Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga

Fourth Delight

Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma

50. Construction of Vyasa Samudra

When the Emperor of Karnataka, Krishna Devaraya, defeated the ruler of Kalinga, Prataparudra Gajapati, one of the numerous villages he received as tribute was Kandakur, a vast and prosperous settlement. Krishna Devaraya, in gratitude to his savior and guru, Shri Vyasaraja, who mitigated the calamity of Kuhuyoga, donated this distinguished village as part of many other gifts during the coronation of his son, Prince Tirumala Maharaya. Kandakur held a special place in Shri Vyasaraja’s heart.

For over fifty years, Shri Vyasaraja, revered as a rajaguru, advisor, guide, and spiritual leader, served the Kannada Empire. Starting from the reign of Saluva Narasimha, he guided numerous emperors and consistently contributed to the welfare of the empire. During his tenure, he established numerous agraharas (Brahmin settlements), built thousands of houses, and generously donated lands and resources to deserving scholars, priests, poets, artists, and virtuous Brahmins, thus providing sustenance to tens of thousands. His reputation as a benefactor spread across the world. Additionally, he constructed hundreds of tanks across Karnataka, benefiting common people and advancing agriculture. His compassionate efforts extended to all classes of society, inspiring trust and love among the masses. His dedication to the upliftment and well-being of all was legendary.

During one of his visits to Kandakur, Shri Vyasaraja inspected the village gifted to him by Krishna Devaraya. The serene atmosphere of the area delighted him, and he decided to spend some time there, teaching and engaging in spiritual discourses. However, despite its fertility, the region suffered from scant rainfall, often leading to crop failures and droughts. Moved by the plight of the people, Shri Vyasaraja resolved to construct a large tank that could provide water for the villagers and their agricultural needs. He identified a suitable site near the village and decided to build a vast reservoir.

With the emperor's support and ample resources set aside for public welfare projects, construction began under Shri Vyasaraja’s supervision. Thousands of villagers, moved by his benevolence, enthusiastically joined the effort. Soon, a magnificent tank was completed, and it was aptly named "Vyasa Samudra" at the behest of the people. By the monsoon season, the reservoir filled with water, and its vastness mirrored the name “Samudra” (ocean). It transformed the lives of the local population, earning immense praise for Shri Vyasaraja’s visionary leadership.

However, a large boulder obstructed the outlet of the tank, preventing its full utilization for irrigation. Despite days of effort by hundreds of workers, the boulder could not be removed. Reflecting on the issue, Shri Vyasaraja sat under a tree near the tank.

At that moment, a man clad in a black shawl, holding a tambura, approached Shri Vyasaraja and greeted him. Recognizing the man, Shri Vyasaraja smiled and asked, “Is this you, Kanaka Nayaka, in the guise of a yogi?” The man humbly replied, “Everything is the will of our Keshava.”

Vyasaraja questioned further, "Kanaka, where is your bullock now?" Kanaka playfully responded, “Bullock? I remember seeing it somewhere, but I can’t recall exactly when or where. Perhaps with your blessings, I might remember.”

Vyasaraja, with a smile, granted Kanaka Nayaka a mantra, instructing him to chant it with devotion. Kanaka, after bathing in the tank, began meditating under another tree nearby. To everyone’s astonishment, a divine bullock appeared. Kanaka led it to the obstructing boulder and whispered something in its ear. The bullock, with extraordinary strength, dislodged and removed the massive boulder with ease, clearing the outlet. After completing its task, the bullock bowed to Kanaka, circled the tank, and disappeared.

This miraculous event was documented by Shri Vidyaratnakara Tirtha in his text Shri Vyasa Raja Guru Sarvabhauma Charitam, highlighting the role of Kanaka Das, a Shudra by birth, who, with divine grace and Vyasaraja’s guidance, accomplished the impossible.

Shri Vyasaraja, delighted by Kanaka's devotion and capability, praised him and invited him to accompany him to Vijayanagara. There, Kanaka Das formally became a disciple of Shri Vyasaraja, receiving spiritual initiation and instructions to assist Purandara Das in promoting the Haridasa movement and composing devotional literature. From then on, Kanaka Nayaka became renowned as Kanaka Das, a respected saint and poet in the Haridasa tradition.

Shri Vyasaraja spent some time at Vyasa Samudra, ensuring its benefits reached thousands. He also established a large monastery there, where he regularly visited to spread knowledge and engage in spiritual discourses. Kanaka Das continued to support these efforts, helping to expand the Haridasa movement and contributing to the spiritual and cultural legacy of Karnataka.