Note - The below krithi is found carved into on a stone slab fixed for decorating the Ashwattha Mantapa in front of Shri Tirumala Tatha Venkataramana Swamy Temple, Bantwal. This was transcribed from Epigraphia-Indica-vol-33, page 299.
Inscription origin - In order to perpetuate the memory of Shrimad Bhuvanendra Thirtha Swamiji, Shri Shrinivasa Baliga, the fifth son of Shri Bantwal Venkatesha Baliga of Kashyapa Gotra Vatsa Anupravara who had borne on his head the dust from the lotus feet of the Guru and who was the devotee of the Swamiji, had installed this Deepasthambha (pillar of lamps) on Tuesday, Magha Shuddha Purnima, corresponding to 8th February 1887.
Composer - Śirivaḷa Śrīvāsakṛishṇa
Set to - Rāga Kāpi, Ashtatāḷa
Guruvin-adhika daivavilla
Guruvin-adhika daivavilla | Sadguru vinahā mukti doregombud-illa || pallavi ||
Pallavi: There is no deity greater than the Guru. Without the grace of the true Guru, liberation (mukti) cannot be attained.
Anupallavi: The feet (shelter) of the Guru are devoid of beginning, middle, or end. They are the foundation of the universe, yet beyond the reach of sound (nada) and the Vedas (shruti). One must strive earnestly to comprehend this refuge.
Charana 1: Great exalted yogis—beyond counting and free from worldly gunas—continually meditate upon the divine feet of the Guru within the courtyard of their hearts.
Charana 2: Gods, humans, serpents (uraga), birds, beasts, and the entire movable and immovable universe (charachara) are sanctified by the radiant dust of the Guru's feet. This absolute truth is embodied by the Guru residing in noble Vaṭapura, the true preceptor of Śrīvāsakṛishna of Śirivaḷa.
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Vatapura is the old name for Bantwala. The Guru residing in Vatapura is Srimad Devendra Tirtha Swamiji of Kashi Math Santhana, the Guru of Srimad Madhavendra Tirtha Swamiji. Sirivala Srivasakrishna seems to have been a contemporary of Srimad Devendra Tirtha, and this composition would surely be dedicated to them.
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| Srimad Devendra Tirtha Swamiji |
Srimad Devendra Tirtha - A short sketch
Srimad Devendra Tirtha disciple of Srimad Raghavendra Thirtha became the sixth Mathadhipathi of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan. After the Mukthi of Srimad Raghavendra Thirtha Swamiji, He was ready to travel to the South. Swamiji prostrated the Vrindavan of his Guru, and took the idols of Vyasa, Raghupati and Narasimha in a Pheli (Box). The learned men of Kashi prostrated the feet of Guru and requested, “You must return back to Kashi”.
With a group of people He visited Ayodhya, Naimisharanya and Chitrakoota. He spent some more time in Vindhyaranya. They had the darshan of Trayambakeshwar and had a holy bath in the Kusha Vartha. Swami Devendra Thirtha’s pilgrimage to the great kshetras took place on the way to Gomantak (Goa). As already established, the Goud Saraswath community settled there and all their Kula Devatas were (and still are) situated in Goa. Goud Saraswaths continued to be virtuous and ritualistic people. At that time there were many communities settled in Goa such as the Shaktas, Vaishnavas and Shaivas. They worshipped many Gods and were devoted to Guru. Sri Devendra Thirtha visited Kadali and Aghashi and they became holy places of pilgrimage. Disciples said that they were very fortunate to serve the Guru.
