Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

The Fifth Delight

Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma

Chapter 1 - Praise of the Lineage

In India, the Shaashika lineage has been the cradle of all forms of knowledge. The greatness and prestige of this Shaashika (Saatvika) lineage have been elaborately described in the fourth Utsava under "Kalpataru Vana Shri Vyasaraja Gurusarvabhauma's Charitra." It is within this Gowtama Gotra and the "Beegamudre" (ಬೀಗಮುದ್ರೆ) family of this lineage that our protagonist, Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma, was born.

In the land of Bharat (India), among the revered "Saptarshis" (ಸಪ್ತರ್ಷಿ ) (Seven Great Sages) acknowledged by the world, Gowtama Maharshi is one of the prominent ones. He is the illustrious propagator of the Gowtama Gotra. Engaged in rituals such as Yajna and Yaga, Gowtama Maharshi served as a protector of the virtuous by feeding thousands of people and shone as the master of all sages and the embodiment of qualities like serenity and self-discipline.

Gowtama Maharshi, endowed with supreme devotion to Lord Shri Narayana, practiced profound meditation, contemplation, and listening to sacred discourses. He was renowned among ascetics for his rigorous observance of vows such as Krichchha (ಕೃಚ್ಛಾ) and Chandrayana (ಚಂದ್ರಾಯಣ) fasting. He also excelled in conducting rituals like Darsha and Pournamasa with perfect adherence, becoming a principal figure in Saguneshthi (rituals performed with material offerings).

Saguneshthi (ಸಗುಣೇಷ್ಟಿ) is considered the foundation for Nirguneshthi (ನಿರ್ಗುಣೇಷ್ಟಿ). The latter, often referred to as Shushkashi (ಸಗುಣೇಷ್ಟಿ) or a dry ritual, involves symbolic practices like placing stones in place of actual offerings and chanting mantras as part of a preparatory ritual. On the other hand, Saguneshthi (ಸಗುಣೇಷ್ಟಿ) involves systematic Yagas with prescribed materials, auxiliary deities, mantras, sacred spaces, suitable implements, priests, a yajamana (performer of the sacrifice), and animals. As Saguneshthi (ಸಗುಣೇಷ್ಟಿ) holds primacy over Nirguneshthi (ನಿರ್ಗುಣೇಷ್ಟಿ), Gowtama Maharshi was paramount among other ascetics in the performance of such grand rituals.

Gowtama Maharshi is renowned for his extraordinary act of feeding ten thousand rishis and sages during a twelve-year famine. Before delving into this story, it is essential to understand the cause of the famine, as described by Varahamihira.

Varahamihira states:

“When Shani, the son of the Sun, pierces through the constellation of Rohini (known as the Rohini Shakata due to its arrangement of six stars resembling a cart) and moves towards Mars or Venus, Indra, the lord of rains, will withhold rainfall for twelve years. The splitting of the Rohini Shakata indicates human transgressions, leading the earth to appear desolate, scorched, and barren. It would resemble a hermit adorned with a garland of broken bones, holding a human skull in hand, akin to Kapali’s vow. Furthermore, when Shani, the Sun’s son, breaks through the Rohini Shakata and moves towards Mars or the Moon, a twelve-year drought ensues.”

Once, such a twelve-year famine struck India, causing immense hardship. However, Gowtama Maharshi's ashram remained abundant. Many rishis and sages across various ashrams faced severe challenges, struggling even to survive. Out of compassion, Gowtama invited these rishis, along with their families, to his ashram, where he lovingly sheltered and supported them for nearly twelve years.

With divine grace, the famine ended, rains returned, and crops flourished, restoring abundance. The rishis then requested Gowtama Maharshi’s permission to return to their respective ashrams. However, Gowtama urged them to stay for a little longer. After another four months, the rishis again sought his approval to depart, but Gowtama asked them to remain.

As months passed and Gowtama continued to deny their requests to leave, the rishis grew despondent. Though grateful for Gowtama’s protection during the famine, they longed to return to their ashrams. They feared defying his words, as doing so might invoke his displeasure. Yet, they were determined to leave and began devising a plan to depart without incurring his wrath.

An incident arose that presented an opportunity for the rishis’ desire to be fulfilled. One day, Narada visited Kailasa and, in the presence of Goddess Parvati, said, "Mother, your husband has taken Ganga, your co-wife, upon his head. Does this not bring you sorrow? You should find a way to make Ganga leave Shiva’s matted locks and protect your dignity."

Goddess Parvati replied, "I will not do anything that is against my husband’s wishes." Narada, undeterred, went to Lord Ganesha and said, "O Gananayaka! Your father has kept Ganga, your mother’s co-wife, on his head. Your mother is deeply distressed because of this. Isn’t it your duty, as her son, to alleviate her sorrow?"

