Introduction (2): Works of Vadiraja

Vadiraja was a prolific and facile writer of the Dvaita literature. His works are of unique characteristics. The works are packed and graced with variety of material, minutely reasoned out and profusely documented. Vadiraja was a versatile genius and proved himself successful by contributing a good number of works to the various branches of knowledge. As he has been a gifted poet, his works embellish with poetic beauty, Even the Vedanta (Sastric) works enshine with poetic beauty, He was a profound scholar and successful debator of repute. He was a gifted religious poet in Sanskrt and also a well-known saint in the line of Haridasas of Karnatak. He has composed devotional songs in Kannada, Tulu and also it is learnt in Telugu. The style of Vadiraja is unique and peculiar of its kind. It is simple, lucid in exposition, deep in devotion and novel in narration. The alliteration and other literary merits of his language have enriched his style. His hair- { 11

12 splitting criticism, appealing argument and enlightening exposition cause thrilling sensation to the admiring readers. 28 According to the tradition and also the reference in the Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita (III-66), more than hundred works stand to his 29 credit. Though half of them are of the nature of stotras they are also significant since they too delineate the philosophic truth in most appealing manner in a nutshell. B.N.K.Sharma, the great Dvaita scholar of the present times, remarks about Vadiraja- "His fine poetic faculty and human touch, the quick flashes of his wit and humour, his apt analogies from life and literature and his racy way of putting the things have made him the most popular and enthusiastically applauded writer in Dvaita literature, He thinks in poetry and argues in it with all the richness and irresistibility of its appeal.. His works show an intense personal fervor and passionate faith in the religious and metaphysical satisfyingness and superiority of Madhva Siddhanta. He pays deep homage and unstinting tribute to the memory of Madhva and modestly disclaims all originality for his views. .30 3 K. T. Pandurangi observes that "His works have scholastic

nu 13 ´appeal as well as devotional appeal. We find in him a scholar, a poet and a great saint of mystic eminence... The sharpness of the logic of sri vadirajatirtha pierces the heart, while the poetry of his illustrations moves the head 1,31 in delight. $ The works of Vadiraja may be classified broadly as follows:- 1. Vedanta works 1 Original Commentaries 2. Kavyas 3. Stotras and others 4. Kannada works 5. Tulu works A. SASTRIC WORKS I. INDEPENDENT WORKS 32° 1. Yuktimallika: It is the magnum opus of Vadiraja. It is written in defence of the Dvaita system. It is a critical exposition of all the doctrines of the Dvaita system of Vedanta. It also examines the passages of Sruti, Smpti, Itihasa, Purana and the like. Critically interpreting the statements of these texts, that have been misinterpreted by others, it unfolds the relevancy of them.

e There are five main chapters as Saurabhas in this work. They are: Gunasaurabha, Suddhisaurabha, Bhedasaurabha, Visvasaurabha and Phalasourabha. In the Gunasaurabha, Nirguna concept of the Advaita is refuted and Sagunatva of Brahman is established. In the suddhisaurabha, the Advaita concept of Ajnana is proved baseless and the Nirdosatva of the Lord is vindicated, The Bhedasaurabha explains the five-fold differences in the most befitting manner. The Visvasaurabha disproves the Advaita view of Mithyatva of the world and establishes the Satyatva of the same. In the last, viz. the Phalasaurabha, the nature of the salvation is described and the several means to attain it are enumerated. Madhva is glorified as the third incarnation of God Vayu. There itself, Thus, the Yuktimallika is a rare work of its kind. It is well said: 'This work combines great erudition with an incredibly simple yet poetically charming style characteristic of Vadiraja, full of puns, alliteration and wit and analogies from life. The works Vrittaratna-samgraha, Vadiraja-gunaratnamala, and Swapna-vrindavana-akhyana also describe the greatness of the Yuktimallika, .33 34 35 2. Nyavaratnavali: Like the Yuktimallika, the Nyayaratnavali is also written in poetic form. There are five chapters by name Sara. It runs in 899 verses. As a whole, it attacks successfully and refutes rationally Sankara's 14