The Swamiji was given a sanad in 1734 (Rahadari, a letter of authority by which he got the right of travelling with paraphernalia in a particular kingdom) by the king Somashekhara Nayaka II (1714-1739) of Keladi. A summary of the said sanad ( published by Shri Ananta Vaikunta Bhat in his Kannada book “Satya Marga Darshana”, 1973, Pg.101 ) is given below:
Somashekhara Nayaka of Keladi issued this Sanad on Ashwina Shuddha Panchami of Anand Samvatsara (of Sh. Sh. 1656, i.e., Saturday, 21st September 1734) to the administrative officers and police officials of various regions (districts) of his kingdom. They were informed that the Swamiji of the Kumbhakonam Matha had presented Pallaki, Swetha Chhatra, Surepan, Dhavala Shankha, Talas etc. to the Swamijis of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan of Konkanese in the past and that he had authorised the Swamijis to prescribe rules and regulations in their community. The sanad goes on to inform the officers that Devendra Thirtha of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan was travelling in their kingdom with all the paraphernalia and that whenever he entered their administrative regions, they had to ensure the safety of the Swamiji and his retinue and should see that they were not obstructed by anyone.
He then reached the holy place Bhatkal and went to Shri Kashi Math on the bank of river Gopi. Devendra Thirtha visited the Vrindavan of Shrimath Yadavendra (I) Thirtha Swamiji. The happiness He experienced can only be known to one who experiences it. The people of Bhatkal were very happy to get the darshan of their Guru, did His service with enthusiasm and offered Guru Kanika to Him with devotion.
His fame had spread in Karnataka, India. One Somanna from the Mysore royal family, with reverence and affection offered Him lots of wealth, land and gold, and requested Swamiji to stay in Karnataka. Swamiji then reached Vatapura (Bantwal) which is on the bank of the Netravati river. Prominent Vaishnavas lived there. The family temple of Vittal Bhat in Bantwal had been looted and the idol worshipped was missing. Thus as requested by his descendants, Swamiji gave an image of Lord Sri Venkatesha to them with His blessings. The people were very happy and they prospered in wealth. Swami Devendra Thirtha stayed there for a long time. He took holy bath everyday in the Netravati and had the darshan of Lord Venkatesh.
Swamiji got the inspiration from Lord Vedavyasa and Raghupati and prayed Lord Venkatesh to select a best young man for Shishya. According to the will of God he got one. He initiated and called Him Srimad MADHAVENDRA THIRTHA. Srimad Madhavendra Thirtha was very handsome, beautiful, a great renunciate and best devotee free from attachments.
Devendra Thirtha with His Shishya Madhavendra Thirtha travelled with their entourage and paraphernalia to Cochin. Thousands of people got the darshan of both the Guru and Shishya Swamijis. Darshan of Guru is like a life-giving herb.Both the Yatis, holding their Dandas, visited Lord Venkatapati and performed Dandavath Pranam.
Some of the prominent person s asked the elder Swami Devendra Thirtha if they could renovate the temple of Venkatapati. Guru was pleased and told them that it had to be built according to Sthapathya (the architecture and mode of traditional doctrine). Guru Swamiji gave orders, the sculptors started working and they completed the renovation in a short time. Devendra and Madhavendra Swamijis performed the installation ceremony according to the Shastras.
After sometime they left Cochin, travelled through Paravoor, Guruvayur, Kasargod,Manjeshwar and then reached the wealthy place of Vatapura (Bantwal). The river Netravati looked very beautiful. Lord Tirumala Venkataramana temple there had then become famous. The people of Bantwal prospered very well.
The rich merchants welcomed the Gurus and they told them, “We are blessed with Your grace. We must have a branch of Kashi Math here because You must give us the opportunity to serve You. We will offer You land with devotion to grow rice for the daily naivedya. Please accept”. Then they prostrated both Guru and Shishya Swamijis. They also arranged a comfortable Bhavan for the Swamijis to stay in Bantwal.
Devendra Thirtha thought that His duties of the world were fulfilled and it was time to involve in Dhyana. Madhavendra Thirtha knew that His Guru was going to leave His body. All the assembled people recited the Gita, Sthothras, Bhajans and chanted the name of Hari, which filled the whole land. Devendra Thirtha Swamiji attained Maha Samadhi in 1740 AD at Bantwal. The Vrindavan of Shrimath Devendra Thirtha Swamiji is situated in Bantwal Shri Kashi Math opposite Sri Tirumala Venkataramana Swamy Temple, Bantwal (KA IN).
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