Sannyasa-Vedanta Samrajya Abhisheka
Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga
Fourth Delight
Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma
Authored in Kannada by Raja, S. Gururajacharya
15. Sannyasa-Vedanta Samrajya Abhisheka
On a blessed day in the year of Shaka 1375 (1455 CE), during the auspicious Shri Shalivahana Shaka Sri Mukha Nama Samvatsara, there was an extraordinary celebration at the grand Shri Math. Knowing that the revered Sri Brahmanya Tirtha Sripada was going to perform the Vedanta Samrajya Abhisheka for their relative, the esteemed Yatiraja, thousands of disciples, devotees, pious individuals, and scholars gathered in Attoor. At the special invitation of Sri Brahmanya Tirtha, Yatiraja’s parents, Ramacharya and Lakshmi Devi, along with their relatives, also attended and participated in the sacred ceremony.
The previous day, in the presence of everyone, Sri Brahmanya Tirtha had announced Yatiraja as his successor and blessed him to accept the Paramahamsa Ashrama, giving him the phala mantra akshata. Following the instructions of Sri Brahmanya Tirtha, the scholars, priests, and Vedic experts of Shri Math completed all the Vedic rituals, including havan and homa, as part of Yatiraja’s initiation into Sannyasa.
Today, Yatiraja accepted the Paramahamsa Ashrama in accordance with Vedic rituals and traditions, adorned in the saffron robes and holding the danda and kamandalu, he graced Shri Math with his presence, stepping on the padukas, accompanied by the titles of the Math, auspicious music, and Vedic chants. Seeing the radiant young Yatiraja, glowing like the rising sun, filled everyone’s hearts with supreme bliss. The scholars and commoners alike hailed the new Yati with joyful cheers.
Following tradition, the young Yatiraja performed the Guru Padapuja and offered respects to Sri Brahmanya Tirtha. Sri Brahmanya Tirtha initiated him with the mantra mudra, the teachings of the Guru, the Pranava, the Hamsa mantras, and all the great mantras, seating the new Yati on the beautifully adorned Bhadrasa. He then placed a golden plate containing Shaligram, the idols of Sri Rama, Krishna, and Vedavyasa on his head, performed the Panchamrita Abhisheka, and later bathed him with pure water brought from sacred rivers, pearls, and navaratnas filled in conch shells. As the auspicious music roared, the Vedic chants echoed, and the joyous shouts of the virtuous reverberated, on this auspicious day of Sri Mukha Samvatsara of the Shalivahana Shaka 1375, Sri Brahmanya Tirtha performed the coronation of his beloved disciple as the Vedanta Samrajya of Srimadacharya and blessed him, naming him “Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha” as instructed by Sri Vedavyasa Deva, signifying that the glory of Sri Vedavyasa shines in him.
Seeing Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha, who was seated on the throne of knowledge and shining with extraordinary brilliance and radiant splendor like the morning sun's golden rays, thousands of pious devotees were filled with joy and reverence, chanting, "Victory to Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha, Victory to Srimadacharya, the great pontiff!"
Sri Brahmanya Tirtha blessed Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha with the symbols of the Vedanta empire, such as the umbrella, fan, palanquin, scriptures, and other titles, along with the chanting of laudatory verses and musical instruments. The heralds and bards of the Math proclaimed the titles of the great pontiff and extolled his virtues. Representatives of various traditions invited with special invitations, prominent disciples, relatives, admirers, devotees, and religious leaders presented offerings to the new Jagadguru. The joy, grandeur, and people's happiness were indescribable! Those who witnessed that supremely sacred scene were truly fortunate.
On that day, following the instructions and under the guidance of Sri Brahmanya Tirtha, the newly enthroned Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha performed the grand worship of the revered idols of Sri Pattabhirama, Sri Mula Gopalakrishna, and Vedavyasa Deva (Vyasa Mushthi), the presiding deities of Sri Rajendra Tirtha's Vidya Math, with devotion and dedication as expertly as if he had been doing it for many years. Witnessing this magnificence, thousands of pious devotees were astonished and delighted, celebrating the new Guru.
In the afternoon, after the Guru graciously distributed Tirtha Prasad to thousands of Brahmins and Suvasinis (married women), a sumptuous meal was served. The evening featured the worship of lamps, the giving of the Phala Mantra Akshata, fasting by scholars, teachings and discourses by both Gurus, marking the grand Vedanta Samrajya Abhisheka festival with splendor and joy. Participating in all these ceremonies, Yatiraja's parents, Ramacharya and Lakshmi Devi, along with their relatives, felt their lives were fulfilled by being part of this unprecedented historical event.
From the following day, under the guidance of Sri Brahmanya Tirtha, Sri Vyasaraja Tirtha began diligently adhering to the duties of the Yati Ashrama. Sri Brahmanya Tirtha also commenced daily teachings of Vedanta and other scriptures to his beloved disciple.
With the intention of introducing Vyasaraja Tirtha to the essence of Madhva philosophy, Sri Brahmanya Tirtha began teaching him the prakaranas, Sutra Bhashya, and Upanishad Bhashya. Vyasaraja Tirtha's studies continued uninterruptedly. As a result, Vyasaraja Tirtha became familiar with the key principles and outlines of the Dvaita philosophy. Observing his disciple’s dedication to learning, grasping ability, and talent, Brahmanya Tirtha was delighted and recognized that Vyasaraja Tirtha was capable of thoroughly studying all the Vedanta scriptures.
For the next couple of years, Vyasaraja Tirtha engaged daily in activities such as bathing, spiritual practices, chanting and meditation, worship, serving his Guru, continuous study, contemplation, discussions with disciples and devotees, and exchanging philosophical ideas with scholars. He received teachings from his Guru on the traditions and customs of the revered institution. Through his activities, efficiency, knowledge, talent, brilliance, and charisma, Vyasaraja Tirtha earned the respect and admiration of everyone and the special grace of his Guru.