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Certain personages are inextricably linked to the history of a given geography
To the extent that the region cannot be conceived without them
One such figure is the great figure in the Madhva tradition - Vadiraja Tirtha (1480-1600) and his association with TulunADu
To the extent that the region cannot be conceived without them
One such figure is the great figure in the Madhva tradition - Vadiraja Tirtha (1480-1600) and his association with TulunADu
His life appears to have touched every aspect of life in the region around modern Udupi
Let's discuss a few aspects of this remarkable allrounder
Let's discuss a few aspects of this remarkable allrounder
1. Vadiraja as an institutional reformer / administrator
He instituted the practice of a rotational biennial paryAya in uDupi, where each of the eight ashTamaThas established by Madhva in 13th cen, take turns for 2 years to administrate / regulate worship at Udupi KRSNa temple
He instituted the practice of a rotational biennial paryAya in uDupi, where each of the eight ashTamaThas established by Madhva in 13th cen, take turns for 2 years to administrate / regulate worship at Udupi KRSNa temple
Before Vadiraja, the practice was one rotating every two months. He turned it into a biennial practice, and fascinating that the practice exists almost untouched even today!
Amazing institutional durability
Amazing institutional durability
2. Vadiraja as a radical sectarian figure
He was instrumental in ensuring that ShivaLLi Madhvas gained control of their traditional shrines - Chandreshvara and Ananteshwara temples from Smartha hands
Important Shaivite shrines that passed into Madhva control - a remarkable feat
He was instrumental in ensuring that ShivaLLi Madhvas gained control of their traditional shrines - Chandreshvara and Ananteshwara temples from Smartha hands
Important Shaivite shrines that passed into Madhva control - a remarkable feat
3. Vadiraja - the Dvaita theologian and commentator
He was the author of numerous glosses and bhAShyas plus his most famous work -
YuktimallikA - a defense of the tenets of Dvaita Vedanta
He was the author of numerous glosses and bhAShyas plus his most famous work -
YuktimallikA - a defense of the tenets of Dvaita Vedanta
Vadiraja also authored LakshAbharaNam - a theological commentary on sections of Mahabharata (esp SanatsujAtiya and Vishnu Sahasranama) from the Madhva standpoint
4. Vadiraja as a major folk literary figure
Vadiraja was prolific not just in Sanskrit, but also Kannada and Tulu
Author of numerous stotras/ songs under the nom-de-plume - Hayavadana
Many of whom are sung in the Tulu region to this day
Vadiraja was prolific not just in Sanskrit, but also Kannada and Tulu
Author of numerous stotras/ songs under the nom-de-plume - Hayavadana
Many of whom are sung in the Tulu region to this day
5. Vadiraja - the author of imaginative literary epics
He once famously took on the paNDitas of mahraTTa country and composed an epic poem titled Rukminishavijaya in 19 cantos to counter the view of the panDitas that extolled mAgha's ShishupAlavadha
He once famously took on the paNDitas of mahraTTa country and composed an epic poem titled Rukminishavijaya in 19 cantos to counter the view of the panDitas that extolled mAgha's ShishupAlavadha
6. Vadiraja the writer of travelogues
Vadiraja famously went on a decade long trip visiting important pilgrimage centers across the country
This has been documented in his rare work - Tirthaprabandha, an important source on many pilgrimages extant since 16th century to this day
Vadiraja famously went on a decade long trip visiting important pilgrimage centers across the country
This has been documented in his rare work - Tirthaprabandha, an important source on many pilgrimages extant since 16th century to this day
7. Vadiraja the community activist / peace maker
Vadiraja appears to have played an important role in mediating many inter-community disputes in the region
Most notably between Kota and Koteshwara smArthas
Vadiraja appears to have played an important role in mediating many inter-community disputes in the region
Most notably between Kota and Koteshwara smArthas
8. Vadiraja the religious missionary
He appears to have been successful in converting many groups to the Madhva fold
Particularly the Koteshwara smArthas north of TulunAd, and also the svarnakAra (goldsmith) community of the region
He appears to have been successful in converting many groups to the Madhva fold
Particularly the Koteshwara smArthas north of TulunAd, and also the svarnakAra (goldsmith) community of the region
9. Vadiraja the "creator" of new tIrthasthals!
He was key in consecrating the deity of Manjunatheshwara in the village of Kuduma, which is today known as Dharmasthala - a major pilgrimage site
Again this is an interesting example of a Shiva shrine managed by Madhvas
He was key in consecrating the deity of Manjunatheshwara in the village of Kuduma, which is today known as Dharmasthala - a major pilgrimage site
Again this is an interesting example of a Shiva shrine managed by Madhvas
It's quite amazing how many roles this individual has played in his long life -
Administrator
Temple reformer
Theologian
Philosopher
Poet
Devotee
Travel writer
Easily one of the most versatile personalities of medieval India in 16th cen
Administrator
Temple reformer
Theologian
Philosopher
Poet
Devotee
Travel writer
Easily one of the most versatile personalities of medieval India in 16th cen
Post-script -
Vadiraja Tirtha should not be confused with the Vijayanagara statesman and philosopher Vyasatirtha, who was his senior contemporary and an equally stellar Madhva figure
Older thread on Vyasatirtha https://twitter.com/shrikanth_krish/status/1152035604579831808
Vadiraja Tirtha should not be confused with the Vijayanagara statesman and philosopher Vyasatirtha, who was his senior contemporary and an equally stellar Madhva figure
Older thread on Vyasatirtha https://twitter.com/shrikanth_krish/status/1152035604579831808
