The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
62. The Vision and Teachings of Vagdevī
The third quarter of the night had passed, and half of the fourth quarter had also elapsed. Yet, Venkatanatha’s thoughts remained endless.
Suddenly, a series of radiant flashes, like multiple bolts of lightning, illuminated the surroundings. A wondrous, unprecedented brilliance spread in all directions.
"What is this marvel?" wondered Venkatanatha, glancing around in astonishment.
What a sight!
A divine woman, clad in resplendent white silk garments, with a waist adorned by a girdle of sparkling jewels, stood before him. Her celestial beauty glowed like the autumn lotus, her eyes shone like the stars, and her form radiated an unparalleled charm.
She was adorned with all kinds of ornaments, her lustrous black hair cascading like a waterfall, her face glowing like the moon, and her entire presence exuding divine grace. Was she a celestial maiden, a Kinnari, or a divine being?
As Venkatanatha pondered in awe, the divine lady, as if reading his thoughts, spoke in a sweet, melodious voice:
"O foremost among scholars! I have come seeking refuge with you.
O foremost among the learned! The great sage Vedavyasa granted me eternal youth so that I may be a source of joy and delight to the most eminent of scholars.
Thus, O Venkatanatha, I am known as Vidyā Lakṣmī!"
The moment she spoke these words, her form radiated an even greater splendor.
She stood before him like the divine goddess of wisdom herself, adorned with a crown of precious jewels, earrings that sparkled like stars, necklaces of pearls and gemstones, golden bangles, and anklets that chimed melodiously.
She held a beautifully crafted Veena in her hands, and her right hand displayed the Abhaya Mudra, granting divine reassurance.
Smiling gracefully, she continued:
"When Śrī Madhvācārya was but a child, he nurtured me, drawing forth the milk of wisdom from the divine wish-fulfilling cow of Brahma-sūtras, through his Bhāṣya (commentary).
Later, I was raised to adolescence by the great Jayatīrtha, one of the most celebrated disciples of Śrī Akṣobhyatīrtha.
O Venkatanatha, my dear son!
Under the protection of Śrī Vyāsarāja, the very same sage whose blessings turned the entire land into a sanctuary of learning and whose service to Karnataka’s mighty emperor Kṛṣṇadevarāya brought him the title ‘Rājadhānī’, I flourished.
To ensure that I live eternally, the great Vyāsarāja, in his unbounded compassion, nurtured me like a celestial vine, allowing me to thrive through his masterpiece, Tarka-Tāṇḍava, and sheltering me within his nectarous composition, Chandrikā.
I longed for a dear companion, and I found one in Śrī Vijayīndratīrtha, who became my beloved sister in wisdom.
With her assistance, I earned immeasurable renown across the world, and through her grand work Nyāyāmṛta Vyākhyā, I attained the form of a great flourishing tree.
With great joy, she provided me with Amoda, a glorious commentary, like a protective canopy shielding my vast knowledge."
"Vijayīndratīrtha adorned me with a pristine, vast, and ever-enduring silken Pītāmbarā, as radiant as the sun and the moon. O Venkatanatha! The very Pītāmbarā I am wearing now is the same one he bestowed upon me. To safeguard my ornaments and embellishments, he presented me with a beautiful, gem-studded casket known as Tattva-Maṇi-Kṛpeṭikā - ತತ್ತ್ವ-ಮಣಿ-ಕೃಪೇಟಿಕಾ."
"His great treatise, Nyāya-Mauktika-Mālā, became the pearl necklace that adorns me. Just as a bride is adorned with various ornaments, he gifted me a treasury of 104 scholarly works, embellishing me in every way. The wealth of victories he secured in the royal courts, through my grace, was acknowledged by your own Guru, Śrī Sudhīndratīrtha. The profound commentary Sadukti-Ratnākara, which he composed for Vyāsarāja’s Tarka-Tāṇḍava, became the grand stage upon which I stood.
The extensive commentaries he authored on the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, particularly the second and eleventh skandhas, became the crowning jewels of my diadem. Sudhīndra enriched my world by composing Subhadrāpariṇaya, a beautiful drama, serving as a delightful garden for me to revel in."
