaratika in simple but erudite style. He offered this at the feet of 12 Lord Vedavyasa who was very much pleased with that. ☑ Once Vadiraja wished to have the Darsana of Lord Venkatesvara. When he came to Tirupati, he saw the rocks appearing as saligramas and felt uneasy to trod on them. So he climbed the hill on his knees singing the glory of the Lord. Vadiraja worshipped that Presiding Deity to his entire satisfaction and offered Him a garland of 108 saligramas which adorns the Lord even today. 13 Vadiraja's was of a many sided personality. It is said that, under his occult power, there was a mysterious goblin (Bhutaraja) who served Vadiraja closely and devotedly. This Bhutaraja, at the instructions of Vadiraja did many miracles. It is said that this Bhutaraja, at the order of Vadiraja went to Badarikasrama and brought the Trivikrama-idol with the chariot. Vadiraja installed that idol in the newly constructed temple in Sonda. He also placed the stonechariot there which could be seen even today. 14 7

It is believed that he was a disciple of the great Dvaita preceptor, Vyasaraya and studied under him. But it is very strange to note that Vadiraja has not acknowledged Vyasaraya as his Guru in any of his works. But it is the tradition and also some of the songs of Dasas, that refer to Vyasaraya, as the Guru of Vadiraja. * Vadiraja, who introduced the change in the period of 15 the Paryaya, performed four Paryayas, in Udupi. When the turn of fifth Paryaya came, he realizing the intention of his disciple Vedavedya; gave him the chance of performing the Paryaya in Udupi, while he, at the same time, worshipped Venugopalakrsna in Sonda for two years and thus completed the fifth Paryaya. 16 D There are many more such incidents that happened in the life of Vadiraja. To sum up, he was a great saint philosopher, the most facile writer in the Dvaita system, a gifted poet, a great mystic, a noted Haridasa and the like. His life was full of miracles and achievements. B.N.K.Sharma observes "Vadiraja was another eminent successor of Vyasaraya who carried forward the work of theological polemics and critical reinforcement and defence of the Dvaita system. #17 1 8 00

| + } 9 L. Stafford Betty remarks, "Vadiraja is a Hindu theologian and writer for the Dualist system of Vedanta. He was active in Kanara district of India throughout all the sixteenth century. #18 7 C.R.Rao glorifies Vadiraja as "sri Vadiraja was an allknowing mystic by birth. He was a profound scholar, a trenchant debator and a successful organiser. ., 19 K. T. Pandurangi writes "He was a poet, a philosopher, a social organiser, a great debator, prolific writer, and to crown all this a saint of mystic eminence. ,,20 As Madhva sowed the seed of Bhakti, it is Vadiraja, who nourished and brought it up carefully to grow and to bear fruits. His message and mission were not only restricted to the scholars but flowed fluently to the line and lane of common man. He was a terror and at the same time a source of inspiration to the Prativadins. He was a saint of salient features, man of merits, devotee of devotion and overall a religious and social reformer too. The tradition believes that Vadiraja is one of the Rjus by name Latavya. 21 * The span of Vadiraja's mortal life was running out. He fulfilled the conditions and instructions of Lord Vedavyasa.

10 3 He also did the entrusted and promised work. He dispelled the doubts and delusions of the learned. He gave Sannyasasrama to a celibate, naming him Vedavedya, ordained him as the successor. He then made up his mind for his voluntary exit from the world. He fixed the date and time 22 He got done I 23, the Vrndavana under the supervision of Arasappanayaka and Ramacandranayaka. 24 When the designed construction of the Vrndavana was completed, Vadiraja worshipped it. He installed the statue of Lord Vedavyasa in front of the Vindavana, made 1 a small temple for Bhutaraja. He also got done the sacred reservoir Dhavalaganga, behind it. For a week before the appointed day, Vadiraja celebrated the Utsava of Lord Trivikrama on a grand scale and also instructed all the devotees for its continuation. On the day of his disappearance, he worshipped Lord Hayagriva, Bhuvaraha 3 25 and then also Madhva. He blessed Vedavedya, Vedanidhi the next two pointiffs and also other followers. He gave his parting message, He then entered the holy Vindavana alive. He sat in a perfect pose and then controlled the breathing. Soon after this the Tulasi garland fell from his hand. Then the front door was placed as instructed. Since then it is believed that Vadiraja continues to dwell as a source of divine grace and spiritual solace in that Vrndavana. 26

The holy Vrndavana of Vadiraja, which is a place of solace for grief-stricken devotees and a source of inspiration to the scholars is attracting at Sonda 27 thousands and thousands every year, even today,