Sri Varadendra thirth P.D.- 1761-1785 (PUNE) - Ashada Shukla Shasti

July 8, 2008

Sri Varadendra thirthara Punya Dina - Ashada Shukla Shasti1761-1785 (PUNE)24th in the line of Sri Rayar Mutt.-PooRvashram name: Bala ramacharya.Daily used to conduct debate on Hari sarvottamtva- Presentation-discussion- wrote "Tantrasara" in Kannada- Contemporary of Sri Sathyabhodhathrtha-, Aparokshgnanis like Vijayadasa, Gopaladasa,, Jagannatha dasa, and was responsible for encouraging research in Dasa Sahitya, its publication etc., The” Varadhendra Haridaasa Saahithya Manadali ” organisation at Lingasugooru, is still running as a mark of his initiation of Daasa sahithya movement.25 years did Samstana pooja- His disciple was Srinivasacharya who later became the great Sri Jagannathadasarau. He was accorded a rousing reception in 1765

at Lingasuguru and Sri Pranesha vittala sang the song" Hindina Sukarmavenu| BandodagideyoNaradendra raya banda Namma| Mandira kindu.||There are lots of compositions on him by Sri Pranesha vittalaThe keerthana by Sri Pranesha vittala Dasa:" Vandane maadirai Guruvaradendrara paadirai" describes his noble character and the saint attaining mukti on Ashada shudda Shasti, kujavara, uttara Nakshtara.Dhyaana Sloka:Vaade VijayasheelayaVaradaya VaraarthinaaM|Vadanya jana simhayaVaradendraaya Te NamhaH|Jagannatha Vitala has composed a song in Todi raga set to adhitala,Varadendra Yathi ChakravaRthi- NirantharaVaRNisuve Nimma KeerthiPranesha Vitala’s another composition in raga PooRvi set to Adhitala isGururaaya, gururaayaTharaNi Prakaasha Yathipa varadendra||In 1915, Appannachar who came to have Darshana of Gururaja , in his 3rd avatara as Kosagi Guru

Jagannatha dasa in the eulogy saidSree Rama Paada sarasiruha matta Bringa|Sree Rama Paada Kamalarchana Swanta ranga ||-This is a stotra of 13 stanzas. Many Bhaktas recite these slokas everyday and are getting the blessings of Sri Varadendra thirtha. according to their Bhakti.Sri Varadendra Theertha was one of the most proficient scholars ever to ascend the Parama Hamsa Peeta. In fact Raghavendra Theertha Himself had fore told that a very great and erudite scholar would ascend the Peeta and bring laurels to the Sri Mutt! The prophesy of Sri Guru Raghavendra was validated in toto when Sri Varadendra Theertha ascended the Peeta. Soon, the fame of Sri Varadendra Theertha spread far and wide . Varadendra Theertha vanquished many a renowned scholar of his time by his mastery and brilliance over all 'sastras'. Once Varadendra Theertha 'defeated' the great Rama Sastry , who reigned

supreme in city of Poona which was then under the control of the Peshwa clan of Marathas, in a marathon scholastic debate!!. It is said that Rama Sastry was so pleased by Sri Varadendra Theertha's mastery that he gratefully accepted 'defeat' and even handed out his own house to Sri Varadendra Theertha as a sign of respect!The Sri Mutt in Pune is administered with strict adherence to Madhwa tenets and is under the direct control of the Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Mantralaya. The daily pooja is carried out with utmost devotion and reverence! Later on I was overjoyed to witness the "Kanakabhisheka" to Sri Prahladarajaru which was performed with great pomp and with meticulous precision. It was indeed a sight to behold! After the Maha Mangalarathi, I sat down to have 'prasad' with other devotees and I could not but think that indeed my Pune visit was worth the while!, the credit for this of course

goes to Sri Guru Raya!Indeed what a glorious unbroken tradition of Madhwa Pontificate that I have been most fortunate to come across!Sri Laxmi Hayagreevarpanamastu”.RegardsHarishPS: Information Courtesy: Sri GR Raghunatha Rao and all his referencesPicture Courtesy: http://www.gururaghavendra1.org/brindavan.htm