Deivathin Kural Series - 159

Om Namah Sivaya.

Deivathin Kural # 159 of 24 Feb 2007.

(This mail is to be read as a continuation of e-mail #158 of 23 Feb 2007.)

13. That was the period in hostory, when Malik Kapoor, the invader from North, had gone on a ransacking voyage right down to Rameswaram, bringing the whole of South India, under Muslim yoke. Especially, he had destroyed many a Temple. At that time in South India, there was no King capable of withstanding the onslought, in terms of men and material. Now Vidyaranyar, thought of a very noble strategy. "So much wealth is available. I have the brains to plan, organize, advice and guide. Let me establish a Hindu Kingdom, to oppose and rout the suzerainty of the Muslim invaders," He thought. His recently obtained wealth came to be utilised thus, for this purpose.

14. Vidyaranyar was well read in all the Sastras. There is a 'Saguna Sastra', of natural indicators, that He was aware of. He realized that the time was ripe, for the creation of a Hindu Sanathana Empire. He knew, what to do, where and when. He identified two shepherds, to become the future Kings. The two were brothers, by the name of Harihara and Bukkan. He established the capital for the new empire on the banks of Tungabadra river and coronated the two as Kings. That place is Hampi.

15. Hampi ruins are world famous to-day, admired and wondered by foreigners. In Ramayana, there is a mention of Pampa Saras. Pampa, in Kannadiga becomes Hampa. In that language, Paal or milk, is 'halu' and pavazham, is 'havalam'(coral). Thus Pampa then, is Hampi to-day. By the grace of Mahalakshmi, funds were available, making it possible to amass a big army. As the Empire was being established, Vidyaranyar could work out that, it will achieve victories and rejuvinate Hinduism. Accordingly, it became famous. Since Harihara and Bukka, considered it all as His benevolence, they named it after His name as Vidya Nagara. Over time it became Vijaya Nagara Samrajyam. There is a Vijaya Nagara near Visakapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh now-a-days. This is being confused as the capital of Krishna Deva Raya, a famous King of Vijayanagara Empire, who continued as a thorn on the side the Muslim Empire, at Delhi. I am not referring to that city. The place was Hampi, on the banks of Thungabadra, in Bellary district.

16. Vidyaranyar's predictions and forethoughts, came true. He detailed, Harihara and Bukkan's cousin, Kampanna as the Army Commander. He was sent all over South. He fought with the Muslim forces, in a number of places, right down to Rameswaram. The biggest battle was fought in Madurai. Madurai Nagara Devata(guarding deity of the city), presented Kampanna with a sword. He was successful wherever he went. He not only defeated the enemies in battle, but re-furbished and re-invigorated, Hindu religion, customs and traditions. He was known as Kampanna Udaiyar. Later this title, came to be held by Mysore Maharajas.

17. In Trichy district, near Samayapuram, there is one Kannanur. There I visited a temple, which they referred as 'Pochchaleswarar' temple. I was wondering as to how this name could have evolved? During talk with some people there, I came to know that the Easwara there, was the family deity of the Hoysala dynasty, in Karnataka. It occurred to me that, it is the word, Hoysaleswara which has become Pachchaleswarar in Tamil. As I said earlier, 'ha' in Kannadiga becomes 'pa' in Tamil. As though to correct their original mistake, they have changed the name to 'Bojeswar', a further corruption! (That reminds KTSV the dictum, 'when a mistake is found and corrected, it will be found to be correct in it's original place'.) Funny to say the least.

18. In that temple wall, I found an inscription stating, 'when 'tulukkargal' [a common name for all types of Muslims], destroyed this temple, Kampanna Udaiyar came to its rescue'. I found that the compound wall, which normally has two adjusent stone walls, with the gap filled in with sand, lime, mortar mix; was having one side wall only, with evidences of the vandalism, even then apparent! Nearby was a Kambarasan Pettai, whose name too must have evolved from 'Kampanna'. There is another village near by, mainly populated by brahmins, who till date refer to the name of the village in their documents, as 'Kamparayan Chaturvedi Mangalam'. The village must have been donated to them by Kampanna!

