Sumadhva Vijaya 6: Shashta Sarga
A scholar requested Acharya to explain the meaning of a sukta in Ithareya Upanishad. Acharya gave the meaning taking into consideration the grammar and other lakshanas of the sukta. Even though this explanation was respected by the assembled scholars, they opposed Acharya by defending that this sukta gives a different meaning. Acharya agreed with them and told them that Vedas have three meanings, Mahabharatha has 10 meanings and Vishnusahasra naama has 100 meanings. As Ithareya sukta belongs to Veda, even this sukta has 3 meanings. Then Pundits challenged Acharya to give meaning of Vishnu sahasra naama. Acharya agreed to give the meaning with a condition that they should repeat the meaning given by him again. They agreed for it. Acharya selected the opening word in Vishnu sahasra naama “Vishwa” and started giving the meaning. When he had reached the meaning of this word “Vishwa” with more than 50 meanings, the scholars assembled there were stunned and were not able to grasp it and they surrendered to Acharya. This is just one illustration of Acharya’s panditya. At that time Acharya was just 12 years old.
From 24th stanza to 31st stanza, the comparison of Vedas with Droupadi has been made. The interpretation of Vedas by Maayavaadis has been compared to Droupadi’s helplessness in front of her husbands meaning that the meanings of Vedas as interpreted by Shri Vedavyasa were in a despearate condition.
Shri Madvacharya decided to go to Badari to offer “Geetha Bhashya” to Shriman Narayana. Before going to Badari, Acharya presented this to his Guru Achuthapreksha. After taking permission from Achuthapreksha, Acharya, the avatara of Hanuman made his first trip (yatra) to Badari. Acharya passed through the flooded Ganga r
iver by foot and also made his Sishyas also to pass through the flooded river Ganga. (Unfortunately there were no reality shows at that time.) It is also explained that by Acharya’s presence in the river Ganga, the river Ganga was purified as his body was so pure which is compared to Ozone. After passing the river Ganga, Acharya reached Badari. (There are two Badaris, the one which we visit is known as “Chikka Badari” and the other one which cannot be reached by human beings is known as “Uttara Badari”. Acharya reached the “Chikka Badari with Sishyas.
Shri Acharya offered the “Geetha Bhashya” to Lord Badari Narayana and said that he has given the meaning of the Bhashya with “Shakthithaha”. Then Lord Narayana ordered Acharya that as he is capable of giving the full meaning of the Bhashya he can use the word “Leshathaha” instead of “Shakthithaha”. Acharya changed the word as “Leshathaha” from “Shakthithaha” and offered the “Bhashya” to the Lord Narayana by dispersing the crowd and Sishyas. On the same day in the night when Sishyas were sleeping, Lord Narayana by making a great sound on the earth, demanded Acharya to narrate the “Bhashya” once again. The great sound and the statement made by Lord Narayana were heard by Sishyas. Understanding the Lord’s intention, Acharya made the pravachana of the “Bhashya” once again to Sishyas. This suggests that GOD will be pleased only when the pravachanas are made to the knowledgeable persons.
Vayudevara avathara ShriMadhvacharyaru was doing avagaahana snaana daily for 48 days in Alakananda River in the early morning with mouna vrutha and upavasa (fasting). This indicates that these offerings are the saadanas for pleasing Shri Hari.
Lord Narayana in the form of Shri Vedavyasa appeared before Acharya and invited Acharya to his Ashrama i.e. Uttara Badari. The others could see only the brightness in the atmosphere and not the form of Shri Vedavyasa. As Acharya was in mouna vrutha, he wrote a letter to Sishyas before leaving for Uttara Badari. This letter had described four immemorial sentences which are permanent for all the ages: -
1. Badarikashrama is the only place in the universe where one can completely get rid of sins. In other words, it represents four Vedas.
2. In Theerthas, no other theerthas are greater than “Ganga Theertha”. In other words, it represents “Brahma Sutras”.
3. Lord Vishnu is supreme. It represents Bhagavatha.
4. No other Shastras are more pleasant than Madhva Shastra. It represents four different Purushaarthas.
“I am leaving for Uttara Badari to see Vedavyasa form of Lord Narayana and only Lord knows about my returning to this place, be happy.”
This is the message given by Shri Madhvacharya who will become Brahma.
After writing this message, Acharya left for Uttara Badari. One of the disciples of Acharya, Shri Sathya Theertha who had listened to the “Ithareya Shruthis” of Acharya for three times followed Acharya. But he could not keep pace with Acharya’s movement. Acharya signaled him to go back. Sathya Theertha came back within a muhurtha to Chikka Badari. Sathya Theertha told to his companions the speed in which Acharya was heading towards Uttara Badari.
Acharya came across wild animals like lions, tigers, snakes and flocks of birds in the Himalaya Mountain.
Seeing the Mountain, Acharya could sense The Lord with golden peethambara covered with golden ornaments embraced by Maha Lakshmi sleeping on Shesha devaru to protect sajjanas. Prepared by: - J. Sudhindra Simha, Bangalore.