Vidyaranya

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VIDYARANYA1

Dear friends

 

The large number of responses I received for my publishing about Ramanujacharya

and Desikacharya prompted me to write about Vidayaranya. This is part 1 of the

posting.

 

One senior Iyengar member wrote to me that my postings are authentic, simple and

easy to understand and he desired to publish them in Vaishnavite books and

sites. I happily agreed to him. This I think is one of the best appreciation I

could get for my efforts. Many members also write to me about the simplicity

and captions. I thank all such members for patronising me.

 

Above all I have to thank the moderators of the US Brahmins, iyer 123 pattars

and thatha-patti for their moral support and publishing my postings with

priority

 

Sincerely

Gopala Krishnan 26-11-09

 

1.Introduction

 

Vidyaranya was a great and famous saint who is known as the founder of

Karnataka. When people had lost all hope, he provided inspiration to Hakka and

Bukka who tilled the people with hope and courage. He adorned the Sharada Peetha

of Sringeri. He strove to strong then the foundations of Vijayanagar Empire. His

childhood name was Madhava, later he was called Madhavacharya. After

Bhuvaneswari’s blessing he was known as Vidyaranya.

 

2.Parents and co-borne

 

Mayanacharya was a pious man of a quiet nature. He had settled down in

Pampakshetra (modern Hampe) and was living peacefully and happily teaching his

disciples. He married Srimatidevi in due time. She too was of a quiet and pious

nature. For a long time they had no children. So the couple decided to go on

pilgrimage to holy places. They performed many rituals and religious ceremonies

with devotion. Full filling their prayers a son was born to them. It was about

the year 1268. The child was named Madhava.

 

After the birth of Madhava two more sons and a daughter were born to them. The

boys were named Sayana and Bhoganatha and the daughter was named Singala.

 

3.Education

 

The parents decided to give Madhava and his brothers good education. There was

a saint called Shankarananda living on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. He

was a learned man. Mayanacharya took all his sons to Shankarananda and requested

him to accept his children as disciples.

 

Shankarananda used to accept students very selectively . If he were convinced

that a particular aspirant was interested in real knowledge, then only he would

agree to accept him as disciple. Madhava, Sayana and Bhoganatha prostrated at

his feet. Shankarananda was pleased with them and he accepted them as disciples.

These children studied under him for many years. They were intelligent. They

were devoted to learning.

 

3. Shankaranda direct Madhava to Kancheepuram for higher studies

 

After a few years Shankarananda felt that he had taught them all that he could.

He called them one day and said, " Children, you have learned all that I taught

all these years with devotion. Now you must go to my teacher, revered

Vidyateertha. He lives in Kanchi. I shall request him to accept you as his

disciples. "

 

The boys agreed to do as they were told. They took Shankarananda's letter and

went to see Vidyateertha at Kanchi.

 

4. Demise of Mayanacharya

 

In the meantime Mayanacharya passed away. Srimatidevi, not wanting to interrupt

the children's education, willingly saw them off to Kanchi.

 

5. Importance of Kanchi as learning centre

 

At that time Kanchi was famous as a great centre of learning in Dwaita, Adwaita

and Vishishtadwaita systems of philosophy. There were competent teaches in

different centres of learning who taught all the six systems of philosophy.

Having heard of the fame of the teachers there, students from far-off places

came to learn at their feet. Besides being the centre of learning and culture,

Kanchi was the capital of the Pallava kingdom.

 

6. Madhava gets educated under Vidya theertha

 

The preceptor of Kamakoti Peetha was Sri Vidyateertha He was also known as

Sarvajna Vishnu, Vidyesha, Vidyananda and Vidyashankara. He was a mine of

knowledge. People believed that he was the incarnation of Dakshinamoorthy. It

was the good fortune of Madhava to have him as his teacher, and he earned his

good will.

One morning, Sri Vidya teertha, was seated among his disciples. The ruler of the

kingdom was also seated among them close to the Swami. The Swami had decided to

test the ability of these disciples. He put the same question to every one:

" What is the ambition of your life? "

Each student answered the question differently.

