Devotional contemplation (anusandhanas) associated with the consecration of Shri Madhwacharya’s monolithic statue at Kunjarugiri near Pajaka:
- Author : Vidwan Sri Sagri Raghavendra Upadhyaya
- Translation : Pushkar Parthukudi
(This article was first published in Kannada on the occasion of installation of Shri Madhwacharya’s statue at Kunjarugiri)
During Hevilambi samvatsara, vaishakha shuddha trayodashi, under the aegis of His Holiness Shri Vidyadheesha Teertha Swamiji and in the august presence of several pontiffs, scholars and devotees, the consecration of the majestic monolithic statue of Shri Madhwacharya took place. The Brahmakalashotsava ritual was conducted on vaishakha shuddha poornima. The contemplation to be borne during this auspicious occasion is outlined hereunder.
avardhataashu pravichintya raamam I
supoornashaktin charitostadaajnaam ||
As stated above, in order to fulfil the directives of Lord Shri Rama during Seetanveshana, Shri Anjaneya contemplated upon the supreme abilities and the chivalrous demeanor of the Lord and grew his body to cross the 100 yojana wide ocean effortlessly. Likewise is his incarnation as Shri Madhwacharya.
bhuvi santi soumya purusha guñochitaaha |
vimalaan mañeeniva gunojhitaanimaan
dayayaa vishodhaya vishuddhagoganaihi ||
There will always be virtuous people, deserving of jnaana-bhakti- vairagya, on this earthly plane. Just as the beads become polluted upon falling on the ground, when the thread that ties them together breaks, likewise, the virtuous had derailed from the right understanding of the doctrines and made it hard for them to achieve liberation. In order to fulfil the order of Lord Narayana given at Narayanashrama, of bringing back such virtuous people to the path of righteousness by propounding to them the untainted doctrines and thereby purifying them, by the grace of Lord Narayana and Lord Vedavyasa, Shri Madhwacharya expanded his personality and dived into worldly life.
Let us bear the following devotional approach
ābhāsakōsya pavanaha: After Shri Lakshmi devi, Shri Vayu is the only direct reflection (pratibimba) of the Lord Shrimannarayana. Shri Madhwacharya who is the third incarnation of Vayu deva is imminent in this gigantic monolithic statue and, through his divine & splendid personality, he is implicitly declaring the divinity and splendor of his indwelling Lord.
The 40-foot-tall platform which consists of an 8 feet tall lotus-seat and a 32 feet tall monolithic statue of Shri Madhwacharya with his right hand gesticulating the jnana mudra implying – sarvepi purusharthaahaassyurjnaanadeva na samshaya – everyone attains liberation only through the right knowledge and in that, there is no doubt. With the sarvamoola granthas held in his left hand one may contemplate that he is giving out the message of – naasmaduktisadrisham hitaroopam – there are no words (tattva or philosophy) equivalent to the preaching of (Shri Madhwacharya) – to the entire world.
ye ye gunaan vijaananti vaayostaanaavishan marut |
tatra tatra pravishtatvaat pratatosou babhoova ha ||
As quoted above from the Aitereya upanishat bhashya, when one attempts to understand the qualities of Shri Vayu and his incarnations, Shri Vayu himself assumes presence in the seeker. When one ruminates upon the great qualities of Shri Madhwacharya while beholding his glorious statue, Shrimadacharya would adorn the heart of such a person. While visiting the icon of Madhwa consecrated by Shri Vadirajaru at Pajaka to pay obeisance, en route, before entering Pajaka, at Kunjarugiri, through this statue that stands tall, a seeker may behold and establish Shri Madhwacharya in their heart and to such seekers Shri Madhwa himself would inspire them to render service at Pajaka.
Shri Madhwacharya’s statue that has his presence is nestled in between Kunjarugiri’s Durga Devi and Parashuramabetta’s Lord Parashurama symbolically implying that one needs to seek refuge of the eternal parents Lakshmi – Narayana to earn their grace.
trishvapyevaavataareshu: As mentioned in Shri Harivayustuti, traata yasya tridhaama – under the complete protection of the Lord who is the ruler of the three realms, Shri Vayu (and his incarnations) are “aakhanaashmasama”, bearing a steadfast and unflinching personality similar to that of boulders, thereby symbolizing that none can ever obliterate his form nor the Sarvamoola granths that akin to his form.
Shri Madhvacharya’s monolithic statue at Kunjarugiri is in a standing posture which is an indication of preparedness; besides signifying his ever preparedness to aid the virtuous people along the path of liberation, it also implies that devotees must be ever prepared for tvareta dharmaartham, shravañaadi vinaa naiva kshañam tishthedapi kvachit, adherence to the path of dharma, performance of rituals and listening to the shaastras.
During the 700th year of the consecration anniversary of Udupi Shri Krishna, Praatahsmaraneeya Shri Vidyamaanya Teertha Swamiji made a resolve to install 700 icons of Shri Madhvacharya at various places like Shri Raghavendra matha, etc. His desire had not borne fruit then. However, Shri Krishna is satyasankalpa and ensures the fulfilment of the resolve of his devotees. On the auspicious occasion of the 7th centenary of Shri Madhwacharya entering Badarikshrama, Shri Krishna had the resolve fulfilled through Shri Vidyamaanya Teertha’s disciple and successor, Shri Vidyadheesha Teertha, via the installation of this colossal monolithic statue of Shri Madhwacharya. Every devotee who proceeds towards Pajaka, stops by to behold this towering and enchanting form of Shri Madhwacharya, venerate whole heartedly, behold and install his figurative icon in the shrine of their heart and only then proceed. Is this not akin to consecrating the icon of Shri Madhvacharya in the hearts of hundreds of devotees? In this way, the icon exemplifies how Lord Krishna ensures that the resolution of His devotees meet fruition.
The consecration of the icon at the onset of the second paryaya tenure of Shri Vidyadheesha Teertha symbolizes that His Holiness has the complete grace of Shri Madhwa in ensuring that the paryaya proceeds in a manner that is pleasing to Hari-Vayu-Gurugalu.
Intention in the backdrop of the icon:
As stated in the etymology – prameeyate anayaa iti pratimaa, in order for us to fully understand and obtain merits like salvation and righteous knowledge from an idol/statue, we need to contemplate with utmost devotion upon the virtues associated with the personality inherent in the idol/statue. Hence, we shall make a vow that we shall not forget to persevere these devotional thoughts associated with Shri Madhvacharya when we visit Kunjarugiri.
