Shri Devendra Teertharu Aradhana (Bidi Sanyasigalu)

Shri Devendra Teertharu Aradhana 

SanyAsa period: 1952 - 1993 (biDi sanyAsigaLu)

ArAdhane: bhAdrapada bahuLa Navami

BrindAvana: Narasimha tIrtha, muLabAgilu

Just after his marriage, he decided to give up grihastAshrama and become a sanyAsigaLu.

When he was praying to rAyaru to obtain sanyAsa, rAyaru had appeared in his dream and blessed him with the name of dEvEndra tIrtharu.

He had taken Ashrama in front of Mruttika brindAvana of rAyaru at Hampapura – on Nandana Samvatsara mAgha Shudda Panchami in 1952. He got his first bikshE at Hanasoge Village.

After a couple of years after his sanyasa dIksha, he went to Malakheda where in the sannidhana of Sri Jayatirtharu, Sri Satyapramodaru readily agreed to give Guru upadEsha – gave pranavAdi mahAmantra upadEsha. He also did the shAnti pATa samarpaNa there.

He dedicated his life for pravachana and was extremely good at it. People used to flock to him with queries. At old age when his eye sight had become bad, he was doing pravachana without looking at any scripture.

He attained brindAvana on 28.9.1993 – bhAva samvatsara bhAdrapada bahuLa Navami punarvasu nakshatra day.

ಶ್ರೀ ನೃಸಿಂಹ ಕೃಪಾಪಾತ್ರಂ ಸೀತಾರಾಮಪ್ರx`ಪೂಜಕಂ |

ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ದಯಾಪೂರ್ಣಂ ದೇವೇಂದ್ರಾಖ್ಯ ಗುರುಂಭಜೇ |

श्री नृसिंह कृपापात्रं सीतारामप्रपूजकं ।

राघवेंद्र दयापूर्णं देवेंद्राख्य गुरुंभजे ।

shrI nRusimha kRupaapAtram sItArAmaprapUjakam |

rAghavEndra dayApUrNam dEvEndrAKya gurum bhajE |

ರಾಮಚಂದ್ರಪದಾಸಕ್ತಾನ್ ಯತೀಂದ್ರೈರಪಿ ಮಾನಿತಾನ್ |

ದೇವೇಂದ್ರಾಖ್ಯಗುರೂನ್ ವಂದೇ ತತ್ವಜ್ಞಾನಾರ್ಥಸಿದ್ಧಯೇ |

रामचंद्रपदासक्तान् यतींद्रैरपि मानितान् ।

देवेंद्राख्यगुरून् वंदे तत्वज्ञानार्थसिद्धये ।

rAmachaMdrapadAsaktAn yatIMdrairapi mAnitAn |

dEvEMdraaKyagurUn vaMdE tatvaj~jaanArthasiddhayE |

Idols worshipped by him:

Sri Krishnacharyaru who did the pourohitya of his sanyAsashrama gave the seer Sri dhIrEndra tIrtha KarArchita rAma pratime. Sri Satyapramoda tIrtharu while giving upadEsha gave him HayagrIva dEvara pratime. He also had the idol of Dhanvantari which was worshipped earlier by Sagarakatte Pradyumna Tirtharu.

In 1977, he got a new place in Mysore Ramanuja Road for construction of maTa called “Devendra Tirtha maTa”.  In 1978, he brought the Mruttika of rAyaru from the Vrundavana @ Hampapura and did the pratisTApane at Mysore Devendra Tirtha maTa.

Vidya Gurugalu:

Sri Chaturvedi Ramachandracharyaru – Srimanyaya sudhaa & Vyasatraya

Sri Kashi Praneshacharya – Sumadhwa Vijaya

Sri Madurai Madhwacharyaru and

Sri Kaulagi Nagarajacharyaru – VyaKarana

Sri S Narasimhamurthacharyaru – Sarvamoola shaanthi paaTa

Vidya Shishyaru:

Sri Raghunandanachar (Now shri vishwanandana tIrtharu)

Sri Pushkaracharya (Now shri vidyAvijaya tIrtharu)

Sri Sagarakatte Swamiji (prAjnAdhirAja Tirtharu)

Sri GururajacharyA and many more.

Sri Devendra Tirtharu relied on “Sumadhva Vijaya” for all his decisions.

Before his Vrundavana Pravesha, i.e., before his last breath, he was looking for a place for his brindAvana. Then Sri Vignananidhi tIrtha Sripadangalavaru of Sripadaraja maTa came forward to provide a place for vrundavana at Narasimha Tirtha in Mulbagilu.

Sri Vignananidhi Tirtharu has arranged daily hastOdaka for Sri Devendra Tirtharu.

Bhagavatha Pravachana for 18 years -  Once he did the Srimadbhagavatha Pravachana for 18 years.  He had such depth of knowledge of Bhagavatha – Each time he used to tell different artha for Bhagavatha. Every year during Madhwanavami he used to do upanyasa of Sumadhwavijaya, during Vasantha Navarathri Ramayana, during Sharannavarathri Srinivasa kalyana. Each year he used to give different, extra meaning for the same. Added to these upanyasas, he used to give vyakyana of atleast one Bhagavatha Shloka.