One said: I wish to seek the patronage of a king at his court. "

 

It was now the turn of Venkata natha: " I have decided to popularise the

teachings of Sri Ramanujacharya. I want to write commentaries on his works. I

have also decided to become a teacher of the Vedas and Upanishads. "

 

" What is your view, Sudarshana Bhatta? " " I wish to go to Srirangam and devote

the rest of my days in the worship of Sri Ranganatha. "

 

" Bhoganatha, tell us about your plans. "

" I wish to become the king among scholars. "

 

" Sayana, what is your desire? " " When I grow up I wish to write commentaries on

the four Vedas. The aim of my life is to collect the essence of all the systems

of philosophy. "

 

The master asked finally: " Madhava, tell me what your ambition is. "

 

Madhava said: " Gurudeva, it is difficult to give an answer to your question. "

" Why is it difficult, child? "

 

" As long as the insolence of ego survives in man, it is difficult to achieve

anything. But God willing. I would like to spend my days in the service of

mankind, the visible ex-pression of God. I wish to utilize my life to awaken the

power of the nation, which is now put to sleep as a result of ignorance.

 

I wish to devote my life for the protection of my country and my religion and

the freedom of my country, " said Madhava.

 

When Vidyateertha heard these words, he felt proud of Madhava. He embraced his

disciple and said, " Child it is sacred to devote one's life for the good of

others, for one's own country and religion, and for protection of the freedom of

the country. Be successful in your ideal. May the world be better on account of

your service! "

 

Along with his brothers Madhava studied the six systems of philosophy,

literature and art. He

became an expert in the vedas and Upanishads.

 

6.1 Co- students at Kanchipuram

 

It was good luck awaiting him at Kanchi. He could establish extreme friendship

of Venkata natha, ( Desikacharya / Vedanta desika) Sudarshana Bhatta and

Akshobhya Teertha, stalwarts in the Dwaita system.

 

During his childhood Madhava felt that he was born to achieve great things. He

'felt that he was not born just to get educated, to marry, beget children and to

meet his end as usual like others.

 

At Kanchipuram Madhava could get educated under other teachers too . His life

could much be shaped by teachers like Bharatikrishna. Shankarananda and

Srikanthanatha. His ability had been greatly perfected by his teachers. He had

patriotism, firmness, and service mindedness along with practical sense,

tolerance towards other religions, political awareness and the desire to work

for the good of the world. By the time he was called Madhavacharya. He returned

to Humpi after education with his brothers.

 

7. Attack of Malik Kafur and calamity at Srirangam

The pilgrims who had come to the temple had just heard that Mallik Kafur, the

general of the Delhi Sultan Allauddin Khilji, was advancing with a large army to

plunder the riches of the temple of Srirangam. On account of this there was no

sign of joy on the faces of devotees who had assembled at the temple of Sri

Ranganatha Swamy at Srirangam. Every one feared the worst and did not know how

to avert the impending danger.

 

For youngsters- Srirangam was an ancient place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The

temple had three or four enclosures and was surrounded by a strong fort. There

was neither the necessary army nor the weapons to protect it. The citizens had

assembled in the temple to plan for the defence of the town and its sacred

temple. One of them suggested that the valuables should be transported to a

safer place. Some one suggested that they should fight till the end to protect

the town, the temple and its valuable jewels.

 

After a great deal of discussion, at the suggestion of Desikacharya , they

decided to cover the sacred place of worship and build a new place of worship

resembling the old one in all respects in order to save the original idol of

Ranganatha Swamy from destruction.

 

They also decided to remove the valuable Jewellery and the other idols used in

the processions to Tirupati and conceal them there and thus save the wealth of

the temple.

When they were thus engaged in self-protection and defence of the town and the

temple, the army of Mallik Kafur invaded the town like a whirlwind. Hundreds of

residents were killed in battle and thousands were wounded.

 

At this critical moment Desikacharya along with his friend Sudarshana Bhatta,

was engaged in saving the valuable library. Desikacharya was also called Vedanta

Deshika. We have read about him earlier.

