VISHWAMITRA LAUNCHES LONG PENANCE

Vishwamitra launches long penance
(This is the Chapter 55 in Balakanda of Sri Valmeeki Ramayana. Here King Kaushika begins penance in pursuit of Brahmarshi status. Please read, comment and share.) 
TatastAnAkulAndruShTwA VishwAmitrAstramOhitAn|
VasiShThashchOdayAmAsa kAmadhuksruja yOgataha||1||

TasyA humBhAravAjjAtAha kAmBhOjA ravisanniBhAha|
OoDhasashchATha samBhUtA BarbarAha shastrapANayaha||2||

YOnidEshAshcha yavanAha shakruddEshAchChakAstaThA|
ROmakUpEShu mlEchChAshcha hAreetAha sakirAtakAha||3||

TaistanniShUditam sainyam VishwAmitrasya tatkShaNAt|
SapadAtigajam sAshwam saraTham RaGhunandana||4||

DruShTwA niShUditam sainyam VasiShThEna mahAtmanA|
VishwAmitrasutAnAm tu shatam nAnAviDhAyuDham|
ABhyaDhAvatsusankrudhDham VasiShTham japatAm varam||5||

HunkArENaiva tAnsarvAndadAha BhagavAnruShihi||6||

Rama, noticing that Yavanas had become anxious due to the incessant onslaught by most valorous Vishwamitra with his Astras, Vasishtha prompted Shabala to create many more soldiers with her mystic powers. As motivated by Vasishtha, Shabala made another roaring sound as “Humbha” to produce soldiers and immediately, soldiers called Kambhoja, who matched Sun for brightness. From her udder came a weapon-beholding army of Barbaras. From her vagina were born Yavanas and from the ass came out the Shakas. Accompanied by Kiratakas, the Mlechchas came out of the pores at the root of her hairs. All these forces instantaneously demolished the entire armed force of Vishwamitra, including the horses, chariots and elephant-mounted army. As soon as their whole army, which consisted of four different divisions, was precipitated by the forces created by Shabala, the 100 children of Vishwamitra, who became very furious, rushed towards Vasishtha, who was excellent, dedicated and committed to his meditation, recitation and penance, beholding different types of weapons. As soon as they came in front of him, Vasishtha, who was adorned with a divine radiation, burnt them into ashes by merely producing “hoom” sound from his throat. With his four divisions of the huge army and one hundred children having been completely destroyed instantaneously by Vasishtha without shaking a bit from his seat, highly successful Vishwamitra felt ashamed and began thinking seriously. At that moment, Vishwamitra was like a calm sea without waves, a snake with its tooth removed and he lost his shin like the Sun loses when he is gripped by Rahu. With all his one hundred children and the entire force of one Akshauhini army having been smashed to pieces by Brahmarshi Vasishtha, Vishwamitra became dejected and desperate like a bird whose wings had been cut. With all his strength, pride, self-esteem

, ego and head weight having been submerged, he became very unhappy. He instantly decided about his next course of action, summoned one of his sons, ordered him to look after the kingdom in accordance with the norms prescribed for Kshatriyas and went away to the forest to do penance. Passing from one forest to another, he finally reached Mount Himalaya, the abode of Kinnaras and Serpents. He launched a fierce penance at the bottom of the mountain with the sole purpose of securing a boon from Mahadeva. After a few days passed by, Lord of deities, Mahesha, whose flag bears the emblem of Bullock and the Lord who always bestows upon his devotees the desired boons, appeared in front of Kaushika and asked: 

“Maharaja, what is the reason for your penance? I am impressed with your penance and I have come here to give you the boon. Tell what boon do you want from me?”

SRI SUMADHWAVIJAYA - 4

. Sri Bannanje Govindacharya has thrown valuable light on this aspect in his compilation of Madhwavijaya. Please read, comment and share to be graced by Lord Hari and Vayu. SDN)

Sri Narayana Panditacharyaru has not tried to touch upon certain delicate subjects like the origin of the idol of Sri Krishna consecrated by Sri Madhwacharya in Udupi. It might be because of instructions from Sri Madhwacharya; it might be due to lack of proper evidence; could be because of reliable source or it might also be because Sri Narayana Panditacharyaru was not fully convinced about the reports or sources. However, instances like the visit of Kasaragod by Sri Madhwacharyaru, his visit to Madaneshwara (present Madhuru) temple, the daily routine of Sri Madhwacharya during his stay at Sri Vishnumangala temple, meeting with the then king Jayasihma, visit of Sri Trivikrama Panditacharyaru etc., have been delicately, explicitly and comprehensively described in Sumadhwavijaya. It must be stated here that Narayana Panditacharyaru had a very high interest and skill to grasp everything that was happening around him from a very young age. In the concluding part of his “Bhavaprakashika”, a treatise, Sri Narayana Panditacharyaru states: 