"O dearest Venkatanatha! My very lifeline, the twin works Chandrikā and Nyāya-Sudhā, now lie neglected, fragmented, withering away. What purpose do these ornaments serve if the very essence of my being is fading? O noble one! If you compose grand and authoritative commentaries on Chandrikā and Nyāya-Sudhā, strengthening their foundation, you shall be blessed! Otherwise, the path of Dharma will be lost from sight, and righteousness itself will vanish.
Are you truly a follower of Dharma? Are you devoted to the welfare of all beings? If you, an embodiment of righteousness, refuse to grant life to a helpless one like me, how can you ever be called Dharmavān?"
Smiling once again, Vāgdevī continued:
"O child! When 'Alakṣmī', the goddess of misfortune, sought refuge in you through a dream, your generous heart gave her shelter. Now, when I, 'Vidyā Lakṣmī', stand before you in person, pleading for refuge, will you deny me?"
With great reverence, Venkatanatha spoke:
"O Mother! You seek my protection and plead for life, yet, O Devi, are you not already under the shelter of my Guru, the noble Śrī Sudhīndratīrtha? When he is fully capable of preserving and safeguarding you, why do you desire my refuge?"
With a deep sigh, Vāgdevī responded:
"Venkatanatha! I shall remain in the care of Śrī Sudhīndratīrtha for only two more years. After that, I shall become an orphan!"
(Smiling softly, she added):
"Instead of wandering from place to place in search of shelter, isn’t it only right to seek refuge in the hands of the one I have already chosen? In the past, I held onto the hands of the illustrious Śrī Vyāsarāja, and under his care, I flourished with boundless fame and glory.
O Venkatanatha! You are the very embodiment of Vyāsarāja! That same divine radiance, that same enchanting smile, and that same luminous brilliance—indeed, you shine in every way like my revered Vyāsarāja! That is why I have come seeking you!
Will you not offer me refuge, my son?
Among the erudite scholars of this world, there exists no one but you who is truly capable of composing commentaries on my lifeline, Chandrikā and Śrīmann Nyāya-Sudhā.
Not just in the present age, but even among the scholars of future generations, none shall be your equal!
Therefore, O blessed one, restore and enrich my life by writing commentaries on Chandrikā and Nyāya-Sudhā and become my eternal savior!"
Hearing the divine words of the goddess, Venkatanatha realized that he was truly blessed. Drinking the nectar of Vīṇāpāṇi’s speech, his entire being was electrified, as though a current of divine energy had surged through his body. Overcome with devotion, he exclaimed:
"O Devi, Vidyālakṣmī! You have come seeking my refuge, and I shall indeed grant you shelter! Even as a householder, I will serve you by composing great treatises and fulfilling your wishes!"
Vāgdevī: "O Jewel among Scholars! You cannot provide me refuge while remaining a householder!"
Venkata (astonished): "Why, O Mother?"
Vāgdevī: "Listen, Venkatanatha! The great Śrī Mūla Rāmacandra, who is the very embodiment of the four yugas and the bestower of the four puruṣārthas, has ordained that I must forever reside in the deity meant for worship! My father, Śrī Vedavyāsa, has commanded this!
Moreover, Śrī Mūla Rāma accepts worship only from Paramahaṁsas (renounced ascetics)—this is an eternal rule! I forever reside among such revered yatis (ascetics). Therefore, O Venkatanatha, you must first take sannyāsa.
Become the sovereign of the Vedānta Vidyā Sāmrajya Lakṣmī (the empire of Vedānta wisdom), just as a great emperor rules his vast kingdom!"
Venkata (to himself): "Sannyāsa... sannyāsa! What a wonder! Everyone seems intent on making me a renunciate!
First, Śrī Mūla Rāma and Śrī Vedavyāsa Deva gave this command. Then Śrī Śrīmad Āchārya (Madhvācārya) himself, followed by Śrī Vijayīndra Guru, who instructed Śrī Sudhīndra in a dream to initiate me into sannyāsa!
And now, before my very eyes, the divine Vāgdevī herself stands before me, urging me to renounce the world!
Why is it that all of you, together, seek to make me an ascetic?"
Vāgdevī (laughing melodiously): "Because, O child, you were born for sannyāsa!"
Venkata (shocked): "What do you mean, O Mother?"
Vāgdevī: "O child! You have forgotten who you truly are.
