Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

The Fifth Delight

Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma

13. The Young Prodigy

Some vocalists and instrumentalists from North India, on a "victory tour" of India, triumphed over every competitor they faced and eventually arrived in Tanjavur. There, they competed against the royal musicians and veena players and defeated them as well. As per the agreed terms, the ruler of Tanjavur was obligated to write them a certificate of victory. This was a moment of disgrace for Tanjavur, renowned since ancient times for its unmatched reputation in music and arts. The king, deeply distressed, was unsure how to resolve the situation.

Chinnachavappa Nayaka, the younger brother of Chavappa Nayaka, consoled his elder brother, saying, “Brother! At this juncture, only Sri Vijayindra Guru can uphold our honor. We must seek refuge in him.” Hearing this, Chavappa Nayaka was overjoyed and exclaimed, “You’re absolutely right, my brother! I now realize that it is because we forgot to seek the guidance of that great soul that we find ourselves in this predicament. Go to Kumbakonam and humbly request the Guru to come and help us.”

The next day, Chinnachavappa Nayaka successfully conveyed the situation to Sri Vijayindra Tirtha and invited him to Tanjavur. The Guru assured him, “Do not worry, I will ensure your honor is safeguarded.” Relieved, Chinnachavappa returned to Tanjavur and informed the king that the Guru would come to their aid and protect their dignity.

Upon Sri Vijayindra Tirtha’s arrival with a modest entourage, the king warmly welcomed him, arranged for his accommodation, and received his blessings with Phala Mantrakshata. The Guru then proceeded to the palace.

That evening, after completing the Sayanadeepa Aradhana, Sri Vijayindra retired to his quarters for meditation. Sitting a short distance away was Timmanna, quietly observing. Emerging from his meditation, the Guru said, “Timmanna, for some reason, I feel like listening to your Veena performance today.”

Timmanna, delighted, brought his Veena, sat before the Guru, and began to play. After a while, the Guru remarked, “Listening to your skilled playing makes me want to play the Veena myself.” Overwhelmed with joy, Timmanna exclaimed, “Revered Swami, this has been my long-cherished wish. I am blessed that it has come true today!” He then fetched Kanakachalacharya’s Veena and respectfully placed it before the Guru.

Sri Vijayindra ran his fingers over the strings, producing a sweet and melodious sound that thrilled Timmanna. The Guru then said, “Timmanna, I will play the Veena, and you follow my lead.” Timmanna, folding his hands in humility, replied, “Swami, am I even worthy of accompanying you on the Veena?”

The Guru smiled and said, “Foolish boy! You don’t know your own potential. Yes, follow my Veena performance,” and began an alapana in the Hindolam (Malkauns) raga. The Guru’s performance was filled with unparalleled expertise and intricate variations. Listening to this, Timmanna was struck with wonder and delight, eagerly following his Guru’s lead.

After blessing him by placing a hand on his head, Sri Vijayindra said, “Well done, my child! Now I will show you a unique technique. This is practiced only in the celestial realm and is unknown on Earth. It is called Gandhara Grama. Practice what I am about to demonstrate and play alongside me. If you master this, no one in the world can match you.”

With a smile, the Guru demonstrated the Gandhara Grama, using distinctive gamakas, swara arrangements, and intricate nuances in naraval. The music was otherworldly, as if divine melodies had descended to Earth. Although Timmanna initially found it challenging to replicate, when the Guru placed his hand on his head again, it seemed as though a new surge of energy flowed through him. Almost unconsciously, Timmanna began following the Guru’s intricate patterns.

For nearly two hours, the Guru played Hindolam in the Gandhara Grama style, exploring unique phrases like Nanda, Vishala, Sumukhi, Chitra, Chitravati, Sukha, and Alapa. Each rendition was entirely novel and mesmerizing. By the end of the session, Sri Vijayindra declared that Timmanna had mastered the technique and said, “Child, tomorrow bring your Veena and join me at the royal court.”

The next day, Tanjavur’s royal court was packed with an enormous audience. Thousands of spectators had gathered, eager to witness the much-anticipated competition between Sri Vijayindra Tirtha and the North Indian musicians. On the high dais, the Guru sat alongside Chavappa Nayaka and his brothers, while the musicians and instrumentalists sat on the opposite side.

The king stood up and addressed the audience: “To protect Tanjavur’s honor, the revered Guru will compete against these artists. Please remain silent and respectful.”