CharyA druShTwA naraihi kAshchid vismrutya dEvamAyayA|

AvismrutAshcha puruShairnAsmABhihi sakalAha shrutAha|

ShrutAshcha kAshchinnaivOktA dEvaguhyatwanishchayAt||

“Some of the eyewitnesses have themselves forgotten what they had witnessed; the divine interference has erased their memory power; instances that people keep recalling to their memory have not reached my ears; even if they have reached my ears, I haven’t recorded all of them here and thinking that they must be divine secrets, I have intentionally left them out.” 

Moreover, his concern for authenticity is very much appreciable: 

PrAyENa naikamAtrOktA kaThitA iha sarvashaha|

MayA druShTwA Dhruvamiti prOktAha PrAyENa pUruShaihi|

DwayOrvaktrOrvirODhE tu sweekrutA prabalasya geehi|| 

“I have left out instances which is said to have been witnessed by a lone person and there is no other conversation in which it has been discussed; in a majority of cases, I have recorded only those that have been seen by several persons. Whenever there is a discrepancy between the narration of two different persons, I have utilized the one that has been prominently and vehemently stated.” 

Sri Narayana Panditacharya goes on to pronounce that he has not twisted any instance due to literary or poetic excellence or artistry: 

KAvyashriyE vA gurukeertiyE vA prOktam swayaivApi maneeShayA vA|

TasmAnna shankyEta mahAjanEna pumsA kushAgreeyaDhiyA(a)pyavashyam||

“I have not recorded a single illusory or imaginary sentence merely for enhancing the poetic expression or to exaggerate the personality of Sri Madhwacharyaru. Elderly persons need not be apprehensive about this. Even a sharpest and cleverest person cannot find dishonesty in the narration.

STORY OF VISHWAMITRA - 7

(King Kaushika tries to threaten Vasishtha. This is the latter half of Chapter 53, Balakanda, Sri Valmeeki Ramayana. Please read, comment and share it. SDN) 

With Vasishtha saying all these things, eloquent Kaushika spoke a bit emotionally: 

“Maharshi, I will give fourteen thousand elephants, adorned with gold chains in the neck and waist, and gold hooks (Ankush), towards the value of Shabala. I will give eight hundred gold chariots bedecked with thousands of gold bells and driven by four Stallions each. I will give very fast-p

aced 1,010 horses born in Kambhoja, Bahleeka2 and other countries and belonging to the Gandharva community. I will also give one crore young, multi-colored and mulching cows. Taking all these things, you give me only this wonderful cow. If you still feel that this value is less, then I will bring and submit whatever number of heaps of pearls and diamonds you may wish. At least by taking any amount of materials that you may desire, please give this Shabala to me.”

Even after hearing the emotional and excited words of clever Vishwamitra, Brahmarshi Vasishtha replied in a cool and timid tone: 

“Maharaja, irrespective of what might happen or what you are going to give, I will certainly not give my Shabala to you.

YEtadEva hi mE ratnamEtadEva hi mE Dhanam|

YEtadEva hi sarvaswamEtadEva hi jeevitam||23||

This Shabala is the heap of pearls to me. She is my wealth and she is everything to me. She is my life. She is the day, months, Yajnas, the gifts related to Yajna, and many more acts are my Shabala. Due to her presence only all my activities are happening. All the routine and meritorious acts that I am performing every day are reliant on Shabala and she is the origin of all those activities. There is no need to have any doubts about this. Most certainly, I will not give this Shabala, who has made me realise everything I desire, however much you may get excited or try to propitiate me in this regard.”