The veil of illusion, woven by Śrī Hari's divine Māyā, has clouded your mind. But now, the time has come for that veil to be lifted. I have come to dispel your delusion and awaken you to your true self!
Long ago, when you stood by me, you pleaded:
'O Mother, when I forget everything, come and remind me of my true self!'
Venkatanatha! Arise! Know who you truly are and fulfill your divine duty!"
As the divine goddess Sarasvatī spoke, a brilliant streak of lightning-like radiance emerged from her abhayahasta (hand bestowing protection) and entered Venkatanatha’s heart! A surge of extraordinary divine energy flowed through his body like an electric current. Overcome by this revelation, the ācārya closed his eyes and entered deep meditation.
A miraculous event unfolded! The darkness that had clouded his mind gradually dissipated, and a divine radiance illuminated his inner consciousness.
In that supreme light, he saw his original identity—Shanku Karna, a devotee dear to Brahmā and Sarasvatī in Satyaloka.
One by one, the past events of his soul’s journey revealed themselves in his mind’s eye:
The curse of Brahmā
His Prahlāda avatāra, his devotion to Lord Hari, and the hardships inflicted by his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu
The appearance of Śrī Narahari and the destruction of Hiraṇyakaśipu
His hymns of praise to Lord Narasimha, earning the Lord’s affection and divine blessings
His next birth as Bāhlika in the Dvāpara Yuga, serving Śrī Kṛṣṇa and perishing in the Kurukṣetra war at the hands of Bhīmasena’s mighty mace
The boon from Bhīmasena, promising that he would be reborn in the Kali Yuga to serve Śrī Madhvācārya
His incarnation as Śrī Vyāsatīrtha, making immense contributions to philosophy, literature, and the propagation of Dvaita Vedānta
His widespread recognition and service to Lord Hari through his extraordinary compositions
And now, his present life—born as Venkatanatha by the grace of Lord Venkatesha, destined to re-establish the glory of Dvaita Vedānta, uplift humanity, and fulfill a divine mission
One by one, these visions unfolded before him, like the grand narration of his eternal soul’s purpose.
Overwhelmed, Venkatanatha called out in devotion!
The goddess Sarasvatī smiled knowingly.
At that very moment, all delusions and attachments within the ācārya vanished. His mind became steady, his self-awareness as an avatāra of Shanku Karna was rekindled, and tears of divine joy streamed from his eyes. He now knew his true duty!
Falling at Vidyādevī’s feet, he offered full prostrations and declared:
"O Devi! I am truly blessed! By your grace, all my doubts have been dispelled. I am now ready to walk the path you have shown me!"
With a radiant smile, the goddess responded:
"So, after all, it took my personal intervention to make you realize your true purpose, didn’t it?!"
Pausing, she then gave a final warning:
"Now that you have accepted sannyāsa, do you know what catastrophe would occur if you had refused and failed to become a Paramahaṁsa?"
Venkata: "Tell me, O Mother."
Vāggevi: "Ācārya! If you do not accept sannyāsa, then the profound study of the Vedas, the Vedānta-śāstra, and the eternal lineage of the Vedic Vaiṣṇava tradition will become obscure in this world.
Without you, the Vedānta scriptures will fall into disarray, left incomplete and meaningless, becoming food for mice, much like the formless Brahman that the Māyāvādins speak of! The very system of Mīmāṁsā, which was meant to establish correct action, will instead turn into a subject of debate and distortion.
If you do not take up this great responsibility, Brahmasūtras, Nyāyasudhā, and other fundamental texts will be interpreted by grammarians and not by those who uphold the true essence of Vedānta. The glorious tradition of great masters—Śrīpādarāja, Vyāsarāja, Vijayīndra, Vādirāja, and your own guru Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha—who defended and preached Śrī Viṣṇu’s supremacy in royal courts, will collapse. In the future, if you do not stand for it, Shakti, Surya, Subrahmaṇya, Vināyaka, Indra, and Rudra will be falsely declared as supreme in royal assemblies instead of Śrī Hari.
What could be more tragic than this?
Today, across the land, maṭhas and temples echo with the divine sounds of Vedic recitations. If you do not take sannyāsa, these sacred institutions will turn into mere enclosures for foxes. The pristine Vedānta texts, now filled with the divine words of truth, will decay into mere piles of dust-ridden manuscripts, infested with worms, losing their sanctity.
