Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

Fourth Delight

Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma

41. Yantroddharaka Shri Pranadevaru

After Shri Vyasaraja had been in Vijayanagara for several days, he adhered to his routine of visiting Chakrateertha daily for a sacred bath in the Tungabhadra River. One night, he had a divine vision in a dream. In it, Shri Mukhya Pranadeva (Vayu Deva) appeared before him, blessing him in his forms as Hanuman, Bhima, and Madhva. The deity said:

"Vatsa! I am pleased with you. This sacred land is where I incarnated in my earlier forms; it is my birthplace. I have chosen you to establish my presence here in the form of Hanuman on the holy banks of Chakrateertha. I will support all your endeavors, grant victory, and ensure the prosperity of the Kannada Empire."

Upon waking, Shri Vyasaraja reflected on this divine grace and felt elated. He pondered when and how Mukhya Pranadeva would manifest. As was his custom, he went to Chakrateertha the next day with his disciples for his morning bath.

The Vision at Chakrateertha

Chakrateertha, on the banks of the Tungabhadra, was a serene and sacred place. The river flowed melodiously, reflecting the morning sunlight. Shri Vyasaraja took a sacred bath, performed his morning rituals, and sat on a large rock for meditation. Immersed in the worship of Hari and Vayu, he experienced a radiant divine light in his heart. In the halo of this light, he saw Mukhya Pranadeva in his majestic form, holding a mace and a water vessel, adorned with divine anklets. The deity smiled gracefully and then disappeared.

As Shri Vyasaraja opened his eyes, his gaze fell upon the black rock before him. He saw the outline of a monkey sitting on it. With devotion overflowing in his heart, he prayed:

"Deva! You have blessed me with your vision. Grant me your grace and manifest here for the welfare of all."

He then attempted to draw the form of Shri Pranadeva on the rock using sacred ash. However, the image mysteriously disappeared. Undeterred, he redrew it several times, but each time, the image vanished. This phenomenon repeated twelve times.

Finally, an idea struck him. Smiling, Shri Vyasaraja drew a yantra (mystical diagram) on the rock and surrounded it with twelve images of Hanuman, connecting their tails to form a protective barrier around the central yantra. He then invoked Pranadeva into the yantra, performed rituals, and prayed:

"Prabhu! Vayu Nandana, Shri Hanuma-Bhima-Madhva! You appeared to me in a dream and granted your grace. I have now invoked you into this yantra. Please manifest here permanently, bless this land, and fulfill the wishes of your devotees."

Upon completing his prayer, the yantra became vibrant, and Shri Pranadeva appeared before him, smiling and blessing him. The image on the rock transformed into a radiant, tangible form of Hanuman. Shri Vyasaraja was overwhelmed with joy and devotion, and he offered his obeisance to the deity.

Establishment of Yantroddharaka Shri Pranadevaru

Witnessing this miraculous event, the disciples and other devotees gathered at Chakrateertha were awestruck. Shri Vyasaraja explained the significance of the deity's manifestation and declared his intention to establish 732 Pranadeva idols across the Kannada Empire as markers of its prosperity and boundaries. He shared this vision with Narasanayaka, saying:

"Shri Pranadeva has appeared here as Yantroddharaka Shri Pranadevaru, a symbol of victory and prosperity for the Kannada Empire. On the coming Saturday, I will consecrate this deity at Chakrateertha. Following this, I will establish Pranadeva idols across the empire."

Narasanayaka, deeply moved, assured Shri Vyasaraja of his full support. On the appointed day, amidst a large gathering, Shri Vyasaraja performed the grand consecration ceremony of Yantroddharaka Shri Pranadevaru with Vedic rituals. Devotees chanted, "Victory to Shri Yantroddharaka Shri Pranadevaru!" as the rituals concluded with a maha mangalarati.