non-dualism and establishes the doctrines of dualism (Dvaita). The title is significant since it comprises the jewels of Vedanta Nyayas, The work is also called as Anuyuktimallika. ☑ 36 3. CakramImamsa: The Cakramimansa critically examines the relevancy of the Taptamudradharana and states that the Taptamudradharana is most essential for the fulfilment of Vaisnavatva. J 37 4. Haribhaktalata: The Haribhaktalata is written in anustub verses, in all there are 394 verses. The work summarises the concept of Bhakti, its importance in receiving the grace of the Lord. The supremacy of Lord Visnu is related by perusing some Vedic passages, Puranic statements and episodes. 38 39 5. Srutitattvaprakasika: In the Srutitattvaprakasika, the six Mahakavyas of different Upanisads are critically examined and are convincingly explained. This work is written in the poetic form, running into 507 verses. 40 6. Upanyasa Ratnamala: It is said that Vadiraja originally wrote ten lectures which are known as Upanyasaratnamala. But unfortunately, only three are available and are published. There are deformed manuscripts in Sode 15

Vadiraja mutt, that are incomplete and unreadable. The ten lectures are as follows: (1) Two lectures, giving the exposition of the two verses of the Rukminisavijaya; (2) Seven lectures relating to the Pramana Paddhati; (3) One relating to the Upadhikhandana. 16 The lectures, falling under II category below, are not available in their complete forms. 7. Ekadasi-nirnaya: 41 Vadiraja, following closely Madhva, has written the work Ekadasi-nirnaya. He has determined the aspects relating to the observance of Ekadasi with authority. This work runs in 57 verses. 42 8. Bhugola-nirnaya: The Bhugola-nirnaya gives the geographical data of the entire earth as explained in the fifth chapter of the Bhagavata and other works. 43 9. Sadacarasmrti: The Sadacarasmrti gives a brief account of Madhva's work having the same name. 44 10. Pasandamatakhandana: The Pasandamatakhandana is the refutation of the views of Jainism. Vadiraja, in $

refuting the views of the Jainism, has followed the way of _ k Tarika school and thus has skillfully refuted them. It is written in verse form running into 129 verses. r 45 (11. Sankalpa Paddhati: The Sankalpa Paddhati gives the clues regarding the Safikalpa observed at the commencement of any regular sacred (religious) worship of the day. 17 1 1 46 12. Kalpalata: The Kalpalata is written in prose. It is the refutation of the work Pramananirnaya of Jainism written by Vadirajasuri. There are four parts each termed as Prasunamala. Vadiraja has refuted the Pramananirnaya line by line and word by word. Mainly the seven tenets of the Jainism, such as Syadasti and the like, have been proved baseless. Vadiraja's subtle and close examination of this Syadvada and its refutation is an outstanding contribution to polemical literature. 13. Vivaranavrna: 47 The Vivaranavina work is a refutation of Panca Padikavivarana of Prakasatmayati, a commentary on Pancapadika of Padmapada, a disciple of Sahkara. In this, Vadiraja, not only refutes the text of the Pancapadikavivarana, but also its commentary Tattvadipana simultaneously. 14. Sakunamala: 48 The Sakunamala is an interesting booklet

$ 18 that deals with omens that presage good or evil. 15. Sanskrt Sutrartha: 49 The doctrines of Dvaita Vedanta, in aphoristic style, have been enlisted in sloka form. 50 * 16. Adhikarananamavali: There are 564 Brahma Sutras and 223 Adhikaranas. The Adhikarana is the topic wherein same object of exposition is discussed with some sutras. The Adhikarananamavali of Vadiraja is a rare work of its kind which elucidates, the gist and the import of each Adhikarana in a nutshell. There are some other works mentioned in sri Vadiraja Stotra Manjari as original. They are: (17) Taratamya 52 53 (18) Muhurtaraja, (19) Navasiddhantasangraha and (20) Madhvavagvajravali. 54 51 And The first two i.e. 17 and 18 are unpublished. regarding the third, though published, there is difference of opinion in respect of its authorship. Some do not regard it ☺ as the work of Vadiraja. The style, language and the like do not guarantee the claim that it is the work of Vadiraja. The fourth is not found.