SUMADHWAVIJAYA - PRELUDE 2

(Unless the outstanding features of a work is known, it is difficult to perceive its real hidden value and that is why the prelude needs to be equal to or at least very close to the value of SUMADHWAVIJAYA, which several scholars, irrespective of the school of thought or philosophy they belong to, have hailed as one of the most brilliant historical works, besides being an extraordinary verse that is worth chanting and reciting. Please read, comment and share to receive all the merits from Sri Hari and Vayu. SDN)
It is said that till the composition of Sumadhwavijaya, there was no attempt or concern for recording the anecdotes of a peerless luminary like Sri Madhwacharya. According to a great scholar, what makes Sumadhwavijaya an outstanding composition is the fact that no such work was ever attempted by anybody for either Sri Adi Shankaracharya or Sri Ramanujacharya till Sumadhwavijaya was composed and published. What happens in such an event is that the authenticity takes a backseat. There will be nobody to claim to have seen any deeds, acts, mysterious events that have purportedly believed to have been related to Sri Shankara or Sri Ramanuja. This is perhaps the major reason for which there are different stories about these two saint-philosophers. 
Another noteworthy feature of Sumadhwavijaya is that the composer, Sri Narayana Panditacharya, has admitted quite openly that he had thoroughly checked and got himself convinced about the events he has cited in his work and has wantonly avoided narration of any such events that he could not get convinced about. The commitment to truth, dedication to empirical value and devotion to Lord Vayu are therefore beyond description, as far as Sumadhwavijaya is concerned. 
Sumadhwavijaya cannot be considered as a biography alone. It has that divine power and value that make it equal to hymns composed by great Rishis and Munis of yore. 
His own justification of authenticity will be explained in the next issue. 
Na Madhava samO dEvaha na cha Madhwa samO Guruhu||

SRI SUMADHWAVIJAYA - PRELUDE 1

(Readers are requested to go through the text without missing the link for a better understanding. Please read, comment and Share. SDN 

Sumadhwavijaya is perhaps the only authentic work that provides comprehensive information about the life and works of proponent of Tatva Siddhanta or Dwaitha philosophy, Sri Madhwacharya. Sri Madhwacharya was the third incarnation of Lord Vayu, the previous two being Hanuman during Tretayuga and Bheemasena during Dwaparayuga. The fact that Sumadhwavijaya has been composed by a contemporary of Sri Madhwacharya, Sri Narayana Panditacharya, who was son of Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya, an intimate disciple of Sri Madhwacharya. Although Sri Narayana Panditacharya was too young during the lifetime of Sri Madhwacharya, Sri Narayana Panditacharya not only had the good fortune of watching the Guru of his father, Sri Madhwacharya, from close quarters, but also had that divine opportunity to get to know everything about Sri Madhwacharya from his father Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya. 

It must be said that Sri Narayana Panditacharya has done a great favour to this world by recording the prominent acts and events that exemplify the outstanding contributions of Sri Madhwacharya to human society. 

An attempt is being made through this platform to provide the gist of the great composition Sumadhwavijaya and thereby learn a little more about the life history of this Jagadguru.

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STORY OF VISHWAMITRA - 5

(This is the latter half of Chapter 52 in Balakanda, Sri Valmeeki Ramayana, where King Kaushika and Sage Vasishtha exchange pleasantries. Please read, comment and share it. Happy reading to all readers. SDN)  

Vasishtha replied:

“Maharaja, meditation, penance, rituals and other activities are going on without any physical or mental trouble. My disciples are also completely focused on the discharge of six basic duties (Shatkarma) ¹. In this hermitage, all types of herbs, medicinal plants and trees are in abundance.”

Later, Vasishtha, a person engaged in long and arduous penance, meditation and son born out of the psyche of Brahma, questioned Vishwamitra, who was sitting comfortably:

“Oh pious Vishwamitra, are you happy and comfortable? How are your wife, son, relatives and friends doing? Are you following the four types of royal circles or duties² (Raja vruttas or circles) and looking after your subjects in a cultured manner? Are you nurturing and nourishing your subordinates and feudal lords by awarding them with monthly payments and prizes? Because of the care you are bestowing upon them, are they all obedient and duty-bond? Have you vanquished the foes that create problems to the kingdom? Has your strong four-pronged army (Chaturangabala) developed comprehensively as it is instrumental for victory against enemies? Have you made your soldiers obedient to you by disbursing their monthly remuneration from time to time? Is your treasury always filled with riches? Are you filling the treasury by collecting the revenue from subjects without troubling them and without causing any displeasure to them? Are your friends keeping well? Are all you children and grandchildren doing well?”

