The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
72. The Composition of Sacred Texts and Political Turmoil in Thanjavur
With the guidance of Shri Vidya Lakshmi and the directives of Shri Vijayindra and Shri Sudhindra Tirtha, the Guru resolved to bring the task of composing sacred texts into reality. On an auspicious occasion, he commenced the process of writing.
Initially, he engaged in composing extraordinary commentaries (Tippanis) on the ten chapters (Dashaprakaranas) of Shri Madhvacharya, providing profound insights into the commentaries of Shri Jayatirtha. These included:
1. Kathalakshana,
2. Pramanalakshana,
3. Tatvasankhyana,
4. Tatvaviveka,
5. Mayavadakhandana,
6. Prapancha Mithyatva Anumana Khandana,
7. Upadhi Khandana,
8. Tannodyota,
9. Vishnutattva Vinirnaya,
10. Karma Nirnaya.
೧. ಕಥಾಲಕ್ಷಣ,
೨. ಪ್ರಮಾಣಲಕ್ಷಣ,
೩. ತತ್ವಸಂಖ್ಯಾನ,
೪. ತತ್ವವಿವೇಕ,
೫. ಮಾಯಾವಾದಖಂಡನ,
೬. ಮಿಥ್ಯಾತ್ವ + ಅನುಮಾನ + ಖಂಡನ,
೭. ಉಪಾಧಿಖಂಡನ,
೮. ತನ್ನೋದ್ಯೋತ,
೯. ವಿಷ್ಣುತತ್ವವಿನಿರ್ಣಯ,
೧೦. ಕರ್ಮನಿರ್ಣಯ.
Following this, he composed the "Khandartha" texts, elucidating the essence of ten Upanishads, namely:
1. Ishavasya,
2. Kena,
3. Katha,
4. Prashna,
5. Mundaka,
6. Mandukya,
7. Taittiriya,
8. Aitareya,
9. Chandogya,
10. Brihadaranyaka.
Additionally, he wrote comprehensive interpretations for the five sacred hymns (Pancha Suktas):
1. Purusha Sukta,
2. Shri Sukta,
3. Andhrani Sukta,
4. Balittha Sukta,
5. Manyu Sukta.
Similarly, he compiled the essence of Madhvacharya’s Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya into the poetic work Bhava Sangraha. Desiring to write about the Ramayana, he composed Shri Sangraha Ramayana and collected the tenth canto of the Bhagavata Purana into Shri Krishna Charitra Manjari. Thus, he began crafting three independent poetic works.
Since the Mimamsa Shastra was essential for Dvaita philosophy, he composed the distinguished and widely revered text Bhatta Sangraha, which greatly benefited scholars, aiding them in their lessons and discourses.
During this time, South India faced intense political upheaval. The Thanjavur kingdom was embroiled in fierce warfare, suffering massive losses. Chavappa Nayaka, Raghunatha Bhupala, and their royal advisors, guided by the wisdom of Shri Vijayindra and Shri Sudhindra Gurus, ruled wisely and gained renown as noble and beloved rulers.
However, Raghunatha Bhupala’s successor, Vijayaraghava Bhupala, relied excessively on his own military prowess and failed to maintain diplomatic relations with allied states. This led to a catastrophic war. Vijayaraghava Nayaka found himself battling multiple adversaries simultaneously, including the Kannada rulers of Vellore, the Nayakas of Madurai, the Wodeyars of Mysore, and the forces of Bijapur.
In the great battle of 1641-42, Vijayaraghava Bhupala suffered a devastating defeat, nearly losing his life. However, by divine grace and the timely intervention of Shri Raghavendra Guru, peace was brokered between the defeated Vijayaraghava and the victorious states, thus bringing the war to an end.
Unfortunately, Thanjavur suffered immense destruction—its food supplies, wealth, and treasures were plundered. To make matters worse, a severe famine struck the region due to an extended drought, destroying crops and pushing the land into extreme distress.