Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

Fourth Delight

Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma

47. Protecting the Dignity of the Empire

Courageous, valiant, composed, courteous, compassionate, humble, generous, and endowed with noble qualities, Krishnadevaraya was also a supreme devotee of Bhagavata tradition. He attributed all his accomplishments to Shri Vyasaraja Yatisharvabhauma, considering him his family deity and worshipping him with deep devotion at all times.

Under the grace of Shri Vyasaraja, who had established the supremacy of the Dvaita philosophy by refuting all opposing doctrines, Krishnadevaraya had successfully expelled wicked rulers and fortified the Kannada Empire, establishing it as a Dharmic sovereignty. Shri Vyasaraja's unparalleled intellect and debating prowess further enhanced the reputation of the empire and its king.

Vyasaraja achieved many victories in philosophical debates, defeating eminent scholars such as Basavabhatta, Lingannamishra, Vajapeyi, Kashimitra, Narasimhashrama Muni, Gadadhara, and Pakshadhara Mishra. Numerous other erudite scholars also fell to his unassailable logic.

However, some of these defeated scholars, harboring resentment, fled to the court of the king of Kalinga, a sworn enemy of Krishnadevaraya. These disgruntled scholars crafted a treatise filled with false accusations against the Dvaita philosophy and presented it to the Kalinga king. They urged him to use this work to humiliate both Krishnadevaraya and Vyasaraja. The Kalinga king, Vidyadhara Patra, emboldened by this suggestion, sent the treatise to Vijayanagara with his army commander, demanding a refutation from Vyasaraja within a month, failing which the king must accept defeat by sending a letter of surrender.

The Challenge Reaches Vijayanagara

The Kalinga commander presented the treatise to Krishnadevaraya, delivering the Kalinga king's message. Witnessing the audacity of the Kalinga king, Krishnadevaraya was furious but composed himself and instructed the commander to rest while he consulted Vyasaraja. The king then left with his chief minister, Timmarasu, to seek the guidance of Vyasaraja.

Vyasaraja was engrossed in teaching a large assembly of disciples, including ascetics, scholars, and Brahmins, expounding the esoteric truths of the Upanishads. The serene atmosphere of his discourse was filled with the majestic cadence of his voice.

The King's Appeal to Vyasaraja

The king, after paying his respects, explained the reason for his visit. He expressed his anguish over the insult and sought Vyasaraja's assistance to refute the treatise and protect the dignity of the empire. Handing over the treatise, Krishnadevaraya requested Vyasaraja to craft a rebuttal that would nullify the malicious arguments and restore the empire's honor.

Vyasaraja, smiling serenely, assured the king of his support. He briefly examined the treatise, identified its fallacies, and within moments composed a comprehensive and irrefutable rebuttal. Handing the manuscript to the king, he remarked, "Your Majesty, neither you nor your empire shall suffer dishonor. This response will extinguish all falsehoods and further illuminate your glory."

The king, deeply moved, expressed his gratitude, stating, "Gurudeva, you have blessed me and my empire. Without your guidance, I shudder to think of our fate. My heartfelt salutations to you." Even the seasoned Timmarasu, witnessing Vyasaraja's intellectual brilliance, was awestruck and offered his reverence.

The Kalinga King's Defeat

Krishnadevaraya entrusted the rebuttal to the Kalinga commander, along with a stern message. He instructed him to inform his king that if the treatise could not be refuted within a month, he must acknowledge defeat and submit a letter of surrender to Vyasaraja.

Realizing their mistake, the Kalinga king and his advisors conceded defeat. They sent a letter of apology to Vyasaraja along with gifts, acknowledging his unparalleled scholarship and Krishnadevaraya's magnanimity.

Thus, the dignity of the Kannada Empire and its emperor was safeguarded, and the fame of Vyasaraja’s intellect and Krishnadevaraya’s rule spread far and wide.