Sri Vadiraja Theertharu (Sode Kshetra)

Sri VaadiRajaru

https://archive.org/details/vadirajaru-sode

Born in the year 1480 AD Sri Vaadiraajaru was known as BhooVaraha in his poorvaashrama;

In his previous birth Sri Vaadiraajaru is believed to be the Brahmana (messenger) who carried Rukmini Devi's message to Lord Sri Krishna during Dwapara Yuga;

Sri Vaadiraajaru lived for 120 years before making sajeeva Brindavana pravesha in the year 1600 AD at Sode the seat of his Moola Brindavana. His Aaraadhana (anniversary) is clebrated on the 3rd lunar day of Krishna Paksha during the lunar month Phalguna Maasam (Phalguna Bahula Trutheeya);

Sri Vaadiraajaru was a contemporary of eminent Madhva Saints during the historical Vijayanagara period, viz. Sripaadarajaru; Sri Vyaasaraajaru, Sri Purandara Dasaru, Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu, Kanakadasaru apart from King Sri Krishnadevayara;

Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu one of the most acclaimed Madhva saints is accredited to have brought the most scientific and great philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya (Dwaita/Tattvavaada) to the proximity of the common folk in local language.

LAKSHMI SHOBANE was one of the jewels of Sri Vaadiraajara compositions which is a very popular hymn among the Madhwa fraternity;

Sri Vaadiraajaru was a great devotee and upaasaka of Lord Hayagreeva (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

During his nitya karma Sri Vaadiraajaru used to offer Lord Hayagreeva a special naivedya (a mixture of Channa Daall + Jaggery + Ghee + Dry Grapes + Cashew nuts) holding the plate on his head. Lord Hayagreeva (Hayavadana) used to come in the form of a divine horse and accept the offering by placing its forelegs on the shoulders of Sri Vaadiraajaru.

Sri Vaadiraajaru traveled extensively across the length and breadth of the country covering several pilgrim centres and authored a script called THEERTHA PRABHANDA covering the minute details of various shrines he visited. It is a reference manual for Madhwa fraternity on pilgrimage.

Befitting to the glory of Tirumala Kshethra, Sri Vaadiraajaru during his visit to the sacred Tirumala Shrine, climbed the hills on his knees since the hills appeared to him as Salagrama shila. He also presented a garland made up of Salagramas (Salagrama maala) to Lord Venkateswara.

Bhootarajaru was anugraha of Sri Vaadiraajaru who not only relieved him from the curse of Brahma Raksha, today he (Bhootarajaru) is also being worshiped at Sode (Sonda);

In the process of attaining Vishnu Bhakti - Vishnu saadhana - one cannot ignore the worship of RUDRA Devaru. His blessings and worship are very much required (with proper anusandhana) without which one cannot get the grace of supreme God Vishnu. He is foremost among the devotees of Lord Vishnu - Hara Vaishnavottama;

Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu has shown a direction in this regard with an example at DHARMASTALA Manjunatha Kshethra where he not only consecrated the Shiva Linga as per Madhva sampradaya but also brought the pooja/rituals as per Dvaita order which is being followed even today. - Sri Rudraantargatha-Sri BharatiramanaMukhyapraanaantargatha-Sri SankarshanaayaNamaha!

Sode also known as Swadi or Sonda the seat of Sri Vaadiraajara Moola Brindvana is one of the Ashta Mathas established by Sri Madhvacharya, the pontiff of which keeps worshiping Lord Sri Krishna at Udupi by rotation called Paryaaya.

Initially Paryaaya at Udupi was held once in two months. It was Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu who bought reforms in Paryaaya system and changed it to once in two years.

Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu one of the most acclaimed Madhva saints had the privilege of conducting Paryaaya five times during his tenure.

Sri Visvesha Theertharu senior Pontiff of Pejavara Matha has ascended the throne of Paryaaya for the fifth time which was earlier held only by Saint Sri Vadirajaru.

'nAham kartA hariH kartA' - what I know is limited - what I have to know is unlimited... Sri VaadiraajaTheerthaGurubhyonamaha!

तपो विद्या विरक्त्यादि सद्घुणौ घाकरानहम् |

वादिराज गुरून् वंदे हयग्रीव दयाश्रयन् ||

ತಪೋ ವಿದ್ಯಾ ವಿರಕ್ತ್ಯಾದಿ ಸದ್ಘುಣೌ ಘಾಕರಾನಹಮ್ |

ವಾದಿರಾಜ ಗುರೂನ್ ವಂದೇ ಹಯಗ್ರೀವ ದಯಾಶ್ರಯನ್ ||

తపో విద్యా విరక్త్యాది సద్ఘుణౌ ఘాకరానహమ్ |

వాదిరాజ గురూన్ వందే హయగ్రీవ దయాశ్రయన్ ||

tapO vidyaa viraktyaadi sadGuNou Gaakaraanaham |

vaadiraaja gurUn vaMdE hayagrIva dayaashrayaan ||

Hari SArvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri GururaajoVijayate