Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

The Fifth Delight

Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma

2. Shri Krishnabhattar

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Shaashika lineage, part of the Kannada empire of Vijayanagara—renowned as the Dakshinapatha Empire—flourished in various regions of southern India. Members of this lineage, belonging to different gotras and clans, were settled across these regions.

The Beegamudre (ಬೀಗಮುದ್ರೆ ) family of the Shaashika lineage, within the Gowtama Gotra of the Saatvika ancestry, gained particular prominence in the 15th and 16th centuries in places such as Mulbagal, Shivamogga district, Kumbakonam, Srirangam, Mantralayam, and Vijayanagara. The parents of Shri Krishnabhattar (also known as Krishnacharya), a distinguished member of this lineage, resided in Mulbagal. Fortunate and devout, they studied Nyaya, Vedanta, and other scriptures under the guidance of their family guru, Shri Vibudhendra Tirtha.

Shri Lakshmi Narayana Muni (Shri Shripadaraja), who belonged to the same Beegamudre lineage and had deep affection for its members, also studied under Shri Vibudhendra Tirtha. Recognizing the exceptional scholarship of Shri Venkataramanacharya, the father of Krishnacharya, Shripadaraja appointed him as an educator in his academic institution and made him a court scholar, bestowing him with great affection and blessings.

Later, Shri Krishnacharya, the son of Shri Venkataramanacharya, also studied Nyaya, Vedanta, and other scriptures under Shri Jitamitra Tirtha and Shri Shripadaraja Tirtha, gaining widespread acclaim. In addition to his expertise in these disciplines, Krishnacharya mastered the Gandharva arts, earning the title Veena Krishnacharya due to his exceptional skill in veena playing.

Krishnacharya, a flawless and renowned scholar, acquired diverse fields of knowledge befitting an accomplished Brahmin and excelled in the Gandharva arts, a hallmark of his lineage. He became a master of veena playing, upholding the Gandharva Vidyadhara tradition of his family. Renowned for his unparalleled brilliance in Nyaya, Vedanta, and literary scriptures, as well as his expertise in Vedic studies, he earned universal admiration. His profound knowledge in the Gandharva arts was unmatched, and no one remained unmoved by the finesse of his veena performance.

Shri Shripadaraja arranged Krishnacharya’s marriage to Rukmini, a noblewoman known for her exceptional qualities. She was an unparalleled beauty, an admirer of music and literature, and adorned with virtuous qualities. Rukmini, in her maiden life (Purvashrama), complemented the virtuous and scholarly Krishnacharya perfectly, and their union became celebrated.

This couple, who led a happy and harmonious married life, wished to settle in Vijayanagara, as Shri Vyasaraja Gurusarvabhauma was the royal guru there. Shri Vyasaraja, who had heard about Krishnacharya's knowledge and virtuous qualities from the beginning and later witnessed them firsthand, was overjoyed. He lovingly invited Krishnacharya to settle in Vijayanagara many times, which played a significant role in their decision.

However, due to his deep reverence for his guru, Shri Shripadaraja, Krishnacharya found it difficult to leave Mulbagal and move to Vijayanagara. He remained in Mulbagal for a long time, finding joy and fulfillment in the blessings and interactions with his revered guru, Shri Shripadaraja.

After Shri Shripadaraja completed his divine mission and immersed himself in deep meditation on Lord Narayana, Krishnacharya, along with his wife, moved to Vijayanagara. There, under the patronage and blessings of Shri Vyasaraja Gurusarvabhauma, they spent their days peacefully, benefiting greatly from his guidance and grace.