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NOVEMBER, 1914.) SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE MADHVA ACHARYAS
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he was pressed hard to accept a trifle at least from them. He asked for a clod of earth used in ballasting the ship, for, he knew it contained the image of Kțishna. As soon as it was brought, the clod was broke open and was found to contain the image of Kțishna. Ananda Tîrtha built a temple for it in Ucipi, consecrated it with great pomp and festivity, and ordained eight boy-sanyasins to do pija to this image by rotation. These were the originators of the eight monasteries at Udipi.
Somewhere about this time the king of Kalii ga died, leaving behind an infant son. There was no capable and trustworthy officer in the State to act as the regent during the minority of the child. Naturally the minds of the subjects ran to their old minister, Sâma Sastrin, now a Sanyasin with Ananda Tirtha, but did not care for worldly honours and would not accept the offer to administer the State. Ananda Tirtha, however, insisted upon his taking up the office of the regent in the Kaliiga country, if not for any material gain, at least to help an infant king, and at the end of the tenure of his office to procure for him (Ananda Tîrtha)much coveted images of Râma and Sita, which were secured in the royal treasury. Reluctantly Narahari Tirtha (Sama Sastrin) assumed charge of the regency and conducted the affairs of the State satisfactorily for a period of twelve years at the end of which he managed to get from the young prince the images required by his preceptor, and which he loved so much to worship.
In the meanwhile Ånanda Tirtha had paid another visit to Badari in company with Satya Tirtha and Upêndra Tirtha. On his return journey he visited Kabi, Hțishiketa, etc., and passed Goa and reached Učipi. After his return from Badarî he was obliged to enter into a religious dispute with Padma Tîrtha of the Advaita perguasion. While preparing himself to meet his adversary, Ananda Tirtha was told that Padma Tirtha had run away in fear. But goaded and taunted by his followers, Padma Tirtha once again appeared at Udipi and entered the ring of combat with Ananda Tirtha. Very hot discussions took place and before sunset the Advaitin was completely defeated. The next morning Padma Tîrtha and his followers were found to have run away. Before their flight they managed however to carry away the valuable library of Ânanda Tirtha. The run-aways were chased and overtaken, but Jayasimha the chief of the country interceded on behalf of both the parties and got back the library to its rightful owner. The place where this happened is known as Vishnumaigala. At Vishộumangala, Ananda Tirtha was met by an Advaitin, named Trivikrama Pandita, who desired to discuss religious matters with the former. His wish was agreed to, and in the course of his conversation, Trivikrama found the method of the Dvaita Acharya very logical and his arguments convincing. He immediately joined the camp of Ananda Tirtha by embracing Mâdhvaism.
Just about this time news reached Ânanda Tîrtha of the demise of his parents in the village of Pajaka, the bearer of the tidings being his own brother. He implored Ânanda Tirtha to admit him in the fold of sanyasins under him. Ananda Tirtha conferred upon him the robes of holy order and named him Vishru Tirtha. On this occasion seven others also took the sanyasaírama.
Eghty days after the return of Narahari Tîrtha from the Kalinga country, with the images of Rima and Sîtâ, the Acharya is said to have finally retired from the world to Badari, to take his abode with Vyasa eternally. This event is said to have taken place on the ninth tithi of the bright fortnight of the month of Magha in the year Pingala which corresponded with the eightieth year of the age of Ananda Tirtha. Thus is the traditional account of the life of Ananda Tirtha, better known in later days by the name of Madhvacharya. We do not get any idea of the chronology of the life of Madhvacharya from the account narrated above, but epigraphy and other sources supply us with information onough to fix the age of Ananda Tirtha.
(To be continued.)