Shri Vyasaraja composed a hymn in praise of Yantroddharaka Shri Pranadevaru:

ಶ್ರೀವ್ಯಾಸರಾಜ ವಿರಚಿತ 

ಶ್ರೀಯಂತ್ರೋದ್ಧಾರಕ ಪ್ರಾಣದೇವರ ಸ್ತುತಿ

ನಮಾಮಿ ದೂತಂ ರಾಮಸ್ಯ ಸುಖದಂ ಚ ಸುರದ್ರುಮಮ್ |

ಪೀನವೃತ್ತಂ ಮಹಾಬಾಹುಂ ಸರ್ವಶತ್ರು ನಿವಾರಕಮ್

ನಾನಾರತ್ನ ಸಮಾಯುಕ್ತ ಕುಂಡಲಾದಿ ವಿರಾಜಿತಮ್ |

ಸರ್ವದಾಭೀಷ್ಟದಾತರಂ ಸತಾಂ ವೈ ದೃಢಮಾಹವೇ

ವಾಸಿನಂ ಚಕ್ರತೀರ್ಥಸ್ಯ ದಕ್ಷಿಣಸ್ತೇ ಗಿರೌ ಸದಾ |

ತುಂಗಾಬೋಧಿತರಂಗಸ್ಯ ವಾತೇನ ಪರಿಶೋಭಿತೇ

ನಾನಾದೇಶಾಗತೈಸದ್ಧಿಃ ಸೇವಮಾನಂ ನೃಪೋತಃ |

ಧೂಪದೀಪಾದಿನೈವೇದ್ಯಃ ಪಂಚಖಾಶ್ಚ ಭಕ್ತಿತಃ

ಭಜಾಮಿ ಶ್ರೀಹನೂಮಂತಂ ಹೇಮಕಾಂತಿ ಸಮಪ್ರಭಮ್ |

ವ್ಯಾಸತೀರ್ಥಯತೀಂದ್ರೇಣ ಪೂಜಿತಂ ಸುವಿಧಾನತಃ

ತ್ರಿವಾರಂ ಯಃಪಠೇನ್ನಿತ್ಯಂ ಸ್ತೋತ್ರಂ ಭಕ್ತಾ ದ್ವಿಜೋತ್ತಮಃ |

ವಾಂಛಿತಂ ಲಭತೇಭೀಷ್ಟಂ ಷಣ್ಮಾಸಾಭ್ಯಂತರೆ ಖಲು

ಪುತ್ರಾರ್ಥಿ ಲಭತೇ ಪುತ್ರಂ ಯಶೋರ್ಥಿ ಲಭತೇಯಶಃ |

ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ ಲಭತೇ ವಿದ್ಯಾಂ ಧರ್ನಾರ್ಥಿ ಲಭತೇ ಧನಮ್

ಸರ್ವಥಾ ಮಾಸ್ತು ಸಂದೇಹೋ ಹರಿಸ್ತಾಕ್ಷೀ ಜಗತ್ಪತಿಃ |

ಯಃಕರೋತ್ಪತ್ರ ಸಂದೇಹಂ ಸ ಯಾತಿ ನರಕಂ ಧ್ರುವಮ್

Hymn Composed by Shri Vyasaraja

I bow to the messenger of Lord Rama, the giver of happiness, the celestial tree.

The mighty-armed one, who destroys all enemies.

Adorned with earrings and various gems, bestower of all wishes.

Resident of Chakrateertha’s southern bank, shining by the Tungabhadra’s flow.

Adored by people from all regions, protector of devotees.

I worship Shri Hanuman, resplendent like gold.

Established by Vyasaraja with utmost devotion.

Recite this thrice daily, and one shall achieve their desires.

Within six months, a childless person will have offspring; a seeker of fame will gain renown.

A student will attain knowledge; a seeker of wealth will acquire riches.

No doubt exists—Lord Hari is the master of the universe.

Hearing the hymn, devotees were delighted. Shri Vyasaraja blessed Narasanayaka with the garland offered to the deity, saying:

"The presence of Shri Pranadeva assures the empire’s prosperity. With his grace, your reign will be glorious, and the people will live in peace and happiness."

Legacy of Shri Pranadeva

Shri Vyasaraja initiated the consecration of 732 Pranadeva idols across the Kannada Empire. These idols, adorned with a conch, discus, and a bell tied to the tail, are recognized as his installations. This monumental effort not only strengthened the spiritual fabric of the empire but also served as a testament to its cultural and historical significance.

Narasanayaka, guided by Shri Vyasaraja’s counsel, emerged as a capable and renowned ruler. His administration brought stability and prosperity to the empire, earning him the admiration of his subjects. Under his reign and Shri Vyasaraja’s guidance, the Kannada Empire flourished, marking an era of peace and spiritual resurgence.