Dwaita: Hari Sarvottama, Vayu Jeevottama

Sri Madhvacharya's Life & Times-3

2009-08-20T20:42:00.006+05:30

The divine drums sounded from the heavens to commemorate the avatara of Sri Mukhya Prana which was heard even on earth. The vibrations of the Drum (Sri Rudradeva (Shiva) resides in the drum) acknowledged the incarnation of Maharudra, Sri Mukhya Prana on earth to protect the devotees of Sri Hari, from false knowledge, ignorance and evils. Madhyageeha who was returning from the worship of his diety, Sri Anantheeshwara to his home, rejoiced on hearing the soulds of the Celestial Drums (it is considered to be auspicious for the birth of a son). This signifies that "Knowledge can be an eternal source of Happiness, even when received in a hidden form"

As Sri Mukhya Prana is not obliged to suffer the privations of a long stay in womb, an inferior soul bore the privations which was sent away when Sri Mukhya Prana himself entered the body.

The baby looked divine with all its divinity. It possessed all the 32 auspicious attributes of a complete and perfect human. With much admiration towards his baby son, respect and devotion towards Lord Anantheeshwara, he performed all the rituals prescribed in the sacred texts. The baby was named "Vasudeva" (father of Sri Hari in his earlier incarnation as Sri Krishna during Dwapara Yuga)

Gift of a Cow to Madhyageeha Bhatta:

A Neighbour of Madhyageeha, living in the eastern side, gave a gift of a Cow to provide fresh milk to the new born. That neighbour was reborn as his own grandson in his next 'Janma (Birth)' in which he received the sacred knowledge about the ruler of the worlds, Lord Vishnu to be redeemed from the Samsara (attained Moksha)

Baby Vasudeva is offered to Sri Anantheeshwara:

With much devotion and reverence, Madhyageeha Bhatta offered his son to Sri Anantheeshwara asa gift. The baby, with wide open eyes, fearless disposition and with the effulgence of new moon looked like a priceless, flawless, polished Gem at the feet of Sri Anantheeshwara. It was like the prostrations offered by Sri Hanuman to the divine feet of Sri Rama during Treta Yuga (2nd Yuga). Madhyageeha returned the same night with his family after offering all prayers to his village. On the way back, in the dark and fearful forest at midnight, an evil spirit dwelling there tormented one of the persons of the party, who vomited blood. It then exclaimed that it was capable of killing of all who come at the time of its sport, but shall not as they were protected by none other than Sri Mukhya Prana (giver of Life) [it is no wonder that the baby could show the evil spirit its divinity]...

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

Sri Madhvacharya's Life & Times-2

2009-08-05T23:17:00.008+05:30

With the onset of Kaliyuga, the correct Tatva Gnana was set aside and locked up in the darkness. Evil commentaries of the Vedas in the form of Brahma Sutras were written by various persons. Not just the people but even the Devathas were forced into this age of darkness. So, all the Devathas led by Lord Brahma (4-headed God of Creation) prayed to Sri Hari to solve the world crisis. But Sri Hari did not wish to incarnate in the 4th yuga. Brahma did not have incarnations. So, Sri Hari decided that Sri Mukhya Prana was the most capable one to incarnate. So, Sri Mukhya Prana was commanded by the Lord to incarnate in an auspicious part of the world in a different form and to point at the righteous way as prescribed by the Vedantas. Sri Mukhya Prana readily agreed to this accepting the assignment with all humility and grace as did someone when accepting precious jewels.

India, the sacred Bharatha Bhumi is regarded as the Karma Bhumi, i.e it is considered as an auspicious part of this world to perform various rituals and austerities to appease the Gods.

At RajathaPeetaPura (now Udupi) resided a Brahmin of Pure Lineage, Principles and Practices by the name Madhyageha. Near Udupi is a small village by tha name Paajaka adorned by Kunjaaru/Vimana Giri by its side decorated by a garland in the form of the deity Durga installed and consecrated by Sri Parashurama on its crest. Perennial water is available here at the 4 theerthas (Parashu Theertha, Dhanus Theertha, Baana Theertha and Gadaa Theertha) created by Lord Vishnu is his previous incarnation as Sri Parashurama. Alll the four theerthas are sacred and lead good men to Moksha.

Note: Sri Ananteshwara in Udupi is actually Sri Hari in the form of Linga. When Lord Hari incarnated as Parashurama, he “studied” under Shiva. To commemorate this student-teacher relationship, Lord Anantashayana (Hari) entered the Shivalinga and stayed there. Another old temple in front of Ananteshwara, called the Chandramouli temple, is truly devoted to Shiva. Chandramouli is in the front, and Ananteshwara is in the back. Infact, Lord Hari is always "behind" his devotees protecting people with his AbhayaHastha.

