Madhwacharya

Madhwacharya By: Bannanje Govindacharya This happened seven hundred years ago. Islam religion was already spreading in some parts of northern Bharat. On the coast of river Ganga, there was a kingdom ruled by a Muslim king. (Scholars guess that he might have been Jalaluddin Khilji). He kept a large army along the coast to guard the kingdom. There were no boats to cross the river. The ruler was concerned that spies from the neighboring kingdom might enter his province. This is why such guards were positioned there. On the other side of the river, there stood a majestic-looking 'sannyasi' (monk) with his followers. The disciples were worried: how to cross the river? The master understood their concern and gently told them: "Don't be afraid. We are here to swim across the river of life. Can't you even cross the Ganga? Follow me into the waters without fear." The commander of the Muslim State saw them and told his men: "They must be spies from the neighboring state wearing the garb of monks. We should finish them off before they reach this shore." The leader of the monks noted their concern and in a loud voice told them: "Do not be hasty and drown yourselves. We are only a few in number. Why should you fear us? We are only coming to see your king and not to fight you." The soldiers stood surprised. They saw the ‘sannyasi’ leading his people boldly through the swirling waters of Ganga safely. Hundreds of sword wielding soldiers surrounded them’. Page 1 of 14 Madhwacharya By: Bannanje Govindacharya "Your God is My God" The king, standing on the balcony of his palace, saw their arrival. He was surprised that a Hindu monk could reach his capital warding off his soldiers’ guard. He addressed the monk: "My soldiers are standing guard to prevent the entry of spies of the neighboring country. None has so far eluded them. How is it that you, a monk, walked through them? How were you able to cross the river without boats? What is your objective in coming here?" The monk laughed, raised his fingers, towards the Sun and spoke in Persian the language of the king: "The supreme God, - who protects you, me and others in fact, the whole world - is there. For you, He is Allah; for me, He is Narayana, Address him by any name you choose the only one will answer your prayers. We are all citizens of His kingdom. it is only with His blessings that we were able to cross the river without boats. We pacified your soldiers who came to attack us; it is all His blessing. We are on our way to the North through your state." The Muslim king was deeply impressed by the monk’s boldness and self- conviction and his impressive personality. He climbed down from his seat and invited him to the Rajasabha (royal court) and lavishly entertained him. He offered him a large estate and requested him to build his hermitage there. But the monk politely declined the king’s offer and the party continued their journey northward. Who is He? Who is he? He is Acharya Madhwa : a distinguished saint of Bharat who preached to the world that God will hear in whichever language or name He is addressed. He left a great message for subsequent generations: Page 2 of 14 Madhwacharya By: Bannanje Govindacharya "Do not make a fuss about how should address god. You can address him in any language and by any name. Know that there is no word in the world without His name. Apart from the language we speak, the entire nature extols Him. The sounds of the sea, the wind that blows, the chirping of the birds, the hooting of animals - all these are nothing but homage to God. Learn to recognize His existence in all the voices and everywhere. Live with godliness." The Acharya went a step further in his commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita: "The caste system relates more to one’s nature than to one’s body. It is not important to which caste one belongs at birth. His nature decides his caste. Basically, the caste system in only a division based on man’s nature. A ‘chandala’ (untouchable) who treads the spiritual path is a better being than a brahmin who is ignorant of that path and puts on an artificial appearance." In Bharat, during the thirteenth century, people were stubbornly practicing the caste system. It is amazing that the Acharya propagated such progressive views at such a time. The Earth is Blessed Among the galaxy of Acharyas of our country, three stand out: Acharya Shankara who preached Advaita (Monism), Acharya Ramanuja who preached Vishishtadwaita (a blend of Monism and Dualism), and Acharya Madhwa who preached Dwaita (Dualism). "This world is an illusion; only God is true," said