In reply to the questions asked by Vasishtha pertaining to his pleasantness, most vibrant Vishwamitra replied to Vasishtha, who was like an ocean of modesty and most revered:

“Maharshi, with your blessings and grace, everything is pleasant.” Thus, exchanging pleasantries and discussing over several subjects related to State, exchequer, penance and spiritual practices, Vishwamitra and Vasishtha, who were very much delighted for their mutual meeting, spent a very long time. After completing that exchange of pleasantries of common interest, Vasishtha told Vishwamitra with a smiling face:  

“Oh valiant king Vishwamitra, I want to host a party to you and huge army to the best of my capacity. Kindly accept this felicitation. You are a great King as well as a distinguished guest. I am duty bound to offer worship and treat you well as you have arrived here accidentally.”

Hearing that, very wise Vishwamitra said:  

“Maharshi, I am fully pleased with the kind words you are saying. This is equal to your having treated me well. I am fully satisfied with the fruits, vegetables and roots that are available in your Ashram. I am fully honored by the Padya and Achamana that is very essential for a guest to be treated with. Moreover, seeing a great sage, who is rich the wealth of penance, has delighted me. I have been certainly honored by you and you deserve to be worshipped. May your unhindered grace and kind blessings be on me, incessantly. I submit my infinite salutations to you. I will now take leave of you.”

In response to that, broad-minded Vasishtha told Vishwamitra several time to depart only after getting treated by him well.

Raghava, Vishwamitra had to finally bow to the request of Vasishtha.

“Great sage, as you please,” said Vishwamitra.

Raghava, after Vishwamitra agreed to receive the felicitation offered by Vasishtha, the latter, who was the greatest of meditators, passionately invoked unerring, strange-colored cow called Shabale, which was serving the needs of sacrifice:  

“Shabale, my daughter, please come running.”   

As soon as Vasishtha called, Shabale came and stood near Vasishtha, who caressed it affectionately and said:

“Listen to me, my daughter. Emperor Vishwamitra has come to our hermitage, along with his entire army. I have decided to give him and his army a treat to the best possible extent and thereby felicitate him. Please prepare all the items required to host an astonishing and memorable treat, instantly. Oh divine cow, who can everything that is desired, please pour in front of me the food items with distinct taste in accordance with the eating habits of each and every person to make me happy. You should place the items in front of each person. You my kindly produce heaps of rice, juice and other forms food.”

STORY OF VISHWAMITRA - 4

(In Chapter 52 of Balakanda, Sri Valmeeki Ramayana, the maiden visit of Kaushika Maharaja, who later became Vishwamitra, has been given. Due to space constraint, the narration has been cut in to two parts. The following portion is the first part. Please follow each and every issue to get a comprehensive idea. Please read, comment and share it. SDN)

Sa druShTwA paramapreetO VishwAmitrO mahAbalaha|

PraNamya viDhinA veerO VasiShTham japatAm varam||1||

SwAgatam tava chEtyuktO VasiShThEna mahAtmanA|

Aasanam chAsya bhagavAnwasiShThO vyAdidEsha ha||2||

UpaviShTAya cha tadA VishwAmitrAya dheematE|

YathAnyAyam munivaraha phalamUlAnyupAharat||3||

Pratigruhya cha tAm pUjAm VasiShThAdrAjasattamaha|

TapO(a)jnihOtrashiShyEShu kushalam paryapruchchata||4||

VishwAmitrO mahAtEjA vanaspatigaNE tathA|

Sarwatra kushalam chAha VasiShThO rAjasattamam||5||

Very powerful Vishwamitra was happy for meeting Vasishtha, who was among the greatest of sages known for penance, and saluted the Sage, in accordance with the norms. Vasishtha offered a warm welcome to the king Vishwamitra, who had politely saluted, and offered him a seat, akin to his status. After brave and brilliant Vishwamitra adorned the seat, Vasishtha treated him with roots, palms and fruits to the best of his capacity. Receiving the felicitation, Vishwamitra queried the sage on his wellbeing: 

“Maharshi, are your penance and obeisance going on without any impediment or trouble? Are your disciples concentrating on their studies and learning without any trouble? Are the forest products needed for performing the Homas to propitiate the Gods and Goddesses available in abundance?”

Vasishtha replied: 

“Maharaja, meditation, penance, rituals and other activities are going without any physical or mental trouble. My disciples are also completely focused on the discharge of six basic duties (Shatkarma) 1. In this hermitage, all types of herbs, medicinal plants and trees are in abundance.