Madhyageha was well versed in all the sacred Vedas. Though learned, he was very humble and was engaged in correct observance of his daily rituals and duties. He offered his constant devotion at the feet of his family deity Sri Ananteshwara. Even though he was fully satisfied with the recitation of the auspicious qualities of Sri Hari, he had his own doubts as he was being influenced by the Advaita Philosophy (MayaVada). He was still full of doubts about the true tenets of Vedanta due to the influence of time (Kaliyuga). So, Madhyageha Bhatta was anxious to know the ultimate truth.

A learned son is called Putra as he saves his parents from the hell (Puth). Therefore, Madhyageha Bhatta wanted to know the methods by which one could get a son who is like an ocean of knowledge and is free from ignorance or wrong knowledge. So, he decided to devote himself to serving the family diety, Lord Ananteshwara. Madhyageha Bhatta along with his devoted wife performed austerities for twelve years to Lord Ananteshwara in RajathaPeetaPura (Udupi) with such great devotion as would lead to redemption from the fear of the Samsara Sagara. Due to their devotion and sincere efforts (as given by the god himself), Sri Narayana, who is the complete person with infinite auspicious qualities was fully pleased with them. So, the lord himself decided that Sri Mukhya Prana would incarnate in this world as their son.

Sri Mukhya Prana entered the womb of Vedavati (Madhyageha Bhatta's wife) as a foetus that was free from ignorance and wrong knowledge. Her foetus grew like the white orb of the moon in the brighter half of the month (as Sri Mukhya Prana is not obliged to suffer the privations of a long stay in the womb, there was another inferior soul which did it and which was sent away when he entered the body). This act of the God also helped them beget a son who would help them attain Moksha. In 1238 AD (4339th year of Kaliyuga) on the auspicious day of Vijaya Dashami during the Navaraatri, in the bright half of the month Ashwina in the Vilambi Samvatsara, Sri Madhvacharya was born. Sri Mukhya Prana, who had been ordered by God, came to RupyaPeeta (Udupi) and after offering his prostrations to the Lord there (Ananteshwara) went to his future abode with a part of lord himself...

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

Sri Madhvacharya's Life & Times-1

2009-08-04T23:01:00.016+05:30

"Sumadhvavijaya" is the Biographical Account of Sri Madhvacharya written by Sri Narayana Panditacharya, son of Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya who was a contemporary of Sri Madhvacharya. Accepted dates of Sri Madhvacharya's life is 1238-1317 AD whereas that quoted in Sumadhvavijaya by Sri Narayana Panditacharya is 1295-1370 AD.

According to Dr. B N K Sharma, a leading research exponent on Dwaita, "The date of Acharya Madhva given by him in his Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya (xxxii, 131) as 'after the lapse of 4300 years of Kaliyuga' is not an epigraphical evidence or a diary entry. It is only a broad statement in terms of 43 centuries after (in Kali). The precise date has therefore to be fixed after taking into account all other relevant facts known about his life history.... Anumadhvacarita of the Acharya's own leading disciple Hrisikesa Theertha should set at rest all doubts about the precise date of the Acharya as 1238-1317 (18) AD."

The first fourteen sargas of Sumadhvavijaya were translated to English and coded by Sri Raghavendra Rachuri. The last two were added by Sri Krishna Kadiri. Smt Meera Tadipatri and Sri Anand Ravipati read the proofs. The latest version of this material is always

available on the web at www.dvaita.net

The following account of Sri Madhvacharya is a small attempt to capture the life of Acharya with references from multiple biographical accounts, thesis, books and discussions. Please bring to my notice any credits I have failed to give.

The next post starts to actually describe the life and times of Sri Madhvacharya.

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

Brief History of Dwaita Philosophy

2009-07-14T14:10:00.019+05:30

The Dwaita school is a development in the Vedanta exegetical tradition in the thirteenth century with the South Indian Vaishnava theologian Sri Madhvacharya, who wrote commentaries on a number of Hindu scriptures. The Dvaita school of philosophy is part of the Brahma sampradaya. "Dwaita" can also be called as dualist monism or substantial monism, i.e, there are two different and separate entities in the view of this philosophy. Now that we learnt something about the Philosophy, let us move onto its origins and history.

The Dwaita School of Philosophy (Vaishnava School of Philosophy) was existant from the times when Vedas were developed. Vedas are oldest of texts originating in Ancient India. They form the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. Vedas are known to contain all the worldly knowledge hidden behind its veil, capable of being deciphered only by the most intelligent of men. Vedas also preach the concepts of Life(Janma), Death(Mrutyu), After-life, Birth Cycles(Janmas) and Liberation(Moksha)...

Vedas acknowledge Lord Vishnu as the supreme being, omnipresent and omnipotent. He is the greatest of all forms. All other beings and forms are real but short-lived, i.e they are subject to birth cycles. Vedas also preach the dualist principle of the world, i.e, the dwaita principle. Hence the earliest knowledge was in the form of the Dwaita Philosophy.

But with the advent of 'Kaliyuga'(the present yuga), the demons found that the most convenient way to harm people was to distort their beliefs in Lord Vishnu, thereby causing destruction and harm to all the other forms. So, the demons decided that the best way to achieve their goals was by misinterpreting the sacred texts. So, demons took the birth of 'Brahmans'(brahmins, the scholars) and falsely interpreted the vedas, upanishads and other sacred texts.