Shankara. "God is the soul of the universe; hence this body is also real," said Ramanuja. "This universe is a playful creation of God. Let us not try to diminish it by denouncing it," said Madhwa. In old texts, Acharya Madhwa's Dwaita philosophy, is described ‘Tattwavada’. He maintained: "This world, is not an illusion. God is not a magician He signifies the duty of truth. This world should be considered as a school understand God’s greatness." It is to the credit of Karnataka that it should have contributed such a great, philosopher as Madhwa to the world, Page 3 of 14 Madhwacharya By: Bannanje Govindacharya Acharya Madhwa was a Kannadig. He was born in the small village Pajaka near Udupi on Karnataka’s coast. It is a picturesque village flanked by two small hillocks. In a corner stand an ancient temple of Durga. At the foot of another hillock is a temple of Parashurama. Pajaka is a village rich in greenery. The earth on which the Acharya walked stands blessed. Every stone here stands witness to hundreds of stories relating to his early years. 'God Was With Me’ Acharya Madhwa’s father was Nadillaya Narayana Bhatta, his mother was Vedavati. The couple had desired a son for a long time. They prayed to God and performed many rituals. At last, their prayers were answered: a son was born who not only enlivened his home but enlightened the whole mankind. Acharya Madhwa was born on the tenth day of the bright half of the month of Ashwayuja in the Saka year Vilambi (1238 A.D.). It was Vijayadashami day. The child was named Vasudeva. The child, who was growing well, was very good-looking. "His mother lucky to have such a nice child," people would say. They were struck by his outward appearance but could not comprehend his inner self. Sometime the child’s pranks would baffle the parents who wondered, "This child not like others." A memorable eve could be recalled. Vasudeva was then three years old. His parents had taken him to a function in nearby Nidiyur. In the midst of the celebration Vasudeva suddenly disappeared. Nobody knew where he had gone and the tearful parents began a vigorous search. Somebody in a street said: "We saw a small child going towards Kodavoor temple." Someone else said they saw a three-year-old child crossing the fields and going towards the Bannanje temple. Nadillaya and others rushed to both the places but could not find the child there. They then came to nearby Udupi and arrived at their favorite temple of Ananteshwara. What a surprise! Vasudeva was standing before the ‘Shivalinga’ there with folded hands. Page 4 of 14 Madhwacharya By: Bannanje Govindacharya There were tears of joy. The Nadillaya couples were ardent worshippers of Ananteshwara and they found their child in His graceful presence! Vasudeva stood there smiling. "Dear Vasudeva, how did you come so far alone? How did you find the way?" asked the father. The child replied: "Father, I did not come alone. First, I went to Kanangi (Kodavoor) and saw Shankaranarayana. From there I went to see Mahalingeshwara of Taleku (Bannanje). Then I came here and saw Chandramoulishwara. I saw Narayana in this ‘Shivalinga’. God was with me throughout the journey. God was my companion and showed me the way." What he told the Muslim king which he was in his thirties and what I uttered as a child of three were the same: "We have arrived because God’s grace." Can one ever be imbued with qualities not nourished in childhood Yes, this cannot be easily understood by anyone. He pursues the only path shown by God. It was a child born who showed the divine path to the people. Talented Child When the child completed three years, his father initiated his educational lessons. One day the lesson of practicing the alphabets was over and next day it was repeated. Vasudeva asked his father: "Why repeat the same thing? Which Was over yesterday. Teach me something new." The father felt both surprised and happy. What a talented child we have he wondered. He was struck by this child’s grasping power. He was concerned that the child may be affected by somebody’s evil eye; his mother would wave before him some pepper and other things (to ward off evil) and pray for his welfare. The father continued to teach the child at home. Before long, Vasudeva was able to read all the books and would try to understand them. It was a pleasure to hear his readings from the texts. He had a fine voice and purity of expression. Page 5 of 14 Madhwacharya By: Bannanje Govindacharya When Vasudeva was five, his mother took him on a visit to a nearby place called Neyampalli.

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