One of the northern musicians stood up and sneered, “What is this nonsense? Are monks even capable of competing with us?”

With a calm smile, Sri Vijayindra Tirtha replied, “Musicians, you are correct. I am not your competitor. Behold, this young boy, my disciple, will compete with you.” Pointing to Timmanna, he continued, “Timmanna, rise and face these northern musicians.”

Hearing the Guru’s words, Timmanna was astonished. The Guru’s gentle smile and reassuring gesture filled him with confidence, as though a surge of electricity had coursed through his body. Bowing to his Guru, Timmanna took his Veena and ascended the stage.

The audience was taken aback that a mere 15-year-old boy was being sent to compete. One of the northern musicians stood up and addressed the king: “Your Majesty, if even your court musicians have been defeated, what can this boy possibly achieve? Very well, I shall compete with him in Veena. If I win, you must write me a certificate of victory. If this boy wins, we will admit our defeat.”

The northern musician then confidently took up his Veena and began playing Malkauns (Hindolam), precisely in the style that Sri Vijayindra Tirtha had demonstrated the previous day. Timmanna, initially stunned, thought to himself, “Ah! How wise my Guru is! He foresaw this challenge and prepared me accordingly. What a great soul! I am truly blessed to have received his grace.”

Filled with joy and determination, Timmanna prepared to compete.

The Hindustani veena player, after playing one round of the Malkauns raga, turned to Timmanna and thundered, “Hah! Now you play!” Timmanna effortlessly replicated the round just as skillfully. Astonished, the veena player thought, “What skill this boy possesses! He played my composition with ease!” While amazed, he also grew frustrated and angered.

Determined to outdo the young artist, the Hindustani veena player performed a more intricate variation. Timmanna, like it was child’s play, followed along flawlessly. The competition turned into a fierce duel of talent. The veena player displayed every ounce of his expertise, but Timmanna matched and even surpassed him with his brilliance. Despite his best efforts, the veena player could neither unsettle nor cause Timmanna to falter.

Realizing the futility of his attempts and admitting defeat, the veena player bowed his head in submission and sat down. The audience erupted in thunderous applause. The king’s joy was beyond measure.

At this point, Sri Vijayindra Tirtha smiled and said, “Oh, veena player! By your conditions, the competition is over, and this young artist has won. Now, hear our condition: the boy will play the same Malkauns raga, but in an entirely different style. If you can replicate his performance, you will be declared the winner, and we will write you a certificate of victory. But if you fail, you must admit defeat, surrender all your certificates, and declare yourselves vanquished. Timmanna! Begin!”

Timmanna understood the Guru’s intent and, with complete confidence, began playing in the Gandhara Grama style, which his Guru had taught him the previous day. This celestial and unparalleled rendition of the raga left the veena player dumbstruck. Overwhelmed, the veena player stood, bowed deeply to Timmanna, and exclaimed, “You are no ordinary human. You must belong to the celestial Gandharva lineage. I concede defeat!”

The entire audience cheered and celebrated Timmanna, with shouts of joy and applause echoing throughout the hall. Timmanna continued his mesmerizing veena performance, weaving unheard-of gamakas and swara patterns into a divine musical wave. The celestial music enthralled the audience, making them forget the material world. It wasn’t until Timmanna completed his performance and bowed to his Guru that they came back to their senses.

All the Hindustani musicians descended from the stage and humbly acknowledged their defeat to Sri Vijayindra Tirtha, bowing in reverence. The audience, now in rapturous joy, sang praises of the Guru’s wisdom and Timmanna’s unparalleled talent.

The ruler of Tanjavur addressed the Guru with folded hands: “Guru Deva! You and your disciple have saved the honor and prestige of our kingdom. We are forever indebted to you.” He then turned to Timmanna and declared, “This young prodigy has graced us with divine music, the likes of which we have never heard before. His talent reminds us of Veena Paṇi (Goddess Saraswati) herself. In his honor, we bestow upon him the title ‘Bala Saraswati.’” Amidst cheers and applause, the king presented Timmanna with a shawl, golden bangles, a silk garment, a headdress, and gold coins, garlanding him as a mark of respect.

The king also honored the defeated Hindustani musicians with shawls and gifts, showing magnanimity. The entire assembly was filled with joy and pride. Thus, the competition ended with the honor of Tanjavur restored, and Sri Vijayindra Tirtha and Timmanna were celebrated wholeheartedly.