The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
27. The Advancement of the Brothers
Gururaja and Venkatanatha made remarkable progress in their education. Gururaja, the elder brother, studied the Vedas, Nyaya, Mimamsa, Vedanta, and literary sciences under his father. Through tireless contemplation and practice, he became an accomplished scholar. Gururaja had a striking appearance: a lustrous complexion with a reddish hue, a sharp nose, wide eyes, a broad chest, a tall and well-built frame, and a strong physique honed through yogic practices. Additionally, he excelled in music, particularly in Veena playing, and gained mastery over it.
He was a paragon of virtuous conduct, displaying devotion and humility toward his teachers, elders, and parents. Gururaja showed genuine affection toward his younger brother, Venkatanatha, and became a trusted friend to his peers. These qualities earned him admiration and respect from everyone around him.
Realizing that their elder son Gururaja had reached the age of marriage, Timmanna Acharya and Gopikamba began considering suitable alliances for him. Gopikamba suggested her brother Padmanabhacharya’s daughter, Kamaladevi, as a fitting bride for Gururaja. Kamaladevi was a woman of exceptional beauty, grace, character, humility, and obedience. She was well-educated and possessed a melodious voice with which she sang Haridasa compositions, delighting everyone around her and earning their affection.
Timmanna Acharya agreed with his wife’s suggestion. He discussed the matter with Kamaladevi’s parents and other relatives, and they finalized the alliance. On an auspicious day, Gururaja and Kamaladevi were married with great pomp and grandeur. Everyone who attended the ceremony marveled at the couple's beauty and compatibility. Timmanna Acharya’s parents-in-law, Anandatirtha Acharya and his wife, were overjoyed to see their granddaughter married into their daughter’s family.
During the wedding festivities, Venkatanatha’s enthusiasm and active participation earned him the affection of everyone present. Kamaladevi, his sister-in-law, had always been fond of him, but her love and affection for him deepened significantly after the wedding. Gururaja and Kamaladevi treated Venkatanatha with parental love and care, while Venkatanatha reciprocated with utmost respect and affection, seeing them as second parents.
With devoted sons, a loving daughter-in-law, and a caring wife, Timmanna Acharya’s household became a haven of happiness and prosperity.
One day, Timmanna Acharya had a dream where Sri Vijayendra Tirtha appeared and instructed him, "Timmanna! The 'Gandhara Grama' music system, which I taught you to defeat the Uttaradi musicians, is a divine art known in the celestial realms but unfamiliar on earth. Teach this to your son, Venkatanatha. He will need it, and by doing so, you will fulfill your Guru Dakshina to me." Waking up, Timmanna Acharya was overwhelmed with joy.
That afternoon, in a private setting, Timmanna Acharya called Venkatanatha and narrated the events of his past, including how he had once defeated accomplished musicians in Tanjore. He explained how Vijayendra Tirtha had taught him the intricacies of "Gandhara Grama" music, a rare and divine form, and how it enabled him to win the title Bala Saraswati from the king of Tanjore.
Timmanna then said, "Today, Sri Vijayendra has directed me in my dream to teach you this sacred knowledge. This is a highly secret art that must only be demonstrated once or twice in a lifetime and only to serve Hari and Guru. It should only be taught to a deserving disciple. Guru has declared you worthy of this knowledge, so I will begin teaching you today. Practice this with utmost devotion, and one day, perform this divine music to please the Guru and receive his blessings. Let all that I share remain a secret."
Venkatanatha, filled with gratitude and reverence, humbly replied, "Father, I will follow your instructions wholeheartedly."
From that day, Timmanna Acharya dedicated himself to teaching the unique techniques of the Gandhara Grama system. For several days, in secluded sessions, he demonstrated the nuances of this sacred art on the veena, guiding Venkatanatha through its subtleties. He instructed him on its divine nature and rare aspects, emphasizing its sanctity and the responsibility of mastering it.
When Venkatanatha played the veena following the Gandhara Grama system, he often felt a strange familiarity, as though he had heard or played it before. However, he could not recollect when or where this might have happened. Despite the mystery, he kept these feelings to himself and continued to absorb the art with unparalleled devotion.
Blessed by Sri Hari and Vayu and endowed with extraordinary talent, young Venkatanatha, though only five or six years old, mastered the profound ocean of Gandhara Grama music with ease and grace. His ability to internalize and perform this divine music astonished Timmanna Acharya.
Timmanna, witnessing his son’s mastery, was filled with pride and joy. He felt as though he had lifted a great burden from his shoulders by passing on this celestial knowledge to a worthy successor. The satisfaction of fulfilling his Guru’s directive brought him immense peace and contentment.