Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

The Fifth Delight

Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma

11. Years Passed

Between 1530 and 1565 CE, the Kannada Empire, the two great seats of Srimad Madhvacharya, and the Shaashthika lineage witnessed numerous significant events. These were remarkable incidents in the history of India, Kannada Nadu, Dvaita philosophy, and the Shaashthika heritage, shedding light on their rise, decline, joys, sorrows, and upheavals. Reflecting on some of these key events is essential.

After Sri Surendra Tirtha departed from Vijayanagara with Sri Vijayindra Tirtha, Sri Vyasaraja felt profound sadness and discomfort due to the absence of his beloved disciple, Vijayindra. This emotional strain gradually led him to withdraw from political affairs.

Around the same time, a great tragedy struck the Kannada Empire. The illustrious Emperor Krishnadevaraya, celebrated as the architect of the empire’s golden age, succumbed to grief following the untimely death of his son, Prince Tirumala Maharaya. Weakened by sorrow and illness, Krishnadevaraya passed away, leaving the Kannada Empire in mourning. His demise marked the setting of the empire's bright fortune, and the sorrowful scene of the time defied description. The Emperor’s death profoundly affected the wise Sri Vyasaraja as well.

During his lifetime, Krishnadevaraya had appointed Achyutaraya as the ruler of Kannada Nadu. Like his elder brother, Achyutaraya was a devoted disciple of Vyasaraja. Guided by the Guru’s counsel and supported by trusted figures like Aliya Ramaraja, the ministers, Chavappa Nayaka of Tanjavur, and Vishwanatha Nayaka of Madurai, Achyutaraya ruled with wisdom, earning a reputation as a just and beloved emperor.

Kanakachalacharya, meanwhile, continued his education at the Samsatha Vidyapeetha in Vijayanagara, focusing on Nyaya (logic), Vedanta, and literature, under the guidance of Sri Vyasaraja and his father, Krishnacharya. He also excelled in the family tradition of Veena playing. His academic and artistic achievements earned him the love and respect of his Gurus, father, relatives, scholars, and the religious and secular communities in the capital.

However, fate struck cruelly during this time, as Krishnacharya passed away at the age of 59. The sudden loss devastated the 19-year-old Kanakachalacharya, who felt as though the sky had fallen upon him. With the support of relatives and well-wishers, he performed his father’s last rites and, under the guidance and blessings of Sri Vyasaraja, refocused on his studies.

Sri Vyasaraja, recognizing Kanakachalacharya’s potential and grief, became his mentor and guide. Not only did Vyasaraja oversee his progress, but he also elevated him to the position of a teacher at the Vidyapeetha, filling the void left by his father. With Vyasaraja’s support, Kanakachalacharya developed into a distinguished scholar and teacher, earning the affection and respect of all who knew him.

Thus, time moved forward, with Kanakachalacharya continuing his growth under the guidance of his revered Guru.

When Sri Vyasaraja was absorbed in meditative worship of Lord Narayana, Sri Vijayindra Tirtha visited and took a special interest in his familial relation and fellow student, Kanakachalacharya. He treated him with exceptional affection and respect, fostering his progress and offering him encouragement. Kanakachalacharya, revitalized by Vijayindra's warmth, reciprocated with profound devotion and reverence, much like he had for Sri Vyasaraja, earning Vijayindra's blessings. A few days later, Vijayindra departed for Kumbakonam.

The year 1542 CE proved to be auspicious for Kanakachalacharya. As a teacher at the imperial Vidyapeetha, Aliya Ramaraja, upon recommendation, elevated him to the position of Maha Pandita and Veena Virtuoso of the empire, earning him great honor. Renowned for his scholarship in literature and mastery of Veena, the youthful Kanakachalacharya attracted several marriage proposals. With the support of family and friends, his marriage was arranged to Lakshmi Devi, an accomplished and virtuous woman from the Shaashthika lineage. The wedding ceremony was celebrated grandly, with special gifts and honors from the palace and the Guru’s household.

As a householder, Kanakachalacharya led a harmonious and blissful married life with his wife. Blessed by the Lord, the couple had a son, whom they named Timmanna, their family’s torchbearer. Timmanna grew up to bring immense joy to his parents and family with his playful antics.

The year 1550 CE marked a significant period of intellectual flourishing in India. Sri Vijayindra Tirtha, the beloved disciple of Sri Surendra Tirtha and Sri Vyasaraja, traveled across India, firmly establishing Dvaita philosophy by triumphing in debates against opposing schools of thought. His victories over hundreds of scholars across the 64 arts brought immense prestige to the Mahasamsthana, ushering in its golden age. He earned admiration from kings and nobles, including Viswanatha Nayaka and Chavappa Nayaka of Madurai and Tanjavur, who became his devoted disciples and ruled as exemplary monarchs under his guidance.