B. COMMENTARIES 55 1. Mahabharatatatparyanirnayabhavaprakasika: Madhva has written the Mahabharatatatparyanirnaya a work that summarises the import of all Sastras, that gives the main running story of Ramayana and Mahabharata and the like. The significance of this work lies not only in the description of the story of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, but more than Madhva has tried his best to remove the apparent contradiction, seen in the story of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The com.of Vadiraja is not elaborate in length since it does not explain each and every verse of the text. But it is significant and exhaustive in respect of its dealing with and tackling the critical and crucial points of the text and also in giving the most appealing exposition. 19 56 2. Mahabharatalaksalankara: Vadiraja, interpreting one lakh difficult words of the Mahabharata, has consecrated the work at the feet of Lord Vedavyasa. It is not the running com.of the Mahabharata but gives the relevant meaning of one lakh words. V.Sumadhvavijaya 3. Tantrasaratika:57 Not found; only mentioned in the f

20 20 Vadiraja has also written commentaries on some of the Upanisadbhasyas of Madhva: 4. Talavakaropanisadbhasya 59 58 5. Mandukopanisadbhasya 6. Atharvanopanisadbhasya 60 7. Kathakopanisadbhasya 61 8. Tattiriyopanisadbhasya 9. Purusasukta 63 62 C. GLOSSES When 1. Nyayasudhagurvarthadipika: 64 It is one of the ancient glosses on the celebrated Nyayasudha of Jayatirtha. compared with others, it is not elaborate or lengthy in size. But, though short, it gives critical exposition of the topics and extracts of the text. Vadiraja in some places, gives his own exposition of the original text. Vadiraja deals with different Vedanta Nyayas enumerated in Nyayavivarana. 2. Tattvaprakasikagurvarthad Ipika: 65 The Tattvaprakasika of Jayatirtha is the detailed com. on Brahmasutrabhasya of Madhva. Although there are a number of coms, on the Tattvaprakasika, Vadiraja's is a rare of its kind. As in the com. on the N.S., here also some points of the original text are interpreted distinctly.66

$5 tikas: Vadiraja has also written Tippanis on Upanisadbhasya- -67 -68 3. Isavasyopanisadbhasyatika 4. Satprasnopanissadbhasyatika D. POEMS The 1. Rukminisavijaya: Vadiraja's Rukminisavijaya is a Mahakavya, containing 19 cantos and running into 1238 verses. It is embellished with all requisites of a Mahakavya, source of the work is the tenth chapter of the Bhagavata. All the sentiments are delineated in a befitting manner by the author, As an addition or as a crown to these, the sentiment of Bhakti flows from the beginning to the end. It is a master-piece of literature to the critics and tasteful readers, a devotional song to the devotees of the Lord and 70 a philosophical poem to the philosophers. B.N.K. Sharma remarks, "It is given the rank of a 'Mahakavya' in traditional circles, The descriptions are effective and natural. The style is deeply alliterative sense and sound match well and the imagery is fine and lofty. "71 ' 72 2. Sarasabharativilasa: The Sarasabharativilasa is a poetic work consisting of 12 chapters designated as Vilasa and runs in 695 verses, Each Vilasa deals with the different topics of the Dvaita Siddhanta such as supremacy of Lord 21