Lord Vishnu is deemed to take the avatar of "Kalki" at the end of the present yuga, causing 'pralaya'(world destruction) to cause Singularity of the Universe. But the demons, like Manimanta had already started taking their revenges on the innocent Devotees of the Lord(Bhaktas). So, Lord Vayu Deva (the Wind God) was found to be the most appropriate to take avatar in the world, to correct the misunderstanding of the Vedas. The Vedas predict the appearance of Vayu Deva in the form of a Human. Based on the reference by the vedas and Sri Madhvacharya's work, he is recognised as the third avataara of Mukhya Praana, the god of life, as given in the Balittha Sukta of the Rig Veda. The first two avataras are as Hanuman and Bheemasena, and the third is Madhva, who came down to Earth as a sanyasi.

Until the advent of Acharya Madhva, the Dwaita School of Philosophy had been almost completely wiped out by the "Advaita"(non-dualistic, maya) Philosophy. The 'Dwaita' philosophy was revived and propagated by the Great Vaishnava saint, theologian and philosopher Shri Madhvacharya (1238-1317 AD). In the coming posts let us the journey towards understanding the Vedas, the Upanishads, and Dwaita Philosophy in General. Before diving into the vast knowledge that lies ahead, let us take a small view into the life of Shri Madhvacharya...

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

More about Dwaita Philosophy...

2009-07-11T12:58:00.011+05:30

The Dwaita School of Philosophy argues that there is an inherent and absolute five-fold difference in Reality, between one soul and another, between the soul and God, between God and matter, between the soul and matter, and between matter and matter. These are not differentiations between the entities but also signify the inherent fact that they are not equal to eachother in any merit or status. Even though we may consider that this may be partial, it is yet again reflected in the existing world...that is, we differentiate between body and mind, male and female, etc. Any sort of unity, whether it be mystical or ontological(philosophical), between the individual self and God is impossible in Dvaita...

Liberation consists of experiencing one's essential nature in the reflection of God's glory. Such liberation is achieved through bhakti or loving devotion. Also, it tells about the very insignificant nature of this body after death. Hence, the soul reaches the abode of the god, but does not become god himself...

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

What is Duality/Dwaita?

2009-07-10T23:32:00.023+05:30

This world may seem complex at the outset, but there exists a simple duality in this world. "Dwaita" School of Philosophy believes in this Doctrine and propounds its theory of Duality...

You know that the world is made up of Dualities- Light & Dark, Hot & Cold, Birth & Death, Joy & Sorrow, Body & Mind, Material & Immaterial, etc. Hence there exists a dual/opposite to everything in this world. So, the right proportions of these dualities make the world. Likewise, Dwaita concludes the "GOD" and "SOUL" are different. Hence the statement..."Hari Sarvottama, Vayu Jeevottama" meaning Sri Hari is the greatest of all forms, Vayu is the greatest of all living forms...

Hence, there is clear differentiation of the two entities comprising the nature. God being greater that everything else. It does not violate the rule that God exists everywhere since it considers various forms(Avatar) of the same God to be residing at appropriate places...God does exist within each one of us but we are not the God himself...

Therefore, we can conclude that the essence of this philosophy is to be able to clearly define two different forms- God & Soul...even god has a form(akara brahma) and so does the soul by the process of its existence in the body(from birth till death).

This school of Philosophy clearly defines even the rank assigned to each form of Sri Hari, that is there exists a Hierarchy(taratamya) in the various forms of Lord Vishnu himself.

It also believes in the elimination of the bondage(sanskrit word: aham). So the soul(passenger) is just a traveller travelling in a body(vehicle) in the reality (mind you, not 'Maya') of the World created by Lord Anantashayana.

It clearly denies the fact "Aham Brahmaasmi"(I am God), meaning 'God is different from the living forms, but he rules all forms'

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

Hanuma-Bhima-Madhva

2009-07-09T23:35:00.011+05:30

Prathamoh hanuman namaa,

Dwitiyoh bhimevacha,

Poornapragna trithiyasthu,

Bhagawat karya sadakah

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha.

Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om

Why this blog?

2009-07-09T23:17:00.013+05:30

Dwaita is till now the most logical and self-explanatory philosophy propounded in the Hinduism. I am a staunch believer in this school of philosophy. This is my attempt to pay my tribute to this wonderful philosophy. Acharya Madhva propounded this philosophy which had been previously demolished.

This is a blog that shall only point to the logic in the "Dwaita" philosophy. I respect all the great Gurus irrespective of their philosophy...

I am no great learned man. I am an ignorant servent of Lord Sri Hari. Please correct me when I am wrong in my interpretation, Please praise me when I am right in my interpretation.

Bless me lord Venkataramana.

Jai Srimad AnandaTheertha. Sri Krishnarpanamasthu. Hari: Om