O Ācārya! If you do not accept this path, the lofty pulpits where great ācāryas have debated and defended Vedānta will turn into empty, neglected ruins, abandoned by scholars and inhabited only by birds. The temples where Guru-paramparā have worshipped will be left in darkness, their sacred lights extinguished, and in their place, only the cries of owls will echo.
Today, these divine sanctuaries are adorned with the fragrance of dasaṅga-dhūpa (sandalwood incense) and illuminated by rows of bright lamps. But if you do not take up this cause, these shrines will be lit only by the flames of cremation fires!
Right now, the temple ceilings are graced with beautiful ketakī flowers, their fragrance purifying the air. But in the future, these same places will be covered in soot and filth from the streets, their sanctity lost forever.
Venkatanātha! The joy I will have when you become a Paramahaṁsa will never be the same if you remain in gṛhasthāśrama! Therefore, accept sannyāsa, prevent these impending calamities, and dedicate yourself to the great mission of spreading tattva-jñāna (philosophical wisdom), worshipping the Supreme Lord, authoring profound texts, and uplifting humanity.
O Vatsa, Venkatanātha! You must embrace Paramahaṁsa-āśrama because there is an immense task ahead of you.
The Vaiṣṇava philosophy must be protected and established without obstacles, ensuring its permanence as long as the Sun and Moon exist.
Extraordinary texts filled with deep knowledge must be authored to guide future generations.
You must compose Dvaita-based commentaries on the Vedas to preserve their true essence.
You must write authoritative expositions on Chandrikā, Tarkatāṇḍava, and Nyāyasudhā, making them accessible and clear for scholars and devotees.
You must also expand upon Śrī Madhvācārya’s commentaries and write explanatory treatises on other Vedic scriptures, strengthening the foundations of our sampradāya.
No one but you is capable of this monumental task—not now, nor in the future.
Therefore, if you do not take up this duty, if you do not write these sacred works, if you do not uphold the very essence of Vedānta and protect me, the goddess of divine knowledge, then all will be lost.”
All attachments vanished from Venkatanatha.
Tears of bliss and realization streamed from his eyes.
"O Mother Sarasvatī!" he cried. "I see the truth now! I accept your command! I will take sannyāsa and dedicate my life to the path of knowledge!"
The Goddess smiled radiantly.
"You have awakened, my child! Go forth, become the light of Vedānta, and illuminate the world!"
And with a final blessing, she vanished into divine radiance.
Venkatanātha sat in stunned silence.
All his previous dilemmas had vanished. His destiny was clear.
Tears of gratitude and bliss filled his eyes.
"I am blessed! O Divine Mother, I shall walk the path you have shown me!"
At that moment, the first rays of dawn pierced the night sky.
A new day had begun—not just for Venkatanātha, but for the entire world.
For, the sun of knowledge was about to rise, and soon, the world would come to know him as Śrī Raghavendra Tīrtha—the greatest beacon of Dvaita Vedānta.
Āchārya Venkatanātha descended from his bed and prepared to leave. Instinctively, his gaze fell upon Sarasvatī Amma, who lay there, lost in deep slumber.
Seeing her peaceful, unaware state, his heart melted with sorrow.
He gazed at his devoted wife, who had shared every hardship of his life, and the weight of the inevitable separation struck him like a storm.
"O Sarasvatī! The will of the Supreme Lord, the command of Goddess Sarasvatī, and the call of duty for the welfare of the world have made your sacrifice unavoidable! Forgive me, O beloved Sarasvatī!"
Saying this in his heart, he turned away and walked out.
Engaging himself in his morning ablutions, prayers, and worship, he immersed himself in the duties of the day.
Meanwhile, Sarasvatī Amma suddenly awoke. She instinctively looked toward the bed, but her husband was not there.
She panicked.
She rushed out, thinking—
"How could this happen? Every day, I wake up before him! What offense have I committed that today, of all days, I failed to do so?"
Hurriedly bathing and dressing, she went to the deity’s room, where Venkatanātha had just finished his worship.
Seeing her, he smiled gently.
She bowed to him and said humbly, "Swāmi, today I have committed a great offense by losing myself in deep sleep and failing to serve you in time. Please forgive me."
