Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga
Fourth Delight
Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma
42. Shri Vyasaraja’s Debate Conquests and Eloquence
Shri Vyasaraja undertook two expeditions across northern India, engaging and defeating the most renowned scholars of his time in debates. His immense scholarly prowess and eloquence earned him widespread recognition, and his victories brought numerous rivals under his tutelage. Regarded as an incarnation of Saraswati herself, his intellectual radiance left adversaries simmering with jealousy. Emperor Narasanayaka, a devoted disciple of Vyasaraja, held him in the highest regard as his royal preceptor and governed the kingdom under his guidance. Consequently, Vyasaraja’s fame extended far and wide.
The Challenge from Kalinga Scholars
The glory of Vyasaraja's victories and his erudition spread to regions such as Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Chola, and Kerala. These accounts unsettled the scholars of these regions, filling them with envy and resentment. They saw Vyasaraja's achievements as a thorn in their pride. Among these scholars was the renowned Basavabhatta from Kalinga, who harbored an intense animosity toward Vyasaraja.
The king of Kalinga, Kapileshwara Gajapati, had always viewed the Vijayanagara Empire’s prosperity with disdain. Believing that Vyasaraja’s influence on the Kannada emperors was the cornerstone of this glory, Kapileshwara sought to diminish Vyasaraja’s reputation. He hoped that doing so would weaken the Kannada Empire’s prominence. To this end, he encouraged Basavabhatta and other scholars to challenge Vyasaraja to a debate and defeat him.
Encouraged by the king’s support, Basavabhatta and hundreds of scholars, accompanied by their disciples, embarked on a journey to Vijayanagara to engage Vyasaraja in debate.
Arrival of the Scholars at Vijayanagara
The scholars who arrived in Vijayanagara were formidable in their learning. They were masters of the Vedas and Vedanta, authors of numerous treatises, and highly skilled in debate. Their arrival in the city was marked by pomp and arrogance. They approached the royal court and declared their intention to challenge Vyasaraja. In a show of audacity, they hung scrolls listing their accolades and titles on the grand entrance archway of the palace.
Emperor Narasanayaka, initially taken aback by their brazen behavior, sent royal messengers to inform Vyasaraja of the scholars’ arrival and their challenge.
Vyasaraja’s Entry into the Debate Arena
Vyasaraja, calm and composed, smiled upon hearing the message. He ascended a golden palanquin, accompanied by a procession of disciples and scholars, and proceeded to the palace. As he neared the entrance, he noticed the scrolls displayed by the rival scholars. With a subtle smile, he instructed one of his disciples to remove them, signaling his readiness for the debate.
Entering the court amidst thunderous drums and chants, Vyasaraja’s serene demeanor contrasted sharply with the adversaries’ arrogance. Emperor Narasanayaka welcomed him with great reverence, seating him on a grand throne. Vyasaraja’s calm confidence radiated throughout the court, unnerving the rival scholars.
The Great Debate
The debate began with the scholars presenting their arguments. Vyasaraja, with unparalleled eloquence and profound knowledge, systematically refuted each of their points using robust logic and scriptural evidence. His arguments flowed like a divine river, overwhelming the opponents and leaving them speechless.
For thirty days, the court echoed with the fervor of intellectual exchange. The pinnacle of Vyasaraja’s brilliance was his ability to remain composed, his serene smile unwavering even amidst the most intense exchanges. His voice, resonant and authoritative, was likened to the celestial roar of Varaha, the divine boar, as he uplifted and established his philosophy.
Victory of Vyasaraja
On the final day, Vyasaraja delivered his concluding arguments with such clarity and depth that Basavabhatta and his fellow scholars were left without any rebuttal. The court erupted in applause, and Vyasaraja was declared the victor. The defeated scholars, overwhelmed by his erudition and grace, admitted their defeat.
A Display of Grace
Despite their earlier arrogance, Vyasaraja magnanimously welcomed the defeated scholars into his monastery. He honored them with gifts of gold, silver, and garments, treating them with the utmost respect. Basavabhatta, deeply moved by Vyasaraja’s generosity, offered his personal idol of Lord Rudra as a token of his newfound devotion. Vyasaraja graciously accepted the idol, vowing to worship it with reverence.
Legacy of the Debate
This monumental victory solidified Vyasaraja’s reputation as one of the greatest philosophers and debaters of his time. Emperor Narasanayaka, filled with admiration, bestowed lavish gifts upon Vyasaraja, including lands and treasures. These were used to establish agraharas (scholarly settlements) where learned Brahmins could reside and propagate knowledge.
Vyasaraja’s triumphs in debate were not merely intellectual victories; they were instrumental in preserving and spreading dharma. His teachings inspired countless individuals to embrace devotion to Hari and Vayu. Through his unparalleled scholarship and spiritual leadership, Vyasaraja elevated the Vijayanagara court and the Kannada Empire to unparalleled heights of glory.
ಬಹುಕಾಲ ವಾಸಮಾಡಿದರು.