Sri Sripadaraja (Mulabagilu) 1404-1502
9th pontiff of Sri Sripadarajar Mutt.
Ashram from Sri SwarNa VarNa thirtha based on an incident of meeting him by
chance.
On observing the boy’s brilliance and scholarship, Sri Raghunatha Thirtha
nodded in appreciation and expressed his praise again and again.
He won the title of “Sripadaraja” from the great saint Sri Raghunatha
Thirtha.
The bondage of affection with this saint was so great that Sri Raghunatha
Thirtha threw a flower at him while performing his Vaikunta Yatra and gave
DaRshan to his beloved disciple.
SripAdarAja is one of the greatest renowned and popular saint-singers of Sri
Madhva SampradAya. .
SripAdarAja, by his immense scholarship and insight composed hundreds of
devotional songs in his mother tongue Kannada.
In Karnataka he was responsible for moral awakening. Scholars have hailed
his hymns as the dawn of the literature in Kannada written by VaishNava
saints. He explained in simple words the way of good life to ordinary
people. His songs are a wonderful blend of literature and music.
Sripadaraja’s scholarship was extraordinary. Even to day the devotees bow to
him as the greatest of saint-poets.
Further, not being content in merely composing songs in praise of god in
accordance with musical tradition, he himself sang them with tiny bells
tied to his feet keeping time and dancing. The songs composed by him in
accordance with the classical tune and rhythm are a great contribution to
the Kannada language. In the history of Kannada literature it is recognized
that Sripadaraja brought devotional literature into existence.
Thy will be Done !
Sripadaraja has described in one of his songs how he felt within himself: “
In whatever manner God orders me to be, thus will I be. If he grants fine
cooked rice, clarified butter, meal in a gold plate, flashy clothes, gold
thread bordered dhoti and shawl, served with a fan, all these are available.
When one loses his favour, it is difficult to get even bad food, get even a
loin cloth and sandals!” says Sripadaraja in his song:
“Ittahaange Iruveno Hariye, Ennna Doreye”
“ God Hari, my king, I will live as you wish me to. I get a meal of finely
cooked rice, clarified butter served in a gold plate. Great being, if your
kindness is lost, you make one cry for even spoiled food!.
To lead the sort of life which God ordains is the right path for man. If he
grants us pleasure, let us happily welcome it. If he grants us sorrow, let
us bear it with pleasure. This is the inner meaning of this devotional song
of Sripadaraja . He has explained well the secrets of virtuous life.
Although outwardly he led an ostentatious life, within himself, he had freed
himself from all passion.
He was occupying a seat of religious observance. He was one of the greatest
of the great. Not only that, he also became a pioneer who created a new
literary tradition. He inspired composition of songs in Kannada. With his
signature Ranga vittala, he composed hundreds of keerthanas, Suladhis and
UgaBhogas. His songs are in a simple style and the devotional sentiments
is enchanting.
In addition to songs, Sripadaraja composed Gopi Geetha, Venu geetha,
Bhramara geetha, Lakshmi Narasimha raaduRBhava Dhandaka, Rukmini-SathyaBhama
vilasa and Madhwa Nama. His “Vagvajra” was a master piece and based on
this his disciple Sri Vysaraya wrote Vyasa traya. The Madhwanama is sung in
every Madwa House and the Phala sruthi was written by the great Sri
Jagannatha dasaru. In several ways, he is the first to be honoured and
remembered/ as “Praathah Smaraneeeyaru” and for music in karanataka.
It is a saying, that one who utters the name of Sripadharaaja while
getting up, in the morning, from the bed would get a sumptuous meal.
“….Endhendhu siriyarasanendhu Shruthi saaruthidhe Bhandhudhigenu Siriyo
KrishNa-“ in this song we could see his full love and affection towards Sri
KrishNa.