19. Another interesting information. Kampanna Udaiyar's wife was one Ganga Devi. She had followed her husband wherever he had gone with his army. Not only that. She was well read in Sanskrit. Till they returned back to their home town, she has described, all the exploits, adventures and interesting events, with literary merit and beauty! In capabilities of acute observation and expression, she could possibly exceed even Mahakavi Kalidasa, hands down! With clarity, brevity, accuracy and subltlety, she has written, 'Ganga Devi Mathura Vijayam'. The Epigraphical department, have printed this book. It is a matter of rightful pride that, 600 years back, Indian woman could write a travelogue of such merit!

20 Vijayanagara Samrajyam came in to being with Mahalakshmi's Blessings. Kampanna Udaiyar could be victorious in all the battles and stabilise the Empire, with Parasakthi's Asirvadam. Ganga Devi's travalogue is with Saraswathi's Anugrham.

21. South India, which had been under foreigner's yoke for a period of four to five decades, was resuscitated back to its old ways of Veda Adhyayanam, Yagas, Temple festivals, celebrations and Dharmic activities. It is in this dynasty in later days, the world famous Krishna Devaraya was born. The seed for all this was sown by Vidyaranyar. He established the Empire, expanded it, ensured proper governance by dividing it in to manageable parts and appointed responsible governers.

22. To bring back Veda Dharmas, He removed Muslim rule and re-established Hindu Reign. Once the administrative responsibilities had stabilized, He took up the Dharma Kainkaryas, as a personal task. He identified that Adi Sankara's Adwaita Philosophies are the best bet for refurbishing the Hundu way of life. He renewed the existing Sankara Mathas in South India and created new ones too. At that time Madhva's Dwaita Siddhantam was well spread in the areas of the present Karnataka. He took measures to counter that. Point to note here is that, the Hindu way of countering Siddhantas and Philosophies, is always by discussions and debates based on logic and never by any other means!

23. For peoples welfare, Sastram and Saastram, both are required. Sastram means weapons and tools. Saastram of course are the scriptures. To protect oneself from foreign domination, 'sastram' is required. To protect oneself and the society from internal evil tendencies, 'saastram' is required. Vidyaranyar applied 'sastram' indirectly in establishing Vijayanagara Rajya. He applied 'saastram' directly, in re-establishing the Sankara Mathas. Thus He saved the Hindu way of life from Muslim domination. After this Muslims in South India, became Indianised and integrated in to the society, as nowhere else in the world.
Vidyaranyar is a role-model to follow in Karma, Bakthi and Gnana Margas! His works such as 'Pancha Dasi Prakaranam' and 'Jivan Mukthi Vivekam', are of the highest Upadesas, in Gnana Marga. He revived the Bakthi Marga by re-establishing Sankara Mathas and repairing and renovating temples damaged by Muslims. By writing Bhashyas for all the four Vedas, He revived the Karma Marga! All this is Mahalakshmi's blessings only.

24. More than earning money, the readiness to part with money, in giving to the needy, is the greater Lakshmi. She can grant you this mentality too. Sankara, who prayed to Mahalakshmi as the Goddess of wealth, for the sake of the poor brahmin woman, when it comes to praying to her for self, did not think of Her as only Aiswarya Devata! He addressess Her as the Ganambika, who would erase the dirt of the mind and heart. See the last sloka of 'Kanaka Dhara Sthava', starting with the words, 'sampath karani'.

25. Vaishnavas call Mahavishnu as 'perumal' and not Father. However, they lovingly think of Mahalakshmi as Mother. She is Mother Parasakthi too. In this sloka, Acharyal calls Her 'Mother!', and says, 'It is enough to prostrate before You. That very act will give me all the boons of wealth, all the sensory pleasures, status, name and fame. I do not care for such things. I need only one blessing. My 'duritham'(dur = bad, hitam = satisfiers), may all be pried away and thrown overboard. This is the greatest wealth, I need from You. I may forever be able do this 'namaskaram', to You.'

26. All of us, should pray to Mahalakshmi, for comfortably managing our lives devoid of outlandish desires and animal cravings. Like Acharyal, Vidyaranyal and Sri Vedanta Desikal, we should pray for money, not for selfish greed but for common good. Whether we get money or not, let us pray to Her, for the correct attitude and perspective!

Sambhomahadeva.