 

The invaders plundered the temple, they mutilated the duplicated idol of God Sri

Ranganatha, looted all the available valuables and returned satisfied. During

this time Venkatanatharya and Sudarshana Bhatta concealed the valuable books in

the sands on the banks of Cauvery and lay concealed for the whole night in a

bush on the bank of the river.

 

8. Mallik Kafur erect a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram

Mallik Kafur erected a pillar of victory at Rameshwaram as a symbol of his

Victory. He appointed his Governors at all places he had conquered and returned

to Delhi with great wealth.

 

Sudarshana Bhatta at Srirangam, Venkatanathacharya at Satyamangala and

Madhavacharya at Pampakshetra were helpless. They did not know what to do.

 

Interested readers may please wait for NEXT POSTING to read about further

actions of Madhavacharya .

 

VIDYARANYA2

 

Dear friends

 

The large number of responses I received for my publishing about Ramanujacharya

and Desikacharya prompted me to write about Vidayaranya. This is part 2 of the

posting.

 

One senior Iyengar member wrote to me that my postings are authentic, simple and

easy to understand and he desired to publish them in Vaishnavite books and

sites. I happily agreed to him. This I think is one of the best appreciations I

could get for my efforts. Many members also write to me about the simplicity and

captions. I thank all such members for patronising me.

 

Above all I have to thank the moderators of the US Brahmins, iyer 123 pattars

and thatha-patti for their moral support and publishing my postings with

priority

 

Sincerely

Gopala Krishnan 7-11-09

 

9 Madhavacharya call on Desikacharya

 

Madhavacharya heard all about how the invading army had plundered Srirangam. He

came to Srirangam and made Enquirer about Sudarshana Bhatta. He could not find

him. Then he went to Satyamangala to see Desikacharya. Madhavacharya asked him

about the whereabouts of Sudarshana Bhatta.

He replied: " There is no news of him lately. It is said that he died of shock.

It is not surprising also. Only people like me who have not died are sinners. I

do not know what worse things are in store for us to see. "

 

Madhavacharya said: " Deshika, what a source of courage and hope you were when

you were young! Where are your fearlessness and courage? Where is your

self-confidence? "

 

Deshika replied: " You would have understood my condition if you had witnessed

what I witnessed at Srirangam It is a nightmare for me. I can never

forget it. "

 

Desikacharya said †" “I am resolved to rouse the common man from his sleep and

inactivity. I am also firm in my decision to devote my life to the cause of our

nation and its reconstruction. With this object in view I have composed a war

song called 'The Song of Fearlessness' (Abheetistava). He gave the manuscript of

the poem to Madhavacharya.

 

10 Madhavacharya understand aim of his life

 

Madhavacharya read it again and again. His eyes brightened. Firmness appeared on

his face. He addressed Desikacharya and said, " The holy purpose for which I came

to you now is fulfilled today. I understood the goal of my life. By composing

the Poem on fearlessness, you have taught me the goal of my life. I am indebted

to you. " He saluted him, with his eyes full of tears of joy.

Both friends reminisced about happy days of their childhood. In particular they

enjoyed recalling their student days under Sarvajna Vishnu Sharma in

Kanchipuram. They discussed about their duty to the country in those days of

hardship and indecision. They also discussed ways and means of removing

ignorance and fear that were prevalent and to begin an era of hope and courage

in the country. It was a decisive stage in the history of Karnataka.

11. Madhavacharya wishes for a stable empire

 

The political conditions in the South were very bad. The Hindus were so fear-

stricken that they were afraid of

protesting against injustice. The rulers were conducting themselves in me most

unbecoming way.

But there was no united protest anywhere. There was need for a leader who could

inspire the people to fight for ideals like love for the country, their religion

and culture. The country was waiting for the appearance of a leader who could

unite the people for the sake of those ideals.

 

People of Karnataka had shown their courage by conquering the whole of South

India and ruling over it in past. Dynasties like Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas,

Kadambas and Hoysalas had shone in the history of Karnataka like jewels

 

Times had changed. There were many changes among the ruling class at the Delhi

Court. The Khilji dynasty had made room for the Tughlaqs. Mohammad Bin Tughlaq

had occupied the throne after causing the murder of his father. The kingdoms in

the South owed allegiance to him only nominally. But everywhere there was

misrule.

