The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
Shri Jagannatha Dasaru
Before receiving the dasa deeksha (initiation into the Haridasa tradition), Shri Jagannatha Dasaru was renowned by the name Srinivasacharya. He was the son of Shri Narasimhacharya (Narasappa), a distinguished figure of the Pashika lineage from Byagawata. His lifetime spanned from 1727 CE to 1809 CE. During this period, in the grand spiritual seat of Shri Madhvacharya that was adorned by Shri Guru Raghavendra, the following five eminent pontiffs occupied the seat one after another: Shri Vadindra Tirtharu, Shri Vasudhendra Tirtharu, Shri Varadendra Tirtharu, Shri Dheerendra Tirtharu (1785), Shri Bhuvanendra Tirtharu (1785–1799), and Shri Subodhendra Tirtharu (1799–1835). Jagannatha Dasaru had the fortune of seeing, serving, and being blessed by all these spiritual masters. How great his fortune must have been!
Srinivasacharya’s (Dasaraya’s) father, Shri Narasimhacharya, was a devout and eminent Haridasa, cherished as a beloved disciple by Shri Vasudhendra and Shri Varadendra Tirtharus. His literary works are well-known under the signature name “Shrinarasimha Vitthala.”
Srinivasacharya was a blessed soul who studied under his kulagurus (family preceptors), Shri Vasudhendra and Varadendra. From childhood, he was highly intelligent and talented, which earned him special affection from both revered gurus. Once, when young Srinivasacharya came to the mutt with his parents Narasappa and Lakshmamma, Vasudhendra Tirtha was so pleased by the boy’s brilliance that he accepted him as his student. His parents, overjoyed by the guru's blessings, entrusted their son’s education to the guru and felt fulfilled.
Srinivasacharya stayed at the mutt and studied logic, grammar, and Mimamsa under Shri Balaramacharya, who was the younger brother (in previous ashrama) of Vasudhendra Tirtha and the future Varadendra Tirtha. Simultaneously, he studied Vedanta under Shri Vasudhendra, gaining fame as a brilliant student.
Later, under the guidance of Shri Varadendra Tirtha, who succeeded Vasudhendra as head of the institution, Srinivasacharya thoroughly studied the advanced texts in Nyaya (logic), Mimamsa, grammar, literature, and Vedanta. He became a great scholar in all five Shastras and earned the special love of his guru. He gained respect and reverence from learned scholars. A poem titled “Shri Varadendra Pancharatna,” composed by him in his youth, received high praise from scholars and poets.
With the blessings and command of his guru, Acharya (Srinivasacharya) returned to Byagawata, accepted the life of a householder, and engaged himself passionately in teaching and discourses. He had hundreds of students studying various scriptures under him. A man of righteous conduct, dedicated to teaching and spiritual instruction, he was universally respected with reverence and devotion.
Once, due to the force of his prarabdha karma (destined actions), he criticized Vijaya Dasaru and as a result, was afflicted with a severe abdominal illness. Suffering and burned by this affliction, life became bitter for the Acharya (Srinivasacharya). Finding no remedy, he first rendered service at Ghatikachala and then at Mantralaya.
Having surrendered to Shri Guru Raghavendra, and yet not seeing any relief, despair arose in the Acharya’s life. The next day, determined to give up his life in the Tungabhadra river, he earnestly prayed to Rayaru (Shri Raghavendra Swami) to save him. That night, the compassionate Rayaru appeared to him in a dream and said:
"Srinivasa! It is the will of Shri Hari that your illness must be cured by the saint Vijaya Dasaru. Surrender to him. Your disease will be cured."
Distressed and suffering, Srinivasacharya went to Chikalaparavi and pleaded to Vijaya Dasaru. Realizing Rayaru’s will, and moved by compassion, Dasaru blessed him and sent him to Gopala Dasaru. Gopala Dasaru, having received the blessings of Rayaru and his own guru, graciously gave the Acharya a rotti (flatbread) that had been sanctified with mantras. Upon eating it, the Acharya was cured of his abdominal disease!
Thereafter, Srinivasacharya traveled to Tirupati with Shri Gopala Dasaru. His body, worn out by disease and weakness, could not endure any longer and he passed away in Tirupati. At that moment, Vijaya Dasaru appeared there in subtle form and instructed Gopala Dasaru,
"Donate forty years of your life to Srinivasacharya."
Obeying this divine command, Gopala Dasaru donated forty years of his own life to Srinivasacharya! Through the grace of Shri Hari, Vayu, Rayaru, and the compassion of the Dasaru, Srinivasacharya came back to life!
Srinivasacharya realized the greatness of the Haridasas. Desiring to become a dasa himself, he requested Gopala Dasaru to initiate him into the Haridasa tradition. Gopala Dasaru replied,
"It is Shri Hari himself who will give you the ankita deeksha (initiation with a signature name)."
He then sent Acharya to Pandharpur. There, while bathing in the Bhimarathi River, he found a stone bearing the ankita (signature) “Shri Jagannatha Vitthala.” From that moment, Acharya became known as Jagannatha Dasaru.