Visnu, Nirdosatva nature of Goddess Laksmi, Jivottamatva of the God Vayu and the like. Its language, style, description etc. prove that it is also enriched with the literary merits. 22 3 73 3. Tirthaprabandha: The Tirthaprabandha is a Khandakavya that describes the holy places and rivers of our M Indian continent. Vadiraja describes the holy centres and rivers with reference to mythological evidence and historical significance connected with them. As he toured far and wide in all the four directions of the land, the work is divided into four chapters, named after the directions. It is an informative work as it helps the pilgrims to know the importance of the holy places and rivers. It is glorified in the Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita and the Vrittaratna-samgraha 74 $ 75 4. Kavikadambakanthabhusa: Though the Kavikadambakanthabhusa is in stotra form, it is enshined with literary merits. The alliteration is most appealing one, 76 5. Svapnavrndavanakhyana: Vadiraja might not have composed, the Svapnavrndavanakhyana with his pen but it is he, who spelled and recited in the dream of an illiterate Brahmin who was deaf and dumb. of this work is ascribed to him. And hence, the authorship It had been drafted by

1 I [ Ramacandracarya, a disciple of Vedanidhitirtha. It is acclaimed as a divine work since being spelled in a dream of an illiterate, It was with the grace of Vadiraja that the Brahmin was capable to reproduce the verses in front of Vedanidhitirtha. There are 22 chapters and 2340 verses in total. The description herein is in accordance with and agreeable to the Dvaita view. By the by, it also unveils } the nature of Vadiraja and others who have been blessed by - him. The style of the work is simple and it is rich with elements of poetic beauty. The glorification of this work 77 is's is seen in the Vadiraja-guruvara-caritamrita and the Vadiraja-gunaratnamala The gist of this work in a nutshell has been collected by Vedanidhi. It was inscribed and that stone has been placed (installed) by the side of the Vindavana of Vedavedya in Sonda which could be seen even today, 78 23 E. OTHER WORKS Mention is also made about Vadiraja's com, on Visnusahasranama separately.79 Recently one more work of Vadiraja by name Bhagavatasangraha is discovered by me in Sri sode Vadiraja mutt, at Udupi. The beginning portion of the manuscripts is in a deformed condition. It is the collec tion of verses from the Bhagavata. The last verse is quoted 80 here as a proof.

One more work by name srimadbhagavatanukramanika is 81 found published, wherein Vadiraja has enlisted the incidents of the Bhagavata in due order. 24 82 The Sanatsujatiyabhasya an exhaustive com. found in the M.B. Laksalankara, is sometimes treated as an independent work of Vadiraja. The original text contains the enumeration of advice, given to Dhrtarastra by Sanatsujata. Apart from these, Vadiraja has also written a good 83 number of stotras in Sanskrt. Except one or two, all 84 have been published. Mention is made in the V.Sumadhvavijaya as well as in the SrI Vadirajaru. 86 85 Over than the Sanskrit works, Vadiraja has composed 87 88 several Devaranamas in Kannada 3 with the Ankita of Hayavadana as independent works such as Vaikunthavarnane, Laksmisobhana, Svapnapada, Gundakrive, Bhramaragite, Namaskarastotra, 90 91 92 Kesavanama, Naivedyaprakarana, Harisarvottamasara, 94 97 95 98 Gajendramoksa, Kicakavadhe, Avacaratraya Suvvali, 100 99 96 93 Krsnabalalile, 100 Tulasisamkirtana 101 and good many individual Kirtanas, Ugabhogas, Suladis and the like. He has also 102 written the Mahabharatatatparyanirnaya in Kannada. Other than these, there are some unpublished independent works such as Tattvasuvvali, Birudinasuvvali, Naradakoravanji. 89

} Vadiraja has also written some devotional songs in Tulu language by name Paddana. 3 Two more independent Kannada works by name Pancabhedastotra and Venkatesakalyang of Vadiraja are found in manuscript form. Recently, it is known that Vadiraja had composed some devotional songs in Telugu language, collection of them could be seen with K, Narahari Rao of Suratkal. t i It seems to be beyond doubt that Vadiraja might had had indeed composed few more works other than those mentioned above, both in Sanskrit and Kannada, that are unfortunately missing. 1 } i E $ 1 • 25