Life of Sri Madhvacharya - Part 4

Add as a preferred source on Google

The biographical texts available about Madhvacharya do not give a conclusive account of his final disappearance or passing away from this world. As in the case of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Madhva's final exit is shrouded in myth and mystery. Madhvacharya's mission was accomplished with the establishment of the Dvaita School on a strong philosophical ground and the founding of the Sri Krishna temple and the eight monasteries in Udupi.

According to one version, Madhvacharya left Udupi forever and retreated into Veda Vyasa's secret abode in upper Badri in the Himalayas after completing his life's mission. He is believed to be still alive, immersed in devotion and yogic Samadhi and helping his followers in their spiritual quest.

Whatever may be the truth of his miraculous disappearance, his contribution to Sanatana Dharma and the Bhakti marga is certainly unparalleled. Swami Tapasyananda (late), a revered monk of the Ramakrishna Mission whose English translation of the Madhvavijaya served as a key source of information for this biographical sketch of Madhvacharya, summarises his tribute to Madhva thus:

"...He was a unique and all-round personality with an original genius and great power, spiritual, intellectual and physical... As a thinker, he was original and critical, and on all the Vedantic texts he touched upon as an Acharya, he has cast his own impress, diverging considerably from the beaten track... His scholarship and intellectualism never acted as a damper to his devotional spirit. They only subserved his devotion to Narayana, the propagation of which was the sole purpose of his endeavours."

The Madhvavijaya describes his attractive personality in these beautiful words:
"People came in large numbers to see that Madhvacharya who shone like the moon, with his gentle smile, lotus-eyes, golden complexion and words of blessing. He was an ornament to the world, though himself bereft of any ornaments on his person."

This great teacher left behind a spiritual legacy, which shone brightly through his illustrious disciples and continues to enlighten many, a wandering soul in its sojourn on earth. May those who read the life of Mahvacharya be inspired to lead a life of pure devotion ! (Concluded)

NEXT: Life of Sri Ramanujacharya

Lalit Mangal from Bangalore writes:

"I have been reading your posts on OneIndia. For the past few months a concern is consuming a lot of my inquisitive energy. Admitting to the fact that India had a very rich intellectual heritage and superior vision of life, none of this is reflected in the present state of affairs. We find people with the "chalta hai" (don't care) attitude, making them inefficient and far away from perfection..."

Lalit, there are many who share your concern and who are equally 'consumed' by the pathetic state of life in all fields in India today. President Kalam put it aptly when he said 'India is an advanced civilization in an advanced stage of decay!' Yes, we are in a state of decay today and there many cancers plaguing us, whose symptoms are glaringly visible all over the country. We have to accept the ground reality as it is and take responsibility for it as mature citizens.

There is an abysmal cultural & spiritual vacuum in the mind of the 21st century Indian. The first and the foremost corrective measure would be to bring back the awareness of that "intellectual heritage and superior vision of life" to every Indian. Swami Vivekananda declared that a man who could make the knowledge of India's past come alive would be the greatest benefactor to our nation.

So, let us make a small beginning in our own lives by enriching our own cultural and spiritual life. Let us become part of the change that we wish to see in India today.