As soon as he became a dasa, Shri Vitthala specially blessed him, appearing directly and arranging for his naivedya (sacred meal offering) and serving him! Again, Shri Srinivasa Devaru of Tirupati appeared in the form of Gopala Dasaru and served him food as a blessing!
Thus, being the recipient of the compassion and love of Pandharinatha (Vitthala) and Shri Srinivasa Devaru, Jagannatha Dasaru became renowned in the world as “The Dasa loved by Ranga (the Lord).”
From that time onward, Shri Jagannatha Dasaru began composing many padas (devotional songs) and poems with the ankita (signature) "Shri Jagannatha Vitthala." A scholar well-versed in Sanskrit, Kannada, and the four Shastras, he exhibited unparalleled brilliance in the Haridasa literary tradition and earned widespread acclaim. Just as Shri Raghavendra Swami holds a unique and revered position in the Dvaita philosophy, so too does Jagannatha Dasaru occupy a similarly distinguished place within the Haridasa lineage.
He lived during the flourishing period of the Kannada Haridasa movement and played a most prominent role in its literary development. Jagannatha Dasaru authored hundreds of padas, poems, suladis, and outstanding doctrinal works such as “Harikathamrutasaara”, “Tattvasuvvali”, and others, rendering immense service to the community. Among his works, Harikathamrutasaara stands as a most profound and excellent treatise. It compiles the essence of scriptural truths hidden across the Upanishads, Puranas, Pancharatra Agamas, Prakasha Samhita, and various other Sanskrit scriptures.
Such a comprehensive work had never before been composed in the Haridasa tradition, nor has any like it appeared afterward. The deepest doctrinal tenets of the Madhva tradition are presented in it in an expansive and simple style. The significance of this work is evident in the fact that four Kannada and one Sanskrit commentaries have been written on it.
Shri Jagannatha Dasaru had immense devotion toward Shri Raghavendra Swami. He used to give lectures and discourses along with the notes and explanations written by Rayaru on Dvaita scriptures, bringing out their importance. Realizing the benefit his own works had on the Dvaita system and the Vedic faith, he possessed great devotion and reverence toward Rayaru from the beginning.
After accepting dasa deeksha and attaining divine grace, Jagannatha Dasaru became a realized soul (aparoksha jnani). Past, present, and future became as clear to him as a fruit on his palm. He had full knowledge of the mystery of Rayaru’s avatar, of the great works already done and those yet to come for the welfare of the world. He composed many devotional padas glorifying Rayaru, describing his history, greatness, and unique qualities in a heartfelt manner that stirred the devotion of the listener.
Jagannatha Dasaru was no ordinary person. Wise sages have praised him as none other than Sahlada Raja, the brother of the great devotee Prahlada. The learned Dasaru knew that in the Krita Yuga (first age), his elder brother Prahlada had incarnated as Shri Vyasarajaru, and again now as Shri Raghavendra Swami. Having been close to Prahlada in earlier incarnations and being aware of his glory, Jagannatha Dasaru, out of grace for noble souls, sang about Rayaru's unfathomable greatness in ways that touched the heart.
Once Sahlada in a previous birth, when Jagannatha Dasaru stood before Rayaru’s Brindavana, all the past events came flooding into his memory. Remembering the extraordinary divine qualities of Prahlada's avatar—now as Rayaru—he was overwhelmed with devotion and ecstatically praised and glorified his Guru. Being an intimate devotee of Rayaru, he conversed daily with Rayaru, who resided in the Brindavana. Rayaru would appear directly and speak with him!
Whenever Dasaru stood before the Brindavana, he would have a divine vision of Rayaru—clothed in saffron garments, bearing the danda and kamandalu, adorned with a vertical urdhva pundra mark, sacred sandal paste (gandha), turmeric-rice (akshate), and tulasi garlands—revealing his resplendent divine form!
Among these two extraordinary brothers, there were often delightful conversations on divine truths, the greatness of Hari and Vayu, the uniqueness of the Lord’s devotees, and the divine pastimes of Shri Hari! But this matter did not remain a secret for long—it eventually became known to other devotees as well. From then on, devotees began to pray to Shri Rayaru for the fulfillment of their wishes, for the resolution of ailments, and other desires. As a result, even Dasaru could no longer have direct visions of Rayaru, and the dialogues ceased!
This caused immense sorrow to Dasaru. Dejected and pained by the absence of Rayaru's vision, he stood before the Brindavana with tears in his eyes and cried out:
“O Lord, O Supreme Guru! Why have You become indifferent? Has Your grace vanished for this humble servant? O Compassionate One, is this befitting You? Would this not tarnish the title 'One who is bound by devotion'? O merciful Gurudeva, please show compassion!”
Still, the Guru did not appear before him. Dasaraya, filled with grief, abandoned food and all sustenance, and continued his prayers day and night. Moved by his deep love, Rayaru relented and once again appeared before him as before!
