Fwd: Revana Siddha

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harsha_ramamurthy <harsha_ramamurthy wrote:

Fri, 18 Feb 2005 18:35:44 -0000

"harsha_ramamurthy"

satisharigela

Re: Revana Siddha

 

 

Satyameva Jayate...

 

Some sources have time and again propagated that one Revana

Siddha or Renukacharya, a Virashaiva guru, gave the

Chandramouleshwara Linga (the one present now in Sringeri) to Adi

Shankaracharya. But an examination of historical facts reveals that

Renukacharya existed in the 12th century (Virashaivism in Karnataka,

by Prof Marulusiddayya, Mysore University, published in 1986). The

Acharya however, incarnated in the sixth century. There are, as we

know different versions of Acharya's date, but none place his period

as late as the 12th century. So it is logically quite impossible that

Renukacharya traveled ahead in time to give the Linga to give the

Linga to Acharya, who existed centuries before him! Also, the popular

belief by the followers of this theory is that Renukacharya gave ONE

Linga to Acharya. But this goes against the well-known tradition

narrated by various Shankara Digvijayas, mentioning five lingas given

by the Lord to Srimadacharya. Then where did the other Lingas come

from if Renukacharya gave one Linga to Srimadacharya? Also, it is not

quite possible that Renukacharya, a Shaiva, gave a Linga to Acharya,

who was not a Lingadhari, violating the very principle of Virashaiva.

Weighty authorities like Sri Vidyaranya and Sri Chitsukhacharya have

described about Acharya's victory over various Shaiva and Pashupata

sects following Avaidika practices and their reformation at his holy

hands. An analysis of his works also justifies this point. So it is

also quite impossible that he accepted a Linga from a Virashaiva, who

was a Pashupata. It is also popularly held by many that Shaiva mode

Pooja is performed to Lord Chandramouleshwara in Sringeri. The Pooja

performed is completely based on the Vedic lines. Also, it must not

be forgotten that Srichakra and Nrisimha Salagrama are also

worshipped along with the Linga. Salagrama is placed with the Linga

even during Abhisheka and other rituals. The Panchayatana Krama

followed here is alien to Virashaiva system. There are some

authorities who claim that several Shankara Vijayas actually mention

Revana Siddha. What they are confused about is the mention of "revA

tIrastha yogIndraH'. 'Reva' described here is river Narmada and the

Yogi on its banks is none but Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada. Words of

Mahapurushas is a great pramAna in times of doubt. H H Paramacharya

says in his exposition of the Saundaryalahari, "Sri Mahadeva gave

himself i.e. Chandramoulishwara Lingas to Acharya. How can Amba give

anything less? She gave Saundaryalahari to him!"

 

There are also various other beliefs associated with AcharyapadaH.

For example, a certain Nair family in Kerala claims that one of their

ancestors initiated Srimadacharya into Srividya. Now, think of

someone initiating Sri Dakshinamurthy! There are others who call

Acharya a Kaula based on the procedure of construction of Srichakra

described in the Saundaryalahari. The above claim seems to be of a

similar category.

 

This piece was written not to disprove or prove anything, but to

present the other version, which seems more logical in every way.

 

bhava shaMkara deshika me sharaNam.