At Kumbakonam, leveraging his unparalleled scholarship and spiritual powers, Vijayindra engaged in an eleven-day debate with Sri Lingarajendra, a powerful Shaiva ascetic who led a group of scholars and commanded significant influence over local temples and monasteries. Vijayindra decisively defeated him, earning the symbolic victory over his gaddi (throne), the Basava Bell, and control of the Shaiva Mathas. This marked a historic triumph as the leadership of all the temples in Kumbakonam passed under the authority of Sri Vijayindra Tirtha, cementing the dominance of Dvaita philosophy in the region.

Chavappa Nayaka, the ruler of Tanjavur and husband of Moortambadevi, who was the daughter of Emperor Achyutaraya, was entrusted with the governance of Tanjavur by the Kannada emperor. Chavappa Nayaka was deeply devoted to Sri Vyasaraja, Sri Surendra Tirtha, and Sri Vijayindra Tirtha.

In 1550 CE, following the instructions of Sri Vyasaraja, Sri Vijayindra Tirtha established a Samsatha Vidyapeetha (academic institution) in Kumbakonam, appointing Sri Surendra Tirtha as its principal and serving as its vice-principal himself. Under their leadership, the institution began imparting knowledge to thousands of students across various disciplines. The Vidyapeetha enjoyed special support from the Kannada emperors and the rulers of Madurai and Tanjavur, who provided abundant resources and encouragement for the dissemination of knowledge.

By 1555 CE, the fame of Sri Vijayindra Tirtha had spread far and wide. Around the same time, Sri Surendra Tirtha, on his third pan-Indian pilgrimage, undertook a rigorous fast while visiting sacred sites across the country.

During this period, following the death of Emperor Achyutaraya, Aliya Ramaraja assumed full control over the Kannada Empire, ruling as the regent on behalf of Emperor Sadasivaraya. Aliya Ramaraja was a devout follower of Sri Vijayindra Tirtha and desired to honor him just as his father-in-law, Krishnadevaraya, had honored Sri Vyasaraja with a grand Ratnabhisheka (ceremonial anointment with jewels).

Ramaraja invited Sri Vijayindra Tirtha to Vijayanagara and, in a spectacular display of grandeur, seated him in a royal howdah on an elephant and paraded him through the city. He then ceremonially installed Sri Vijayindra Tirtha on the Karnataka Ratna Simhasana (Throne of Karnataka's Jewel) and performed the Ratnabhisheka, presenting him with immense wealth, gold, a golden throne, villages, lands, and Agraharas as offerings.

This remarkable event further cemented the fame of Sri Vijayindra Tirtha, whose renown now extended far beyond the horizons.

During the Ratnabhisheka ceremony, Kanakachalacharya celebrated the Chaula (first haircut) and Aksharabhyasa (initiation into learning) of his son Timmanna in the presence of Sri Vijayindra Tirtha. Vijayindra personally guided the boy, writing the mantra “Om Namo Narayanaya” and helping him practice it, thereby blessing him. Showing special affection for the intelligent and promising Timmanna, Vijayindra taught him several mantras and hymns, bestowing his blessings upon the boy. After this, Vijayindra bid farewell to Aliya Ramaraja and set out for Kumbakonam.

Timmanna, empowered by Vijayindra’s blessings, diligently pursued his early education. Excelling in poetry and mastering Kannada and Sanskrit, he grew into a prodigy. Additionally, he learned the art of music and Veena playing from his father, Kanakachalacharya, achieving such proficiency that even his father was astonished by his talent. Around 1560 CE, Kanakachalacharya performed Timmanna’s Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) and initiated him into Vedic studies. Timmanna became a distinguished student, gaining the admiration and trust of all through his exceptional intellect and dedication to Vedic learning.

However, the year 1565 CE marked a tragic turning point in the history of the Kannada Empire, remembered as the year of its downfall. In the catastrophic Battle of Talikota (Rakkasa-Tangadi), the great strategist and protector of the empire, Aliya Ramaraja, was killed due to misfortune, leading to the collapse of the Vijayanagara Empire. The once-prosperous empire, established by Vidyaranya, elevated to its zenith by Sri Vyasaraja, and renowned globally as India’s sole Dharma Empire, was reduced to ruins after nearly 300 years of glory. This tragic event was seen as the karmic fate of the Kannada people.

Upon learning of Ramaraja’s death, his brothers Tirumala and Venkataadri, along with Viswanatha Nayaka and Chavappa Nayaka, fled Vijayanagara with Sadasivaraya, carrying as much wealth and regalia as possible to Chandragiri.

The capital was left desolate, with citizens crying out in despair. Overcome by fear, many scholars, poets, writers, musicians, and artists abandoned the city in search of safety. Among them, Kanakachalacharya, accompanied by his family, relatives, and children, fled Vijayanagara with little more than the clothes on their backs, seeking refuge in Kumbakonam.

Thus, between 1530 and 1565 CE, many significant and sorrowful events unfolded, marking a period of profound change in the Kannada Empire and its cultural legacy.