Narahari Theertharu - A royal pontiff
NaraHari TheErtHaru
(1242 – 1333 AD)
https://archive.org/details/narahari-theertharu
sasiitaa mUlaraamaarcHaa kOshE gajapatE: stHitaa|
yEnaAnitaa namastasmai sHrimanRuHaribhikShavE |
ಸಸೀತಾ ಮೂಲರಾಮಾರ್ಚಾ
ಕೋಶೇ ಗಜಪತೇ: ಸ್ಥಿತಾ|
ಯೇನಾನೀತಾ ನಮಸ್ತಸ್ಮೈ
ಶ್ರೀಮನೃಹರಿಭಿಕ್ಷವೇ |
ससीता मूलरामार्चा
कोशे गजपते: स्थिता।
येनानीता नमस्तस्मै
श्रीमनृहरिभिक्षवे ।
These legendary and
historical idols have a background dating back to Ikshvaku Dynasty in which
Lord Sri Rama was born. Sri Narahari Theertharu procured them from Gajapathi
dynasty of Kalingadesa and handed over them to Sri Madhvacharyaru whose
successors are worshiping them.
Regarded as a
direct disciple of Sri Madhvacharya the founder and exponent of Dvaita
philosophy, Sri Narahari Theertharu succeeded Sri Padmanabha Theertharu in
ascending the Sarvagna Peeta of Sri Madhvacharya that was held by him (Narahari
Theertharu) for nine years.
A contemporary of
Sri Aananda Theertharu (Sri Madhvacharya); Sri Narahari Theertharu who lived
during 13th century A.D. was assumed to have hailed from Andhra-Orissa region.
A distinguished
scholar of Advaita philosophy he was known as Shyama Saastry in his
poorvaasrama.
During the visit of
Sri Madhvacharya to Kalinga Desa (Orissa), Sri Shyama Saastry (Narahari
Theertharu) happened to meet him and was defeated in a philosophical debate
with Acharya Sri Madhva.
Having got
admiration towards Dvaita/Tattvavada philosophy and the preachings of Sri
Madhvacharya, Sri Shyama Saastry became his disciple; accepted Sanyasa Deeksha
and was named as Narahari Theertha.
Sri Narahari
Theertharu was not only a great scholar but also an able administrator working
as a minister in the court of King of Kalinga currently known as Odissa in the
Gajapathi dynasty.
As per the
directions of his Guru Sri Madhvacharya, Sri Narahari Theertharu stayed in
Kalinga Sate propagating Dvaita/Tattvavaada philosophy.
At that time the
King of Kalinga had died leaving behind an infant heir to the throne. Searching
for a care taker, the administrators sent out an elephant to choose and pick up
a suitable Prince regent.
By virtue of Divine Sankalpa the elephant chose Sri Narahari Theertharu who was an erstwhile minister in King’s court and consequently was placed on the throne of Kalinga.
Sri Narahari
Theertharu though ascended the throne continued his Sanyasa Deeksha and ruled
the kingdom of Kalinga for 12 years and thereafter relinquished his office
giving way to the King’s heir. History of Orissa made a reference to this
information.
These facts have
also been found in the inscriptions that are available in the temples of Sri
Koormam and Simhachalam in Andhra Pradesh that stands as a testimony to the
glory and stature of Sri Narahari Theertharu.
During his rule Sri
Narahari theertharu influenced many princely and aristocratic families of
Kalinga and Andhra region with his Dvaita/Tattvavaada preachings and brought
them into Sri Madhva’s fold.
After relinquishing
his office as a ruler of Kalinga state Sri Narahari Theertharu, accepted from
the Sovereigns as a token of Royal gratitude, the idols of Sri Moola Rama
Devaru and Goddess Sita Devi (which were held in treasure of the Kingdom) and
handed over them to Sri Madhvacharyaru. These legendary and historical idols
have a background dating back to Ikshvaku Dynasty in which Lord Sri Rama was
born.
Sri Narahari
Theertharu made a significant contribution to the literature of Madhva
philosophy that had great impact on the society at that time. He is considered
as the founder of Dasa Sahitya and father of Haridasa movement.
Some of the temples
installed by Sri Narahari Theertharu are...
Ø Lord Hanuman opposite to Sri Varaha Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam;
Ø Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Aanjaneya at Sri Koormam (Srikakulam);
Ø Lord SriManNarayana at Narayanadevarakere near Hospet in Bellary Dt.
Ø Sri Peta Aanjaneya Swamy temple at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh;
Ø Pranadevaru at Nandivelugu in Tenali (Mandal); Guntur Dist. (A.P.);
Some of His contributions to #DaasaSahitya, 'yanthu marulade nanenthu...' ಎಂತು ಮರುಳಾದೆ ನಾನೆಂತು ಮರುಳಾದೆ 'hariye idu sariye...' ಹರಿಯೇ ಇದು ಸರಿಯೇ ಚರಣಸೇವಕನಲ್ಲಿ ಕರುಣೆ ಬಾರದ್ಯಾಕೆ 'tiliko ninnologe neene...' “'ತಿಳಕೊ ನಿನ್ನೊಳಗೆ ನೀನೆ ವಂರುಳೆ'' -Ankita Raghupathi Raghukulathilaka
After living for nearly 90 years, Sri Narahari Theertharu, verily a Royal Pontiff entered Brindavana at Hampi (Chakra Theertha) on the banks of holy river Tungabhadra on the sacred day of Pushya Bahula Sapthami.
[Rare picture of Paramapoojya Sri Sushameendra Theertharu at Sri Narahari Theerthara Moola Brindavana sannidhana on one of the occasions of Sri Narahari Theerthara Aaraadhaa at Hampi kshethra]
येनानीता नमस्तस्मै
श्रीमनृहरिभिक्षवे ।
Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama
Sri GuruRaajo Vijayate
Sri MoolaRaAmo VijayatE🙏🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteMoola Raama is the name of Sri RaAma Devara Vigraha that was sculpted by Viswakarma and worshipped by Lord Brahma and passed on to Ikshvaku dynasty and down the line.
Later on it reached Kalinga Desa over a period of time when it was procured by Madhva Saint Sri Narahari Theertharu as per the directions of Sri MadhvacharyaRu, worshipped by HIm and later on passed on to His successors that was worshipped by Sri GuruRayaru and being worshipped by his successors even today at Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha.
Sri GuruRaajo Vijayate🙏🙏🙏