“Ananatha Kaaladhalli Ninna Naanariyadhe BhavagaLali Bhandhano Annanatha
Kaaladhalli Ninnava Nenisadhe Moorukha naadheno”- in this keerthane we
could see the Jeeva entangled in this Maya Prapancha and not able to get out
easily and thus suffering- this picture could be seen in this song-
“ KangaLidhyathako Kaaveri Rangana Nodadha”- in this song we could see the
Vaibhava of Sri Ranganatha of Sri Ranga- a bath in the river kaveri-
“Mahime Saaladhe- Ishte Mahime Saaladhe+ by Sri Vysaraaya
“Vaadhigajamasthakaamkusha Sujana Bhudhageya, Medhini sura Vandhya Sri
Paadaraya” by Sri Vyasaraaya,
“ Sri Paadarayara dhivya Sri Paadhava Bhajisuva by Sri Vaadiraajar
“ Sripaadarajara Melina SuLaadhi by Sri Vijaya Vitala,
“Sri paadaram Bhajisiro by Sri Thandhe Venkatesha Vitalamkitha,
“Sripaadharaaja Guruve, Natha sura tharuve by Sri Shyama Sundaramkitha,
“Sripaadharaja paaliso by Sri KaRpara Narahari
Kaapaadu, kaapaadu Sri padharaaya by Sri Guru Govindha vitala
- are some of the songs composed on the great saint..
He lived for 98 years and was entombed on 14th April,1504.
Even to day in Mulabaagal Sripadaraja’s Brindavanam may be seen on the
banks of Narasimha thirtha. A car festival is also held in remembrance of
the great saint Karanataka cannot afford to forget a great soul like him. It
is Sripadaraja who filled the river of devotional literature with song and
literature and flooded it with a spirit of reverence.
Sri Vyasathirtha is prostrating before him. Let us join him in paying homage
to Sripadaraja..
Dhyana Sloka
Jnaana Vairaagya Bhakaadahi GuNa shaalini
LakshminaaraayaNa Munin Vamdhe Chimthithadhaayakam
Kaale Palathi Kalpadhru
ChimthaamaNirapi Yaachane Dhaathaa
VaRshathi Sakala Abhishtham
DaRshanamaathRaath Sri PaadharaaN muni
Sri Sripadaraja Theertharu
Brief History of Sri Sripadaraja Theertha
Sri Lakshmi Narayana Muni stayed in Sri Rangam and worshiped Sri Ranganatha.
At that time, the Srivaishnavas wrote verses and poems praising lord
SriRanga in Tamil. Impressed by this, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Muni decided to
fulfil his desire of translating 'harisarvothamatatwa' advocated by Sri
Madananda Theertha to Kannada, so that common people could experience the
eternal bliss hidden inside these works.
Thus by translating them to Kannada he guided common people to experience
the significance of Madhwa philosophy like the pole star. Sri Lakshmi
Narayana Muni who is believed to be the incarnation of Dhruva became famous
as Sri Sripadaraja.
Knowing about the significance of Mulbagal, the adobe of Lord Yoga
Narasimha, he decided to settle there. Very much pleased by his knowledge
the residents of Mulbagal and the scholars made him the head of their
educational institution. Not only this but the Veerashaivas decisively
handed over their Mutt to him.
Sri Sripadaraja then wrote 'Vagvraja', his only work in Sanskrit. He
continued writing in Kannada while he asked his disciple Sri Vyasaraja to
write in Sanskrit. In his writings he have more emphasis to Bhakthi. He was
known as Dasa Pantha Pravarthaka and one who positioned Ganga in Narasimha
Theertha.
After serving for more than six decades, in 1504, Sri Sripadaraja selected
one of his disciples as his heir and named him Sri Hayagreeva Theertha. He
entered the Brindavan on Jeshta shudha chaturdashi near Sri Narasimha
Theertha near Mulbagal when he was alive. He is still placed there
fulfilling the wishes of people who go to him.
courtesy : Dvaita list
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