Fourth Delight
Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma
46. The Golden Treasurers Became Devotional Treasurers!
The noble lineage of the Shashikanvaya Swarnabhandari (Gold Treasurer) family was renowned for its profound contributions to knowledge, scriptures, music, literature, art, valor, generosity, morality, and exemplary virtues. This illustrious family produced Dhundiraja of the Bharadwaja Gotra, who served under the Yadavas of Devagiri as feudal lords in the Jamkhandi region. Dhundiraja had three sons—Naraharinaayaka, Krishnappanayaka, and Raghunathnayaka—and two daughters. Raghunathnayaka, realizing the futility of worldly life, renounced it and became a disciple of Shri Akshobhya Tirtha. He was later known as Shri Jayatirtha, earning fame through his commentaries on Shri Madhvacharya's works.
One of Raghunathnayaka’s sisters, Bharatidevi, was married to Vallabhadeva, a regional chieftain of Bannur and the great-grandfather of Shri Vyasaraja. Raghunathnayaka’s brother, Krishnappanayaka, had a son, Varadappanayaka, also known as Vittalanayaka. Krishnappanayaka adopted Varadappanayaka into the family of his wife's relatives, the Vashishta Gotra Krishnanayakas, who were also prominent and wealthy.
Settlement in Purandarapura
After the demise of his adoptive father, Varadappanayaka moved to Purandarapura in Tirthahalli, Shimoga district, Karnataka. The region, prominent under the Shashikanvaya lineage, was known for its gem trade and prosperity. The people held Varadappanayaka, a wealthy merchant, in great esteem.
In time, Varadappanayaka gained the blessings of Shri Sripadaraja and Shri Vyasaraja, leading to connections with the Kannada emperors. His influence grew as he provided significant financial support for the empire’s wars and developmental projects. He became renowned as the “Swarnabhandari” of the empire under rulers like Saluva Narasimha and later emperors.
Devotion and Transformation of Srinivasanayaka
Despite his wealth and fame, Varadappanayaka was troubled by the absence of a son. After years of worship and prayers to Lord Srinivasa of Tirupati, he was blessed with a son in the Shalivahana Saka year 1406 (1484 CE). Naming the child Srinivasanayaka after the Lord, he performed all religious and educational rituals for the boy. Srinivasanayaka excelled in studies, mastering Sanskrit, Kannada, Persian, Vedas, Upanishads, and various arts, particularly music.
Although Srinivasanayaka was virtuous and devoted, he remained detached from worldly pursuits. His natural inclination toward devotion led him to sing praises of the Lord with a melodious voice. Upon completing his education, he married Saraswati, a virtuous and musically gifted woman.
A Test of Devotion
Varadappanayaka hoped his son would follow in his footsteps as a successful merchant. However, Srinivasanayaka, driven by spiritual inclinations, distributed the wealth given to him by his father as charity to Brahmins. Displeased, Varadappanayaka tried multiple times to discipline him, but Srinivasanayaka remained steadfast in his ways. Enraged, Varadappanayaka tied his son to a pillar in the temple and locked the doors.
It was then that Lord Srinivasa Himself appeared before Srinivasanayaka, offering him food and untying his bonds. Overwhelmed by the divine vision, Srinivasanayaka composed hymns in praise of the Lord. This miraculous incident made Varadappanayaka realize his son's divine nature. Filled with remorse, he released Srinivasanayaka and allowed him to follow his spiritual path.
The Turning Point: Guru’s Grace
Years later, Srinivasanayaka and his family visited Shri Vyasaraja in Vijayanagara. Vyasaraja, recognizing the divine potential in Srinivasanayaka, addressed him as “Navakoti Narayana” and said, “You were destined to attain Lord Hari’s grace and serve humanity. Now is the time to fulfill your purpose.”
Vyasaraja initiated Srinivasanayaka into the Haridasa tradition, granting him the ankita (pen name) “Purandara Vittala.” From that day, Srinivasanayaka became Purandaradasa, dedicating his life to spreading devotion through music and literature.
Legacy of Purandaradasa
Under Vyasaraja’s guidance, Purandaradasa composed thousands of devotional songs (padas, suladis, and ugabhogas) in Kannada, making profound spiritual concepts accessible to the common people. His works became a cornerstone of the Haridasa tradition and a treasure trove of Bhakti literature. The wealth he once amassed was redistributed as charity, and he embraced a life of simplicity and devotion.
Purandaradasa’s transformation from a wealthy merchant to a saintly composer demonstrates the power of divine grace and Guru’s guidance. Revered as the father of Carnatic music, his contributions continue to inspire devotion and spiritual enlightenment to this day.