Some time shortly after the two year famine of 1475., and 1476., Brahmanya Tirtha, his 'guru', left this world. Sripad Vyasa Tirtha came to the Vedanta Pitha about 1478., in his late teens, sixteen. Due to his young age and little time spent with his 'guru', some said that he didn't really know the conclusions of the Madhwa 'shastras' very well, so he went to Kancipuram to study, where, after a very short time, he became a renowned pandit. It is suspected that it was at this time that Vyasa Tirtha developed his profound knowledge, understanding and refutory power in all the scriptures. Kanci was at that time the citidel of shastric learning of all South India. Vyasa Tirtha stayed for many years there studying the six systems of philosophy, under eminent pandits there. He acquired deep erudition in all the systems of philosophy, even Sankara and Ramanuja, as well as the Bhatta school, Nyaya, and an acquaintance which stood him in good stead, in writing his monumental works, the Nyayamrta, Tatparya Candrika and Tarkatandava.
In local history corresponding to the time, it is mentioned that the saintly King of Bisnaga used to listen daily to a great Brahma Madhwa Vaisnava 'sannyasi' who had never married or touched a woman in his life. Though his name is not directly mentioned, history infers that this was Sripad Vyasa Tirtha.
From Kancipuram he went over to the seat of Sripadaraja at Mulbagal
which was also another great seat of learning like Kanci.
Sripadaraja was also known as Lakshminaryana Tirtha (1420-1487.),
although he was more widely known as Sripadaraja. He was the pontiff of
the Mutt of Padmanabha Tirtha at Mulbagal, and seventh descendant and successor
to Svarnavarna Tirtha, whose Brindavan-samadhi was discovered at Srirangam.
According to tradition, the mothers of Brahmanya Tirtha and Sripadaraja
were uterine sisters, the cousins were about the same age. Sripadaraj's
father was said to have been a contemporay of Raghunatha Tirtha of Uttaradi
Mutt, who came into office in 1444., and died in 1502.
Vyasa Tirtha is believed to have read under Sripadaraj for nearly
twelve years(Vidyaratnakara Tirtha Swami of Vyasaray Mutt, Vy-carita, lxxiii,
introduction.). Others say it was only five to six years(B.N.K. Sharma.
1961. History of the Dvaita School of Vedanta. page 288.). "It is remarkable
that both should have renounced the world and devoted themselves to the
cause of their faith and played a conspicuous part in the spiritual development
of their gifted disciple Vyasa Tirtha."(B.N.K. Sharma. 1961. History of
the Dvaita School of Vedanta. page 461.).
From there on the advice of Sripadaraj, Vyasa Tirtha went to
Vijayanagar and the 'Kings Court' (approx 1485-86.), and became known for
his radical statements regarding Brahmanism, Vaisnavism, Varnasrama, and
who was worthy to worship the Lord.
The latter part of the biography of Vyasa Tirtha(Vyasayogicarita, chapter
IV.) gives a brilliant account of the arrival of Vyasa Tirtha, at the court
of Saluva Narasimha at Candragiri, and the grand reception that they had
there for him. Being worshipped by the king bathed in presious jewells,
pure gold and silver powders, and presented with all kinds of oppulences
befitting such a worthy 'acarya'. Vyasa Tirtha spent a couple of years
there in this way being honoured by the king.
Here he met and vanquished in intellectual debating tournaments
many of the leading scholars of his day and conducted debates on such treatises
on Logic as the Tattvacintamani of Gangesha.
Whilst in that area he was entrusted with the worship of Srinivasan,
Lord Visnu, at Tirupati (Tirumala). Sripad Vyasa Tirtha's Mutt is still
at Tirupati on the hill of Tirumala. Before leaving that place, after about
twelve years of being there (1486-98.), he gave the worship over to his
disciples. His South Indian tour must have come at this time(B. Venkobarao.
Notes to Vy-carita. page 18.)
According to the commentator Somanatha, Vyasa Tirtha returned
to Candragiri for a while after 1498. He evidently did so at the request
of Saluva Immadi Narasimha, the son and successor of Saluva Narasimha,
untill Narasa Naque became defacto ruler of Vijayanagar soon after the
settlement which he concluded with King Tamma Raya, in 1498.,(Proddattur
386 of 1904, Madras Insc. B.N.K. Sharma. 1961. History of the Dvaita School
of Vedanta. page 289.).
