The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
86. The One Who Defeated Shesha Maharaj
At the request of the Vaishnava community of Pandharpur, Shri Guru Raghavendra began giving Bhagavata discourses to thousands of devotees, filling their hearts with joy. The discourses proceeded without interruption and were filled with spiritual depth.
One day, while Guru Raghavendra was explaining the supremacy of Shri Hari, a saint arrived along with hundreds of disciples and devotees. This radiant and scholarly ascetic came forward and said:
“Swami, my name is Shesha.”
(It is said this saint was known as Shri Shesha Maharaj.)
“According to the scriptures such as the Shruti,
‘Ēkō Rudrō na dvitīyō'vatasthe, Śiva ēva kēvalaḥ’— ಏಕೋ ರುದ್ರೋ ನ ದ್ವಿತೀಯೋಽವತಸ್ಥೇ, ಶಿವ ಏವ ಕೆವಲಃ
the supreme being is none other than Rudra, not Narayana!”
He then began to defend his position with remarkable erudition and scriptural references.
Understanding that this Shesha-named scholar was a learned man, Shri Guru Raghavendra smiled gently and said:
“Shesha Maharaj, I have heard of your name before.
Hearing your argument now has given me joy.
However, what you have stated is not aligned with the Shruti, Smriti, and other authoritative scriptures.
According to all the scriptures, Shri Hari alone is the Supreme Being (Sarvottama)!”
Saying this, Guru Raghavendra began to cite multiple scriptural authorities and refuted Shesha Maharaj’s argument.
Shesha Maharaj was indeed a great scholar. A debate between the two took place on that day and continued for three days.
Eventually, Shri Guru Raghavendra referred to key arguments from Shri Vijayindra Tirtha’s work titled “Vāgai Kharī”, translated and elaborated upon them, and quoted numerous references from the Shruti, the Bhagavad Gita, the Puranas, and other texts.
Through these scriptural citations and logical refutations, Shri Guru Raghavendra defeated Shesha Maharaj in the debate!
Shesha Maharaj prostrated in full surrender at Shri Guru’s feet and said:
“Jitō’smi! — I am defeated!”
The gathered crowd burst into joyous cheers, chanting praises for the Guru.
After that, the Bhagavata discourse, which had been paused midway, was resumed and completed within two or three days, bringing joy to all assembled.
Having thus blessed the people with spiritual victory and bliss, Shri Guru Raghavendra proceeded on his digvijaya (spiritual conquest) toward Kollapur.