Āchārya Venkatanātha, with a serene smile, replied—
"Sarasvatī, why do you trouble yourself over such a small matter? It is only one day of delay. Let it go."
Then, he continued—
"I must leave now for the maṭha (monastery)."
Hearing this, Sarasvatī Amma sighed in relief. She had noticed that her husband’s usual somberness was absent today. His face was calm and steady. There was no trace of yesterday’s turmoil.
Satisfied, she resumed her household duties.
After completing the prātaḥ-sandhyā (morning rituals), Venkatanātha approached Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha, who was deeply engrossed in the study of scriptures.
Venkatanātha prostrated before him and spoke humbly—
"Guruvara, yesterday, I disobeyed your command and rejected your guidance. I must have caused you much distress. Please forgive me."
Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha looked at him in surprise and curiosity.
"Āchārya, you have done no wrong," he replied.
"Like any other young householder blessed with a virtuous wife and a happy life, you, too, had every reason to be attached to your world. Even the grandeur of ruling over the Vedānta empire did not tempt you!
In truth, you are steadfast! You are fearless, sincere, and detached. It was not sorrow over your refusal that troubled me yesterday, but rather, the thought that I had failed to fulfill Śrī Mūla Rāma’s command. But tell me, Āchārya—
What has changed your mind? How has this transformation come upon you?"
Āchārya Venkatanātha, with profound reverence, narrated everything—
- His turmoil and sleepless night
- His contemplation on the call of duty
- The miraculous appearance of Goddess Sarasvatī
- Her divine command for him to accept sannyāsa
- Her prophecy of how the Vedānta tradition would decline if he did not take up the path of renunciation
- The moment she granted him divine knowledge, revealing his past incarnations
- How his doubts vanished, leaving behind only a clear sense of purpose
As he finished speaking, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha stood motionless in awe.
Overwhelmed with joy, he rose from his seat, embraced Venkatanātha, and exclaimed—
"Āhā! What great fortune! You have had the divine vision of Sarasvatī herself! You are truly blessed, Āchārya!"
"Now I understand why Śrī Mūla Rāma, Śrī Vyāsa, Śrī Madhvācārya, and all our revered Guru-pādukās have chosen you as the successor to this Mahā-pīṭha (great seat of Vedānta). This is no surprise at all!"
"Joy! Supreme joy! Our greatest concern has now been resolved."
Then, Sudhīndra Tīrtha declared with authority—
"Āchārya! We shall formally grant you the supreme ascetic order—Paramahaṁsa Sannyāsa—at the royal court of Raghunātha Bhūpāla in Tanjāvpur (Tanjore), with great splendor.
But first, you must perform the sacred Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) for your son, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa."
"Do not worry about any arrangements—we shall see to everything from the maṭha. Until then, return home and spend your remaining days as a householder in joy with your wife and son. The matter of your renunciation shall remain a secret until you leave for Tanjore."
With this command, he blessed Venkatanātha and sent him home.
Venkatanātha left the monastery with a serene mind. His heart was no longer burdened.
The path ahead was clear.
His remaining days as a householder were now numbered.
Soon, the world would witness the ascension of one of the greatest saints in history—Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha!
When Āchārya Venkatanātha returned home, his face radiated joy.
The worry, turmoil, and distress of the previous day had completely disappeared.
Seeing her husband’s cheerful demeanor, Sarasvatī Amma's heart bloomed with relief.
As soon as he entered, he smiled warmly and said—
"Sarasvatī! I have wonderful news!"
Hearing his enthusiasm, Sarasvatī Amma’s eyes lit up.
"What is it, Swāmi? What joyous news is this?" she asked eagerly.
Āchārya Venkatanātha grinned and declared—
"Our son, Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, is to receive his Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony)! Guruji has given the command!"
Hearing this, Sarasvatī Amma’s face beamed with happiness.
"Truly? How wonderful!" she exclaimed.
"Many times, I have requested for this. This auspicious ceremony must be performed with great celebration! Swāmi, he is our only son, after all!"
With that, the couple continued discussing the preparations for the event, immersed in joyful anticipation.
Filled with excitement, Sarasvatī Amma busied herself with the household work, preparing to make the occasion as grand and auspicious as possible.