Kalpa Vriksha of Kali Yuga
Fourth Delight
Sri Vyasa Raja Yati Sarvabhouma
In the Śālivāhana Śaka year 1347, Dhātu Saṁvatsara, Vaiśākha Śukla Pāḍya (CE 1455), at the Vidyāmaṭha of the Śrīpadmanābhatīrtha lineage in Mulabagilu, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni was teaching the principles of Mīmāṁsā Śāstra. Numerous scholars and hundreds of students were listening to the profound teachings with great joy.
At that moment, Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha's disciple and the monastery's scholar, Venkataramaṇācārya, arrived and offered obeisance to Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni. Observing his arrival, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni remarked, "Venkataramaṇācārya, it is rare to see you. Is everything well?"
Venkataramaṇācārya humbly replied, "By the grace of Gurudeva, all is well. The elder Śrīpādāṅgalavaru is arriving with his disciple for your audience. He instructed me to inform you beforehand, which is why I am here."
Hearing this, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni was delighted. "What? The elder Guru is arriving with his dear disciple? What a great fortune! When will they grace us with their presence?" he asked. Venkataramaṇācārya responded, "Guruvarya, they are about to arrive."
Excited, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni promptly prepared for their reception with the traditional honors of the monastery—titles, musical grandeur, Vedic chants, and pūrṇakumbha (auspicious water pots). As the preparations were underway, the palanquin carrying Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha stopped at the entrance of the monastery. Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha alighted from the palanquin with Śrīvāsatīrtha. Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni hurried to greet them. With great affection, Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha embraced Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni, and tears of joy flowed from the eyes of both.
Śrīvāsatīrtha stepped forward and offered obeisance to Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni, who, overwhelmed with joy, embraced him, placed his hand on his head, and blessed him. Both Gurus, accompanied by auspicious chants and ceremonial honors, were led into the monastery and seated on the prepared seats.
After exchanging pleasantries, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni remarked, "What a rare blessing! It has been years since we last had the honor of your darshan. The elder's presence fills us with boundless joy. Is this your disciple, the one who shines like the auspicious sun of Dvaita philosophy? Surely, Śrīvāsatīrtha has been blessed by Śrī Vedavyāsa himself. We feel that he has incarnated to establish the principles of Śrī Madhvācārya’s philosophy. Seeing him fills us with immense bliss."
Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha replied with a smile, "The responsibility of fulfilling the prophecy you mention rests on you."
Later, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni said, "What an auspicious moment this has turned out to be!" Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha, smiling, replied, "We have come to you for a significant task concerning the Mahāsaṁsthāna (monastic institution). Inspired by Śrīhari and without delay, we set out immediately. Hence, we could not inform you in advance."
The assembly rejoiced at the confluence of these noble and wise individuals, the leaders of the Mahāsaṁsthāna. Following the pūja (worship) of the deity, they distributed tīrtha and prasāda (holy offerings) to all present and then partook in a meal.
During the afternoon rest, Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha made Śrīvāsatīrtha offer obeisance to Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni and, placing Śrīvāsatīrtha’s hand in the latter’s, said, "We entrust this disciple to you. Teach him all the scriptures, especially the treatises of Dvaita philosophy, in the traditional lineage of Śrī Madhvācārya, and shape him into a great scholar. It is our earnest wish that you guide him to become a worthy proponent of Śrī Madhvācārya's teachings and prepare him to lead the Mahāsaṁsthāna."
Tears of joy streaming down his eyes, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni replied, "It is a great honor. With Śrīhari and Śrīvāyu’s grace, we will fulfill this responsibility successfully. There is no doubt about it. However..." He hesitated.
Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha, eager, asked, "What is it?"
Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni smiled and replied, "Nothing much, only that we are about to embark on a pilgrimage to Pandharapur. We have scheduled the journey for the fifth day (Pañcamī). This seems to be divine inspiration, as it aligns with your arrival with Śrīvāsatīrtha. Before beginning his formal studies in Śrī Madhvācārya’s scriptures, receiving the blessings of Śrī Pāṇḍuraṅga will be auspicious. Since you have arrived with your entourage, it would be wonderful if you and Śrīvāsatīrtha accompany us on this pilgrimage. This will ensure the smooth progress of all endeavors. Tomorrow, on the second day (Dvitīyā), we will commence Śrīvāsatīrtha’s lessons. We can continue the teachings even during the pilgrimage. This is my suggestion, and I hope you will agree. Our steward, Narasiṁharāya, has made all arrangements to ensure the success of this journey."
After some contemplation, Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha joyfully consented, saying, "The will of Śrīhari aligns perfectly. A pilgrimage and the darshan of Śrīhari are indeed auspicious. Let it be as you wish."
This brought great joy to Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni. As planned, accompanied by a small entourage, Śrīlakṣmīnārāyaṇamuni, Śrībrahmaṇyatīrtha, and Śrīvāsatīrtha embarked on the pilgrimage to Pandharapur on the fifth day (Pañcamī), departing from Mulabagilu.