 

11. Madhavacharya get ignored

 

It was at this juncture that Madhavacharya wished to lay a firm foundation for a

stable empire. He wanted the empire to be founded on the principles of loyalty

to religion and welfare of the people so that the citizens could live in peace.

He wanted to infuse a spirit of self-respect and fearlessness into the hearts of

people .He did not get help and co-operation for this task from any king or

administrator.

 

Every one who heard of his dream of such a state ignored it, as it was difficult

to make it a reality. Madhavacharya waited eagerly. He had no wealth and no

support of the people. But he had confidence that this task would be performed.

He knew that by the grace of God and the blessing of his teacher this task would

be accomplished.

 

He thought that a task like this could not be achieved without the accumulation

of the merit earned by tapas. Therefore he bade good-bye to his worldly ties of

family and decided to undertake austerities.

 

12. Mahavacharya become ascetic

 

Having decided to perform tapas, Madhavacharya went in search of a suitable

place. He travelled through many parts of the country and came back to

Pampakshetra. By this time his mother had passed away. His wife also had died

prematurely. Fate had freed him from the family ties. There was nothing left in

the family to tie him to the world. He devoted his life to the service of his

motherland.

 

13. Madhavacharya perform penace

 

One day, after worshipping at the temple of Virupaksha of Pampakshetra, Madhava

charya came to the banks of Tungabhadra and rested under the shade of a tree for

sometime. He dozed off for a while. There was an indefinable feeling of joy in

him. He opened his eyes for a moment and looked around. Nature was pleasant

here. Tungabhadra appeared to be dancing as she flowed in the midst of mountains

and forests. The golden rays of the sun glowed on the waves in the river. The

trees in the forest stood tall concealing the sky above them.

 

As he sat there his sorrow disappeared and light seemed to fill his mind. He

bathed in the river and sat under the tree in 'Padmasana' (the 'lotus' posture)

and meditated.

 

During the puranic days Pampambika sat in tapas at Hemakoota in order to earn

the grace of Parameshwara and had succeeded in her effort. Anjanadevi bore her

son Anjaneya to Vayu at Anjanadri here. Thus Pampakshetra had become famous as a

place where ambitious people could attain what they wished.

Gradually his tapas became severe. At first he ate only roots and fruits, then

he gave up even that and lived on water. In the final stage be lived only by

air. These tapas went on for twelve years. But the Goddess on whom he meditated

did not appear before him.

His body had become thin on account of his austere tapas. But there was the

effulgence and strength derived from tapas on his face and in his limbs. He did

not feel the pangs of hunger and thirst nor did he feel tired. His mind was

concentrated on Bhuvaneshwari. He was supremely satisfied.

14. Goddess Bhuvaneswari appear to Madhavacharya

 

In order to test Madhavacharya, Bhuvaneshwari came in the form of terrible heat,

storm, rain, lightning, fire and huge floods. But Madhavacharya's firmness was

least affected by any of these forces and his mind was firm. In the end

Bhuvaneshwari appeared before him as a mother hearkening to the cry of her

infant.

 

Mother Bhuvaneshwari addressed Madhavacharya and said, " Child, I am pleased with

your austere tapas. Get up from your tapas. Ask what you want. " Her voice was

sweet and full of love.

 

Madhavacharya opened his eyes and saw the auspicious face of his Goddess. His

eyes were brimming with tears of joy. With folded hands he prayed, " Mother, what

is there which you do not know? After seeing you, I do not feel the need to ask

for anything worldly. Give me faith, wisdom and renunciation. Grant that your

auspicious figure will always reside in my heart. " Cannot Wait till My Next

Birth

 

Bhuvaneshwari said, " Child, I know what you are longing for. From today you will

be a master of all knowledge and its branches and you will be called Vidyaranya

in future. You will remedy the deplorable condition of Karnataka. You will do

well to the world. But... "

 

Goddess Bhuvaneswari commanded Madhavacharya some conditions to obey by him.

 

Let us see the conditions and whether Madhavacharya agreed to them in the NEXT

POSTING