VITHALA RAYA was a jain king ruling Karnataka region. After RAMANUJA rescues his daughter from devil possesion, he converted himself as VAISHANAV under the acharya Bhagavad Ramanuja. Earlier there were 12000 Jain gurus who were royal priests. The change to Vaishnavism evoked negative response from the gurus. They resorted to challenge RAMANUJA on an open forum over spiritual issue. They were confident to defeat Bhagavan as they out numbered him largely. RAMANUJA agreed to argue single handed. The king arranged a huge dias and open ground for 12000 jains. Ramanuja centrally seated over the dias should answer all queries. RAMANAUJA manifested himself as ADISESHA with 1000 hoods and successfully addresssed all jain acharyas and satisfied their questions. Subsequently there was no hesitation to accept SUPREMACY of VISISTADWAITHA.
A few days later, Ramanuja was looking for TIRUMANI, a white lime stone powder for making marks of Lotus feet of Narayana over one's forehead. He asked Lord to indicate where abouts, far it was in tremendous shortage. That day night TIRU NARAYANA appeared in his dream and asked Ramanuja to move to YADUGIRI, where the tirumani is available due to Garuda leaving a mritthika there. Yathiraja in fullfaith left to Yadugiri and searched for Triru Narayana. He could not find despite of good afforts. Once again he pleaded Lord who guided him to Tulasi plant, between Champak trees near by water tank called Kalyana teertham. The king's soldiers were asked to dig out. For everyones surprise a statue of Lord Tiru Narayana was found.
A beautiful township, road , gardens, mandaps and temple was built by Vishnuvardhana. This became Tirunarayana puram, is also called Melkote. The Lord has all utsavs, big glory and became popular. However there were no utsavars. Once again Lord appeared to Ramanuja and told His utsavars are in Delhi, with the princess Bibi Nacchiyar, daughter of Padushah. Vishnuvardhan with large army and Ramanuja started to Delhi insearch of Utsavars. The emperor of Delhi seeing big army and swamy, was is compromising mood. He offered th RAMANUJA, when we invaded many areas lots of idols were brought and kept in many places. but the emperor is not aware where this particular one is there. If RAMANUJA can find he can take it.
Now Bhagavad Ramanuja has a task to find his Lord. He simply prayed to Srimannarayana, "where I can find as you are every where?". Lord replied ". I am with the pricess. if you call I shall come to you". The emporer was circastic and asked RAMANUJA, "could you not find?". Bhagavan smiled and said, "He is with you daughter.Please give Him to us". Emporer was surprised and took all key people to the interior mansons of princes. Everyone was surprised to see the princess was playing with Lord. Emporer asked his daughter to give away the idol to YATHI RAJA. But the princess was reluctant as she can not part with the Lord. The emporer was helpless and looked to Bhagavad Ramanuja.
BHAGAVAD RAMANUJA looked at Lord and said, "SWAMY, all your devotees are awaiting you at TIRU NARAYANAPURAM. Please come with me". Lord like a small child coming back to his father in the form of idol, moved in air from Bibi Nacchiyar to Yathi Raja' s Lap. RAMANUJA embraced Him called him, "SAMPATH KUAMARA, Selva Pillai" we are all blessed by your grace. Entire pricess anthah puram has echoed with JAYA JAYA YATHIRAJA. But Bibi Nacchiyar was unabl e for seperation. Lord told the emporer, He will marry the princess and take her along. the emporer married her to Him. Tirunarayana puram is also known as Yadugiri, Narayanadri, Melkote.
No comments:
Post a Comment