His upanyasa procedure:

One of his shishyas used to chant the shloka and then Swamiji used to do the pravachana. He never used to have any vyAkhyAna, grantha with him for reference. 

He had such good depth in upanyasa. He had profound knowledge of Jyotishya, Dharmashastra, meemansa.

Mantra siddhi:

He was doing the upasana of Dhanvantri.  If any body came to him with any disease, he used to give the person “sugar” after abhimantrana to Dhanvantri.  In a very short time, the disease would get cured.  That was his siddhi.

Dharma deekshe:

Because of his age, his got cataract. Doctors suggested him to have operation.  The procedure for operation required him not to have head bath for seven days. Devendra Tirtharu told: “I can’t leave japa, snaana even for a single day.  I don't require operation. Even though I can’t see the books, no problem. What I have read in the past itself is sufficient.” That was his dharma deekshe.

 Udupi Ananteshwara is Srihari only:

Once a pandit by name Sri Vijayeendra Murthy was having a discussion on anantEshwara. Here is the summary of the discussion.

Vijayeendra Murthy – Ananteswara in Udupi is Shiva.

Swamiji – What is the proof?

Vijayeendra Murthy – In Tirthaprabandha it is mentioned “shaiveeM shilamaashritya shobatE”. As such Ananteswara Pratime is shiva related shila. And as such Ananteswara is Shiva only.

Swamiji – In the same shloka, it is mentioned “as he is shivantaryami,  Srihari is in Shaiveeshaile”.  In the next stanza, as Shiva would get “Sheshapadavi”, Sheshashayana Srihari is in Linga shile.  As such, Ananteswara is Vishnu only.

Vijayeendra Murthy – Had it been a vishnu pratime, it shall have arms, foot, etc. It is in lingakaara. He is shiva.

Swamiji – Our  ರುಬ್ಬುವ ಗುಂಡೂ (grinder) also is in Lingakaara.  Is it also Shiva?

Vijayeendra Murthy – In Ananteswara, “Eswara” is there.  He is shiva.

Swamiji – Then In Gomateswara also “Eswara” is there.  He also should been Shiva.

Finally swamiji won the discussion.

Works of Sri Devendra Tirtha:

 1) Amrutavaani

 2) Drustaantagalu

 3) Vishnu Vratha Vimarshe – Gokalashtami, Ekadashi acharana

 4)  Sukha – What is sukha, Dukha, and related issues.

Devendra Tirtharu on Taratamya:

A group of people under the influence of a great kannada poet,  condemned the “Taratamya chintana” of Madhwa Shastra in public.  Many protest programmes were conducted by eminent Madhwa pandits to condemn the condemnation of Madhwa Matha. Sri Devendra Tirtharu called those people and explained the concept of Taratamya.  The seer clarified them that “jaati" (ಜಾತಿ) is nothing but what we call as Classification in English.  He further told that there are various groups in insects, trees, fruits, animals, birds.  When there are groups in these dumb features, why can’t humans have groups? He further narrated what we call Good & Bad in English. The same we call as per shastra as saatvika, raajasa, taamasa. Further, the intelligence in different students studying in the same school differs.  Even if we try, their beauty, strength, will be different.  This is nothing but taaratamya.  He questioned them.  This Taratamya is universally accepted.  Had it not been universal, then what is the necessity of comparative degree, superlative degree?

Devendra Tirtharu on Ekadashi:

 1.  A Vishnu Bhaktha must observe the following practices compulsarily.  They are:

 a) Ekadashi Upavasa (If not done, Droha of Srihari)

 b) Gopichandana Dharana (Yama Bhaya Nivruthi)

 c) Bhagavadbhaktas Seva (For Jnaana Sadhana)

 2.  During Ashoucha also Ekadashi must be observed but not Vishnu panchaka.

 3.  On which Ekadashi it is unfit for Bhojana, it is not fit for Shraddha also.  In such cases, Ekadashi to be observed on Dashami day itself.

 4.  If one does Rajaparatha, he can’t eat, he can’t get proper sleep.  But people are doing aparadha to Srihari himself by not observing Ekadashi, and are doing nice bhojana and sleep.

Sri Devendra Tirtharu was called as “Drustaanta Tirtharu” (Man of valuable examples). He was giving valuable examples on various aspects of Madhwa Philosophy.  Some of the Drustaanthaas which he was telling during his Upanyasa are:

1.  Dwaitha & Advaitha are like Parallel Lines. The Parallel lines seems to be nearer to each line.  But no two parallel lines ever meet each other.  Similarly Dwaitha & Advaitha principles both move together.

2.  Select the correct route and the vehicle: If we are sitting in the correct train we will reach our desired destination, lest we will be reaching some other station. As such, one has to sit in Madhwarayara Train to reach Mukthi Marga, otherwise if we sit in Sankaraadi Train it may result in a bad Marga.