Once, Sripad Vyasarya foresaw with his mystical powers that the emperor of Vijayanagar would be subjected to some very intense, focussed bad influence of planets known as Kuhay Oga. To protect his devotees, and the Vijayanagar empire, Sripad Vyasa Tirtha (Vyasaraya) himself ascended the throne during those evil moments. The combined, concentrated effect of those forces was a raging inferno that had the capacity of buring down the throne and the entire palace. Sripad Vyasa Tirtha smothered the fire with his holy shawl ('angavastra)' and protected his devotees. Later, he handed the empire back to Raja Krishnadevaraya his loyal devotee. This great miracle has been faithfully described in several songs by Haridasas (the Dasakutas). And to commemorate this event, even to this day the 'Swamijis' of the Vyasaraya lineage hold a 'durbar' (court presided over by a king in his honour). This is perhaps the only known instance where a saint holds court.
It was at this time that Vyasa Tirtha was installed at the helm of the
Vijayanagara kingdom as the 'guardian saint'. This position was conferred
upon him without any challenge.
It was at this time and place where he was challenged to a debate
by 'brahmana pandits' from all over India. The 'pandits' were led by the
learned 'brahmin' Basava Bhatta of Kalinga, Orissa. They all pinned their
challenges to the pillars of the palace. After a thirty day discussion,
Sripad Vyasa Tirtha emerged triumphant, and his reputation earned him the
respect of King Krsnadevaraya 1509 A.D., who regarded him as 'guru' and
gave him all honours as such. Maharaj Krsnadevaraya opened a new chapter
in the glory of Sripada Vyasa Tirtha a chapter more brilliant than any
that had gone before. Raja Krsnadevaraya in fact had the greatest regard
and respect for Vyasa Tirtha and reffered to him as his 'Kuladevata'. Krsnadevaraya
had awarded Sripad Vyasa Tirtha the order of the camel on a green flag
by 1500 A.D., and a drum on the back of a camel banner as a mark of respect.
This is still kept by the Srila Vyasaraya Mutt at Gosale. Once the flag
was taken by King Nrsimha in his attacks against the Muslim sultans who
caused threats and violence to devotees and temples in South India, but
between these saintly Kshatriya Kings Krsnadevaraya, Nrsimha, Shivaji and
others, the sultans were stopped before getting very far.
In 1511 A.D., the king gave him a village, Pulambakkam in the
'Padaividu-rajyam', for conducting the 'Avaham' ('avani'), installation
festival of the Lord Varadaraja at Kanci in the king's name, and for also
the king's saction fro presenting a Sheshavahan of gold, which had to be
used as a vehicle for the Lord on the fourth day of all the festivals.(Madras
Epi. Rep. 1912-20, no. 370 of 1919.)
In an inscription on the southern wall of the Mantapa in front
of the Vittalswami Temple, at Hampi, which records a grant to the temple
in 1513 A.D., by Raja Krsnadevaray, Vyasa Tirtha is refered to as the 'Guru'
without any prefix whatsoever.(S.I.I. IV, no. 48 of 1889 - Kannada.; B.N.K.
Sharma. 1961. History of the Dvaita School of Vedanta. page 290.).
There are many nice stories telling of the great King Krsnadevaraya,
who ruled the famous Vijayanagar kingdom on the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka
in connection with his 'guru'.
Sripad Vyasa Tirtha gave the King formal initiation, and then
out of gratitude and love for his 'guru', Krsnadevaraya had made beautiful
Deities of Sri Vittala (Krsna) and Rukmini, and established the fine Vittala-Rukmini
temple which still stands there today.
Unfortunately this temple was very badly damaged by the Mogal
invaders some time after the demise of Raja Krsnadevaraya. The Mogals had
for nearly two centuries tried to conquer this mighty Vaisnava kingdom.
The kingdoms' demise to what it is now, came about not so much from the
attacks of the Muslimads (Mussalmans), but from the curse of a dying 'brahmin'.
The story is recorded that once the Muslim invaders, lead by Mujahid, entered
the outer part of the city and dispersed, killing many of the 'brahmanas'
who lived there. (This place is the old Kishkinda forest mentioned in the
Ramayana, and birth place of the son of Vayu, Hanuman. There is a huge
deity of Hanuman made from one singular granite stone at that place.) The
invading sultan chopped the priests to the ground and then struck the deity
of Hanumanji in the face. A dying priest was heard to say, "For this act
you will perish here and also this city will withdraw its opulences from
you. You have brought about the end of your life." Then he gave up
this world, as later did the sultan. The deity of Hanuman is still there
to this day with the marks of the attempt to harm him slightly visible.
