SRI VADIRAJA VIRACHITA "TEERTHAPRABANDHA"
INTRODUCTION:
“Teertha Prabandha”
is an exemplary lyrical extravaganza composed by saint philosopher of Dwaita
School Sri Vadirajaru if Soda Mutt founded by Sri Vishnu Tritharu, a pre-sainthood
brother of Sri Madhwacharyaru. The Soda, which is also known as Sonda, Mutt is
one of the Ashta or eight Mutts, initiated and installed by Sri Madhwacharyaru,
for the propagation of Dwaita Siddhanta.
Sri Vadirajaru was
initiated into sainthood by Sri Vageesha Tirtharu and he is the twentieth Seer
to adore the Soda Mutt. Sri Vadirajaru
had his tutelage from most distinguished scholars Sri Vidyanidhigalu and Sri
Vyasarajaru. Sri Vidhyanidhigalu had his early education under Vageesha
Tirtharu, one of his pre-sainthood relatives. Under their tutelage, Sri
Vadirajaru acquired vast knowledge of all holy scriptures, including epics.
Sri Vidyanidhigalu
was a relative of Sri Vageesha Tirtharu during his pre-sainthood days. The first
name of Vidyanidhigalu was Sreenivasacharyaru and was a family bound person. Later,
he denounced the family bondage and accepted sainthood from Sri Vageeshasha
Tirtharu.
After his
initiation into sainthood, Sri Vadirajaru was preaching hundreds of disciples.
Even though the country was witnessing highly conflicting political tumult, Sri
Vadirajaru toured the entire country and spread the significance of classical
culture, the need to imbibe philosophical knowledge and the greatness of
Vaishnava school of philosophy.
Teertha Prabandha by
Sri Vadirajaru is perhaps the first-of-its-kind type of work in Sanskrit detailing
important pilgrim destinations across India. Sri Vadirajaru has mentioned the
names of all holy places visited by him and thereby, he has provided a beautiful,
informative referendum of holy places. It is amazing that Sri Vadirajaru
visited all the places by foot and recorded the details pertaining to each and every
place in poetic form. In all the stanzas, Sri Vadirajaru has mentioned the names
of places, presiding deity, historical significance of the place and so on. In
addition, he has described in his own inimitable style, Lord of Lords, Sri Maha
Vishnu.
The pilgrimage of
Sri Vadirajaru began from his native precincts of Tulu Nadu or Taulava Kshetra.
Commencing
from Rajatapeethapura, the erstwhile name of present Udupi, Sri Vadirajaru
touched Pushkara in the west; beginning from Krishna River, he touched the
northern most point of Badari; in the eastern side, Sri Vadiraja launched his
entourage from Jagannatha Puri and reached Kumbhakonam in south-west. He
started from Sri Rangam in the south and touched Anantashayana. It is hard to
imagine that during those days, when there were no vehicles nor any convenient
roads, maps or directions, he was able to visit so many places.
In Teertha
Prabandha, Sri Vadirajaru has dovetailed mythological and historical significance
of all the places and deities he visited. Sri Vadirajaru did not have or did
not employ any modern technology to explore the history of the places visited
by him. He could do so only because of his mystic, divine power. He has
provided links that every place has with Ramayana, Mahabharat, eighteen
Puranas, Vedas, Upanishats and so on. After Canterbury Tales by William
Chaucer, Teertha Prabandha is perhaps the most authentic, extraordinary,
brilliant and outstanding travelogue to date and first-of-its kind in Sanskrit.
Please
visit https://www.facebook.com/dwarakanath.shimoga
Please read,
comment and share. SDN
No comments:
Post a Comment