Article in Hindu - Saint who ruled Vijayanagar

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Hi all,

 

On account of Sri. Vyasarayara Aradhane, there is an

article in the Hindu which can be found at:-

 

http://www.hindu.com/2005/03/30/stories/2005033001350900.htm

 

Here is the text of the same:-

 

Saint who ruled Vijayanagar

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 30. Rarely does a person introspect on

the true essentials of life, opting instead to battle

for survival. By their knee-jerk reaction to

situations and events, people pass up the opportunity

to conduct themselves in a manner suited to spiritual

progress. How then can a person emerge from such a

mundane existence and lead a meaningful life? By

virtue of their guidance, wisdom and knowledge, God's

messengers help aspirants shape and mould their lives

aimed at achieving their goal of salvation. According

to the Thirukkural, the best way to understand a

person's character and personality is not only by

looking at him and hearing him, but also by knowing

his activities. The biographies of saints who act as

channels of spiritualism to the parched seeker serve

just such a purpose. Sri Vyasaraja was one such

luminary hailed as the `chintamani' of Dwaita

philosophy, said Professor Bhaskar, speaking on the

occasion of the aradhana of Sri Vyasaraja (March 29).

When sage Narada had experienced the bliss of enjoying

Lord Krishna's lilas in the Dwapara Yug, the ultimate

devotee Prahalad wondered when he would be such a

blessed recipient. Narada then informed him that both

of them were assigned by Lord Krishna to be born in

the world as Purandaradasa and Vyasaraja respectively,

to spread the message of the Lord in order to help man

attain salvation. Scholars point to the internal

evidence of such an event occurring by excerpting from

the latter's song, " ninna nodi dhanyanadhano

Srinivasa. " As a fledgling student in the ashrama of

his guru, the young scholar gave enough evidence of

his searing knowledge, logical derivation, virtuosity

in debate resulting in fluent arguments, humility and

kindness towards fellow human beings — enough to

convince his preceptor that Vyasaraja would be the

best choice as successor. However, the young scholar

baulked at such an honour and left the Math premises.

That night, the Lord accompanied by his consort

appeared in a dream and encouraged him to embrace the

post in order that the philosophical tenets may reach

the people at large, and he returned to the Math.

 

In his later years, Vyasaraja became the patron-saint

of the Vijayanagar kingdom, and when Krishnadevaraya

faced the peril of `Kuhayoga' which portended death

for the ruler, the saint assumed the throne for the

requisite period. It is for his philosophic `empire'

that the saint, whose tomb is on the banks of the

Tungabhadra, is renowned.