Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

The Fifth Delight

Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma

18. Timmanna Acharya in Vijayanagara

One afternoon, as Sri Vijayindra and Sri Sudheendra were resting at the Vidya Matha in Kumbakonam, Pandit Timmanna Acharya came to pay his respects. Seeing him, the gurus' faces lit up.

Sri Vijayindra playfully said, "What is this, Timmanna? After settling into household life, have you forgotten the Matha and your gurus?"

Timmanna responded with a smile, "Can I even dream of living without remembering you, Guruvaraya? I come every year for the Guru Mahasamaradhana! How can you accuse this humble disciple of neglect?"

The heartfelt tone of Timmanna’s poetic response made both gurus smile.

Vijayindra Tirtha: "What brings you here for this special visit?"

Timmanna Acharya: "Hearing about the grand success of the Mahadigvijaya undertaken by the junior guru, I was overwhelmed with joy and came here to seek their blessings. The junior Swamiji’s victories have glorified the Mahasansthana’s name and brought immense pride to all of us."

Hearing Timmanna’s words, Sri Sudheendra was pleased and shared details of the digvijaya with great affection. Sri Vijayindra, with a mischievous smile, said, "Timmanna, we must punish you for forgetting the Matha and falling under the spell of domestic life."

Timmanna replied with a playful tone, "I will gladly accept whatever punishment the Guru bestows." Surprised by his confident answer, the senior guru asked, "How do you dare say that with such boldness?"

Timmanna humbly said, "What punishment can the guru give me? Likely, it will involve assigning me to some significant responsibility, which is why I am so confident." Hearing this, both gurus laughed heartily.

Later, Sri Vijayindra informed Timmanna about a request from the disciples and devotees of Anegondi (Vijayanagara) to establish a Vidya Peetha to impart knowledge to the people there. The guru expressed his desire to appoint Timmanna Acharya as the head of the Vidya Peetha, along with two young scholars, and instructed him to prepare to travel to Anegondi with the required documents.

Following the guru’s command, Timmanna entrusted the care of his home, fields, and other affairs in Ramachandrapur Agrahara to his trusted friends. Accompanied by his wife Gopikamba Devi, he came to Kumbakonam to receive the blessings of the gurus. With two young scholars, Timmanna Acharya then set out on his journey to Anegondi as instructed by Sri Vijayindra.

In Vijayanagara, the secular, Vedic scholars, wealthy individuals, and devout citizens, overjoyed with the guru’s decision to send Timmanna Acharya and other scholars as per their request, provided suitable housing and facilities for their livelihood. On an auspicious day, under Acharya's leadership, they inaugurated the Vidya Peetha. The curriculum spanned from basic education to advanced studies in poetry, drama, literature, Nyaya (logic), grammar, and Vedanta. Dedicated classes were established for these subjects.

Initially, Timmanna Acharya and the young scholars began teaching forty students. Within six to seven months, the Vidya Peetha grew significantly, enrolling nearly a hundred students who started studying various disciplines, including the Vedas. Timmanna Acharya, with great dedication and affection, personally taught the students, while the younger scholars contributed to the learning experience. Consequently, the Vidya Peetha flourished and gained widespread recognition in a short time.

As instructed by Sri Vijayindra, Timmanna Acharya stayed in Anegondi for a year, established the Vidya Peetha on a strong foundation, and entrusted its management to the capable young scholars. He then prepared to leave, accompanied by his wife. The townspeople, deeply impressed by Acharya’s scholarship, brilliance, teaching methods, virtues, and character, honored him grandly before his departure.

Although ten years had passed since Timmanna Acharya’s marriage, the couple remained childless, which was a source of concern for them. Gopikamba Devi expressed her wish to seek blessings for a child from their family deity, Sri Srinivasa. Timmanna Acharya joyfully agreed, and with the hope of receiving the grace of Lord Srinivasa, the jewel of Sheshachala, they set out for Tirupati, accompanied by some attendants.

At Tirupati, the couple worshipped Lord Venkateshwara with great devotion. They believed that divine favor was essential for the blessing of progeny. They prayed fervently to their revered family deity, the Lord of Lakshmi, for a child.

Pleased with their heartfelt service, Lord Srinivasa blessed them. After receiving prasadam and worshipping the deity, they left Tirupati and returned to Kumbakonam. Upon reporting their experiences to their gurus, they expressed their desire to reside in Kaveripattana for some time. With their gurus’ blessings, they moved to their own house in the Agrahara of Kaveripattana in the Tundira region. There, they continued worshipping Kamalakanta (Lord Vishnu) and lived peacefully with devotion for several years.

By the grace of Lord Srinivasa, Gopikamba Devi conceived, bringing immense joy to Timmanna Acharya. With the blessings of the Lord and their revered gurus, Gopikamba gave birth to a virtuous daughter, followed the next year by a son who was as valiant as a lion cub. The couple regarded this son as a divine gift, a source of pride and joy for their family. In a grand naming ceremony, held with the blessings of Sri Vijayindra and senior gurus, they named their daughter "Venkatamba" and their son "Gururaja."

Timmanna Acharya’s happiness knew no bounds as his children flourished alongside his growing prosperity. In the third year, Timmanna organized the Chaula (first haircut) and Aksharabhyasa (initiation into learning) ceremonies for Gururaja. Both Venkatamba and Gururaja, being highly gifted and intelligent, began their education in various scripts, vocabulary, and grammar basics such as Dhaturupavali (word forms). They also commenced learning the veena under their father's guidance.

As the children progressed in their education, excelling in their studies and veena practice, they brought immense joy and pride to their parents, thriving in a nurturing and prosperous household.