Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

Fourth Delight

Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma

43. Samsatha Vishwavidyalaya (Global University)

Shri Vyasaraja, during his travels across India, visited prestigious educational centers like Kanchi, Kashi, Prayaga, Mithila, and Navadvipa. These visits inspired him to establish a grand university in Karnataka, modeled on the ancient Nalanda and Takshashila universities, which were celebrated worldwide. His vision was to create an institution that surpassed them in scope and reputation, thereby elevating Karnataka's prestige globally.

Conceptualizing the University

After becoming the royal preceptor of the Kannada Empire, Shri Vyasaraja enjoyed the unwavering support and devotion of the emperors. Recognizing the conducive environment, he presented his plan for the university to Emperor Narasanayaka. He elaborated on the blueprint and emphasized its importance, saying:

"O King! This university should achieve global recognition and illuminate the glory of Karnataka. It should encompass the study of all Indian sciences, including the Vedas, Vedangas, Upanishads, Puranas, and histories, as well as Sankhya, Yoga, ancient and modern Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Grammar, Metrics, Mimamsa (Bhatta and Gurava traditions), Vedantas (Dvaita, Advaita, and Vishishtadvaita), poetry, drama, aesthetics, Dharmashastra, Agama, Jyotisha (astrology), and mathematics. In addition to these, it should include music, sculpture, painting, and dance. Such an inclusive institution will attract thousands of students from across India and abroad, and its fame will illuminate your reign and our land. This institution should stand as a beacon of learning and pride for our empire."

Foundation of the University

Moved by his preceptor's vision, Emperor Narasanayaka pledged to provide all necessary support from the royal treasury. The construction of the university commenced under Shri Vyasaraja’s guidance. In an auspicious ceremony, Vyasaraja inaugurated the university with Narasanayaka presiding over the event. By the emperor’s request, Vyasaraja himself assumed the role of Kulapati (Chancellor) and took charge of overseeing the institution.

Structure and Operations

The university was established near Chakrateertha, adjacent to the Achyutadevaraya Temple, on an expansive site covering hundreds of acres. It included separate buildings for each discipline, residential quarters for students and faculty, grand assembly halls, a library housing thousands of palm-leaf manuscripts, gymnasiums, sports grounds, and beautiful gardens with flowering trees and lakes.

Each discipline had multiple teachers and a head professor. Departments like Vedas, Vedanta, Mimamsa, Nyaya, and others accommodated hundreds of students. Special attention was paid to student discipline, character, and moral values. Admission required candidates to excel in rigorous examinations and demonstrate ethical conduct.

The university attracted thousands of students not only from India but also from regions like Burma, Malaya, Sumatra, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. Non-Hindu communities, including Jains, Buddhists, Parsees, Jews, and Christians, also came to study their preferred arts and sciences.

Global Prestige

With more than ten thousand students, the university quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest centers of learning in the world. It was supported by generous donations from Indian kings, Kannada rulers, wealthy merchants, and landlords. Narasanayaka and later emperors like Veeranarasimha and Krishnadevaraya further developed the university, making it a jewel of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Foreign travelers like the Portuguese merchant Nuniz marveled at the grandeur of the institution and the reverence shown to Vyasaraja, describing the majesty of the processions and the scholarly activities he witnessed.

Academic Excellence

Shri Vyasaraja actively participated in teaching, imparting knowledge in disciplines like Nyaya, Vyakarana (grammar), Mimamsa, and Vedanta. His innovative methods of teaching ensured students developed a deep understanding of the subjects. A hierarchical structure of learning was implemented, where advanced students taught intermediate learners, who in turn taught beginners. This approach fostered a robust foundation for academic excellence.

Vyasaraja's personal supervision of student welfare and amenities reflected his commitment to nurturing holistic growth. This meticulous care, coupled with the university’s extensive facilities, elevated Vijayanagara to new heights of scholarly repute, earning it the title "Vidyanagara."

Enduring Legacy

Under Vyasaraja’s leadership, the university became the epitome of learning, art, and culture in India. The texts authored by Vyasaraja, such as Taatparya Chandrika, Tarkatandava, and Nyayamrita, became timeless contributions to Indian philosophy. These works upheld the tenets of Dvaita Vedanta while dispelling the darkness of ignorance and false knowledge.

Vyasaraja’s vision, dedication, and efforts to establish and develop Samsatha Vishwavidyalaya remain unparalleled. His legacy continues to shine as a testament to his role as a philosopher, educator, and spiritual leader who shaped the intellectual and cultural fabric of India.