This town which is the site of the ancient Vijayanagar kingdom and which
is now known as Hampi, is just a short bus ride from Hospet, which is on
the main railway line in Northern Karnataka (Hubli-Belguam line).
On the temple wall there are inscriptions giving the date 1513 A.D., and refers to Sripad Vyasa Tirtha as the 'guru' of Raja Krsnadeva-raya. There is also mention of Sripad Vyasa Tirtha ceremonially bathing Sri Krsnadevaraya at his initiation, following in the method of Sripad Madhwacarya's 'puja' manual entitled "Tantrasara" Chapter 2:10-11., in which the Tantrasara points out that the ceremonial bathing, 'abhiseka' of a disciple by the 'guru' adds to the glory of the disciple. As we can see by the next brief story, this did make him glorious.
Vyasa Tirtha whose Nyayamrta is a wonderful work on Vedanta is sometimes
compared to Lord Vishnu's firery Sudarshan discus, infallable, and deadly
a weapon, used against the 'mayavadins' who had to admit its unfathomable
depth of devotion, and intellectualism. The infamous 'mayavadin' Madhusudan
Saraswati of the Sankarite school wrote 'Advaita-Siddhi' as a rejoiner
to it, but failed to take up the challenge.
Sripad Ramachandra Tirtha from among the Madhwa line in his Tarangini
refuted the arguments contained in the said Advaita-Siddhi. The Sankarite
scholars in their turn turned offered Brahmanandiya in answer to the questions
put forward in Tarangini. The Madhwas had again written Vamamalmasriya
to silence their natural enemies. It is really a wonderful and interesting
study, how obstinately the two schools fought each other.(Sambidananda
dasa. 1991. The History & Literature of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas and
their relation to other medieval Vaishnava Schools. page 104.)
Once a Gajapati King of Orissa tried to humiliate Krsnadevaraya by sending
'adwaitin', 'mayavadi' philosophical points to him to try to catch him
out, but on the instructions and potency of his 'guru' Sripad Vyasa Tirtha,
Sri Krsnadevaraya was, as usual, victorious. Out of gratitude Krsnadevaraya
gave the village of Bettakonda to Sripad Vyasa Tirtha in 1526 A.D., and
a huge lake was dug for the pleasure of 'guru' called Vyasa-samudra. The
dates vary from 1523, 1524 and 1526 A.D., by various records, but all the
points are substantiated by the writings of devotees of the time, including
Purandara dasa. It is also recorded that Krsnadevaraya literally bathed
his 'guru' Vyasa Tirtha in jewels as well, performing "Ratnabhiseka", bathing
him in jewels. Generally to install a person, an 'abhiseka' is done with
ghee, milk, yogurt, honey, sugar-water and tender coconuts in this part
of the country, but as well as this, it was done with priceless gems.
After the death of Krsnadevaraya in 1530 A.D., Acyutaraya continued
to honour Sripad Vyasa Tirtha for a few years until his demise. Raja Sri
Krsnadevaraya, by the way, is always referred to as probably the most spiritually
enlightened of the Vijayanagar dynasty. He established many fine temples
and Deities in this area under the guidance of Sripad Vyasa Tirtha. To
this day there still stands the Deity of Laxmi Nrsimha that I have personally
seen standing twenty five feet tall in the banana fields. The Deity was
carved from one stone under Krsnadevaraya's instructions. After his demise,
the invading Muslims smashed many temples out of their envy of Vaisnava
culture. Many deities like Sri Vittala Rukmini and Krsnaswami were moved
further south, but although the Muslims tried to smash the Deity of Lord
Nrsimha, still He stands, although His temple lies in rubble around Him.
As I hinted at previously this old and sacred place is the forest abode
of Kishkinda mentioned in the Ramayana where Hanuman was born, and where
Lord Rama killed Vali and, put Sugriva on the throne. Many remnants of
those days exist to this day for the fortunate ones who get to visit this
place.
There are numerous glories of Sripad Vyasa Tirtha to be sung. It is
not unintentional that I have said "sung" in his connection, for the highly
controversial and powerful preacher, the third moon of the Madhwa line,
was always absorbed in 'Harinama sankirtan'. Many say this was due to the
influence of his teacher, Sripadiraja Tirtha Swami, who is reknowned for
his poems and songs glorifying Lord Sri Krsna. Some say he was the instigator
of the 'Hari dasa' or 'Dasakuta' Movement, which is further discussed in
the section at the back of this book entitled "Modern day Madhwas". Anyway,
during his life Sripad Vyasa Tirtha established 732 temples of Hanuman,
and or Rama, all over South India and composed numerous poems and songs
based on the Srimad Bhagavatam, Mahabharata and Ramayana.
