Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

Fourth Delight

Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma

49. Remedy of Kuhuyoga

Kuhuyoga presented itself as a severe calamity and danger to the Kannada king Krishna Devaraya and his empire. To mitigate this adversity, Shri Vyasaraja willingly took the burden upon himself. Through his ascetic power and the blessings of Lord Shri Hari, he protected Krishna Devaraya and the Kannada land from disaster while also overcoming the adversity himself. This self-sacrifice and remarkable contribution by Shri Vyasaraja to the kingdom and its people is unparalleled and deserves boundless praise. This event undoubtedly stands as a golden chapter in the history of the Kannada Empire.

Before narrating the story, it is essential to understand what Kuhuyoga is and its consequences. This examination is crucial to appreciate the narrative properly, and the English prologue of Shri Vyasa Yogi Charitam greatly assists in understanding the matter.

Amarasimha in his Nāmalingānuśāsana describes Kuhuyoga as "नष्टेन्दु कला कुहूः" ("Nashtendu Kala Kuhuh"), signifying that during the transitional period between Amavasya (new moon) and Shukla Pratipada (the first day of the waxing moon), when the phases of the moon diminish and the moon itself becomes invisible, the time is considered inauspicious.

Mahavidwan Mandikal Shrirama Shastri, who was an esteemed court scholar of the Mysore state, elaborates on this in his work Megha Pratisandesha, quoting from the Jyotissarasangraha: "Kuhuyoga arises during the transition of Pratipada combined with venomous planetary conjunctions, where four planets—Rahu, Sun, Mars, and Saturn—unite in the 12th house of the Lagna, assuming a Chandala configuration and causing grievous effects."

In astrology, this time is deemed dangerous for kings and their kingdoms. It is explained that when these planetary alignments occur during Kuhuyoga, the king is at risk of immediate peril.

Based on Krishna Devaraya's horoscope, during the year Svabhanu Samvatsara on Magha Krishna Amavasya (February 4, 1524), Saturn, Sun, Mars, and Rahu conjoined in the 12th house, signifying the occurrence of Kuhuyoga. This created an immense danger to both the king and the empire. Shri Vyasaraja, through his ascetic prowess, mitigated this Kuhuyoga by ascending the throne temporarily and performed rituals to shield Krishna Devaraya and his kingdom from disaster.

Shri Vidyaratnakara Tirtha, a revered head of the Shri Vyasaraja Math, mentions in his poetic work Shri Vyasaraja Charitam that Vyasaraja saved Krishna Devaraya from the calamity of Kuhuyoga on Magha Krishna Amavasya during the Vikrama Samvatsara (1521). However, discrepancies exist among historical accounts regarding the exact date—whether the event occurred in 1521 or 1524.

Shri Vyasaraja's unparalleled spiritual strength, combined with his devotion to Lord Hari, played a pivotal role in nullifying the effects of Kuhuyoga, thereby safeguarding Krishna Devaraya and the Kannada empire. The act of Shri Vyasaraja taking upon himself the empire’s misfortunes and subsequently returning the throne to Krishna Devaraya exemplifies a sacrifice of the highest order, deserving of reverence and celebration.

The narrative reflects Shri Vyasaraja's unwavering dedication to his duty as a spiritual guide, as well as the supreme faith of Krishna Devaraya and his ministers in the guru’s divine powers. These events underscore the spiritual and temporal interplay that shaped the destiny of the Kannada empire during its golden age.