SRI VADIRAJA VIRACHITA “TEERTHA PRABANDHA”

INTRODUCTION II  

            Sri Vadirajaru had achieved great mystic powers through incessant penance, meditation and strict obeisance. Sri Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529) and later Achyutaraya (1530-1542), who ascended the prestigious throne of Vijayanagar empire were highly devoted followers of Sri Vadirajaru.  Arasappanayaka, who was the vassal ruler of Soda, was highly obedient to Sri Vadirajaru. The then scholars and distinguished intelligentsia had showered titles such as Prasangabharanateertha, Shad-darshanashanmukha, Sarvajnakalpa, Kavikulathilaka and so on.

            Sri Vadirajaru altered the tenure of Paryaya system of offering Puja by each of the eight Mutts to Lord Krishna in Udupi from the erstwhile term of two months to two years. His disciple Sri Vedavedyatirtharu had attained premature old age. Although Sri Vadirajaru had to perform the puja as part of the Paryaya, he was so humble that he allowed his disciple to render the service to Lord Krishna. However, he utilised that Paryaya period for creating the temple of Sri Trivikramaraya and divine pond Dhavalaganga at Sonda.

            Presently, Sri Raghavendra Swamy of Mantralaya and his Brindavan there, which he entered live, is a household name for several reasons. Sri Raghavendra Swamy had displayed several acts of instant magic with his Saatwik power which he attained through sheer meditation, devotion and sane reasoning. These acts were necessitated by the fact that there were several atheists who challenged him and the existence of God and he had to silence them. Such acts of Mystic power or magical power and instances that are generally branded as “Pavadas” were displayed by Sri Vadirajaru, much before Sri Raghavendra Swamy. Apart from this, many years before Sri Raghavendra Swamy, Sri Vadirajaru entered the Brindavan live.

            Sri Vadirajaru initiated several people in Koteshwar and surrounding places into Vaishnavism. Sri Kanakadasa, one of the most popular Dasas in Kannada literary world, was a contemporary of Sri Vadirajaru and both of them shared intimate moments in their life time. In fact, Sri Vadirajaru and Sri Vyasarajaru played a significant role in Sri Kanakadasa getting accredited as an elite Vaishnava Dasa. Both Sri Vadirajaru and Sri Vyasarajaru were the devotees of Lord Vishnu without any bias, suspicion or prejudice. They spread the tenets of Vishnava Culture, the principle of Dualism, the Dwaita philosophy as propounded by Sri Madhwacharyaru.

             Although centuries have elapsed since Sri Vadirajaru entered the Brindavan at Sonda, hundreds of devotees throng Sonda to pay obeisance to the great saint, philosopher, poet and prophet of Dwaita philosophy Sri Vadirajaru.

             Sri Vadirajaru has consecrated hundreds of Lingas at Dharmasthala, Sonda and other places, bearing testimony to his broad thinking and outstanding achievements. This act of Sri Vadirajaru has erased the wrong perception that followers of Dwaita Cult hate Shiva or Rudra.

             Sri Vadirajaru was a devotee of Sri Hayagreeva, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The contribution of Sri Vadirajaru to the field of spiritual knowledge is immeasurable. Sri Surottama Tirtharu, who adored the Pontiff Seat of Bhandarkere Mutt and was a younger brother of Sri Vadirajaru befre attaining sainthood, has written commentaries on Yuktimallika and Pashandakhandana works of Sri Vadirajaru. His successor Sri Vedavedyaru, Sri Narayanacharyaru, who has rendered exemplary interpretation to Rugmineesha Vijaya and Teerthaprabandha of Sri Vadirajaru, and Sri Raghunathacharyaru, have all provided an insight into the life and achievements of Sri Vadirajaru.      

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/dwarakanath.shimoga

Please read, comment and share. SDN