Ecstatic at the divine vision of the Guru, Dasaraya was overwhelmed and offered full prostrations. He began to pray:
“O Universal Guru, Lion among debaters! I remember You and beseech You—please protect me always, as You have done before.
Was it not You, O Lord, who as Prahlada Raj, the son of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, received instruction from Devarshi Narada and revealed the glories of Lord Hari to your father? When the demon king roared, 'Show me your God!'—was it not You who called forth Lord Narahari from the pillar and showed Him?
Was it not You, O Lord, who at the age of seven accepted the yati ashrama (renunciate order), who came to Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagara and dispelled the ‘Kuhayoga’ (malicious false ritual), who defeated the Mayavadis (illusionists), authored works like the Chandrika, and ascended the throne of knowledge in glory as Shri Vyasaraja?
You are the moonlight to the lotus feet of Moolarama, the one with a golden-lustrous divine body, a purifier with a sacred life story. You alone are the glorious one who can uplift the mute, deaf, blind, and suffering!
You are the bee to the lotus feet of Shri Jagannatha Vitthala, bringing the swarm of desires to fulfillment—please protect me!
O Shri Raghavendra! I have surrendered at Your beautiful feet. You, who are the Mandara tree for surrendered souls, must show Your mercy—everything of mine is under Your control.
O Lord, is it glorious to torment a mere human like me each day? O bee at the lotus feet of Moolarama! O sage who loves the petitions of innocent children! I trust in You, Raghavendra—guide me, O Suyameendra!”
“O Raghavendra Gururaya! Without counting the multitude of my terrible sins, You must protect me unwaveringly. O Swami, You are an ocean of compassion. You hold boundless affection for Your devotees—Your divine life itself proclaims this.
You granted liberation to Venkanna who asked only for a crown. When the Yavana (Muslim) king tested You and later repented in distress, You accepted Mantralaya from him and made him Your devotee—uplifting a fallen soul.
You relieved the famine that struck Tanjore region for twelve years by offering food to the people and guiding them. You made a dried-out fig tree sprout again, and revealed the glory of the Vedas and sacred mantras to the atheist king of Shirasangi.
When the wife of Your devotee was tormented by the heat of the sun in the forest and went into labor, You protected both the mother and the newborn. In a forest without water, You struck the ground with Your staff and produced water, reviving a dying Brahmin.
You offered the jewel-studded necklace presented by King Vijaya Raghava Nayaka into the sacred fire (to Lord Parashurama, who resides within the fire), and later received it back from the deity, thus demonstrating Your greatness to the king.
You prevented the untimely death of Your devotee. You brought back to life the son of Venkata Desai, who had drowned in a mango juice tonic, and ensured the continuation of his lineage.
You demonstrate the greatness of sacred water (hand-wash and foot-wash) daily. There is none to equal Your greatness. Your grace knows no bounds. Through You, Lord Jagannatha Vitthala protects the people of the world and spreads Your fame across the globe.
O Swami! O Guru of the World! My endless salutations to You…”
Thus, from the lips of Dasaraya (Jagannatha Dasaru), the ocean of Guru’s glory (Shri Guru Mahima Tarangini) flowed in the form of many devotional verses, sanctifying the minds and hearts of all who heard them.
The ascetic sage of Mantralaya, pleased by Jagannatha Dasaru’s devotional praise, smiled gently and said:
“Child, we are delighted with your devotion. From now on, the Haridasa lineage will flourish in all directions through you. Your compositions will serve as instruments to win the grace of Shri Hari and will shine as guiding lights for virtuous souls. Your literature shall gleam like the moon and sun for all time. Your name and fame will become immortal. You will live long as a proclaimer of the path of Bhagavata Dharma.
My child! From now on, I shall appear to you in dreams to clear all your doubts and grant you peace. What more would you desire from me, dear brother? May all auspiciousness be yours.”
With this blessing, Rayaru disappeared.
Dasaru bowed before the Brindavana and said with reverence, “I am blessed! O Universal Guru, salutations, salutations to You!” Thus, Shri Jagannatha Dasaru, overwhelmed with bliss by the immense grace bestowed by Rayaru, was filled with divine joy.
From then on, Guru Raghavendra Swami would appear to Dasaru in dreams and continue to bless him.
The grace that Shri Raghavendra Swami bestowed upon Shri Jagannatha Dasaru stands as a testament to his deep affection for his devotees and his boundless greatness.
In this way, there are numerous examples where Rayaru, recognizing the spiritual merit and inner eligibility of noble souls, granted them direct vision (pratyaksha darshana) and engaged in divine conversation with them.
All these instances establish that Rayaru is a divine incarnation (devamsha sambhuta), the recipient of the special grace and presence of Shri Hari and Vayu, and a true yogi.
They also confirm that he is a friend to devotees, an embodiment of compassion, and a living form of divinity among humans.
These divine manifestations not only affirm the continued physical presence of this great soul within the Brindavana, but also remind us daily of this eternal truth—that he is performing penance to please Shri Hari for the welfare of the world, and that the Supreme Lord—Vedically known, ever playful, and the greatest of all beings—is dancing in delight because of him.