One day after composing his famous work called "Krsna Ni Begane
Baro" which, for the last four centuries has become a Bharat Natyam dance,
a strange thing happened.
Sripad Vyasa Tirtha was taking a little rest when Lord Sri Krsna
appeared in his dream and proceeded to address him. "You are a 'sannyasi',
you do not have any wife or children. On the other hand, I am very much
married and lave a large family - so why is it that you only call Me Krsna?"
From that day on in any further compositions, Sripad Vyasa Tirtha always
referred to his Lord as "Sri Krsna".
Once Sripad Vyasa Tirtha was sitting upon the Vedanta Pitha amongst
his many, many disciples, when out of nowhere one low-born farmer happened
to come into the assembly requesting mantra diksa initiation from Sripad
Vyasa Tirtha. The farmer humbly begged, but in his humility he was persistent.
The many other disciples, who were mostly from 'brahmana' stock, viewed
him as being completely unqualified due to his birth and education, or
rather lack of it - not being born in a 'pukka brahmin' family like all
the other disciples. Sripad Vyasa Tirtha however, being pure and free from
bodily conceptions of birth, etc, was of a different mind and to everyone's
amazement Sripad Vyasa Tirtha told the farmer to chant the name of Yamaraja's
bull. Going away and coming back after some time after chanting that name,
the farmer's voice was again heard. "Swamiji, Swamiji, he is here," the
farmer exclaimed. When the devotees peaked outside the Mutt, to their surprise
there was Yamaraja's bull Mahisa, big as a mountain, right there outside
the door of the Mutt. "Now what shall I do Swamiji?" the farmer enquired
from Vyasa Tirtha. Sripad Vyasa Tirtha instructed him to take the bull
to the river where there was one huge boulder that hundreds of men couldn't
move. The farmer went to the river and requested the bull to move the boulder
out of the main stream of the river to allow the water to flow to reach
the crop irrigation areas downstream. That rock, which was in itself like
an island amidst the river, the bull submerged beyond sight simply with
the lifting of his hoof and resting it upon it. To the delight of everyone
the water again began to flow. Soon after this incident the bull returned
to Yamaraja, his master. The farmer then returned to Sripad Vyasa Tirtha
and asked him for more service. Sripad Vyasa Tirtha, who was always compassionate,
then engaged him in looking after the Mutt's goshalla.
Not long after that, an annual festival for the Deity came around
on the calendar, and a huge festival was put on for the Lord. The high
point was the 'abhiseka' bathing ceremony in which the Deity was to be
bathed in many different auspicious by-products of the cow. However, just
as the bathing commenced, the Deity of Udupi Krsna suddenly disappeared
right in front of the assembly's eyes. Everyone was very confused except
for Sripad Vyasa Tirtha, who asked all the assembled devotees to conclude
as to what had happened. The debating took some time, and the disciples
came to their conclusion that due to the offence of allowing the low-born
farmer to look after the cows and procure the milk, yogurt, ghee, etc.,
even though for the 'puja', the Lord had disappeared.
Indirectly they were blaming their 'guru', saying that this was
his offence, for they were still on the bodily concept of life, thinking
themselves as 'brahmanas' and he to be a mere 'vaisya', farmer.
Sripad Vyasa Tirtha very tolerantly tilted his head and asked
everyone to follow him for a moment. Everyone, the whole festive assembly
went to the 'goshalla' headed by Sripad Vyasa Tirtha. As they looked into
the 'goshalla' they saw the farmer scrubbing down the cows, brush in one
hand and a bucket of water in the other singing the glories of Gopal Krsna.
In his total absorption of serving the Lord's cows, the farmer didn't even
notice that the Deity of Udupi Krsna had manifested His normal Gopal form
and was standing beside him holding the bucket for him.
Needless to say, all of his disciples were amazed that Udupi
Krsna personally served this non-'brahmin' farmer, but Sripad Vyasa Tirtha
explained that, "No, the Lord had come to serve His pure devotee. Previously
he came for Acarya Madhwa to have him glorified, and now he has found another
worthy soul." Sripad Vyasa Tirtha later formally initiated the farmer as
his disciple.
Sripad Vyasa Tirtha passed away at Vijayanagar on the 'caturthi', fourth day in the dark fortnight in the month of Phalguna, (Jan-Feb), corresponding to Saturday 8th March, 1539 A.D. His samadhi (vrindavana) tomb remains on the island of Navavrindavanas in the Tungabhadra River, half a mile from Anegondi, Hampi.