3.  Thieves give chocolate and snatch Gold: Thieves distribute Chocolate and snatch Golden necklace from people. Similarly science has provided us Electricity, Machines, Computers and all other facilities for our luxury at the cost of Shastra Belief.

4.  Yamadoothaas punishing the vishnu dweshis and vishnu bhaktas:

In the School, when the students are making lot of disturbances, noices, the teacher beats the students. In between if the Head Master’s son is also there, he can’t hit him like other students. While hitting, he will hit him very lightly and move ahead. Similarly when Vishnu bhaktaas do some paapaas, Yamadharmaraja punishes them with light punishments. For that we have to do dharana of  Gopichandana, which is Vaishnava symbol.

5.  Don’t eat in Hotels: We will not be taking Panchagavya daily.  Even if we are taking it once in a year, the entire asthigatha paapa will be removed.  Similarly even if we are not drinking Coffee in Hotels daily, even if we take it once, the paapa can be asthigatha. As such, don’t go to hotels.

6.  Paropakaaraarthamidam shareeram: Trees do not live for themselves. They will face Cold, Rain, Wind, Heat and controls them for others. We must try to learn to live like trees, helping others.

7.  Harinama smarane is the only remedy for all sins: For all diseases panacea is the remedy.  It does not mean that others are in vain. Similarly for all sins, Harinama smarane is the real prayaschitta.  Ofcourse for some sins, theertha prashana, panchagavya prashana are remedies. But Harinamasmarane can remove all sins.

8.  Sugar will not be sweet for some: Dog will not like Sugar.  It likes bones, and it bites and eats and bones and while biting sometimes blood will come out of its own mouth, and that it will chew the blood and feels happy.  Similarly for those who are not having bhagavad bhakthi,  Srimadbhagavatha will not be tasty.

9.  Interest will be compounding: If the instalment and interest on loan is not repaid in time, it will grow and interest on interest will be charged at compounded rate, and penalty will be charged. Similarly if we are not doing the prayaschitta for the sins, the sins will grow and grow in high volume.

10.  Vairaagya: Devataas have svaabhavika (natural) vairagya; Rushi munees have vairagya through upadesha; people do have vairagya after difficulties.

11.  Dhooparathi, and Ekarathi done before Naivedya is agrahya: Because it is for daityochattana.

12. During Kaliyuga: the phala for paapa karma is minimum but for punyakarma, the phala is more.  Because for paapa karma there is lot of encouragement in kaliyuga.  Kali, the number one amongst the paapi, is the king.  As such, due to his presence, the paapa karma done by the jeevi will be counted with minimum sin.  We have so many obstacles for doing punya karya in kaliyuga.  As such, if we are doing the punya, it will have more punya.

13. Sarvakarma parityaga is not imposed by Shastra. Shastra imposes ban on nishiddakama.  As such, we must not do nishidda kaamaas.

14. If we do naivedya samarpana, Srihari only sees it.  If we do vaishwadeva, he does the sparsha of it.  If you arrange for the bhojana of brahmanas, he will accept it through his mouth. 

15.  Brahmanas must accept the daanas offered to them through agni tirtha in their right hand.  But sanyasi must never accept daana through hand directly as he has agni nashta.

16.  During night time curds and ganji is nishidda.

17.  During soothaka, or vruddhi streesanga is nishidda. During such time if garbotpatti is there, the entire vamsha will be apavitra.

18.  As per Vijayadwajeeya vyakyana brahmana paadodaka is panarha.  As such gurupadodaka is grahya.

19.  Ajnaana is of three types.  viz., 1) Self ajnana, 2) paramathma ajnana,  3) relation between self and paramathma ajnana.  This leads to samsara.

20. Parastree sanga leads to Narakadyanartha hethu.  If you desire about Rushyadi Stree – it leads to Tamohethu.  Similarly daityastree kamana is also tamo hethu.

21. There are four sins which are more dangerous than panchamapataka viz., 1) Harivismruti, 2) Mityajnana, 3) Ayogyopadesha  4) Svottamadroha

22. Some people say that antha shoucha is sufficient.  Some say bahya shoucha is sufficient.  Both are idiots.  Antha shoucha and bahya shoucha is a must.

23. During exigencies (aapatkaala), even if we take nishiddanna sevane, shastrokta prayaschitta is a must.

24.  We must test Guru and accept shishyatva in a guru.  After accepting shishyatva we must not have avishwasa on that guru.  If he have avishwasa (no confidence) , the vidya will not be fruitful.

25. Srihari is the Mukya Guru. Then Vayudevaru.  Then those harivayubhaktaru who have the blessings of Vayudevaru are gurugalu with sannidhanakramanusara.

For full life history of Sri Devendra Tirtharu please refer

“ಶ್ರೀ ಶ್ರೀ ದೇವೇಂದ್ರತೀರ್ಥ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದರ ಜೀವನ ಚರಿತ್ರೆ” (“shrI shrI dEvEMdratIrtha shrIpaadara jIvana charitre”) by Sri Vishwanandana Tirtharu.