Hearing this, Ganesha declared, "Narada, I will take care of this matter," and, disguising himself as a brahmachari (young ascetic), went to Gautama’s ashram. There, he revealed a plan to the rishis to leave Gautama’s ashram and then departed.

The rishis were delighted by the brahmachari’s suggestion. Following his advice, they used their spiritual powers to create a lean and weak cow and released it into Gautama’s fields. The cow began eating and destroying the crops. At that moment, Gautama arrived and saw the cow ruining the fields. To drive it away, he simply shouted, "Hey, hey!" At this, the cow collapsed to the ground and died.

Gautama was heartbroken, believing he had committed the sin of cow slaughter. This was precisely the outcome the rishis had anticipated. They rushed to Gautama, exclaiming, "Swami, what an unrighteous act you have committed! You have unjustly killed a cow. We cannot stay in a place where such a sinful deed has occurred. We are leaving now." Saying this, the rishis packed their belongings and left Gautama’s ashram, returning to their respective ashrams.

Gautama was deeply distressed, torn between the sorrow of losing the brahmin families who had lived with him for so long and the burden of the sin of cow slaughter. He pondered, "Why has this happened?" To absolve himself of the sin, he devoutly prayed to Goddess Ganga.

Moved by his devotion, Goddess Ganga descended from Shiva’s matted locks to the earth and flowed over the lifeless cow. To everyone’s amazement, the cow was revived, and water began flowing from its mouth. According to the etymology, "Gava diiyate iti Godu, Godam Vaari Yasyaashta Godavari Godavari Eva Godavari" (ಗವಾ ದೀಯತೇ ಇತಿ ಗೋದು, ಗೋದಂ ವಾರಿ ಯಸ್ಯಾಷ್ಟ ಗೋದಾವರಿ ಗೋದಾವರಿ ಏವ ಗೋದಾವರಿ) (Ganga flowing from the mouth of the cow came to be known as Godavari). Thus, the river Ganga, descending from Shiva’s locks, emerged as Godavari from the mouth of the cow.

This miraculous event brought joy to Narada, Parvati, and Ganesha.

Once the cow came back to life, Gautama examined the circumstances of its death with his spiritual insight. He discovered that the brahmins had used their mantra power to create the cow and had deliberately caused its death, intending to falsely attribute the sin of cow slaughter to him. Realizing that the rishis had not shown gratitude for his hospitality and instead used their spiritual knowledge and power to create the cow and impose the sin on him, Gautama grew deeply angry.

He cursed them, saying, "Was it not with their knowledge and power that they committed this act? May their knowledge be destroyed!" As a result of Gautama's curse, "Gautamasya Risheshapaat Jnaanetaajnaanatam Gate" (ಗೌತಮಸ್ಯ ಋಷೇಶಪಾತ್ ಜ್ಞಾನೇತಾಜ್ಞಾನತಾಂ ಗತೇ) (due to Gautama's curse, knowledge was lost, and ignorance spread). In the Dwapara Yuga, knowledge diminished, and ignorance pervaded the land, causing immense difficulties for virtuous people.

Moved by the prayers of Brahma, Rudra, Indra, and other deities, the compassionate Lord Narayana incarnated as Shri Vedavyasa to restore knowledge. Gautama Maharshi became renowned not only for feeding others during the twelve-year famine but also for bringing the Ganga down from Shiva’s matted locks and transforming her into the river Godavari, flowing across Bharat.

Gautama Maharshi possessed extraordinary qualities not found in other sages. Inspired by Lord Hari, he composed a five-chapter treatise on Nyaya Shastra (the science of logic) to delude the asuras. This work became a catalyst for the incarnation of Shri Vedavyasa, who divided the Vedas, composed the Brahma Sutras (Brahma Mimamsa Shastra), and authored eighteen Puranas and Upa-Puranas to dispel ignorance and grant knowledge to virtuous seekers, paving their path to liberation.

Thus, Gautama Maharshi, endowed with supreme greatness, became a prominent figure. His lineage gave birth to many revered scholars and saints.

The Gautama lineage is no ordinary one. It surpasses even the pleasures of the heavenly realm, with members attaining the supreme result of liberation. Many radiant souls have emerged from this lineage, excelling in noble virtues and impeccable character. The Gautama lineage, like a banyan tree, continues unbroken, with its branches stretching so far that its apex is beyond sight.

Many deserving individuals in this lineage have been likened to those who consume nectar (amrita), symbolizing their spiritual purity. Known as Sudhashaneshah (ಸುಧಾಶನೇಶಃ), they were illustrious scholars who taught and expounded upon sacred texts such as Nyaya Sudha.

This lineage has also produced numerous renowned women with exemplary qualities, reflecting the virtues of their fathers, and brothers who matched their elders in greatness. Among these illustrious descendants was a brilliant individual named Shri Krishnacharya. This remarkable Krishnacharya attained immense fame and became celebrated worldwide for his accomplishments.